Page 16 of Sour
My smile fell and I was immediately over whatever little game Dream was playing. I stood from the table and walked up behind her, leaning down until my mouth rested along her pale ear. “What I did to BJ is nothing compared to what I can do.” My hands gripped her shoulders and squeezed tight. “You know why I’m called Happy?” She winced as I squeezed harder. “It’s because I just love smiles.” My fingers reached for her cheeks, and I tugged at her flesh, stretching them wide and into a forced smile. “I could leave one on you, right here, right now. Imagine how much happier you would be with a permanent smile, Dream?”
Dream swatted my fingers away. “You seem like a really bad guy, Ziggy. But I like my face too much.” She rubbed her cheeks.
I chuckled softly. “Is that so?”
She nodded. “It’s how I used to make money. Good money.” She reached into her shirt and pulled something out. “Koven’s my only friend here.” She placed whatever the object was into my hand. “Don’t break her, Happy.”
I looked down at what she had given me and smiled. “You sneaky little bunny rabbit.” I stared at the master key.
Dream turned around and stared up at me. “Koven isn’t the only one with secrets.”
My head titled. “And what secrets is my sister hiding?” I asked.
Dream smirked and smiled with her teeth. “Stepsister.” She giggled. “If only you knew.”
I didn’t like the way that sounded.
Dream’s arm raised and she pointed off behind me. “Go down that hall a ways and just keep going straight, following the path until it forks. Then take the right. That’s our wing. Count the doors and stop at thirteen. Then use the key. But whatever you do, stick to the wall and keep your head down.”
I nodded.
“But if you get caught—” She smiled. “You’re on your own, Happy.”
A soft chuckle brushed from my mouth. “Likewise, cottontail.” I picked the gum from my mouth and offered it back to her. “Keep it safe.” Dream took the gum and immediately tossed it back into her mouth. “You’re an interesting little creature, Dream.”
“You have no idea.” She winked.
KOVEN
“Fuck,” I groaned, shuffling around the mattress pad. My head endlessly ached and throbbed, all while my stomach twisted and turned. My temples were sore and raw from the electroshock paddles, and my teeth hurt from biting down so hard on the bite block.
My arm wobbled as I stuck my finger in my mouth, counting my teeth. I sighed, relieved at the number.
At least I didn’t break a tooth this time.
I frowned, shutting my eyes.
Time.
Time had become an enigma in this fucking place. Some days it flew by, and others, it never moved, leaving you confused and disoriented. Maybe it was the drugs, or the ‘therapy’, but right now, I couldn’t even recall what day it was. I felt lost.
Fucking BJ.
I covered my ears and clutched my skull, the pulsating pain ached and throbbed, tormenting me as I tried to push through the pain.
“Fuck this whole place,” I whispered to myself. I ground my teeth and slammed my hands into my skull. “Fuck it all!” I hit myself, over and over again. “Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it!” My hands turned to fists, and I began to beat myself, punishing myself for surviving. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this!” I cried out, hitting harder. “I should?—”
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me. “Dream,” I groaned. “I know—I know I shouldn’t be doing this.” I sniffled. “But I have to…I have to feel something!” She let go of my arm and stroked my cheek, wiping away my tears. I kept my eyes shut, half embarrassed that she found me like this. “Dream, I know you love touching things, but can you please not touch me right now?” She ignored me and kept feeling my face. “Dream I—” I hesitated opening my eyes, but once I did, I couldn’t close them. “Ziggy.”
He smiled. “What flavor are you today, Skittles?”
My body tensed. I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or scared to see him. But the real question I had was how the fuck did he even get in here?
“Ziggy,” I breathed. “How—how?—”
Ziggy tousled his blue hair from his face and placed a finger over my mouth, silencing me. He was crouched next to my bedside, hovering a little too close. “Your weird little friend let me in.” He tilted his head, and with his free hand, he lifted the very key I had kept under my mattress pad. I wasn’t sure if I was impressed or shocked that Dream knew about it.
Fucking Dream.
