Page 6

Ollie

“Movie night!” Knox sings, spinning around the room with exaggerated flair. His energy is contagious, but I just smile softly. Usually, I wear soft pants and a fun shirt when I come here, but Steel called earlier and said tonight is pajama night. So, here we are, all of us in our jammies.

Knox’s pajamas are dark blue with little space shuttles blasting across them. Ceecee is wearing a princess nightgown, and mine is light blue, covered in duckies. This pair is my absolute favorite. Blaze and Steel bought it for me right after I got out of the hospital. They were perfect for slipping on over the thick cast I had to wear back then. Breaking an arm isn’t fun, but these jammies made it a little better.

The lights dim, and the room glows with soft, twinkling stars hanging from the ceiling.

“Woah,” everyone whispers in unison.

Ceecee claps her hands in delight, and I just stare up in awe. They’re so beautiful. If I lay back, it’s almost like being in a baby bed, staring up at a mobile.

I might need to get some of these stars for my own room.

“What are we watching?” someone asks. “I hope it’s a scary movie!”

“No way!” Knox shouts, jumping up and down. “Baby Ollie and Baby Ceecee will be scared. Not me, though!”

I want to roll my eyes, but I don’t. Knox hates scary movies. Probably even more than I do. I would say that to him, but I don’t feel like talking. Tonight, for the first time in almost a year, I want to be Baby Ollie.

I wonder if someone would make me a bottle?

Glancing around the room as the movie starts, I notice everyone is snuggled up. Littles and Baby Ceecee are all cuddled with their Daddies and Mommies. The Domme is sitting in the corner talking to someone on her phone. No one’s looking this way. My favorite bean bag sits in the far corner of the room, so I guess I shouldn’t feel left out. It’s where I chose to sit.

Knox is the only other one here without someone tonight, but that’s because his Papa is busy keeping everyone in the building safe.

He’s a good Papa.

With a quiet sigh, I get up and walk toward the snack section. I wanted to crawl because that would feel more right, but I wouldn’t be able to reach anything if I did.

Looking back, I confirm what I already know. No one notices me. Knox is sitting near the middle of the room, way too close to the TV. If he saw me, he’d come help.

He’s a good friend.

The door creaks open behind me, but I don’t pay much attention. It’s probably one of the guards checking in. There’s a camera in here, but I know that it’s not currently on, so the guards do regular rounds to make sure we’re all safe.

We have good guards.

I grab a bottle from the counter, but as I hold it, something shifts inside me. Suddenly, I don’t want it anymore. Putting it back, I wipe at the tears welling up in my eyes and walk back to my bean bag.

Snuggling into the soft chair, I grab my favorite stuffie that’s always here waiting for me and pull a blanket over my body. I want my paci so badly, but I didn’t bring it tonight. The club has extras, but only Doms are allowed in the supply room. With a heavy sigh, I roll onto my side and slide my thumb into my mouth instead.

It’s dark.

No one will see me.

No one ever does.

I really wish I didn’t come tonight.