35. Veronica
A couple of days later, Leo was off to visit his family. He found me before leaving and said goodbye, although it wasn’t the type of goodbye I wanted. Would spending some quality alone time before he left have been nice? Yes. He was too busy getting everything situated.
Having one more session with Ruby.
Packing his things, I’m sure.
Filling in the doctor who would see me while he was gone. Which isn’t happening.
Leo had informed me he would only be gone for a few days. Any normal person would assume that means two days, but no. He is gone for a whole week.
Three days with a different doctor who doesn’t give a damn about my well-being or spending a week in solitary. I know it sounds like the first option would be the easiest answer. I could ignore the bitch the entire session, but we all know how I am.
I like to be dramatic, and even though being alone in the dark terrifies me, it’s the better option. Plus, I’ve already made up my mind; once I do that, there is no going back.
Once Leo was free from this place, I tracked down the girl Eliza told me about. I’ve seen her around before. She likes to parade around this palace as if she were the Queen. As if she is hot shit.
Eliza didn’t elaborate on what Sasha had done to her; I could honestly care less about it. She will pay for being a bitch to Eliza.
I’m hunting her down since I’m not sure of her schedule. I head to the common room when I don’t find her eating. How cute. A nurse is leading an arts and crafts class. Multiple nurses since I spot scissors on tables. It is a shame that this class will be cut short.
I stalk in, the nurses eyeing me cautiously until another speaks up. “Veronica, will you be joining us?”
“Nope.” I shake my head, eyes holding the side of Sasha’s face.
Stopping at her table, she pauses her fingers as they are rolling something up. Lifting her chin, her head tilts to where I’m standing. “To what do I owe the pleasure.”
“You’re going to leave Eliza alone,” I warn.
“Awe, look at you coming to her rescue.” She laughs. “Didn’t know she couldn’t fight her own battles. And you,” her gaze rakes over my body, “who would have thought you would stick up for someone other than yourself?”
Sasha drops her head, returning to her craft, but my hand flies up and grabs her chin. Forcing her to look at me, I dip my head down lower. “Leave. Her. Alone.”
Her eyes narrow, and she slaps my hand away, freeing her. “Or what?”
I thought she’d never ask. I grin, that evil one that instills fear into the others.
“Veronica!” one nurse calls my name. I ignore it.
Those eyes that thought they held dominance grow a shade paler as she realizes my expression. Pure evil. She swallows hard as she waits for my next move.
Blindly, I reach out for the scissors I scoped out when approaching her table and take them into my hand. Gripping the handles firmly, I focus on Sasha and bring the blades down on her hand.
Her mouth opens, screams pouring out loudly, tears streaming down her face from the searing pain. With my hands still on the handle, I press down harder, turning the scissors a bit to increase the pain. “Tell me you’ll leave her alone.”
Tears blur her vision, and she attempts to blink them away. Cries come out of her mouth, followed by the words, “I’ll... oh my god! I’ll leave her alone!”
Satisfied, I let go of the scissors, leaving them in her hand so that she would have to be the one to tear them out. Someone”s arms wrap around me; I know it is a guard. Since I’m one for dramatics, it’s showtime.
“Let me go!” I thrash in his arms. His hold slips for a moment before he regains his strength.
He pulls me backward to the door. I watch a nurse come over to console Sasha, helping clean up all the blood. As he continues to drag me out of the room, I wiggle in his arms.
“Get your fucking hands off of me!” I yell once we are out in the hall.
Everyone stares at me as I fight to get out of his hold. Gasps and whispers fill the room, but nothing is as loud as the hard footsteps coming down the hall.
Dr. Bennett.
The guard whips me around to face the angry man heading towards us. I let the fire stay alive in my eyes as he approaches where I’m being held.
He stops in front of me, head turning towards the common room to see Sasha getting the scissors removed from her hand. I watch as his jaw ticks furiously.
“Veronica.” Anger and disappointment. The two emotions that usually leave his mouth when I get in trouble.
“The bitch had it coming.”
He shakes his head. “Two weeks.”
I stop squirming in the guard”s arms, eyes wide at those two words. “What?”
Dr. Bennett’s eyes leave mine and find the guard holding me. “Get her downstairs.”
I feel the man nod behind me, and as he creates space between Henry and me, I begin my fight. This time, I kick and wiggle stronger because I’m trying. “No! Not two weeks! Dr. Bennett, please!”
“You give me no other choice,” he states from where he stands.
My eyes go glossy with tears. “I... no! Please don’t make me spend two weeks there!”
This wasn’t a part of the plan.
One week.
One week for me to hide in the darkness until Leo came back. One week for me to escape the other doctor. That was the plan.
The guard is losing control of me. I could get out of his grasp, but then what? Anywhere I run, they would find me. When he almost loses his complete hold on me, another man grabs at my feet.
This is new. I’ve never seen someone in this ward get this manic over being sent to solitaire that two guards had to escort them.I kick at him. He hisses when my heel hits his arm, but he wraps his hands around my ankles. The other man adjusts his holding, sliding his arms under my armpit to carry me better.
“No! Put me down!” I scream, thrashing around.
I just return to normal after my last visit. How long will it take?
They get me through the door and down the stairs. The main guard down here already has a door waiting for me. It’s the same room I was in the last time.
They aren’t gentle when they let go of me, tossing me to the floor, where I land with a thud. I groan as pain shoots up my arm from the impact.
“Psycho bitch,” the one mutters under his breath.
I inhale a deep breath as the door slams shut, leaving me in utter darkness.
What have I done?
I acted impulsively, thinking this idea would work out in my favor. When has anything ever worked out in my favor? I was wrong and stupid. So fucking stupid.
And now I have to pay for my stupidity.