Chapter Thirty-Seven #2
My faith in revenge is restored, but not only for myself. For everyone else on this island who needs it. I hope they can forget it and move on. Live healthy and happy, while I absorb the burden.
I’m passing the time by sharpening my knife, finishing my water, and just listening. Voices are always echoing around here. Not long ago I heard Joy arguing with someone I think was Byron Kang.
I swear, I’m a walking encyclopedia of the degenerates on this island. And I’ve only met a handful of them.
Eavesdropping or not, I hate not having a damn clue what’s really happening on the other side of that door. I went from having the advantage of eyes and ears no one knows are there, around every corner, lurking and listening and watching…
Now I only know what’s going on when people say it near my stupid tomb.
Standing up, I stretch myself out. I practice jabs and kicks, just to get the blood flowing, until more voices stop me in place. I move up to the door and try to listen, but they’re too far to make out. Too hushed. Not like the screams I usually hear from that direction.
The only thing I end up catching is a click. From my door.
My eyes fall to it. There isn’t even a handle on anything, but it made a sound, like a lock turning.
It couldn’t be… Could it?
Out of the foolhardy hope that’s still inside, refusing to be snuffed out no matter what happens to me, I press my hand to the metal of the door and push.
It opens.
The door swings open, revealing a hallway I haven’t seen in fucking months.
Dios fucking mio…
Peering out into the hall, I look around. In case it’s a trap, and Diablo is standing out there with his goons, waiting to attack me. But I see no one.
Holy fuck.
“Ohh my God…” I whisper, wiggling in sheer thrill.
I take a step, then stop, peeking up at the camera on the ceiling.
It’s slumped forward, no red light.
It’s off.
“Oh my God,” I gasp, diving out into the hall and making a run for it.
That’s all I need. I don’t give a flying fuck why my door opened or why the cameras are off. Those aren’t my problems.
I’m getting the fuck out of here.
Still, I can’t say I’m not curious, as I slink around corners, listening for any sign of guards who could stop me. The lights are still on. I mean, they’re flickering on occasion, but they’re on.
How would the storm knock out the servers, but not the power?
That makes no sense.
Slipping around a corner, I push on a door that leads to the padded cells—I have to go this way to get to the east exit. The door opens right up, without even the usual click first that would indicate someone opening it for you.
The servers are fucking down, that’s for sure. Off fucking line.
Keeping my steps light, but quick, I rush the hall, barefoot. I know it seems gross, but it’s quieter, and no shoe prints. Plus, the only shoes I had with me when I stowed away were platform wedges. Not exactly the best things to run through the woods and sneak around unheard in.
A noise slows me down. There’s a cell partially open up ahead, with the distinct sounds of kissing coming from inside. Sneaking over, I peek in and my eyes widen.
Luthor and Ren are in there, on the floor, pawing hungrily at each other like fiends.
I smirk and shake my head. They clearly need some privacy. And I need to get gone.
But then I pause, eyes slinking back to the adorable little genius ripping off his boyfriend’s pants.
He fixed the servers last time. He was the only one who could…
So maybe he’s also the only one who could shut them down?
A sly grin tugs at my lips while I leave them to their business.
Good job, Lex Luthor.
Holy fuck…
“I just know Luthor wouldn’t ghost without a word…
He’s in trouble, I know it. All because of me.”
Oh… my God.
My lashes flutter, with Leah’s words from the night I met her, four years ago, ringing in my brain.
I never put two and two together when I found out that Inmate #35, Lexington Deon goes by Luthor. It was so long ago, and I’ve been a little distracted…
And a little super fucked up for a while there.
But it just hit me upside the head like a shard of Kryptonite.
That’s him. Leah’s friend. The one she told about her situation, and then he disappeared.
He’s alive.
Fuck, I wish I could let her know…
Maybe I can find a phone and call her?
Luthor and Ren are getting it on in there, so regardless, I need to move. While I’m sure whatever they’re about to do to each other will be hot, I can’t watch.
That’s rude. They’re, like, super in love. You don’t watch people in love having reunion sex. It’s personal.
Reaching the east exit, I shove open the door and breathe fresh air for the first time in so long. It’s incredible, despite the chill in the air and the rain already pelting me in the face.
I get to the staff house in a matter of minutes, coming alive with the adrenaline of running through a storm, dodging voices and sounds and lightning. This might sound crazy, but I like frolicking around this island in my little nighty. Barefoot.
