Casing ✔️

Chapter 26

I woke to sounds of cooking on the other side of the door. My whole body ached, my neck was hurting so bad it spread to my head when I moved. I'd slept sitting against the door.

And none of this ended up being a nightmare. I was still held against my will in a city so far away from anything I'd dared to dream of for myself the past few weeks. I wouldn't let them break me and rebuild me into this little girl who'd go along with anything she was put into.

Even though my bones hurt from the not-so-ideal sleeping position, I got to my feet and opened the door. I scanned the room, finding Nina still asleep on the couch with a blanket over her, and another of the muscly men by the door, while the kitchen was occupied by the woman who wore her short hair like a damn crown. I envied her confidence, and managed to keep myself from sputtering it right out as I crossed my arms and walked to the table and sat down.

I noticed bags by the bedroom door, from clothing stores, and one from a bookstore chain I recognized. Hank had been back, but didn't want to wake me. I swallowed and pushed down the warming sensation in my chest, as I got back up to inspect the bags.

"They're not what I would've chosen, but it's alright, I guess," Diana said from her place by the stove, "for now."

I looked through some clothing that seemed okay, before bringing the bag with books back to the table. "For now?" I questioned, daring to look towards the woman as she plated up eggs and bacon for four people.

"Yeah." She smiled my way, looked towards the door once, before sending me that same wink again.

My brows furrowed, but I didn't dare ask. Not when the tiniest spark of hope ignited inside me. So I cleared my throat to keep from saying anything at all, as she carried two plates away, behind me, and I could only guess she gave one to the man by the door, and sat one down on the table in front of my sister. When she came back, she put one in front of me as well, and sat down opposite me with her own.

It smelled good. As good as eggs and bacon could smell, but it was good. And I was starving. The books could wait just a few more minutes.

"When I heard about this, I couldn't stay away," Diana told me, picking up a piece of bacon with her fingers. Her free hand rested on the table, her fingers wiggling a little bit, before she continued. "I had to let people know I wouldn't stand for girls being brought into this life. I wanted to help get you two out before you'd end up like me."

My eyes were fixed on her fingers. Her middle one curled over her index finger as she spoke, fueling the spark of hope she'd already offered.

"Is your life that bad?" I asked, my eyes darting between hers and her fingers.

She chewed on the bacon, shrugging with one shoulder, before saying, "It's not the worst, but I'd prefer to be safe and sound far away from the Strac's and Orlov's and Wreckers."

I noticed her finger curled more, tightening around her index one, as if telling me something. Or maybe I was crazy. She looked up again, before her hand left the table and disappeared under it.

"I understand," I told her, trying to convey a double meaning, if she was really trying to tell me something. "But I don't want to stay here."

The last part was harsher.

Her hand came back up, her eyes moving towards the door, before she slid her phone quietly over the table, a chain of texts on the screen.

I bit my lip when I saw the name James Davis at the top, just to stop myself from gasping.

James: Are you with her? Is she okay?

Diana: She's fine. Angry and confused, I think, but asleep now.