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CAL

I don’t know when I last slept. I’ve been living in a nightmare every time Kiel comes into Ava’s room, but I know it’s been so much worse for her. The look on her face when Kiel said I wouldn’t want her again will haunt me forever. She believes I’ve abandoned her, and I don’t blame her.

He left her with dirty, open wounds for hours. She’ll need antibiotics, if her older wounds aren’t already infected. Ava is slowly breaking down before my eyes, but I know an infection could take her down sooner. The only time I’ve found any peace has been when Ava’s slept. Whether it was a drug-induced state or not, I’m always thankful when her eyes are closed, and her breaths are steady. I know she must be having nightmares, but it’s a break from her bright room.

Her rest breaks also give me a chance to plan. When she’s awake, I feel like I have to always watch her, but now that she’s asleep, I can focus on a way to get out of here.

There’s one exit in my room and it connects to Ava’s room. From what I can tell, her room has two doors: one leading to my room and another leading to a separate part of the building. When our shared door is closed, our rooms are virtually sound proof. Our room is separated by a large one way mirror, which could be breakable.

My arms and legs are both bound to metal cuffs, which are connected to short chains in the wall. I can’t even bring my hands together, but I have a little more freedom of movement now that I’m out of the chair. I begin to lean away from the wall, putting my whole weight into it to apply pressure on the joint where the chain connects to the wall. It may not work right away, but over time, it might cause the chain to break. I’m so focused on my chains, I don’t hear Kiel come in.

“Pretty nice setup, right? At least you have your own piss bucket now,” he says with false positivity. I think about pissing on him, but I know Ava will pay the price for any of my unfavorable behavior.

“You know,” he starts again. “I really like Ava.” He walks closer to me; his eyes are glazed over. “She’s so pretty. She’s pretty when she bleeds. She’s pretty when she comes. She’s pretty when she pisses.” He grins at me like a psychopath. “I planned on killing her in front of you, but I just can’t do that now. I’m smitten.” He paces in front of me, studying me closely as I stay silent.

“This all started as a way to hurt you. I planned to rape her and kill her to hurt you. But now I just want her. You don’t even matter to me like that anymore. Although, I will receive no small amount of pleasure when you watch me fuck her for the first time. Maybe I’ll arrange to bring you closer to the window for the occasion.” I lunge at him, but my chains draw me up short.

“I’m going to stick my cock into your girl’s little pussy, and she’ll love it. Because she may never like me, but I know she loves my dope. And, over time, she’ll take my cock any way I give it to her if it means she gets her fix. One day, it will be like you never existed. I’ll kill you eventually, but for the time being, you can watch me stretch her out.” Kiel winks at me and leaves.

Rage and panic take over my nervous system. I’m suddenly a kid again watching my dad wail on my mom. I’d come home from school to find her covered in bruises. I thought I felt helpless then, but nothing could have prepared me for this. My lungs feel like they are shrinking as I mentally grasp for anything to ground me, trying to focus on Ava’s face but I can only see it contorted in pain.

My mind lands on Chase. Just the thought of him reminds me that he’s out there still. The brothers are looking for us, and they will find us. One way or another, Ava’s getting out of here. But when she does, I don’t know how she’ll look at me knowing how badly I failed her.