Page 22 of Eat Me

His approval makes me uneasy. I don't want to play into their sick games, but my survival instinct is overriding everything else at this point.

"So, what was the point then?" I ask, wondering what the full reason for this test was. "Just to see which of us would try to run?"

"Partly," Elijah says. "We wanted to see how you would interact with each other under stress. Who would take charge, who would follow, who would crack.”

"So, it was all just another test," I say bitterly. But then, I knew these were all tests. They want to see our reactions, but the feeling of being manipulated still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

"Everything is a test," Elijah replies. His voice taking on a darker tone. "Life itself is a series of tests. We're simply accelerating the process."

Shaking my head, I wince from the movement as it sends a throb of pain through my temple. "That's a pretty twisted way oflooking at things." I know my brain to mouth filter is gone but it seems it’s more gone than I want or need it to be.

Elijah's eyes harden, but his lip twitches as he grabs my hand, letting his fingers gently trace over my knuckles, "Perhaps. But it's how we've survived for generations. This is how things work in our family.”

I don’t know much about his family, but it seems fucking twisted. I have the urge to rip my hand out of his, and I think he knows as he brings it to his lips before letting me have it back. A shiver travels up my spine and not liking the feeling, I push it back into the corners of my mind. I don’t want to think about it.

"What happens next? Or am I to find out with the others?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Elijah's lips curve into a cold smile. "Now we see how you handle real pressure. The physical and psychological trials so far have been a warm-up. The next test will push you and give you a glimpse into what being with our family is really like.”

I’m not liking those words as they cause the hairs on my body to stand on end. I’ve never dealt with people like him or anyone in his so-called family. They’re all psychotic, but that goes without saying. Just as I open my mouth to ask what will happen with Amber, my stomach flips and my body starts to heat up. I shake my head thinking it’s because I’m so tired.

“Let's get you cleaned up.” Elijah spoke, glancing at my hair, which still has blood in it. I tilt my head at his words. Cleaned up how?

Raising an eyebrow at him, I silently ask him to explain. He just laughs, as his eyes darken as he looks me over. His gaze makes me feel like he’s looking through me, searching for something.

Elijah's intense gaze causes me to shift uncomfortably. "What do you mean by 'clean up'?" I ask warily.

He smirks. "Just a shower, darling. You're covered in blood and dirt. We can't have you getting sick or catching something, now, can we?"

I tensed at the idea of showering here, with him nearby, makes me incredibly uneasy. "I'm fine. I can clean up later in my cell."

Elijah's eyes harden. "That isn't a request. You'll shower now, where I can keep an eye on you. We can't risk you trying anything foolish."

Opening my mouth to argue but stop as a wave of dizziness washes over me. My visions fading and Elijah’s helping me remain standing with a hand on my arm.

"Easy there," he murmurs, a small smirk coming to his lips. “Another reason to have supervision right there.” Glaring at him, but before I could say anything else he scoops me up into his arms. I let out an undignified yelp, my hands instinctively gripping his shoulders to steady myself.

"Put me down!" I demand, my voice coming out higher than I intended it too. "I can walk on my own! I’m a little dizzy but I can walk just fine." He’s managed to carry me once already; I don’t need him to carry me again.

Elijah’s chuckle, reverberating through his chest. "I'm sure you can, darling. But humor me, won't you? I don’t need you to get another injury because you’re being stubborn"

I want to argue further, but he’s already moving through the room to a connected room that I hadn’t seen. He steps through the doorway into a small bathroom, nothing fancy but it has all the amenities.

Elijah set me down gently, keeping a steadying hand on my arm as I sway slightly. The dizziness is getting worse, and I’m feeling uncomfortably warm.

"Are you alright?" Elijah asks, his green eyes darkening as he looks at me. "You look flushed."

Shaking my head, to try and clear it. "I'm fine."

Elijah's eyes narrow, not looking the least bit convinced. "Hmm. Well, let's finish getting you cleaned up quickly so you can rest."

He reached past me to turn on the shower, adjusting the temperature. I stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do. The idea of undressing in front of him made my skin crawl.

I glared at him, arms crossing over my chest in silent defiance, "Are you seriously going to stand guard while I shower?"

He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk curling at the ends of his mouth, "Would you prefer I join you?”

"No!" I snap, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks. I watch him step back and lean down so his face was close to mine.

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