Sweat, Treachery and Scorn (WAYHAUGHT)

🔪Deeper Than A Ravine🔪

Waverly awoke a few hours later. Her eyelids felt heavy, as if they had been glued shut. The few tears that escaped her eyes due to the blinding lights―which, in reality, were probably very dim―had the texture of wax, making her wonder anxiously how long she had been knocked out for. She sat up in the bed swiftly, realising with confusion that it wasn't her own, making her swivel around, trying to guess where in the hell she was. 

The room's walls were a creamy white, like that of milk, but will a yellow hue to it. Some of the plaster had begun to peel off, much like a lot of the rooms in Black Rock prison. There were pin boards on almost every wall, with pamphlets advertising different attractions, health care tips and conditions. There were posters too, decorated with glitter and stickers, almost as if they had been made by kids. 

The Earp woman began to feel incredibly uncomfortable in this new environment. Desperate to flee, she began shuffling off the bed, only to hear approaching voices. There were two of them, a female who sounded extremely angry and a male, who seemed to be highly anxious but also pissed off. Waverly couldn't blame him. No one liked being screamed at, even if it had happened a million times before. 

Suddenly the door to the room burst open, and in stumbled a very peeved and flustered Dr Conway, followed closely by an infuriated Nicole Haught. The doctor was cowering on the floor, the redhead hovering over him menacingly when she suddenly caught Waverly's gaze, and her violent rampage was halted as she dashed over the body at her feet so that she could kneel besides the brunette, who had been sitting in stunned silence ever since they entered. 

"Waves, you're awake!" Nicole said joyfully, a huge smile on her face that had enough brightness behind it to contend with the sun. The sight made the smaller woman return the smile, her hands reaching of their own accord to glide across her cellmate's cheeks, not missing the fact that there were dark semi circles beneath her eyes, the sight of them making the brunette's stomach twist with a hungry and relentless guilt. 

"I'm sorry." The words were softer and more broken than she intended for them to be, but she couldn't take them back now. More tears escaped out of her eyes before she could stop them, like melted wax trailing its road of life down the passageway of a candle. Frustrated, she reached up to wipe them away, but Nicole beat her to it. 

"Why are you apologising, angel?" Nicole asked in a hoarse whisper, peeking up at her through her long eyelashes. She was crouched at the brunette's feet, like an adorable puppy seeking the affection of its master. It was rather amusing actually, as Waverly believed that the redhead held all the control over her, but here she was, showing her that the ball was in her court just as much as it was in her own. 

Waverly shook her head. "I don't know. You just look like you've had a rough night and I can't help but think it's my fault. I mean, if I hadn't of had a panic attack or whatever that was, we wouldn't be in this mess. So, I'm so, so sorry, times infinity―" 

"Shush," Nicole whispered, a cocky smirk on her face as she silenced the smaller woman's rambling by placing a finger against her lips. It had the desired affect, causing her to lapse into silence and for her to go rosy-cheeked. The taller woman grinned at this; she loved nothing more than making her cellmate blush. 

"What're you―" Waverly mumbled out out of the corner of her mouth, her nose and forehead crinkling in an adorable manner as she frowned in confusion. It only made the redhead's heart hammer in her chest further, and she had to fight back her own blush. 

"You never have to apologise, Waves," she reassured her, placing a hand on the other woman's knee before giving it a squeeze. Waverly ducked her head slightly in embarrassment at her own actions, only to feel a finger lifting her chin up gently so she could be eye to eye with Nicole. 

It surprised the brunette what she saw swimming in the expanse of hot chocolate that was the taller woman's eyes. Nicole was looking at her like she had hung the stars and all the moons in the solar system just for her own entertainment, just because she adored her loyal and caring redheaded cellmate that much. It was such an intense look that Waverly was tempted to look anywhere but at Nicole, but she just couldn't. 

Has anyone ever looked at you look you're the reason they get up every morning? Have you ever felt a connection so strong with another human being that you feel as if your hearts were in synch? That was how both women felt as they gazed into one another's eyes. It was a simple thing, but their bond ran deeper than a ravine. They didn't even have to admit it to one another, it was just one of those things. They cared about each other, they both knew that, exactly like everyone knew that in order to get orange paint you had to mix yellow and red together. 

The moment was broken by Dr Conway, who had sheepishly staggered to his feet and was asking very politely if he check Miss Waverly Earp's vitals so that he may allow them to return to their cell together. The examination was performed with the upmost respect―Nicole made sure of that, keeping a possessive eye on the brunette, which only made Waverly blush even more―and finally, after she had signed a few papers, she was allowed to go. 

"So," Nicole said in a sing song tune, a big grin plastered on her face as they exited the medical bay hand in hand―Waverly admitted rather shyly underneath her breath that she didn't feel like losing contact with her, and for some reason Nicole chose not to tease her this time, though she had her suspicions that she would pull one of her shower showstoppers again. 

"So?" Waverly drawled, encouraging the other woman to share what was on her mind. However she only gave her a sneaky smile, tugging on their joined hands as they descended the hallway, weaving through the maze of compounds the prison contained. 

Nicole didn't speak for the rest of their journey, simply guiding her throw sections of the prison she hadn't yet visited. They had left the medical bay, which was situated between the compounds separated between male and female inmates, and were now making their way past the gate for new arrivals. It was as they were preparing to enter their compound―Block A―that Waverly saw him. He was unmistakable, even after all these years. 

"Is that him?" Nicole asked her cautiously, with a hint of spite towards the unknown man in her voice. "Is that the guy who hurt you?" 

Waverly swallowed deeply, feeling her fists becoming clammy. "Yes. That's...that's him." 

"I'll be right back," Nicole promised, leaning down to peck her forehead softly before swiftly marching towards him, determination laced in her movements. 

Deeper than a ravine. Her protector. Nicole. 

"Holy smokes, Nicole!" Waverly shouted, breaking into a sprint as she tried to reach the other woman before she did something stupid. 

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Hi, it's the author here. Thank you for checking out this book and I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter out.