Alpha Hole

Ch. 51

A sob wracked my body, jolting me awake. My head collided with the metal bars, causing fresh tears to spill down my cheeks. It wasn't a dream—this was my nightmare.

The darkness of the room was a small mercy; it meant they weren't here right now. I thanked the goddess for that tiny kindness as I shifted, leaning against the cold, unforgiving bars. My entire body ached, and I pulled my knees into my chest, trying to control my ragged breaths.

I was stuck in this cage like some kind of animal. How much more of this could I endure?

With careful hands, I felt around in the darkness for my water bottle. My fingers brushed against the cool plastic, and I managed to open it with trembling hands. Forcing myself to take only one sip, I realized this water had to last—I just didn't know for how long.

Jaxson's face haunted me, his eyes filled with surprise and pain. Whether my eyes were open or closed, I saw him falling over and over again. If I had just stayed in that safe room—maybe he would have made it out alive. Maybe I wouldn't be in this cage. I kicked at the bars, the impact sending a jolt of pain through my ankles.

"I can't stay here," I whispered to no one.

There had to be a way out of this.

I got on my knees, threading my fingers through the bars overhead. I slid them slowly over each bar, searching for anything—any way out. Panic surged through me. I couldn't die in this filth. I refused to die here. My hands moved over each bar until I felt something different. A latch.

My heart pounded as I realized I was sitting on the cage door. I positioned my feet between the bars and twisted my fingers around the latch. It didn't budge when I pushed it to the right, but when I tried the left, my heart stopped as the latch clicked open. Crouching, I braced my hands on the cage's roof. Standing slowly, I lifted the top. With all my strength, I pushed up until the cage fell away.

Standing for the first time in what felt like forever, my legs wobbled beneath me. My head spun as I tried to walk, but I was determined.

My hands shot out in front of me, guiding me towards the door. I prayed it would be unlocked. Sliding my feet across the floor, I accidentally knocked over a side table. I froze, then tilted left, continuing my slow progress until my fingers met the wall. Frantically, I felt my way to the door, my breath catching when my knuckles brushed the knob. I twisted it, and by some miracle, it was unlocked.

I flung the door open and rushed out. My feet hit soggy ground, and I was greeted by the fading sun. I didn't look back as I sprinted to the tree line. I tried to shift, but nothing happened. Please, I begged my wolf, but she was silent, buried deep within me.

The sun disappeared too quickly. In the trees, I just kept running. My lungs burned, my legs screamed, but I couldn't stop. I needed to find safety before I could rest. My strides began to slow as darkness fell, but I kept pushing.

I had to find a road, a house—anything. What then? I had no idea. I didn't even know how to reach Aunt Clara without putting her in danger. I tried not to think about everything I had lost. Just keep running.

And I did. Until I saw a fuel price sign in the distance. Tears blurred my vision. My steps quickened with newfound hope.

The gas station looked deserted apart from an old red Altima parked at the door. My steps faltered as I trekked mud onto the floor. A middle-aged woman gaped at me from behind the cash register.

She hurried around the counter. "Dear God."

"Honey, what happened to you? Do I need to call the cops?"

I didn't know what to say, but I needed to come up with something quickly.

"I got lost on a hiking trip," I lied.

"Were you alone?" she asked.

"Yes," I said, too quickly.

She took a step back, her nose wrinkling at my scent.

"We have a shower," she said. "You can use it for free."

Emotion rose in my chest. "That—would be wonderful."

"And if I'm not mistaken, my daughter is about your size. I'll call her to bring something for you to wear." She pulled her cellphone from her back pocket before I could object.

She motioned for me to follow her. She led me to a room with several shower stalls.

I nearly cried at the sight.

"You go ahead, honey," she said, stepping out and speaking into her phone. I wasted no time kicking off my boots and moving inside the curtained space.

I pulled off my filthy clothes and tossed them aside. I turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat. To my relief, there were soap and shampoo dispensers on the wall. I scrubbed my hair and body, watching as the water turned red with grime and blood.

I turned to face the shower, rubbing my face.

Voices outside the room alerted me that her daughter had arrived, or perhaps another customer had come in.