The Hurt Game

❧ forty-five

The days following the attack and near-death experience, I refused to go outside. I stayed in the apartment, read and wrote a lot. Whenever I didn't read or write, I was most likely asleep. Most times I would wake up with a pounding heart full of terror.

Royden was overly worried about me. He would leave the house ten minutes later than he was supposed to, for he couldn't stop asking questions and making sure I would be alright. It was endearing and I was beyond grateful for his concern, but I did feel guilty. I didn't want to be a burden to him.

When he was at work, he would text every hour. And when he had a break, he would always facetime me. I was pretty sure it was more for himself than for me since I could manage on my own. I wasn't scared or terrified when I was awake. It was only right after I woke up and the horrific images lingered in the forefront of my brain.

So when he had to go away for his job, it was a hard time convincing him to actually go. I had to remind him several times it was his job, the way he earned money. He reminded me how he couldn't call, nor text me while away. It was heart-breaking for both of us and we fought harshly.

It tore me apart when he shut the door behind him, actually leaving me alone in our apartment. He wouldn't come home within a few hours. He would be away, risking his life once more and with a chance of leaving me for good. The thought was too terrible.

I curled up underneath the covers. A book was placed on my knees, opened at page 289. My mind was nowhere near focused on the story. It drifted away every single time I finished a sentence. It always landed on Royden and his safety.

I was terrified of him never returning home. I had always been, but my fear peaked after the attack. I knew he was much better equipped than me in dangerous situation. He was trained to be in them, to solve them and catch high-ranked criminals. It didn't help to set my worries. Still there could be a chance he would bleed out and be left behind.

My heart leaped in my chest and I startled as my phone rang. I fumbled to get it from the nightstand and answered without even looking at the ID-caller.

Please, don't let it be an agent.

"Hello," I said anxiously. My voice was trembling as I waited for good news, but expected the bad.

"Waverly, it's me. Hi." Daniela's soothing voice came through the speaker. A huge sigh of relief flooded from my body and I slumped down in the bed. I closed my eyes and thanked whoever was up there.

"Hey Dani," I greeted her while opening my eyes.

"Hello, darling. How are you? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Everything is fine." I had to lie to her. I couldn't tell her the truth. She was my second mother. She was the one who raised me and she meant so much to me. To bring so much pain upon her was something I couldn't bring myself to do. I hated lying to her, but this was for the best. Maybe when I'd dealt it myself, when it was all in the past, I would tell her. But for now, it was better to lie.

"Are you sure? You sounded relieved when I answered," she said. Even through the phone she picked up on my moods.

I cleared my throat and nodded my head. A small smile graced my lips. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just feeling tired. That's all," I answered. This was honest.

"Okay, I trust you. I am glad you're okay."

"Yeah... How are you?"

"Oh, I'm doing good. I actually wanted to tell you something." Her voice softened a little.

"Oh, okay. What is it?"

"I found something new to do, as my job. That means I quit as housekeeper at your father's."