Page 27 of Voices

I crept out of the room towards the glass doors and looked out, realizing that I was at least two stories up.

Damn it.

I turned around and spotted what I hoped was the main door on the other side of the condo.

Why was it so far away?

I walked with my back against the wall and slowly made my way to the edge of the wall. The smell of bacon hitting my nose had my stomach churning.

I can’t puke again. Not here.

I peeked out far enough for my left eye to see past the wall and stopped when I saw Shane and two others in the kitchen. I couldn’t handle any more people seeing me like this.

Just fucking run for the door! It’s right there!

I looked at said door and contemplated how far I’d make it before Shane, or the other guy caught me. When I looked back at them, Shane was looking right at me.

Is he going to let me go?

Am I stuck here until he gets whatever he wants from me?

I backed up, hoping to reach his room before he got to me, but his long legs brought him to me in a matter of seconds.

My heart was beating so fast that I couldn’t hear what he said. I tried to hide my freak out when I felt his warm finger under my chin. He said something again, but I still couldn’t make out what he was saying. He placed his hand on my lower back and gently pushed me toward the kitchen.

What if he makes me eat bacon?

What if they laugh at me when I gag and puke it up all over the table?

His friend held out a tray of bacon and I couldn’t help my reaction to the smell. Shane found it hilarious though.

Don’t make it a big deal. He doesn’t know.

His friend sat next to me and was a little too close for comfort. He kept smiling at me for some reason, so I sat on the far edge of my seat. Then my head started to pound in time with my heartbeat.

Fucking edibles always give me the worst headaches.

Shane appeared in front of me with two white pills and a bottle of orange juice. Not wanting that nasty acidic juice, I built up as much saliva on my tongue as I could and swallowed down the pills.

Dig in Beautiful.

After watching, who I know now is Ryder, consume an unhealthy amount of food, I stand awkwardly off to the side waiting to ask Shane for my boots so I can go home.

He walks up to me after beating Ryder in rock-paper-scissors to see who cleans up.

“Want to hang out in my room or play video games out here?” he asks, pointing to the Xbox below the TV.

I don’t want to hang out or stay any longer. But he’s looking at me like I hold his plans for the day in my hand. I don’t want to be rude, but I want to go home and wallow under my mountain of blankets.

I bite my lower lip, lost on what to do or say.

“It’s okay, Charlie. I can see your hesitance to stay. You don’t have to. I was only offering in case you didn’t have plans for today.”

I don’t.

I nod and head to the door to leave.

“Don’t you want your shoes? It’s hot as hell out there,” he chuckles as he walks to his room.

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