Page 39 of Pushed

Chapter Ten

Imperial

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Why?

How many times can you ask yourself that question before you finally just give up? Ten times, twenty times. . .

Was there even a number value that could be placed on it?

There was no point in asking myself why this was happening anymore. It was done, I was there and no amount of wishes could change it.

For some unknown reason, my life had split off the path, it had taken a turn I hadn't seen coming. Fate had a fucked up sense of humor and I couldn't help but think I must have done something horribly wrong to have it drop me there.

No. No more feeling sorry, no more replaying that night over and over. I need to use my head. I need to read the world around me and play it like it wants to play me.

I couldn't continue to fester in questions, all I could do was try to get home. It was time to take the shattered pieces around me and make an exit for myself.

There had to be a way out and I was going to find it.

He's telling you to listen. . . Maybe that is the way.

Maybe he's telling you the truth.

Regardless of what he was saying, I wasn't ready to put my future in his hands. He was still the reason I was here to begin with, I wouldn't forget that.

It didn't matter how much I wanted to believe what he was saying; his hands brought suffering, his hands destroyed everything they touched. . . What good are words after that?

My bare feet patted quietly behind Machi as we walked through a tunnel of sounds. The noises never stopped. I could hear them when I was awake, when I slept, even when I tried to focus on my own thoughts. They were always there, seeping into my ears and erasing the silence.

Machi stopped in front of the elevator, leaning over to push the button. Waiting for the doors to open, I brushed my heels against my calves, rubbing the dirt off the bottom of my feet.

“Stop doing that.” Machi snapped as he tapped his thumb against his thigh, never breaking his gaze on the shiny silver doors.

“Sorry, it's annoying.” Whispering under my breath, I glanced up quickly then back at the ground.

Shit.

I really can't keep my mouth shut.

Rolling my shoulders forward, I twisted my toe into the floor, hoping he hadn't been paying attention.

It was a stupid wish to make. I watched it rise above my head and get slapped down the moment it hit the ceiling.

The elevator doors slid open and before I could react, he had his hand around the back of my neck, throwing me inside.

Machi glowered down at me, his teeth gritted tight behind parted lips. He didn't talk, he just stared blindly as the doors finally sealed shut behind him.

In one quick swoop, he pitched forward, grabbing my arms and lifting me off my feet, shoving my shoulders into the wall behind me.

The metal bar jabbed me in the center of my back, causing me to yelp in pain. “I'm trying.”The words came out quiet and strained.

I'm sorry! I really am trying, Asshole!Holding in my scream, my chest puffed up, filling with the onslaught of words I refused to let out.

“Even soundless apologies aren't enough. You're going to get us both killed if you don't cut the shit. Do you understand that?” Cocking his head, I attempted to speak, but he silenced me with a hand over my mouth. “Do. Not. Talk. How many times do I have to say it?”

A voice is allowed inside the room, but not outside the walls?