Page 136 of Stutter

He nods.

“Alright,” I jut my chin to the mansion, “let’s strategize and get our girl.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Raven.

My breaths are shallow and ragged as panic rises through me along with bile. I swallow it down. My wrists are tied, not behind my back but to the sides of the bed I’m on. I shimmy, trying to pull my wrist through but whatever I’m tied up with tears at the skin. I stop tugging and start squirming, my ankles getting pulled as well and let out a silent scream.

The back of my neck is killing me, and I know… they’ve cut it out of me. But how did they know?

It’s not dark. That’s my only saving grace. But a single bulb dangles from the ceiling in the center of the room. I’m in a hospital gown. Concrete walls. A… steel toilet and a shower beside it in the corner. Oh god. I lean as far as I can to the side and release the bile in a weak cough then spit the remainder onto the concrete floor.

I’m back at Lorne Wood.

I’m in solitary.

But why?!

I’ve been good. I was a good girl.

Images of Damon, Maverick, and Jonas flit through my brain… but I can’t check my wrist. My wrist is bound at my side.

Have I been here this whole time? Was it all a dream? I can’t… remember.

Someone please!The words don’t come. They’re there, balancing on the tip of my tongue, begging to be said… but then they’re gone.

Itry to calm my breathing. I’m okay… I… I’ve done this before. I survived before. I was thriving… wasn’t I?

“Raven, baby…”

I look around the room as though Jonas is talking in my ear.

I’m alone.

No!

The door opens and someone… someone in scrubs comes up to me but they’re wearing a face mask as though I’m diseased. I flinch when their fingers feel cool against my hot skin.

Something pokes my arm and then…

I fly…

________

I dream of them.

I think.

Damon’s kisses, Maverick’s praise, Jonas calling me baby.

I blink awake. Not startled. Not like before. This feels like I’ve woken up from a dream on my own. I’m sluggish but it’s… it’s not like before.

I turn my head to try to get a better view of my surroundings other than the concrete walls and the toilet. The ground is also cemented but it’s… new. Squinting my eyes I try to see… more. Past the fog in my brain and the black that dots the edges of my vision. Stairs.

Now my breathing kicks up.

Something I can see – my toes.

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