I Never Thought

Chapter 15

A/N: Trigger warning. If you are sensitive to sexual assault and/or drug use, I suggest you skip this chapter or proceed with caution.
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A few minutes passed and Chloe ended up on the floor. She sat cross-legged with a cup of water in her hands. I watched her examine the water like she had never seen anything like it. A minute or two passed without her blinking and I couldn't help but snap my fingers at her.

"Earth to Chloe," I teased and she physically snapped back into reality.

"How are you feeling?"

She felt her forehead and pinched her cheeks. "I can't tell, I feel like I might be disappearing, Chase."

"Clo, I'm not sure if you've noticed it yet, but you are stoned." I tried to hide the amusement behind my voice.

She blinked at me. "Stoned?"

"You're high. As high as a kite."

"No I'm not." She swallowed and touched her throat. "I can't feel my tongue." She licked her lips and moved her tongue around in her mouth.

Horror flashed in her eyes and she fidgeted with her bracelet.

"Does your mouth feel dry?"

She nodded quickly, holding onto her throat again.

"Drink the water I gave you." I stooped down to pick the cup up from between her legs. I handed it to her and she sipped it slowly. I sat on the floor across from her and she frowned.

"I'm disappearing aren't I?"

"No, you're not disappearing," I answered before chuckling lightly.

"Then why do I feel like it?"

"It's just a side effect."

"Side effect of what?"

"Weed."

"Weed?" Her brown eyes widened. "I don't smoke!"

"Weed was in the brownies you ate."

She bowed her head down and sniffled. "That can't be true. I was just hungry."

"Are you crying?" I reached out to smooth her hair and she sniffled again.

"No. I don't know. Maybe?"

I tilted her head up by her chin so that she could look at me. Her eyes were teary and still red, so were her cheeks. A few beads of sweat sat on her forehead.

"Are you hot?" I asked gently and she nodded.

"Let's go outside so you can get some fresh air." I pulled her up to her feet and led her out the back door.

She walked with her hands out in front of her, trying to steady herself. I noticed that she was struggling to walk in a straight line and I reached my hand out to help her. She grasped it and followed me.

The sun had set and the air was cool but humid. She sighed and wiped the sweat from her face with the back of her hand.

"Does this feel better?" I asked but she held onto the side of my shirt. She looked disoriented.

"I don't feel so good," she told me softly and placed her hand over her chest.

"Does your chest hurt?" I started to feel a bit nervous.

"No, but my heart is beating too fast for my liking."

I placed my hand on her forehead and her skin felt clammy and cooler than I imagined was normal. Panic slowly started to grow in me when I saw her eyes tear up again.