“They don’t seriously think it’s like that… Do they?”
“Lexi? Are you here?” Alyssa interrupts our quiet conversation.
“I’m right here.” I run to her side. She lies under multiple blankets and no longer has the strength to sit up on her own. “What do you need?”
“Can I try some ice chips?” she rasps.
“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”
I leave the room and rush down the hall. Amber isn’t at her usual post, but that doesn’t surprise me. I pass the linen closet on my way to the small kitchen area. Heavy breathing and the sound of scuffling feet force me to stop. It sounds like someone’s messing around in the closet. I tip toe into the kitchen, fill a glass with ice chips, and scurry past the closet. This time I know I’m not imagining things.
Someone’s definitely in there.
Curiosity wins over as I quietly set the glass down and turn the knob. It’s dark inside, but there’s enough light to see two figures. As I peek through the small viewing space, I decipher a male and female kissing passionately. I’m shocked. I didn’t know there was a male on the floor aside from Cole. Sutton went home an hour ago. I pull the door closed, pick up the glass and hurry back to Alyssa’s room, all while wondering whom it was.
“Thank you.” Alyssa’s been propped up with at least four pillows. “Cole helped me up while you were gone.” She smiles at me. I glance at him, but he’s already asleep. My mind is distracted.
“Can you wait another minute? I’ll be right back.” I ask and she nods her head while attempting to suck on an ice chip. I peek into the hallway. Amber walks toward me, fixes her hair, and surveys her surroundings.
“Where were you?”
Her hands fly up to her face and she jumps at the sound of my voice. She composes herself and says, “I took a fifteen-minute break. Why do you care?”
A few yards behind her, a guard enters the hallway from the linen closet. Amber looks at him, at me, and then at him. Disgusting. He’s tall like the others and wears a rigid, collared uniform. His relaxed stride proves that he’s not worried about getting caught. We’re all standing in the hallway now.
“What’s the problem?” He directs his question to me.
“Umm, nothing,” I stammer, putting my hand on the wall for support.
“She was just asking me for something, Zane. There’s no problem.” Her fearful eyes fix on me as she replies.
“Then why are the both of you standing in the hallway looking stupid?” His question is more of a statement. He tugs at his collar and steps toward me with a smile on his face. It’s cold and doesn’t reach his eyes. “Would you like to have a good time too? I can grant you special privileges around here if you make the right choice.”
His bold offer renders me speechless. My hand reaches for the doorway behind me. He steps closer and Amber nervously fiddles with her hands. Just then, Zeus plows into the hallway, snarling, and stands in front of me. A low growl comes from deep within his chest and fur stands up on his back.
“Back off, Zane. She’s not interested.” Cole’s voice cuts through the tension. Relief comes over me but quickly dissipates when I see his hand move toward the gun strapped on his leg. He unceremoniously sweeps me behind him into Alyssa’s room and reaches to close the door all without ever taking his eyes off Zane. Zeus dashes inside behind me and whines while I stand against the wall. An altercation takes place, but their low voices make it hard to decipher. After a few minutes, Cole reappears.
“What happened?” I ask, trying to mask the fear in my voice.
“Zane’s been reaping victims tonight. You almost became one.” He sits on his cot and attempts to unlace his boots. His fingers fumble with haste so he gives up with an exasperated sigh.
“You mean Amber didn’t choose to do that?” I ask.
He swallows in frustration. “Oh no, she chose to go. She likes the attention and the privileges that come with it. It’s hard to earn a living here if you don’t have some means of doing it.”
“She was scared though…”
“Because we all know what happens when sinners defy guards.”
“So you’re telling me that she slept with him for extra benefits?” Ugh. Sometimes people are exactly what you think they are.
“People do all sorts of things in this place. It’s not black and white like you think.”
“Did you know she was doing that? Have you—?” I can’t even finish the sentence.
“Yes, I’ve known for a while. And no, I haven’t and wouldn’t do that, ever.” I let out a sigh of relief, willing my mind not to think of him doing something so disgusting. “Don’t worry about it; that’s why I’m here, plus Zeus woke me up when he heard Zane outside. So there’s no doubt you have the best team protecting you.” He collapses on his cot, not even bothering to take off his guns. I’m starting to love that dog. I make my way over to Alyssa’s bed.