Page 2 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

I twist in on myself as much as the chains allow, trying to control my ragged breathing. Tears slip down my cheeks silently and I close my eyes—refusing to let them become sobs, refusing to give him the satisfaction. He's right—it’s just like before. Except now there's so much more at stake.

Levi.

Zane.

The thought of them walking into whatever trap Garrett has planned makes my chest constrict. But the alternative of being left here, with no hope of ever being rescued, is a terror that threatens to swallow me whole.

The darkness presses in close, feeling even more empty than before. It brings with it memories of every touch, every violation I've tried so hard to forget over the years. I open my eyes hoping it will stop, but the blackness keeps going on and on and on.

Timebleedstogether.Minutes,hours, days—they all feel the same. My muscles scream from being forced into andheld in the same position, and thirst claws at my throat again. I have no idea how long it's been since Garrett was here.

The door creaks open, and the lights flick on. Fluorescence stabs at my eyes. Two massive silhouettes fill the doorway.

"Get up." A gruff voice commands.

My legs shake as they unlock the chains from the floor. Rough hands haul me up to my feet. I bite back a cry and tears prick my eyes as blood rushes back into my dead limbs catching the sleeping nerves on fire. My feet struggle to find purchase as I’m dragged forward.

Cold air hits my bare skin as we move through the building. It's industrial—metal rafters stretch high overhead, and moonlight filters in through rows of dirty, cracked windows. Our footsteps echo off concrete walls and linoleum floors. I try to memorize the path we’re taking—left, right, down a long corridor, but everything looks the same.

The grip on my arms tightens as we approach a door at the end of one of the long hallways. One of the men fumbles with a set of keys attached to his belt, while the other holds me in place. His fingers dig in hard enough to bruise.

Eventually he finds the right key and I’m shoved into a room that stinks of bleach and other cleaning supplies. I stumble, catching myself hard against the wall. The room isn't a lot to look at. A queen size bed sits in the middle of the room with its metal frame bolted to the floor. The only other furniture is a small table with a lamp.

There's a doorway that leads into a bathroom—toilet, shower—no door, no privacy.

"Get yourself cleaned up." The taller man’s eyes rake over me. "Don't try anything stupid. There are cameras everywhere."

The door slams shut. The keys rattle. The lock clicks.

I slide down the wall, wrapping my arms around my knees. The room is warmer, more comfortable than where I just was,but I can't stop shaking. Memories of Easton Creek flood back—all the lessons and time it took for me to learn to be quiet, to be small, to obey. And I still never got it right.

"They'll come for me," I whisper to myself, but the words sound hollow spoken out loud in the empty room. Levi and Zane will tear this place apart looking for me. I have to believe that.

But will there be anything left for them to find?

My gaze drifts to the bathroom and my stomach does a flip. I should welcome the chance to take a shower, to get warm, to get clean. But going in there and turning on that water means accepting this situation. It means following orders. Resigning myself to… this.

I press my forehead to my knees, fighting back tears. I spent years thinking I was free, only to discover Garrett had been pulling my strings the whole time. Now, I'm right back where I started—naked, afraid, and completely at his mercy.

I wasn't lying when I said I'm not that scared teenager anymore. My body may remember everything, and part of me may want to curl up and disappear, but I have to remember that no matter how hard he tried, he never broke me in the ways he'd really wanted to. I never let him win.

Forcing myself up, I stand on shaky legs. One step at a time. Shower. Gather strength. Watch for opportunities. I may have to play his game for now, but I won't make it easy. Not again.

The bathroom light flickers as I turn it on. No mirror, thank God. I don't want to see the bruises I can feel over most of my body. Garrett obviously wasn't gentle getting me here. The water runs ice cold before turning warm, and by the time I step under it, it's steamy hot. I don't want to, but I have to admit it feels good. It's clearing my head and helping me stay here in the present instead of spiraling backwards.

At least he gave me a towel. As I dry off, I hear movement outside the door. My heart rate spikes. It's too soon. I can’t do this. I'm not ready.

But ready or not, I know what's coming.

I wrap the towel around myself, backing into the corner.

Levi and Zane will be here. They won't forget me. I just have to find a way to survive until then.

Breathe. Stay. Don't disappear.

The lock clicks and the door opens.

Chapter Two

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