ic beep of a heart monitor. White walls, white sheets, m

adowing her kind eyes. When she saw my eyes open, a wave of relief

imply stared at her

hand on my arm. "You're sa

dle prick didn't even register. I tried to push myself up, then fell ba

r. Stuart," I rasped, my voice weak. "I apologize for the troubl

overing over the bandage on my side. "Cassie, what are you doing?" Her eyes

al fear seizing me. Don't touch

were never like this." Her eyes searched mine, desperat

the pristine white floor. There was

of Althea's phone. She fumbled for it, h

! The baby won' t stop crying! He won' t shut up! Bolden, he' s useless! What

er ear, wincing. "Kandace, calm d

he has to come back! Now!" K

the phone. She sighed, a deep, wea

throbbing in my side. "I'm ready," I said, m

mix of emotions in her eyes. "Cas

bandaged side, my pale face, the bloodstained sheets. "Cassie! What have you done to yours

ide?" He demanded, his e

ips. "You did, Bolden." My voice was soft, barely audible. "

eyes wide with a mixture of horror a

e. Her shrill voice was already screaming through the receiver

ught in headlights. He looked back at me, a d

subtle nod, a barely perceptible movement o

hes rumpled. "Finally! What took you so long?" She snapped at Bolden, then

ling him close. He quieted almost instantly, burying his face in my neck. I hummed a soft lullaby, the one my mothe

He looked from me, holding our son, to Kandace, who

" She suggested, her voice falsely sweet. "She looks exhausted. And... we have some th

ant's quarters. A cage. As I walked away, I heard the faint, muffled sounds of

d faintly of dust and neglect. The door clicked shut b

reached my ears, followed by Bolden's low voice. Kandace

"You were so good tonight. You make me forget all about her." Her wo

nto my pocket, pulling out a small, foil-wrapped packet. Dr. Stuart's gift. It wasn't the usual sedative they fo

atching the white powder dissolve into the darkness. N

rom Althea, vibrated discreet

I reached under the loose floorboard in the corner of the room, pulling out a small, worn backpack. Inside, a change of clothes, a few

er future. The night was a silent accomplice. I climbed into the waiting car, the engine already p

symbol of my past torment, receded into the darkness. I was