Page 15 of Sadistic Obsession (Rise of Phoenyxx #1)

P hoenyxx

I drag my feet leaving science class, knowing I have to go see Hunter.

Mr. Harris. What-fucking-ever. I have just gone through the door to the hall when I'm yanked back off my feet, a large hand clapping over my mouth. I try to struggle when I’m dragged backwards into a tiny room.

It's dark, but I can see enough to know it’s a storage room of some kind.

“Shh...don’t scream,” a quiet voice purrs into my ear. I whirl around to face Ghost, who’s standing there looking intense as hell, his eyes blazing suns. He oh-so-slowly gathers me around the waist, pulling me to him, chest to chest. He traces my lips with soft fingers.

“Mine,” he whispers, then leans down to take my lips into a vicious kiss.

He devours my mouth, demanding I open up.

He thrusts his tongue in my mouth, swirling it around mine.

My body lights up like fireworks. Bursts of color appear behind my eyes.

Every place his skin touches mine feels like electric jolts of lightning surging through me.

I groan, leaning in for more. I wait for him to do something else, but he just pulls back.

Looking in my eyes, he says, “I will need that often, Malishka.” With a stroke on my cheek, he opens the door and gently pushes me out.

I am in shock, what in the actual fuckery is happening?

Am I in the real world? In a daze, I continue on to the medical building.

I refuse to meet Harris’s eyes as I enter his office. I slump into the chair opposite him, twiddling my fingers and staring at a spot on the floor.

“Phoenyxx? Is everything alright?” he asks, concern in his voice.

I don’t answer, not moving.

“Look at me, Phoenyxx. We need to finish your evaluation.”

I look up sharply, grinding my teeth.

“I have diagnosed you with anxiety and panic attacks. I do need to know what happened earlier, with Destiny.”

“Fuck off,” I mutter. “I schooled the bitch, that’s what happened!”

“So, you were angry? Walk me through your emotions and thoughts during the incident.”

“How do you even know about that, anyway? There weren’t even any adults around.”

“I hear everything that happens here.”

“But...how—” I start to ask when he interrupts me.

“I cannot disclose that. Now, tell me about the incident.”

I sigh deeply, debating how much to tell him. “I just snapped, Doc. I saw red and went for her. I didn’t see or hear anything else. Just a buzz in my brain. Doing what I did...it fueled my blood, like a rush. Her blood and pain made me happy.”

“Call me Hunter, please, or Mr. Harris. This concerns me. It sounds like the rage inside you can’t be contained. There are some anger disorders that could explain this. Sometimes, it’s chemical, meaning your brain is wired differently. Medications could help control it.”

“HELL no! Fuck no! I was fucking drugged for seven years! Never again!”

His face pales; he shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

“I would never prescribe anything to hurt you.

I would never do anything to hurt you at all.

Don't ever think otherwise.” The last part is so low, it was almost a whisper.

He clears his throat and continues. “I am going to recommend an MRI to check for chemical differences. We won’t give you anything until the full picture is able to be seen.

He looks at the clock on the wall. “This is enough for today.

We'll have you back at the beginning of the week to do the MRI.”

“Yeah, fine.” I get up to get out of there, but he stops me at the door with a soft touch on my arm.

“I am here for you, any time. My number is programmed into your phone. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything.”

I shake my head, rolling my eyes. “So, no words about our moment ? You know, I’m not opposed to more...” My mouth tilts up into a grin. “You get it, right, Hunter?” I don’t give him a chance to respond; I just walk straight out the door.

I walk out of the medical building, startling a bit when I see a smiling Valley waiting for me, leaning against the bricks, hip cocked.

“Heya, bestie! Thought you might want some girl time after seeing Mr. H...want to come back to my room and hang out? I’ve got snacks, and we can just chill, or something!”

Man, I love this girl! “Yeah, I think that’s a great idea! I need someone to talk to...” My smile falls, anxiety pulling at me. She seems to realize I’m overwhelmed and takes my hand. “It’s just you and me, Nyx!”

I stay quiet as we walk back to the girls' dorms. Stewing in my thoughts, I torment myself with revolving images of The Six and Hunter. I can’t just accept this turnaround,

I need to try to get to the bottom of what is really going on.

We get to Valley’s room, making our way inside.

I sit on her bed, and she moves to a corner in her closet, covered by clothes.

It looks like there’s a minifridge behind them!

How did she get that? She brings over a couple of bottles of soda, candy, and 2 exquisite-looking chocolate-iced cupcakes. I drool, my stomach rumbling.

