Page 80 of Uprising

“Don’t let them know you know.” He says.

“He’s missing?” I repeat.

“I think Roman has him but I can’t sneak out to confirm it.”

I cover my mouth but I can’t hide the laugh. Roman has my father? Suddenly last night doesn’t feel half as bad, half as torturous. God, I hope he’s hurting him. I hope he’s seriously fucking him up.

“And I have something for you.” He says.

“What?”

He pulls out a little plastic box from his pocket, inside is a syringe. He holds it out for me to see, but I can see he’s squirming just enough to show he’s not comfortable.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Contraception.”

My eyes widen at those words. “Excuse me?”

He pulls the cap off the end. “It will last thirteen weeks.”

My eyebrows raise. “How did you get it?”

“Does it matter?”

No. I guess it doesn’t. I pull my arm out of my cardigan. “You’re sure it will work?”

He nods. “I paid good money, even had the nurse show me how to do this.”

I bite my lip. It feels more than awkward to be doing this, to be even having this conversation but as the needle jabs into my arm I’m so fucking grateful.

He does it quickly. Practised.

“There. Should fix that issue.” He says only he’s not quite meeting my eyes.

Yeah he’s definitely hating this as much as me. I want to hug him, I want to show my thanks but the thought of touching a man right now after what Darius put me through last night, it physically repulses me.

“I’ll keep track.” He says. “Make sure you get another hit in time.”

My eyes widen. If it lasts thirteen weeks does he really think I’ll still be here then, that I’ll still be trapped in this situation?

He gives me a look like he’s just realising what he’s implied. “I didn’t mean…”

“It’s okay.” I say even though it’s not. Nothing about this is okay.

“I’m sure you’ll be out by then. I’m sure this will be over.” He says so quickly I know he’s just saying it to make me feel better.

I put the bravest smile I can on, mustering all my internal fight. “I can handle it. Just help Roman.”

“I will.” He says before he shuffles out, leaving me alone.

I know Darius is going to hurt me today.

That if Roman is causing chaos then he’ll need to sate his anger on me as punishment, though he won’t admit that’s what the cause is. No, he’ll twist it around, make out it’s me doing this, that I deserve this beating just like I deserve every one he delves out.

But I can feel it, the tiniest bit of hope sparking in me. I can’t get pregnant now. I don’t have to deal with the horror of any of that.

And Roman is out there, he’s fighting, he’s actually doing something to bring Darius down.

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