5. Sina
The alarm blared like a banshee. The piercing sound rattled around my skull.
I jerked upright with a strangled curse, heart already racing from the nightmare I hadn’t fully escaped throughout the night.
The adrenaline was still there, clinging to my skin, like sleep had only thinned the terror instead of washing it away.
I groaned and shoved the pillow over my head, but it did nothing to muffle the sound.
Blindly, I reached across my side table for my phone, nearly knocking it off before my fingers finally closed around it.
I squinted at the screen through burning eyes.
Shit.
I’d forgotten to turn the damn alarm off. Of course I had. I swiped it silent and collapsed back against the mattress, the sudden quiet ringing louder than the noise had been.
The city hummed faintly outside—distant traffic that never truly quieted—life moving forward like mine wasn’t stuck replaying the same horrors on a feedback loop.
I stared at the ceiling and let the exhaustion settle deep into my bones. I’d already decided I wasn’t going.
Right?
Group therapy could fuck right off. I wasn’t sitting in a circle of strangers unpacking my trauma like it was some kind of book club discussion. No thanks.
I rolled onto my side, dragging the blanket up to my chin. My body ached with exhaustion, the kind that sleep didn’t fix.
Skipping today would prove I didn’t need it.
Wouldn’t it ?
My stomach twisted. If I didn’t go… I knew how this ended. Isolation. Impulse. Self-destruction dressed up as control. I swallowed hard and squeezed my eyes shut.
No.
I wasn’t spiraling again.
I lay there for several long minutes, arguing with myself while the morning light slowly brightened the room. I scrubbed a hand down my face and groaned.
“Fuck,” I muttered to the empty room.
Fine. I’d go.
Not because I wanted to. Not because I believed in it. But because I’d promised Bloom, and even if I was pissed he left, there was something about breaking that promise that didn’t sit right in my chest.
With a frustrated huff, I threw the covers back and forced myself upright, shivering as cold air kissed my bare legs. I had come a long way in the last year, and this place was my proof. Proof I didn’t need anyone else. I could do it my damn self.
I crossed the small flat to the equally small bathroom. Despite everything, I was proud of this place. I didn’t need lavish furniture or a walk-in closet. I needed safety. Stability. Four walls that were mine.
I stripped off my sleep shirt and shorts and turned on the shower.
The water sputtered before a steady stream of heat hit the tiles, fog curling up around me.
I stepped under the warm water, letting it wash over me, trying to scrub away the tension.
I washed my hair twice before shutting off the tap and blindly grabbing a towel from the hook.
I dried off, wrapping it around my shoulders, and glanced at my reflection in the mirror.
Damp hair hung just past my shoulder blades.
Dark circles were heavy under my green eyes.
I blew out a ragged breath and rubbed my eyes, willing away the fog of sleep, then moved to my dresser to get dressed.
I grabbed a pair of boot-cut jeans along with matching red bra and panties, before heading into the closet to grab my favorite maroon sweater.
Red. Red. Red.
Again those fucking eyes flashed in my head.
I shivered.
Stop it, Sin! It was just a trick of the light. No one's eyes actually glow red. It’s not possible. I tugged on a pair of black ankle boots, shaking my head. Settling in front of my floor length mirror I began to dry my hair and continued to chastise myself.
What the hell is wrong with me?
He was just some random guy. I shouldn’t be this obsessed.
This wasn’t normal. Apparently, I needed a real release.
A good one. A man who knew what the hell he was doing because the last one hadn’t scratched the itch properly.
Maybe today, at group therapy, I could scope someone out, someone who could fill the void, even if just for a little while.
Focus. That had to be the plan because I was done thinking about him.
Oh who was I kidding I wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.
Grumbling to myself, I applied a second coat of mascara. I probably looked fucking crazy if anyone was watching me talk to myself right now.
Finishing off my look with my favorite cherry lip gloss I stood and checked the time. FUCK. I’d planned on taking a bus but that was out. I was going to be late if I didn't catch a taxi.
My phone buzzed from my dresser just as I was grabbing my purse. Jackson’s name lit up the screen. I sighed, thumb hovering before I answered.
“What’s up, boss?”
“Hey, Sin,” He sounded tired. I knew the anniversary of his brother was still eating at him. “I know it’s your day off, but I’ve gotta ask… Danielle’s sick. Like, fever-and-throwing-up sick. ”
I winced. If she was calling out I knew it was bad. She was desperate for her shifts.
“She can’t come in tonight or tomorrow. I’ve got tonight covered. Is there any chance you could cover her shift tomorrow?"
I leaned my head back against the door and let out a low groan. I could use the money.
“What time?”
“Five to close.”
I blew out a breath. “Yeah. Okay. I can do it.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Sina.”
I chuckled. “See you tomorrow night, boss.”
The call ended, and I slid my phone into my purse, locking my flat behind me. I quickly headed to the stairs and took them two at a time. Running late made me really wish the elevators were working.
I jogged to the corner of my street to flag down a taxi. One pulled over almost immediately, and I climbed into the back seat, giving him the address Dr. Bloom had sent me. Just as the cab pulled away, my phone rang again. I frowned, digging it out of my purse.
Maybe Jackson forgot to mention something?
I swiped to answer, pressing the phone to my ear without looking at the screen. “What’s up, Jack? I’m just getting into a taxi.”
There was a pause. I frowned, thinking the call had dropped, and glanced down at my screen. An unknown number stared back at me. My stomach lurched.
Shit .
Definitely not my boss.
“Who is this?”
“Hello. This is Dr. Petrelli. Do I have the pleasure of speaking with Sina Voss?” My stomach did a little flip at the smooth cadence of his voice .
It’s just your new therapist, Sina. Relax . Not that I knew the doctor's name. I hadn’t thought to ask Bloom.
I released my death grip on the phone.
“Um… Yes?” I said, watching the city blur past the cab window.
“There’s been a last minute change in location for this morning’s session.”
“Wait, why?” I asked, a little bolder now.
A beat of silence passed.
“The water main… broke. Huge mess. Couldn’t risk holding it at the original site.”
I blinked. My gut told me it was bullshit.
“ I’m texting you the address.”
My phone buzzed against my cheek.
“I got it,” I whispered, not bothering to look yet.
“Good. See you there.”
I nodded as if he could see me.
“Oh, and Ms. Voss. Save my number.”
The call ended.
I sat back a little in the cab seat, stomach fluttering. Partially stunned.
Was it just me or had that been the strangest, most… unsettling conversation ever?