Craft II (The Craft Saga)

16 - Tick Tock

The most frustrating part of Ollie's note was the fact that he had told me to meet him at 2am, forgetting I had absolutely no way of tracking time. There was no clock in my cell and now the first part of my mission to get out of this place had to be to gain some concept of time first.

When morning broke the next day, I immediately accepted my breakfast that was provided for me whilst wondering if I would be working all day. After leaving my bowl by the bars, it was taken away and I waited for Karl to come and get me but he didn't. I wondered if it was Junior's doing; keeping me locked up at all costs to avoid me trying to break free.

As the day passed by, I spent several hours lying on my bed, trying to imagine what the time could be. I got to my feet eventually and sat at the uneven, wooden desk in my cell which rocked side to side if you leaned on it. My fingertips tapped at the surface nervously as I kept my eyes on the hallway for someone so I could ask if I could come out to work. I thought there might be a clock on the wall somewhere in there that I could use to manage my timing better; unfortunately, nobody seemed to be coming or going at all.

I moved up from my desk and used the toilet, scowling at the bars, hating the way anyone could see me doing my business if they walked by, but it was something I was used to now. Next I washed my hands at my sink, even though there was no soap, then I carried on letting the tiny stream of water run as I pulled off my clothes. I puddled as much water in my palm as I could, splashing it to my underarms. I believed it to be early afternoon at this point. I tried to use the water to wet as much of my body as possible. This was my only way of being able to wash myself; I still felt gross all of the time, but at least it was something.

My mind drifted back to the time Ollie had taken me to his house and let me use his shower.

'Damn, I would kill to be in that shower again,' I murmured to myself, as I pulled on my clothes.

'I think when you start talking to yourself it's a sign you're going crazy, honey,' Ashleigh spoke, and I turned to see her grinning through my bars.

I quickly strolled across the floor. 'Hey Ashleigh!'

'How are you doing?' she asked, her makeup patchy on her face and her fancy clothes hanging on her untidily.

'I'm okay,' I lied, nodding convincingly. 'You just got home from...working?'

'No, I was...' She trailed off and her lips pressed into a thin smile.

'You were with Roman...' I finished her sentence.

'Sorry,' she whispered, frowning uncomfortably. 'It's technically work but I-.'

'You don't have to explain,' I sighed, shrugging. 'I'd rather not know.' The messy way in which she looked right now made my stomach turn at what they had been doing.

'If it makes you feel better, I think I'm the only girl he's sleeping with right now,' she told me.

'It doesn't make me feel better,' I replied. 'Honestly, I'm really starting to care less and less about what Roman does with his life. There will never be a me and Roman ever again so he can fuck whoever he likes.'

'Have you been keeping your head down and behaving yourself?' Ashleigh asked me.

I nodded quickly. 'Sure have.'

'Good, maybe they'll reward you with a little freedom soon,' she said, but I knew she didn't believe her own words. 'Just keep doing as they say and it will get better.'

It sure will get better when I get the fuck out of here tonight!

'Yeah, you're right,' I replied. 'That's exactly what I'm doing.'