Page 138 of Eternal

When the world turned to paint, and all the pictures were moved around. When I was locked in that room with the white blankets and dark-gray walls. I remember closing my eyes and thinking that if there was more colorat Montgomery, more people would have a chance at getting out.

But every time I opened them, I was faced with gray paint and a cold room.

“Please don’t take me back.” I can’t tell if the words come out or if they’re in my head.

My tongue swells as my body gets heavy. I’m calm. So calm I could be floating as hands guide me to a chair at the end of the table.

Mom watches me with her big eyes. I don’t know how she can have eyes that big and still manage to be blind to everything.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

The drugs must really be kicking in because I think I hear Declan’s voice. I think I see him surrounded by a sea of faces. It has to be my imagination because he wouldn’t be here with Jase at his side.

Kole would make sense, but not Jase.

He knows Jase wants to take me away.

Like the drugs… they take me away.

Right now, anything could take me away, and I wouldn’t be able to fight them.

Declan’s face gets bigger. Angrier.

His voice gets louder.

Is he here?

“Get out of my house.” My father’s tone echoes through every corner of my mind.

“Not without Teal.” Declan’s voice is soclear.

“She’s my daughter, and I have medical conservatorship. You have no right to be here. And you sure as hell have no say in this.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Declan smiles.

Why is he here, and why is he smiling?

“Yes, I’m sure. Dr. Parish has the paperwork himself. We’re filing it tomorrow.”

“You’ll need me to do that.” Declan steps to my father, so close that through my fog, they almost melt together.

“Why would I need you?” Dad smirks.

“Because…” Declan breaks stares with my father to look at me now, and I know for sure he’s here because every atom in my body responds. “The only one who can sign any sort of medical conservatorship is her immediate family, and Tealene Donovan is my wife.”

38

I Hate You So Fucking Much

Teal

Wife.

Maybe my father is right, and I am hallucinating because there is no way that word just left Declan’s mouth.

My heart hammers, and it helps fend off some of the effects of the drug as I manage to sit tall.

---