Page 33 of Eat Me

I really want to roll my eyes, and from the look on his face, he must know it, because he sighs, letting his hand drop from my face. Looking him in the eyes, I have so much more I want to say to him, but I can see I’ve already pushed too much today. I give him one more look before I stand up, being careful thatour bodies don’t touch, I step over the tray of food to put space between us.

Standing with my back against the wall, arms crossed defensively over my chest as I stare at Owen. He stood as well, watching me with those piercing blue eyes. His eyes tracking my every movement. I see the tension in his body, like a predator ready to pounce at any moment.

"You should eat," he said after a moment, gesturing to the tray of food I’d stepped over. "Keep your strength up."

I glance down at the food; my stomach churning at the thought of eating anything and then back up to Owen. "I'm not hungry," I mutter, not wanting to sound ungrateful for the food given…but I really don’t think I can stomach food at this time.

Owen's eyes narrowed slightly, a frown settling on his face. "That isn't a suggestion,Victoria. You need to eat, and you will eat."

My jaw clenches, anger flaring inside me at his commanding tone. But I know better than to argue outright. Instead, I force myself to take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice level, "And if I refuse?"

A cold smile spreads across Owen's lips. "Then I'll have to resort to more... unpleasant methods of keeping you nourished. Trust me when I say you don't want that." I suppress a shudder at the implied threat. As much as I want to defy him, I have a feeling the alternative wouldn’t be pleasant.

Reluctantly, I pick up the tray and sit down on the floor with my legs crossed before setting the metal tray that reminds me of the industrial ones they use in prison, in my lap. The food does look good. Cooked carrots and peas, a bread roll, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and turkey with gravy. The smell is good, but my stomach turns at the thought of eating. Grabbing the fork, I take a small bite of the potatoes, trying to stop the nausea that has my stomach in knots.

Owen nods approvingly, "good girl," he murmurs, making me tense at the praise. "I'll leave you to it then. Someone will be by later to check on you…. which most likely will be Elijah this time."

As he turns to leave, I couldn’t stop myself from calling out to him. "Wait," I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. Owen pauses, turning back to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, Victoria?" he asks, his tone deceptively gentle.

I swallow hard, debating whether I should even ask the question burning in my mind. But I need to know. "What... what happens next? There are more tests? How many more?” The questions tumble out of my lips before I can stop them.

Owen's lips curve into a cold smile. "Worried, sweetheart? You should be. The trials only get more difficult from here."

I suppress a shudder at his words. "That's not an answer," forcing my voice to remain steady.

Owen chuckles, the sound sending chills down my spine. "No, I suppose it's not. But you'll find out soon enough. Just know that we'll be pushing you to your limits - physically, mentally, and emotionally."

Owen pauses, a frown tugging on his lips as he looks me over, sighing as if he saw the desperation on my face, "There are always more tests, Victoria. Life itself is a test." His lips curve into a small, enigmatic smile. "But don't worry your pretty little head about that right now. Just focus on regaining your strength."

“Can you tell me anything…like even how many more tests I have to endure?” I ask, not liking his answers…but wanting to know how much more I’ll have to go through…. or how many more people I might have to see being killed.

Owen's lips curved into a smile that sent chills down my spine. “I'm afraid I can't divulge that either…. Where would be the fun if I gave you hints?"

Frustration’s bubbling up inside me. "It's not about fun. I just... I need to be prepared. I don't want to end up like Amber."

Owen's expression softens slightly, though his eyes remained cold. "You won't.” With that, he leaves, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind him. I sit and stare at the closed door for a long moment, my mind racing as I try to dissect the conversation, we just had…. What more could they possibly have planned? How much worse could things get? Will I be able to survive? He sounded so sure that I’d be fine, and I’ll be their wife. I can’t even begin to guess what else they could make as tests for us.

I force myself to take another bite of food, even though each swallow felt like lead in my stomach. I need to keep my strength up, but it’s hard to focus on something as mundane as eating when my future and life seem to be under the control of these people.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Victoria

Imanage to force down about half the food on my tray before my stomach rebels, threatening to bring it all back up. Pushing the tray aside, I lean back against the cold concrete wall, closing my eyes as I try to calm my churning insides and the deep cold settling in me. I know it isn't from the temperature of the cell. It was a bone-deep chill that comes from fear and uncertainty.

The conversation with Owen keeps replaying in my mind. His casual mention of more tests, each one worse than the last. The cold gleam in his eyes when he said they'd be pushing me to my limits. What happened in the last test—Amber's screams, the sickening sound of saw on bone, the cruel gleam in Jasper's eyes as he tortured her. What more could they possibly do to me?

Shuddering at the thought, I wrap my arms around myself. Part of me wants to curl up in a ball and cry, to let out all the fear, anger and despair that has been building inside me. But I know Ican't afford a breakdown. Not here, not now. I must stay strong and focused.

I must have dozed off at some point because I jerk awake to the sound of the cell door opening. My heart racing as I sit up, blinking in the harsh light that’s spilling in from the hallway. Elijah’s standing in the doorway, his tall frame a silhouette against the light. As my eyes adjust, I’m able to make out the sharp lines of his face, his piercing green eyes studying me intently.

"Good evening, Victoria," he says softly, stepping into the cell and closing the door behind him. "I hope I didn't startle you too badly."

Using my hands to wipe my face, I force myself to sit up and quickly get to my feet. Having just woke up, I stumble a bit, and as I’m straightening myself up, I look him over. "What do you want?" I ask, proud that my voice didn't shake despite the fear coursing through me.

Elijah's lips curve into a small smile as he moves closer, leaning in so we’re at eye level, "Just checking on you. Owen mentioned you were having a... difficult timeprocessing.”

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