Predator (DWT x OC)

11

I hiss as the hot water splashes over my arms, stinging sharply. I gingerly massage soap over my body, shampooing out the dust in my hair. Everything hurts, but it always hurts now, and so I grit my teeth and scrub the dirt and crusted blood off my skin. 

The cool air freezes my wet stomach as I step out of the shower, wrapping a threadbare towel tightly around myself. I quickly dry off, slipping into a jumper, pants and socks, trying to detangle the knots in my air with my fingers.

I stand in front of the mirror, aghast at my own reflection. The pink blush that normally warms my cheeks has long gone, replaced by pale sullenness that sinks down my cheeks and darkens my eyes. My wet hair curls around my face, and sticks to my cheek bones and pointed jaw. I lift my jumper up, marvelling over the purple and yellow splotches that bloom over the side of my ribcage, deep in my skin. Fundy had kicked me in the side for talking back. 

I wash my towel and other clothes in the shower, hanging them over the edge of the shower screen that's next to the barred window. After everything, cleanliness is all I have to cling onto, some sense of normality that keeps me functioning. I refuse to collapse back into the hole I used to be in. After they're hung up to dry, I methodically clean out the bathroom with a cloth, scrubbing away faint stains and dust that settles on everything. 

The click at the door alerts me to the food that slides through the slot. I snatch up the tray, which has a bowl of soup, a glass of water and an apple. I eye the spoon and fork exasperatedly. Every time I finish eating, he goes over the tray to make sure I've returned everything. If I could get my hands on just a knife, or even a fork or spoon, I could get out of here. 

I engulf the food hungrily, finishing it quickly enough so I don't get it taken away from me. That's another one of his rules, I have to finish within ten minutes, which is when he comes back. He slams his fist on the door, letting me know that I need to slide the tray through the slot. I clutch the spoon and fork in my hand, and an idea hits me. A really stupid, get yourself carved up like a piece of steak stupid plan. But I'm not letting these go. 

I don't respond, tucking the fork underneath the mattress. He knocks again, louder and more impatiently, but I remain silent, trying to goad him into opening the door. If I can distract him enough, would he just take the tray and the spoon and forget about the fork? 

Well, there's one way to find out.

"Rosemary, give me the tray." He barks, clearly annoyed.

"Fuck you." I snap, smiling to myself.

"Do you not remember what happened last time?" He jeers, banging on the door once more.

"Yeah, you kick like a little bitch." I taunt, trying to rile him up. It works, and I hear a click as he unlocks the door and swings it open. That's when I pounce. 

Here's the thing, I can't overpower Fundy. I've tried the bait and lunge strategy many times, and it always ends up with a bruised cheekbone or ribs. However, that doesn't mean I don't relish an opportunity to make him hurt.

I grab the tray, slamming it hard into his head. It meets his skull with a sickening twang as he cries out in pain and stumbles backwards. I almost tumble over with the momentum, falling forwards as he swings his fist into my temple. I'm thrown sideways into the wall, shoulder crunching against the immovable stone. I whimper in pain, clutching the side of my head, eyes watering at the throbbing in my face and arm. 

He pushes me hard, and I fly backwards, tripping over my own feet with a squeal. My back connects with the floor and the air rushes out of my lungs as I wheeze desperately, trying to get back up. Fundy marches forward and scoops up the tray, bowl, glass and spoon, angrily stomping back out of the room, the door swinging shut behind him. 

I close my eyes as the lock clicks back into place, and I hear his footsteps echo faintly down the hall. I stay still on the ground, as air filters back into my lungs.

Just as I'm sitting back up, he enters the room. I hold my breath, hoping desperately that he isn't here for the fork. I look up at his enraged face, and realise that he's only here for me. And honestly? That's probably a lot worse. 

He kneels down next to me, and I'm still to dizzy and sore to even do anything except glare at him. We stare at each other, the mutual hatred clear. 

"You really didn't think about that, did you?" He asks, shaking his head. 

"Go to hell." I spit, scowling. Without warning he lashes out, knuckles connecting solidly with my cheek. I yell as the thudding pain spreads over the right side of my face, and I collapse back down onto the ground. The world has gone blurry, and it feels as though I'm underwater, the sounds muffled and far away. I roll onto my back, groaning, vaguely registering him getting to his feet. 

I scream as he kicks me in the stomach, curling around myself as I try and protect my organs. He kick me again, hard, and I let out a blood curdling shriek of pain as his foot connects with my bruised ribs. He stops, breathing heavily, then leans down to my ear.

"I don't want to hurt you too much now, just in case Dream decides to drag this out." He says. I don't respond, and he leaves me sobbing, curled up on the floor. My head pounds, and my stomach cramps terribly, making me cry out with any tiny shift of my body. 

And despite all of that, a smile creeps on my face.

He forgot the goddamn fork. 

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A/N Sorry guys, more of Rosie getting hurt, but on the counter side, she now has an escape opportunity. And if there's anything we know about Rosie, it's that she's a bad bitch that don't need no man.

And more importantly, we hit 200k reads and 8k votes OH MY GOD! I couldn't even believe it the I went to update the story and saw the counts! Thank you all so so much for all the support for this story, and for myself, as well as how much you guys engage with my writing and what I do. It brings me so much enjoyment to watch you all react to my writing and to hear how much my writing can impact people. Y'all are amazing and I'm so grateful for everything you do <3

I very much hope you enjoyed this chapter,

Oopsies x