8. I’m not so bad…am I?
I’M NOT SO BAD…AM I?
My eyes were heavy and slow to open. I hadn’t remembered how long I was out this time, just that I was no longer in the hospital-styled room.
The IV stand dripped clear liquid into my arm, and when I jerked my hand up to pull out the lead, my eyes caught on the handcuffs.
The room smelled damp, like some old mildew, and the concrete walls only reinforced the cold that seeped into my bones.
The sun shone through a barred window at the top of my bed.
I tried to sit up, but strength left me as soon as I moved.
“Am I really that bad to you?” Her soft, feminine voice sounded familiar, and a surge of recognition made my heart flutter.
Then she walked into the light, and that flutter died.
Melody stood looking like a person I had never known.
Her red hair tied back in a high ponytail, sharp features fixed on her face, whereas before there was a light, soft frame.
I turned my head away. A part of me knew that I wouldn’t be able to escape here alive, so I did my part and tried to end it early.
When I heard her voice, an inkling of hope surged that it might have been Summer, but I was mistaken.
“Are you really not going to look at me?”
I said nothing. Just closed my eyes, wishing the drugs to stay in my system a little longer.
Her hand pinched my jaw hard, and my eyes flew open, seething at hers.
“I don’t expect you to love me, but we both have a role to play. It’s been weeks, the doctor says you are cleared medically. We can do this the easy way.” She put her hand on my arm, and I flinched back.
“I’d rather die than to have a child with you.” I spat.
“That can be arranged, you can die after the deed is done.” Shaw chuckled from the corner, and I sought him out as best I could despite the dim atmosphere.
“You were supposed to wait outside,” Melody said, annoyed.
“You don’t control me La Mia Rossa. I will do as I please.
” He spoke, moving towards her backside and leaning over her shoulder to look at me.
It was too familiar to be friendly, and yet it seemed so natural coming from them both.
I heard a set of footsteps coming down the hall, and the two of them broke apart.
The door opened, and in walked April, her fragile frame supported by the cane that clicked on the floor as she approached Melody and me.
Shaw, having distanced himself to avoid proximity.
“My dear you are absolutely glowing,” April praised towards Melody.
I rolled my eyes at the statement. She looked like a demon dressed in black. I didn’t see the strike of the cane, but the force surprised me. The cane struck my left leg, and a muffled scream reverberated from my lungs. “You will respect her.” She hissed.
I didn’t say anything, just stared up at the two. Shaw chose that moment to approach, and I pinched my eyes shut. I was really regretting the peace over violence thing right now.
“There’s only a small window to act.” He said it neutrally, without emotions and I laughed.
I couldn’t stop the laughter as I realized they were talking life or death over sperm that was stabbed to hell.
Fuck them. My laughter broke as Shaw’s fist slammed into my jaw.
Blood coated my mouth, and yet I continued to laugh.
His knuckles landed more centered on my jaw, and yet it didn’t stop the laughter.
Hit after hit rained down on my face until I lost consciousness.
I woke up to the clicking of heels on the concrete.
The grating sound pinched a nerve in my ear.
That’s when I realized I was no longer chained to that rusty bed, no instead, I was strapped to a metal table as if I were a dead body.
My body was lit by a single lightbulb on a string overhead, and I tried to see around its glaring brightness without avail.
The cold hollowness of the area and the inability to move my head in either direction made my breath quicken and my heart pump faster.
That was the only indication that I wasn’t dead.
I held onto the feeling, the pain as it raced up my jaw and the numbness in my hands as I tried to work out of the straps.
I was very aware that the coldness leeching into my skin had to do with being strapped naked to the table.
“Look who finally woke up.” She spoke in a soft, alluring voice; I almost fell for it. The charm she so easily used to press until she got what she wanted. I understand it now, the falsity of it all.
“What are you going to do to me?” The words felt sticky, perhaps slow. I hadn’t been sure I said them out loud.
“Nothing I haven’t done while you were asleep.” Melody shrugged, coming into the light.
My stomach twisted in knots, and I choked back a gag. I started coughing profusely.
“You monster.” I whispered, not wanting to come to terms with it all, but ultimately falling on the word — rape.
Melody laughed softly, “It’s not like you disagreed, ‘please fuck me’ give me a break. There were easier ways to do this, you choose the hard way.”
“What are you talking about?” A coldness seeped under my skin as I looked at her clearly. There wasn’t a lie.
She smirked, trailing her manicured fingers along my body. I flinched, taken aback by everything.
“Let me go, you don’t have to do this.” I pleaded when she reached my center. My body was shaking, and tears streamed down my face. This was not happening. It couldn’t be happening. There wasn’t enough to convince myself otherwise.
“Rossa,” Shaw’s voice sounded like a warning, or a plea.
It was unusual to hear that tone from him.
I couldn’t see him, but I imagined the face he made was one of dismay.
Melody withdrew her hand and walked towards him, heels clicking along.
Releasing a breath, I tried to think of a way out of this situation.
Where the fuck was Karter? I was really missing the doctor right about now, although I wasn’t sure what his presence would do.
It was grasping at straws. Anything to prevent my mind from spiraling further.
“Don’t Rossa me, admit it. You enjoyed yourself with her. He has a nice body. It wouldn’t be so bad.” Melody accused, and I struggled to listen to their dispute.
“That wasn’t the same. You weren’t forced to watch.” Shaw’s voice was softer now, almost too soft.
“You lied to me. That missing kid, is it yours?” her voice sounded raw and yet so powerful. They stared at each other for longer than I thought possible as the silence stretched.
“It was orders.” He reasoned. A sharp, high-pitched sound hit my ears; I could almost see the smack as it landed.
“This is orders.” I heard the clicking of shoes as she walked back to me. “You don’t have to like me. You will comply one way or another.” She walked away then; I heard a door slam. I knew she would be back; it was only a matter of time.