“I’m fine.” He seems to be waking from the stupor and shifts into a more elevated position on the pillows. He stiffens when I try to help him, and I retreat back to my place on the edge.
“The drugs they give you, do you know what they are?”
He shakes his head, swallowing another heavy gulp of water. “They make me thirsty and feel like I got hit over the head with a brick. It takes at least an hour before I can interact with anyone. I can’t feel my left hand right now.” He stares at the foreign object on his wrist, flexing his fingers slowly.
“You already seem better than when I came in, although your speech is still slow.”
Closing his eyes, he leans against the headboard. “I’ll reach a state of functionality soon. The drugs are meant to dull my abilities, not wipe me out. That would make it hard to cover up.”
“Right. They want to make sure you look like a drug addict, not a coma patient?”
His eyes flicker to mine before he settles back into the pillow. “Basically.”
“Does it help with the rest of the pain?”
He looks at me again, and I match his intensity.
Yes, I know about that too.
“Some of it.”
“Why don’t you run away?”
“Why aren’t you with the rest of the good little girls and boys?”
“I hate Ben.”
He studies me and his expression darkens. “He got impatient waiting for you.”
I hate the sudden knot constricting inside me and search for a distraction. “I’ll get you more water.” I grab the cup before he can stop me.
“That fucking bastard,” he spits out, slamming his fist on the bed.
His righteous anger tugs at me. “Nothing really happened. It was in a hallway.”
“It doesn’t matter where it was or how far it went. He’s a fucking predator and shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it. But he walks on water here and knows it. Are you okay?”
“I think so.”
The risk no longer outweighs the need to be close, and I take his hand. This time, I get the answer I want. The room. The screams. God, it’s agony to watch, but I struggle to absorb every detail. He tries to pull away, and I grasp tighter, using my other hand to gain the advantage.
“Stop, Rebecca. Stop!” He yanks again, finally freeing himself. His glare speaks volumes as I fight to subdue my trembling.
“What was that?” I whisper in horror.
His gaze is hot as he shakes his head. “You can’t do that. I don’t want you looking in my head anymore.”
“I want to see the truth.”
“I already told you, that can’t happen.”
“You didn’t answer my question. What were they doing to you?”
“Help me up. I need to take a shower.”
“Daniel!”
He pushes me out of the way and swings his legs over the edge of the bed.
