Page 31 of Haunted Prey

I came; a soft, desperate moan slipping past my teeth. I pressed my cheek against the glass, felt the water on my lips and licked it away, panting.

Oh, how you’ve missed this, haven’t you?

I shut my eyes tight, just letting the waves of my orgasm take me, letting the beautiful pressure sweep away all thought. For a brief, pure moment, I felt nothing but the pleasure and then numbness, and a slight calm. It grew almost quiet, save for the rush of water down the drain. Then it all came rushing back.

Poor, little rabbit.All alone.

My eyes shot open, and I turned my head. Emery’s phantom was gone.

I stared at the empty space. My throat tightened, that awful shaking returning, and another sob wracked me. This time, I let it slip as I slid down to the shower floor and hugged myself tight.

The next morning, I went through my routine as usual, as if it was any other day. I ate my breakfast, spat out the pill in the sink, then went down to the garden to “meditate”. By noon, I slipped over to the sunroom and sat with the others.

“Ugh, all I want to do lately is eat meat and tomatoes,” Adrien said. “I tried ice cream last night and threw it up.”

“At least your craving isn’t pickles and nothing else,” Jonsei laughed.

“Or blood,” Sasha included. She giggled when we looked at her, shocked. “Joking, jeez.”

They laughed, and their voices melded together, becoming a buzzing in my ears.

I couldn’t even laugh or talk with them. I was so damn tense. My eyes drifted over to the door, and I swore I saw a shadow standing just out of view.

I shifted in my seat, my skin hot, muscles tight. I wanted so badly to run out of the room and practically fly out the door. My eyes skimmed over to the windows, the sun just barely peeking out from the tops.

“Do you guys ever think of just leaving?”

The women grew quiet. I turned my eyes to them and realized I had said that out loud.

“Like what? Out for a girl’s night or something?” Maria asked.

“Oh! Yeah, in town, they have a karaoke bar!” Rebecca blurted, nearly jumping from her seat.

“Don’t think we are allowed to leave,” Maria mentioned.

“Why not? It would just be for a night,” Rebecca said.

The girls considered it and talked about some of the concerts they wished they wouldn’t miss in the spring, forgetting my question altogether.

I didn’t try to correct them.

The sun was sinking, and I only had a few more hours.

But I’d try to help them once I escape this place. Somehow. Thankfully, we had all exchanged numbers earlier on tokeep in touch. Somehow, I would convince them.

The hour went by and eventually the girls dispersed. Rebecca lingered by me and I unwillingly smiled.

“Everything, all right, Eve?” she asked.

I pursed my lips. “Yeah,” I said, almost cracking. I got up from my seat to stand beside her. I glanced over to the door as she started for it, then grabbed her hand, stopping her. “Listen. I know this is going to sound crazy but…don’t take the Lulladex anymore, or the sleeping aid if you can help it.”

Her brows furrowed as she stared at me. “Why?”

“Just trust me. Tell the others, okay? Just try to get off it as much as you can.”

“Why—”

“I don’t think it’s safe.”

---