Like a forest princess. Or Bella when she finally becomes a vampire.
Still, I need to change, and the only clothing I have stashed here is more of the same; a similar black lace negligee and some fresh panties—gracias Dios.
All I really care about right now is inhaling some trail mix and Gatorade, then showering and changing my damn underwear.
It really shouldn’t matter… but I refuse to face Diablo like this. I’m a mess.
I don’t need him to acknowledge how hot I am before I kill him, but it’d be an added bonus.
Ugh. I roll my eyes at myself. But it doesn’t stop me from shimmying in relief when I find that my stashed toiletries, which I pilfered from the armory before I got locked up, are still in my hiding spot.
There’s a bathroom in the basement of the staff house that’s sparsely used—because it’s old and moldy as shit. But hey, it’s better than nothing.
I climb in through the low window and I’m in the shower less than two minutes. It feels incredible, even with lukewarm water that smells like pennies, and I’m basking in it.
As soon as I turn the water off, I hear something… Once again, it’s the very obvious sounds of people hooking up.
Okay… people are very much still fucking on this island. Sheesh.
I don’t know why I’m surprised. Boredom was the reason for all the fucking before. The lockdown only made it worse.
Slipping into my fresh undies and nightgown, I’m trying not to actively listen, though it’s difficult. They’re not exactly being coy. I can’t make out anything they’re saying, which is good. Something tells me it’d be filthy and I really need to focus.
When I’m done, looking pretty and smelling fresh again, I head back out into the storm, purposely hustling away from the sex noises. But I come to a halt when I spot Felix Darcey and Dr. Love, scampering, hand-in-hand, toward the garden.
They look so happy, and a pang hits me in the chest. Something I’m unfamiliar with…Not quite jealousy, but much more longing than anything I’ve felt before.
I’m not one to desire a relationship. It’s not me.
But who are you then…?
Do you even know?
Gulping, I blink saltwater from my lashes as my gaze follows them; two people so painfully in love, it’d be impossible not to want that in some form… Right? Like Luthor and Ren, Velle, Rook and Joy… hell, even those two screwing behind the house.
It’s the undeniable chemistry. Craving someone down to your marrow; living and breathing them.
I never wanted it before… because revenge has been that for me.
Not happening this time. Forget the love and lust that spread faster than black mold on this island. Not for me… I don’t need it.
What I need is el diablo on his knees…
With my knife at his throat, obviously.
Dios, enough.
Unease binds my stomach, and I turn away from them quickly. In an effort to avoid them, I go east. And this time when I’m stopped, it’s by The Ivory’s barking voice.
“What do you mean the servers are off??” He’s on the phone, racing down the front steps toward one of the SUV’s.
Ducking behind a tree, my gut is fluttering more than usual while I peer his way, watching him snap at two of his men, following swiftly after him.
“Listen, I have something important to attend to right now,” he grumbles impatiently, climbing into the vehicle. “Just go get—”
His words are cut off when he closes the door.
Dammit.
The vehicle peels off, heading for the prison.
Dammit!
Ugh, looks like I’m going back.
Sheesh, good thing I ate… This cardio is no joke.
Jogging back to the prison, I’m more worried about this storm than I am coming face to face with The Ivory again. I’ve been stalking for too long. I’m ready for action, and tonight might just be the perfect time, a ravenous storm to throw him off a bit.
He won’t know what hit him.
The winds are vicious out here as I reach the prison, sharp bolts of lightning illuminating the sky, followed immediately by rumbling thunder that shakes the ground. This storm is scary. As if it’s bloodthirsty too.
Pulling open the door without even needing the enter the code verifies that the servers are still down. I move through the halls quickly, but carefully, listening for any sign of him. Passing the cell that Luthor and Ren were in, I find it empty now.
God, I hope they humped each other silly then got the hell out of dodge.
It’s weird that I’ve yet to hear any shouting or gunshots that would indicate inmates escaping. Velle and his men are nowhere to be found… Where is everyone??
Eventually, I hear something coming from inside a room. It doesn’t sound good. The door is closed, but I press my ear to it, listening.
Grunts and smacks, thunks and groans… The sounds of someone being beaten.
“You think you’re real smart, bien?” A man growls. “Pequeno nino genio.”
I swallow hard, flinching at the audible beating they’re giving someone. And based on their words, I hate to say, but I think it’s Luthor.
Fuck.