Page 7 of Sour
Fucking Booker Jones. Or, as we all loved to call him, BJ. Nurse BJ. Just like how he loved to give us all our own little pet names. And the name he loved to call me by was?—
“Get the hell up, witch.”
Yup. Fucking witch. Apparently, my name bothered him so much, he felt the need to refer to me as ‘witch’ as if he was some holier-than-thou pilgrim. How hypocritical of him. But God, I really fucking hated that nickname.
“I said, let’s go!” BJ gripped my arm tightly and forced me to my feet. Vomit splattered on his pants as he helped me up. “Oh jesus fuck—” He tried to kick it off, nearly pushing me over like I was some kind of disease. “Aw damnit! What the hell is wrong with you?”
I looked at the male nurse and smirked, feeling extra spicy today. “What’s wrong, BJ? Normally you’re begging me to touch you.” His fat face burned red as whispers and muffled voices drifted through the dayroom. Nearby nurses and staff exchanged judging glances, as if they were any better than him. Ha. And now with Ziggy was here? We were all fucked. Hell, I wanted to scream and tell him and everyone in that dayroom what kind of rabid animal they’d admitted, but I couldn’t. I was tongue-tied and felt like I might vomit a second time.
BJ clenched his jaw and gripped my arm tight. “You better shut your fucking mouth,” he growled. BJ’s forehead knocked into mine as his stank breath flooded my nostrils. “You think anyone here cares if you cry wolf?”
“Wolf?” I scoffed. “You mean if I spill what youreallydo to patients in the shadows?”
BJ grimaced. “Remember, I know things about you no one else here knows. And I have a key to every fucking room. Including yours, witch. So unless you want a midnight visit, keep your goddamn mouth shut.” His thumb pulled on my lower lip. “‘Cause if not, I might just have to find a way to fill it.”
My head jerked, ripping my lip from his thumb. “You think that little Tic Tac of yours is going to keep me from talking?” I scoffed. “Keep dreaming, BJ. There’s nothing you can do to me that hasn’t been done before.” I spat a chunk of vomit at his face.
BJ scoffed and gagged as he wiped it away. I merely laughed, which only seemed to anger him further. His fingers gripped my shirt, nearly pulling me onto my toes. “What’s so fucking funny?” I tried to peel my collar free, but he only held me tighter. “I asked you a question, witch.”
“Nothing,” I groaned.
BJ tilted his head. “Huh? Not sure I heard you correctly.”
Before I could respond, a looming shadow eclipsed us both as an all too familiar scent flooded my senses. Both comfort and trauma seared through my veins as I stood still and tried to understand what just happened. BJ had not only let go of my collar but was now being overshadowed by Ziggy. He’d forced himself between us and was glaring down at BJ’s shocked face.
Ziggy eyed the man closely. “I didn’t realize staff could put hands on the patients. Funny, I must’ve missed that during intake.”
BJ furrowed his brows. “Fuck off, newbie.”
Ziggy smiled and shoved BJ. “You”—he pointed to BJ—“can call me Happy.”
BJ eyed him closely and scoffed. “Oh, so this is the brother?” He glanced at me, returning his eyes to Ziggy. “Got yourself thrown in here to protect that little witch, huh? Well, spoiler,Happy, she’s not really worth it. You know those druggies, just whoring themselves out, offering it up to anyone willing to offer them a score.” He chuckled. “Used goods.”
Ziggy shoved BJ again. “You better watch your mouth.” BJ grumbled, offended by the way Ziggy had disobeyed him. Ziggy just smiled. “You see, unlike the other patients in here, I don’t plan on listening to a word you fucking say, pig.”
BJ tried to gather himself. “Listen here, Slater. I don’t give a damn what you think or say or do, but let’s get one thing straight—” He stepped closer as Ziggy towered over him. “You’re in my domain. In here, I’m God! And you are just one of my many, many playthings, lucky enough to be allowed to breathe.” BJ looked Ziggy up and down with a sickeningly familiar look. “So step back, and let me do my job, Slater.”
