Against the clock

5.

Tw: mention of rape, beating and blood

Meredith's pov:

His face came closer to me. 'Be patient, princess. I have to make a car disappear first,' he said, then left the room. Derek, infuriated, attempted to scream once again while vehemently shaking his cuffs. 'I will fucking kill you if you touch her. Do you understand me?!' he roared, his voice echoing with raw determination.

The door slammed shut, enveloping Derek and me in an unsettling silence. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my nerves as adrenaline surged through my veins. 'Meredith,' he said, his voice barely audible. I closed my eyes and drew my legs together against my stomach, concealing my face.

'Meredith, talk to me,' he urged, his concern evident in the gentle tone that cut through the oppressive stillness. 'There's nothing to talk about' I muttled still hiding my face.

Derek shot me a determined look, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and a steely resolve. 'I won't let anything happen to you, Meredith. I'll get you out here,' he vowed, the sincerity in his voice cutting through the tension. 'How?' I shot my face up. 'How the hell, Derek? 'Stop giving me false hope! I'm going to get raped, and you'll have to watch. He'll kill us, and everyone will forget about us!'

Derek's expression tightened with anguish, and he shook his head vehemently. 'Meredith, don't say that. I won't let anything happen to you,' he insisted, his voice unwavering despite the despair that lingered in the air. 'Derek, stop it. Your hands are tied; what are you going to do?' I said, my voice breaking, tears forming in my eyes. 'Meredith,' he tried to say, but I stopped him. 'Just stop, please. I can't handle false hope,' I said, covering my face with my knees.

We sat there for an hour or so, in silence. It felt like an eternity, and I couldn't endure the stillness any longer. My bladder, now painfully full, demanded attention. 'Derek,' I finally uttered, breaking the heavy quiet and drawing his concerned gaze. 'Yes, Meredith?' His response held a tinge of worry. 'I can call you Derek, right?' I inquired, tilting my head slightly. 'We're out of the classroom, so yeah,' he attempted to joke.

'I have to pee,' I declared, meeting his gaze earnestly. He stared at me for a moment, the gravity of our situation sinking in. 'I think my bladder is going to burst. An infection is probably already setting in,' I added, the harsh reality of our predicament pressing on us from all sides. Derek's eyes widened with a mix of concern and helplessness. 'Meredith, I... I don't know what to do. We can't move, and there's nowhere to go,' he admitted, his frustration palpable.

I nodded, acknowledging the grim truth. 'I understand, Derek. It's just... I am not sure I can hold it any longer,' I said, my voice breaking as a surge of desperation washed over me. 'It's okay if you...' he hesitated, 'I won't mind.'

He added, 'If he comes back and tries to do anything, pee on him.' I looked at him, confused. 'Maybe it'll make him lose interest,' he said, glancing down, his expression a mix of desperation. 'Is that the best plan we've got right now?' I asked softly. Derek managed a faint smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of resignation and defiance. 'Desperate times, Meredith.'

In the midst of our strange conversation, the door swung open once more, revealing the sinister figure who had left us in torment. His eyes darted between Derek and me, amusement dancing in his malevolent gaze.

'Well, well, the lovebirds are bonding, I see,' he sneered, his voice dripping with derision. The unsettling silence that followed his entrance was shattered by Derek's growl of frustration. 'What do you want from us?' Derek demanded, his defiance undeterred.

The man ignored Derek's question and approached me with a twisted grin. 'Princess, ready to play nice?' he taunted, his hands reaching towards me. Derek's fury reached a boiling point. 'Touch her, and I swear—' he began, but the man interrupted him with a sinister laugh.