Page 81 of Terror Tuesday

Naomi would’ve had me out of this mess in five minutes flat—no questions asked. Then she’d go hunt down whoever put me here…or sit beside me while I confess the truth:

I liked it.Caliphylla,save me—I fucking liked it.

She’s the only person I could’ve told. So, I do what any delusional, grieving girl does before sunrise: I talk to her ghost while I wait for Sora to wake up.

“It’s not that Ididn’twant him to…”

“Did you enjoy it?” she asks, eyes already shining—because of course she knows the answer.

“Do I have to say this out loud?” I groan. “You take joy in humiliating me, don’t you? I’m already tied to my fucking headboard with a stalker’s belt.” Shifting my weight, I show offthe strap as she giggles while perched at the end of my bed. Perfect hair. Perfect smile. “But yes, Nims. I enjoyed it.”

She’d laugh. Then untie me. Casually. Like I hadn’t just confessed to delighting in every second of my own destruction.

I try again to work the buckle loose, twisting my wrists against the leather, but it’s no use. At least I can reach the blanket with my toes and pull it up a bit. Just enough to keep from freezing.

“Sora!” I yell again. It’s still too early, I’m sure.

Naomi dangles a sweating water bottle in front of me. “I bet you’re thirsty after all those orgasms. Did you say he made yousquirt? My little firehose? That’s what I’m calling you from now on.”

“Oh my god. I shouldn’t have told you that,” I mumble, cheeks burning. Even worse than the memory…

It wasn’t Vanq who did it.

It was Elliot.

“The guy from class,” I admit.

She gasps, all fake drama. But I know beneath it, she wouldn’t judge me.

“You like a townie?” she says, arching an eyebrow. “Good for you, honestly. Fuck these freaks. You and I both understand what it costs to live this lifestyle…and it’s not money.”

The words punch straight into my ribs.

Another tear slips down my cheek.

“You’re right, Nims… Absolutely right. Someonetookyou from this world. From me.”

And they need to pay.

I’ve been silent for too long.

That’s when the image of that foreboding man looming in the doorway of the escape room infiltrates my mind. I can’t look at him… I can’t. It fills me with too much terror. Immediately, my body flushes hot. Breathing shallow.

I used to dream of white dresses and taking the oath of obedience like agoodservant ofCaliphylla. Champagne toasts and a man who would sharpen my resolve to ascend as we achieved our slated goals side-by-side. One of perfection. Of leadership and private parties, Christmas cards and parent-teacher association meetings. One that would have never saved me…

That was the version of me who still believed I could be clean behind a mask.

Before the rape. Before the blood.

Vanq made me look in the mirror and admit Ilikedmy reflection.

Can I become like him? Am I already?

“Sora!” I scream, and the doorknob rattles.

“I’m coming, but it’s locked! Are you okay?”

“No! Grab the housemother’s key, butdon’t letMrs. Salsbury in here!”