Page 12 of Save Me

A gasp escapes my lips as I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the grimy mirror. The last time I looked at myself was the morning before my world shattered. My hair hangs greasily, clinging to my face, while my eyes stare back at me, hollow and devoid of any emotion. Dry, cracked lips and parched, peeling skin reflect the toll this ordeal has taken on me. The sight is horrifying. Tears immediately start streaming down my face. Unable to bear the sight any longer, I turn away, my gaze falling upon a bathtub against the wall. It stands there, worn and stained, with a shower head mounted on the wall above it.

As I approach, my eyes catch a glimpse of a small window above the bath, its glass smeared with dirt and grime blocking any view of the outside world.

No way.

My heart skips a beat with disbelief as I stare at the glass window, its surface glistening in the sunlight. I hastily step into the bath, my hands finding the cold, smooth window frame. I can already smell the fresh outside air, carrying hints of blooming flowers, as I try to open the latch. No matter how hard I pull, it won’t budge. A frustrating groan rumbles through me as I stand on my toes, feeling the cool tiles beneath my feet, and try to inspect what the reason is for the struggle.

Of course.

Not only is it locked, but he glued the damn thing too. Tears pool in my eyes, blurring my vision, as disappointment weighs on me. Even if I managed to get the latch, how would I even fit through?

I’m such an idiot.

Slowly stepping out of the bath, I turn on the warm water of the shower, the sound of the rushing water filling the room, bringing a sense of comfort. Sighing with defeat, I catch myself staring into the mirror again, its surface reflecting the dimly lit room. My eyes scan over my reflection, stopping at the horrific scar on my thigh sticking out of my shorts.

Quickly, I remove my pants, grazing my trembling fingers over the scar where Argent’s initial once was, feeling the unevenness of the skin beneath my touch. I can still hear his voice, his words echoing in my mind.

'Don’t move, baby'

'Perfect'

'You’re mine, little star'

Shutting my eyes tightly, trying to contain the tears and the thoughts, a rush of adrenaline courses through me. And almost instantly, an idea hits me in the face. I walk towards the mirror, gazing around for any object I can use, and I spot a plunger next to the toilet, its handle worn and faded. I reach out and grab it, the coolness of the rubber suction cup contrasting with the warmth of my hands, my eyes shifting between the wooden part of the plunger and the mirror. The shower is still running; the sound growing louder, which is gonna help drown out any loud noises. Taking a deep breath, I clench the wooden stick tightly with both my hands before swinging it and hitting the mirror as hard as I can. The mirror shatters, shards of glass falling on the sink and to the ground, their sharp edges glinting in the light.

I freeze momentarily before my eyes fall on a large piece of glass on the sink, its jagged edges reflecting a distorted image of myself. Grabbing it, I take a seat on the toilet, propping my leg up against the edge of the bathtub, feeling the cold porcelain against my skin.

My heart is pounding in my chest, its rhythmic thumping reverberating through my body as I struggle to find the courage to do it. To basically re-mark myself.

This is insane.

Taking in a shaky breath, I feel the cold, sharp edge of the glass pressing into my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. The stinging sensation intensifies, and I can hear the sound of my own gasp escaping my lips. The pain shoots through my fingertips, making them tingle with discomfort. All I can hear is Argent’s voice, his words echoing in my ears like a haunting symphony.

'Don't move, baby'

With each cut, I feel warm blood trickling down my legs, staining the floor beneath me. The searing pain in my thigh becomes unbearable, causing tears to well up in my eyes. It’s not just the physical pain that brings me to tears, but the overwhelming emotional anguish I hadto endure without him. At least now, I have something of him again.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I force myself to let go of the blood-stained glass, and it shatters on the floor, creating a sharp, jarring sound that fills the room. My eyes fixate on my thigh, the rapid thuds of my heart echoing in my chest, creating a pulsating rhythm. With each deep breath, I delicately trace the outline of the freshly cut ‘A’ on my leg, feeling the texture of the raw wound beneath my fingertips.

'Perfect'

“Perfect,” I whisper softly, my voice echoing his in my mind, as if he is still with me in this moment, guiding my every move.

Startled by the sudden bang on the door, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, heightening my senses. I quickly stand up, feeling a rush of dizziness as I regain my balance. “What’s taking so long?” Zavier’s voice echoes from outside the door, filled with concern.

I remain silent, my heart pounding in my ears, the sound drowning out any other noise. I hear the jingling of keys as they fumble with the lock, each metallicclink sending a shiver down my spine. The next few moments feel surreal, like a hazy dream.

As the door swings open, Zavier freezes, his eyes widening in shock. Tears stream down my face, but I can’t tear my gaze away from him. Holding the same bloody glass to my throat.

Chapter 10

ARGENT

*PRESENT*

Coming to a suddenstop in front of the apartment, I furrow my brows and notice Chloe’s car still parked there, its sleek black exterior reflecting the afternoon sun. That’s odd. I wonder if she just got here. Maybe she has some news. Stepping out of the car, I make my way toward the door, the jingling of my keys creating a rhythmic melody as I absentmindedly spin them around my finger.

After Adrian and I left the warehouse, I dropped him at home. He hasn’t spent time at home since Starletdisappeared. He’s too invested in helping find her, but I think taking a little break would be good for him.

---