Page 106 of Verses and Blooms
“Where are the others?” I asked, realizing it was just me, Rydell, and Ares. Ledger had already been taken in.
“They were sent back to the wing to wait,” Ares said. “Technically, I’m supposed to bring you one at a time, so you don’t warn the others about the questions.”
He rolled his eyes, clearly unbothered by that rule.
Before we could move, the woman from before walked back out, her gaze landing on Rydell.
“We’ve heard about your witness and they’ve given us the statement,” she said. “We’d like you to come with us now.”
That left me standing with Ares alone. He exhaled and pulled me closer, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Trust me,” he said quietly. “I’m going to get you out of here.”
I wasn’t sure if he was reassuring me or himself.
“It’s been a stressful day,” I murmured.
He gave me a half-smile. “It’s been stressful since the day I walked in here. Wouldn’t change it for the world, though.”
“Is it just me,” I asked. “Or are things moving way too fast? Are they giving everyone a fair chance?”
“I can assure you we are,” the woman said as she stepped out silently. Whoops. She eyed Ares before gesturing for me to follow. “Come with me, Audrey.”
Ares let me go after one last kiss to my forehead. I forced myself not to look back. The last thing I wanted was to appear weak.
It was intimidating walking into the room. Two long tables were pushed together, several men and women in suits seated behind them. No one stood. The woman who’d guided me simply pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit.
“You have quite a history here, Audrey,” a man at the head of the table said, glancing down at his papers. He sounded so casual, like he was discussing the weather.
The man started to recap my file, but another man cut him off with a snarl.
“I’ve had enough of this, Victor. You don’t get to recap everyone’s trauma for them. We’ve read it and they’ve lived it.”
Victor glared, but the other man didn’t back down. I was surprised to realize that he was an omega.
“My name is Omar,” he said to me, voice steady. “And I just want to say, on behalf of… well, everyone, thank you for what you did.”
“She walked into a building we already had under control,” Victor argued, scoffing as if I did nothing for them.
Everyone else stayed silent.
“Excuse me?” I said sharply, refusing to be silent. “I didn’t simplywalkinto that building. Iguidedthem. Because I spent ten goddamn years in that hell. I was experimented on, assaulted, beaten, and tormented every single day of those ten years. Howdareyou minimize that? I’m sure with yourpompous title and your expensive suit you’ve never faced a real hardship in your life. Who are you to tell me I did nothing?”
Every word was said with precision, like a harsh slap.
“She has a point, Victor,” a woman said, her tone like steel wrapped in silk. “The patients here have suffered unimaginable pain. We are not here to judge their trauma. We’re here to determine whether they’re ready to function outside this facility.”
“Speaking of which,” Omar interjected. “We have glowing recommendations, from Director Cross, Alice Sharpe, her therapist, and the chief, himself.”
Victor looked like he wanted to argue, but the room had already turned against him.
“We’ve reviewed your case. It’s been approved. Let’s not drag this out.” She slid a folder toward me. “Here is the information you’ll need. Resources, contacts, and an offer of restitution for what you endured here, on behalf of the Omega Network.”
“You’re free to review the terms with a lawyer. We’re simply here to present them to you,” Omar said gently.
“Okay,” I said, taking the papers. I didn’t even look at them. “Does this mean you’re signing off on letting my pack go?”
“We’re not supposed to discuss other patients,” the woman said carefully. “However… I can assure you that nearly everyone, now that they’ve completed proper therapy and medication, is transitioning out. In cases like yours, you’ve been deemed eligible to leave on your own terms. You don’t have to go right away, it’s okay to take your time, but you are free to walk through those gates.”