“I take it these will work?” she laughs, sitting down beside me. She hands me a soda, and I snatch a cupcake out of her hand. I take a massive bite, grinning a chocolate grin at her. She cracks up laughing, mirroring my move. “So, anything you want to talk about?”

I pause, debating whether to tell her or not. Fuck it, I have to trust someone in here, and I can’t hold it all in anymore. “Val, if I tell you this stuff, you have to promise never to tell anyone. It's dangerous.”

She stiffens, solemnly nodding. “I swear, Nyx, I would never! Is this about Mr. Harris? Or The Six? Or something else?”

“Yes, to all of the above.” I sigh deeply.

"I have no memories of before I was eight. That’s when the old fuckers took me in.

My first memory? It's so fucked up. I've never said this out loud.” I swallow before continuing. I tuck my legs up underneath me, closing my eyes in memory. “I was chained to a wall, in a cold and dark place. There were colored lights, and so many faces and voices. Mocking and laughing and threatening. I was screaming internally, begging for it to end. Then, like a superhero, some guy swooped in and took me down. He wrapped me in a blanket and ushered me to a car, where Mr. Solomon was waiting. It was so dark—all I can recall is a hunched figure in a dark hoodie, hood covering most of his face. I remember seeing a lock of long, dark hair falling over one eye. He never said a word. I still don’t know who he was. I thought he saved me. But instead, I went from one torture chamber to another.” My breath catches, and I pause, taking a few deep breaths.

Valley intercedes, her face pale, tears running down her face. “Oh My God...” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck, sobbing into my shoulder. “Nyx...I don’t have words. I am so sorry!” She hiccups, speaking again after a beat, “What did the Solomons do?”

I laugh harshly, shaking my head. “It was great until I turned ten.

It was my birthday. I was given one slice of cake, but no presents.

I was pissed, so I pitched a bit of a tantrum.

Betty got so mad! She dragged me out of the kitchen and upstairs to the attic.

She shoved me inside, slapping me in the face and yelling.

She told me I was staying there until I could apologize properly.

That was the start. They would beat me if I broke a rule and shove me in that dreadful attic naked.

It was always freezing cold up there. I went days with no food or water.

I found a box of old books not long after I started being sent up there.

I devoured every one of them, multiple times.

Some were crime novels, and some were romance novels.

I was relieved when they were never discovered.

After that, I was lucky to be fed once a day with bread or oatmeal and a glass of water.

I figured out later that they must have been drugging me.

I was always so weak and tired, incapable of fighting back.

” I stop again, knowing this last part is going to hurt her to hear.

“Not too long after getting put up there, strange men were let into the room, the door locking behind them. There were no rules. Right up to the day I was sent here.” I grin ruefully.

“I snapped, Val. This piece of shit had his puny penis shoved down my throat, then pinched my nostrils so I couldn't breathe. He held it like that. I panicked at first...then I just bit down. And chewed and sawed with my teeth. I TRIED to bite it off...it’s harder than you think! Anyway, now you’re caught up. ”

“Nyx...I can’t...wow. All of that, and you came out swinging? You are so strong! You're a fighter!” She stops, chewing her bottom lip. She just holds me, rocking me like a baby. I sod against her chest.

“Okay...well, I want to tell you some things, too. Some things I never talk about...” Her face pales again. “But I will try, for you.”

She takes a deep breath and locks eyes with me.

“My parents aren’t bad, they’re just never around.

Especially for me. I have an older brother.

He is the heir, their prize pony. I was the girl they never wanted.

” She shrugs, looking away. “Jarrod—my brother—hates me. I mean, REALLY hates me. He started breaking into my room at night when I was little. No locks kept him out. I guess you could say I totally relate to your story.”

I tighten my arms around her, rocking her back. After some choppy breaths, she continues, as I stroke her hair.

“The reason I got sent here? I couldn't deal anymore. I got some lighter fluid and a lighter. I snuck into his room. He was dead asleep, sleeping off alcohol or drugs. I didn’t check, though, to make sure my parents weren’t home.

My dad woke up and followed me down the hall.

Anyway, I squirted it all over him, lighting the lighter and flicking it onto his sleeping body.

In the next second, I was jerked backward, and I heard my mom screaming.

It didn’t kill him, but he was in the hospital for months.

I've been here a year already,” she cries silently, her shoulders shaking.

“Val...look at me. I would’ve done that, too, if I could’ve. You're a fucking warrior! Nothing will ever change the way I feel about you!”

We cling to each other in love and solidarity. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt; we will never be separated.