Ziggy’s smile remained. He didn’t move, just kept staring at BJ.
BJ scoffed. He tried to shove past Ziggy, but Ziggy stopped him, clutching BJ’s balls. The nurse’s face reddened as he stopped, shocked by what Ziggy had done. “Big threats coming from…a little man.” BJ’s face was flustered and bright red. He was staring right at Ziggy as he leaned in close to his ear. “You think your little dick scares me? Ha. I’ve taken worse.” BJ tried to break free, but Ziggy wouldn’t let go. “It’s my dick you should be scared of,” he hissed. Ziggy’s fingers squeezed harder as a weakened moan escaped BJ’s mouth. My stepbrother inhaled deeply, as if smelling the pain and fear emanating from the male nurse. “Mm. I like the sound of you moaning in fear. Really gets me going.” He gripped even tighter and his smile fell. “And my name’s Happy. Get it right.”
“Fucking let go!” BJ shoved free from Ziggy’s grasp, huffing and puffing. “You fucker. You—you think you can just waltz in and do whatever you want? That you’re untouchable here? You’re not! I’m in charge, and I’ll have you reprimanded!”
Ziggy laughed. “Oh big word! Bet you’re proud of that one, aren’t you?” I couldn't believe how bold Ziggy was being. But truthfully, that was just Ziggy. “Go on, punish me. Show me just how bad I’ve been.” Ziggy extended his arms, egging BJ on. “I’m waiting! You said you were God, so smite me! Show me your wrath, pig!”
BJ groaned, whipping out one of the extendable batons a few of the staff kept handy. He began to beat Ziggy, swinging and hitting him over and over. Ziggy took the lashing, laughing and smiling the whole time. The beating went on for what felt like forever, only ending as BJ stopped and stood there, panting from overexerting himself.
The nurse stood, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead as he eyed Ziggy close. “You’re sick,” he spat.
Ziggy smiled, his mouth bloodied and dripping from being struck. “Why else would I be here?” Ziggy slowly turned and glanced back over his shoulder at me and winked, his teeth stained red. He turned back to BJ, spitting a mouthful of blood at the nurse’s feet. “Is that really the best you got?”
The tension in the dayroom continued to rise, choking us all until Dream suddenly appeared, her hair now in two long perfect pigtails. “BJ!” She chimed in as all eyes looked at her. “I’ve been looking all over for you!” She clasped her hands in front of her body as her breasts nearly choked her out. I’m pretty sure if it had been anyone else, BJ wouldn’t have listened, but he always did like Dream.
Dream twirled a piece of her hair. “Dr. Sable pulled me aside asking about you…she mentioned something about a missing key? Or keys?” BJ’s face flatlined. “I’m not sure what she meant, but I think it’sreallyimportant ‘cause she said she needs to speak with you…right away.” Dream scrunched her face.
BJ cussed under his breath. He stared up at Ziggy, as if debating on whether or not to hit him again. “Whatever. You’renot worth it, Slater.” Ziggy looked down at the male nurse and scoffed.
BJ took a minute to collect himself, having had his manhood juiced and overworking himself on Ziggy’s beating. He adjusted his uniform and eyed my stepbrother. “You might be new here, but you’ll learn soon enough. There’s an order to things around here.” BJ looked over at me as a dark shadow befell him. “Out in the real world, you might’ve been something to fear, but not in here. Patients in Wellard Asylum are simply unwanted toys, used and discarded once society has finished playing with them.” BJ’s eyes looked past my stepbrother and straight at me. “But in here, they’remyplaythings.” Ziggy stepped over just enough to block BJ from staring at me. The male nurse scowled and spat at Ziggy’s feet. “You’re inmyhouse, Slater. So that means you play bymyrules. I’ll let today slide since you’re new here, but don’t let it happen again.” He patted Ziggy’s face and I knew he fucked up.
