Page 59 of Bleed for Me

Sighing, I glanced back over at the girl across from me. Friday, she had art. Her free days were Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. But she’d probably like having Saturday to herself since it was the only day she could sleep in and didn’t have to worry about group therapy.

“How does Tuesday sound?” I suggested. “I can come in after you’ve had dinner.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh no. You don’t have to do that. It’s nice of you to offer, but?—”

“I don’t mind. I’m free for the majority of that day, and I’m not taking no for an answer.” I realize how that sounded, but I only worded it that way because it’s what she really wanted. She’d backpedal out of this out of guilt if I let her, and that wasn’t happening.

Her shoulders dropped a fraction as tension rolled from her muscles. Relief sparkled within her blue eyes, and it had me taking a step back mentally. She liked having the choice taken from her…interesting. Did that extend to other aspects of her life? Like sex?—

No.

I couldn’t allow myself to think about that.

Shit. Was this a good idea? I was already having dishonorable thoughts about her. How would being trapped in a room with her for hours feel if I couldn’t even handle thirty minutes? It was too late to withdraw my offer, and frankly, I didn’t want to.

“That sounds good to me. Thank you, Valentine.”

My heart rate accelerated at the sound of my name on her lips. She placed her hands on my desk and pushed up, bringing herself to her feet. She turned her back on me and strode out of my office, letting the door shut behind her.

Trying to calm my racing heart, I glanced down at the sticky note, my eyes skimming over her neat handwriting.

Fuck.

32D.

SEVENTEEN

ROSALIE

“Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down.” Daisy’s giggle resounded through the room, her white dress flowing out around her as she clutched onto Beary. As the song came to an end, so did her happy demeanor. A scowl twisted her innocent features, her eyes becoming two black pits of nothingness as she glared at me.

My heart thrashed wildly against my ribcage, and I stumbled backward, my back connecting with the wall where a door should have been. Glancing around, I noticed that the entire room had changed. The windows were gone, the closet was gone, and there was no escape. Nothing but a large white box.

Daisy tipped her head to the side, blood so dark it appeared black, spewing from her mouth. It flooded down her chin and splattered against the white floor. The gash along her neck was wide and open, making my stomach curl with unease.

“You killed me, sissy,” she accused.

My eyes filled with tears as I took in the horror before me. “I-I didn’t mean to, baby. I love you so much, Daisy. I miss you. Please, don’t go.”

“You. Killed. Me,” she growled, her voice coming out muffled like we were in two separate worlds.

“It was an accident,” I defended. “I never would have done it on purpose.” My words came out choked and I crumbled to my knees as sobs shook my body. “I just want to hold you again. To hear you laugh, to take you to that diner you always loved. Come back to me!”

She inched closer, her head still tilted to the side in a way that was so unnatural it looked like her neck was broken. “It’s too late, Rosie. You killed me and you ‘liked’ it.”

I reeled back like she’d punched me in the face, my eyes wide with horror at what she just said. “I didn’t!”

“Liar, liar, pants on fire.”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face, blurring my vision. I didn’t. I didn’t. I didn’t. My stomach twisted into knots, bile burning the back of my throat like acid.

Let me fucking hold you.

Let me switch places with you.

Let me love you.

Don’t leave me!

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