Page 94 of Rage

The cold liquid seeps into Sarah’s hair, running down her face in rivulets.Her white t-shirt is instantly soaked, clinging to her skin.The acrid smell of beer fills the air as Sarah sputters, wiping futilely at her eyes.

“Jenny!”I gasp, jumping up to grab some towels.“What happened?”

Jenny’s face is a mask of faux concern, but something in her eyes doesn’t quite match her words.“I’m so sorry!”she gushes, reaching out as if to help, but not quite touching Sarah.“It was an accident, I swear!”

But as I hand Sarah a towel, I catch a glimpse of Jenny’s face.For just a moment, a satisfied smirk plays at the corners of her mouth.It’s gone in an instant, replaced by a look of contrition, but the image burns itself into my mind.

Sarah, still dripping, looks up at Jenny with confusion and hurt in her eyes.“It’s… it’s okay,” she says hesitantly.“Accidents happen, right?”

The other women rush to help, offering dry clothes and sympathetic words.But I can’t shake the feeling that what just happened was no accident at all.As Jenny fusses over Sarah, her movements seem calculated, almost performative.

The atmosphere in the room has shifted, a current of tension running beneath the surface.Elle catches my eye, her brow furrowed in concern.She’s noticed it too.

As Sarah excuses herself to change, I watch Jenny carefully.Her eyes follow Sarah out of the room, that same satisfied glint flickering in their depths.Whatever is going on here, it’s clear that the night has taken an unexpected turn.

I give Jenny a side-eye as I leave the room and go to find Sarah to make sure she is okay.

She is standing in the bedroom we are sharing together, as she didn’t feel comfortable sharing with girls she didn’t know.

“I’m sorry that happened,” I apologize, and she shrugs.

“I’ve spilt beer more than once in my life.”

I laugh with her, but I don’t want her upset.“How about I make some hot chocolate for you and you take a warm shower?”

She sighs.“That’s a good idea.”

I leave her to herself and go into the room that we gave Dr.Ramirez.I knock on the door before entering.

To my shock, she is in the corner of the room, almost like she is hiding.“Oh my God, are you okay?”

Dr.Ramirez jumps at the sound of my voice, her eyes wide with panic.She’s huddled in the corner, arms wrapped tightly around herself as if trying to disappear.

“I… I’m fine,” she stammers, but her trembling voice betrays her.“Just needed some quiet.”

I take a cautious step into the room, keeping my movements slow and nonthreatening.“Dr.Ramirez… Maria,” I say gently.“Something’s clearly wrong.Please, talk to me.I want to help.”

For a long moment, she’s silent, her gaze fixed on the floor.Then, so quietly I almost miss it, she whispers, “I shouldn’t have come.”

“Why not?”I ask, careful to keep my tone neutral.“What’s got you so scared?”

Dr.Ramirez’s eyes dart to the door, then back to me.She swallows hard, her throat working.

She opens her mouth to speak, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.The words seem to catch in her throat as she struggles to voice whatever terrible secret she’s been carrying.I lean in, heart pounding, knowing we’re on the precipice of a revelation.

Suddenly, the door opens with a bang that makes us both jump.Jenny stumbles into the room, her laughter echoing off the walls with an almost manic edge.Her eyes are too bright, her movements exaggerated as she staggers forward.

“Oh my God, you guys!”she exclaims.“You won’t believe what Vanessa just?—”

Jenny’s words cut off abruptly as she seems to register the scene before her.Her laughter dies in her throat, replaced by an expression of concern that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Dr.Ramirez?”Jenny starts, her tone dripping with false sweetness.“Are you okay?You look a little pale.”

Dr.Ramirez shrinks back, her eyes wide with what I can only describe as terror.She opens her mouth as if to speak, but no sound comes out.

Jenny takes another step into the room, and I notice how Dr.Ramirez flinches at her approach.There’s something predatory in Jenny’s stance, a calculated gleam in her eye that sends a chill down my spine.

“Maybe you should lie down,” Jenny suggests, reaching out as if to help Dr.Ramirez up.“I could get you some water, or maybe something stronger to help you relax?”

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