Page 74 of Buried in Blood

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Reese backs away, hand on the knob. “Lights out. Just like he said.”

And then he’s gone.

Leaving me standing in the dark.

Alone.

Again.

* * *

The silence is worse after a fight.

It sinks into the walls, into my skin, into my teeth.

I press my back to the door, sliding down until my knees hit the floor. My breath catches halfway up my throat and stays there, trembling.

I didn’t mean to hurt him.

I just didn’t know how to let him in without Damien noticing.

And Damien always notices.

My fingers tangle in my hair, pulling hard, like pain will anchor me. Like maybe I’ll tear out the panic by the roots. But all it does is make me feel real again.Present.

I’m so tired of hiding.

Of wanting.

Ofhim.

Reese.

He kissed me like I still had worth. Like I wasn’t broken, or used, or too far gone. Like he knew exactly how much I wanted to be seen, and still didn’t turn away.

But I did.

Because if Damien finds out…

He’d kill Reese. Or worse.

I bury my face in my knees.

I want to scream. I want to tear the sheets from the bed and shred them with my teeth. I want to smash the window even though I know there are bars behind it. I wantout.

Not just from this room.

Fromallof it.

I stare at the tray of untouched food on the floor.

Bread.

Stew.

Water.

It tastes like control. Like survival on a leash. I shove it away.

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