Fuck. I’d likely just ruined my chances of going back outside for a long time. That scared me more than the visions. I didn’t want to feel trapped, but I also needed to know more. Who was the woman, that world, and why did the gargoyles make me feel strange? Hell, why did all of it make me feel like I was crazier than ever?
I meandered my way down the hall, still freaked out by whatever the fuck happened down there. After she’d pulled me out, it felt like everything was heightened. My senses were stronger, sharper somehow. And I was on edge, nervous energy surging through me with every step so I fidgeted with my hands.
It could be the meds.
But for some reason, I thought it was something more.
Before I could make it all the way down the hall, someone bolted from the storage room and grabbed me. My fist connected with a stubble-lined jaw and Drake cursed. He still managed to pull me back in with him, closing the door behind me. My chest heaved as he flicked on the light above us, the bulb buzzing to life as we glared at each other.
But it was short lived, panic replaced everything else as I took in his bubbling rage. Fury danced in his eyes and his expression was hard, even his hands were in fists as he breathed like an angry bull.
Drake slammed a hand into the wall, plaster showering the ground as I tried to reach for the door handle to free myself. Fight or flight was strong, and I knew if I didn’t get out now, I might not be able to later.
“I didn’t do anything to you,” I yelled as I yanked at the door in hopes we’d tumble out of the tiny space and of course it didn’t budge. My fighting had him stumbling to the side, but he grabbed the handle quickly, holding the door closed and looming over me.
“What did you do?Whoare you?”
“What are you talking about?” I gasped out as I clenched my thighs, refusing to let the feel of his warm breath affect me. “Let me go. Nurse Drew will notice if I’m gone.”
“No she won’t, you had her running for the back room,” he said with a hint of arrogance. As if this man couldn’t get any more insufferable.
“How do you know?” I accused. “Are you stalking me?”
“Hardly. But I know everything here. Now tell me, Harlow. What are you?”
When I didn’t answer, he spun me around and caged me in with his hands, giving me no escape route.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
I bit my lip to stop myself from reacting and he smirked down at me. My teeth dug sharply into my lip until the taste of copper filled my mouth. His eyes widened and nostrils flared, and for a brief second, his eyes burned like those creatures.
“You’re one of them?” I gasped, no longer turned on but defeated. If he was, then I had no way out. My words had him narrowing his eyes, distrust and confusion easy to read, but it didn’t feel like it fit for the confidence he had at throwing accusations at me moments ago.
“Of who?” he prompted in a lulling tone that didn’t fit him, as if he were urging me to speak.
“Fuck you, Drake. Don’t play with me,” I growled. My fight was amping back up and I slapped him. He let out a dark laugh before shifting me from the door and slamming my body into the shelf. Something soft fell on top of me but he swatted it away just as quickly.
“Who. Are. You?” He was desperate now, and that was oddly reassuring. Without his consuming anger, he was downright enticing.
Good thing I’m in therapy already, something is fucking broken in me to think that.
“I’m nobody,” I said evenly. As much as he was throwing me around, he made no move to hurt me. I didn’t have the illusion he wouldn’t switch at any second, but for now I felt confident I wouldn’t die. That was something at least.
“I doubt that,” he gritted out. “And I will find out.”
With one last glare he was gone, leaving me alone in the closet, contemplating how the fuck I’d make it out of this place alive.
ChapterSeven
Drake
Sunday Afternoon
The Sixth Floor
The sixth floor was quiet tonight. Then again, it was always quiet up here. The floor was reserved for those who needed the solitude from society and those Vane couldn’t toss out on the streets. The security was lax, and I rarely saw anyone outside of the one nurse on duty.
The usual sense of guilt settled in my stomach as I walked down the hall. I should come here more but I couldn’t bring myself to.