Page 46 of Visions of Darkness

She only cared about me.

Loved me.

Was terrified for me.

It was on me tounderstandthat.

“Are you doing okay in there, Aria?” Jenny called through the door. “I mean, I love a good shower, but you know, I just wanted to check because you’ve been out for a minute. If you need anything, just holler! I’ll be right here ... outside the door ... in our room.”

Amused affection had me biting down on my bottom lip. It seemed I’d found a friend.

“All good,” I called as I opened the door. “Just finished getting ready.”

“Okay, good! I gotta hop in before they come round us up.” She was already peeling her shirt over her head as she stepped inside. “We have recess in, like, five.”

“Recess?”

“Uh, basically, yes. I mean, I’m not sporty, like at all, but it’s way better than being stuck in this building all day. Even if it’s cold as all hell out there, I’ll take it,” she rambled, her voice blurring when she turned on the showerhead and climbed in, though she’d left the door open so I could still make out what she said.

Right. I’d almost forgotten about them taking us outside before.

“And Dylan is going to be out there, so obvi, that’s where I’m going to be,” she said.

“Who’s Dylan?”

“Ugh, the hottest guy here. But he just, like, leans against the wall by himself. He’s clearly nothing but trouble, but oh man, he’s the kind of trouble you want, if you know what I mean.”

She laughed at that. “But it doesn’t matter, because he doesn’t talk to anyone. Like,anyone. I’ve never even heard his voice. Not once. So I just admire the view. And my poor panties, Aria,the view.”

She groaned after she sang it.

Warmth filled my chest.

I’d never really had friends, especially after I hit middle school, when the girls had decided I was weird and I’d realized it was dangerous to let someone inside my truths.

Not that I could ever let Jenny go there, but still ... it felt good to have a companion.

At ten, we were ushered out back through a heavy metal door.

It was definitely a glorified recess.

There was a field of grass, a basketball court, and chairs sitting around plastic tables on a patio.

It was cold, but different from the coldness of Faydor. The air was crisp, and the sky was clear. Bright, wintery rays of sunlight slashed down from the heavens.

I tipped my face to it, relishing the warmth, terrified it might be my last chance.

A handful of patients picked up a ball and began to play a game of basketball, though most hovered around and watched. Some were detached, while others looked for a way to make connections.

A twelve-foot-high chain-link fence enclosed the entire area. On the other side of it and to the left was a parking lot, where I assumed the staff parked, and off to the right in the distance, obscured by a copse of trees, were more buildings that housed the adult facilities.

My stomach sank at the thought of being taken there. Rather than wallow in it, I studied the area, searching for any weaknesses or soft spots.

There was little chance I could make it over the fence before one of the counselors dragged me back down, though I couldn’t help but wonder if it might be worth the try.

I had to fight if there was any chance I would survive.

An hour passed, and we were paraded back inside.

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