14. Hux
Chapter 14
Hux
T he lock on the door disengages, and footsteps echo on the concrete floors. I open my eyes trying to see who is coming in, but the swelling prevents me from seeing much more than a silhouette of a figure.
Inhaling to catch the scent of my visitor, I smell something citrus. The scent of a woman, a beta perhaps. I groan, my head pounding in protest.
The woman stops a few feet in front of me, her breathing even. The sound of a zipper, followed by the sounds of items being laid on a metal tray vibrate through the silence.
I have no idea what's going on, but I'm too out of it to care.
The woman takes a tentative step toward me and I lift my head to look at her, even though it feels as if a weight is holding me down.
"Hello, I'm here to treat your wounds," she says hesitantly. "I'm Sabrina Clearwater, a nurse. Miss Bramwell asked me to look over you."
Nurse?
I wonder if she knows Kay.
My throat is dry and hoarse as I try to speak. But Sabrina hushes me, lifting a glass of water to my lips. I swallow the cool liquid greedily.
"Easy," she murmurs. "You'll make yourself sick if you drink too quickly."
The smell of antiseptic burns my nose. My mind is sluggish, but I can't help but wonder why they would be sending in a nurse to take care of me. Unless… Michelle isn't happy with her son's behavior or Stacy's still trying to win me over. I chuckle at that, and the nurse who has been cleaning the blood from my face stops to stare at me.
I probably look psychotic, but who wouldn't be in my predicament?
She works methodically, her movements deliberate and focused. I watch her through bleary eyes as she cleans and dresses my wounds with gentle precision. The sting of antiseptic hardly registers, but a sharp pain pulls me from near unconsciousness as she begins to stitch the gash on my forehead. I grunt in response.
Neither Michelle or Stacy would send a nurse unless keeping me alive was a part of their plan. Or it's just another tactic to break me. My mind drifts to Candi. My sister would never be the Sterling omega. But that would mean that Creed would have to be instead. I can't let either happen.
I needed to get free of this place.
First thing I need to do is to make nice with their nurse.
"Thank you," I rasp. "What are the Sterlings planning to do with all of us down here?"
It's a risk to ask her anything, but if I can gain her trust maybe she'll let her guard down and I can escape. Sabrina pauses, her gaze meeting mine with a mix of sympathy and caution.
"I'm here to provide medical care, that's all. I don't know anything about Mrs. Sterling's plans. Stacy's family hired me to attend to those at the Estate that is all I know," she replies, her tone measured.
Stacy?
I guess that clears up who sent her then.
"So you provide care for the omegas down here?" I ask, fishing for more information.
Sabrina nods as she works. "Yes I provide Heat to the omegas down here."
"Heat?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. "Is that a suppressant?"
"Something like that," she answers vaguely, her eyes avoiding mine.
I grit my teeth, struggling to keep my cool. How can she be so nonchalant about forcing drugs on someone? These omegas are people, not lab rats. I barely hold in my fury. I attempt to keep my emotions locked away and my face neutral. I can't let her know how disgusted I am with her answer. What nurse would willingly let women be held down here in these conditions and do nothing about it? Did she know it was all for Adam Sterling?
I narrow my eyes, trying to gauge how much she isn't telling me. Something tells me I need to find out what that is.
I need to appeal to the caregiving side of this woman. If she's anything like my kitten she'll feel obligated to care for someone more vulnerable than herself. "Please. I just need to know if my sister is okay," I croak, my head bowing again.
Her expression softens slightly as she continues her work, her hands moving with practiced care. The mention of my sister seems to have stirred something within her, a flicker of empathy beneath her professional facade.
"I understand your concern, but I truly don't have information about Michelle's plans," she says gently, her voice betraying a hint of sincerity. "My role here is strictly medical."
I grit my teeth, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Despite her claim of ignorance, I can't shake the feeling that she holds more answers than she's willing to divulge. There's a vulnerability in her demeanor that I instinctively latch onto—a chink in her armor that could be my ticket to freedom.
"Please," I implore, my voice strained. "If you have any compassion at all, help me understand what's happening. I need to know if my sister is safe. Don't you have someone you'd do anything to protect?"
Sabrina hesitates at that, her gaze wavering for a moment before she resumes her task.
"I do have someone," she admits quietly. "Well, I did."
My heart hammers in my chest. She lost someone close to her. I can use that to my advantage. I lick my dry lips as I contemplate how to manipulate this woman.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I say, my voice soft and sincere. "Losing someone you care about... it's unbearable. I know that pain too well."
Her hands falter slightly as she wraps a bandage around my arm. The wound stings, but I ignore it, focusing on the vulnerability in her eyes.
"Who did you lose?" I ask gently, trying to keep my tone as non-threatening as possible. "Was it someone you loved?"
She hesitates, then nods. "My daughter," she whispers, her voice breaking. "She was... everything to me."
A pang of genuine sympathy tugs at my heart, but I can't afford to let it distract me. I need to stay focused on my goal.
"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how hard that must be for you."
She swallows hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You're not alone in your pain," I continue. "My sister, Candice, she's the only family I have left. The thought of her being hurt, or worse... it tears me apart."
Her gaze meets mine, and I see a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She wipes away a stray tear and takes a deep breath, composing herself.
"I just need to know she's safe. If there's anything you can do to help me I'll be forever grateful." I plead.
Sabrina finishes dressing my wounds in silence, her mind clearly racing. Just when I think she won't respond, she sighs softly.
"I'll see what I can find out," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't promise anything."
"Thank you," I breathe, relief washing over me. It's a small victory, but it's a start. As Sabrina packs up her medical kit, I can't help but feel a flicker of hope. If I can get through to her, maybe I can find a way out of this hellhole.
As she turns to leave, I reach out and gently touch her arm. "Thank you for helping me." I murmur.
She nods, her expression conflicted, before she exits the cell, locking the door behind her. The sound of the lock clicking into place echoes in the room, but I don't feel as trapped as I did before. There's a way out of this, and now I have a potential ally.