Deep Dark Blues

Chapter 26- Things left unsaid

White hot panic coursed through her veins, the fear blinding her with the power of thousands of suns.

Ryan was coming back and judging by the footsteps, he was mere meters away from the room.

She didn't have time to think...

Minutes?

Wishful thinking.

She had seconds.

Her eyes jumped around the room, desperately trying to find a hiding spot.

Behind the cabinets?

No... She would never squeeze in there.

The footsteps were gaining volume with every passing second.

No... No, she had to find a place fast.

Except... There wasn't much to choose from in the first place.

"Fuck..." Reed cursed under her breath before she lounged at the large counter standing in the centre of the chamber. The steel workbench had many drawers and compartments, including one that Reed was confident she could fit in. She ripped the door open, hands immediately grabbing the foils and wires inside to make her more space.

No time... She had no time.

She pressed the tangled tangle of wires close to her chest, crawling into the tight space. She had to physically stop herself from coughing, feeling the dust sit on her tongue upon taking a single breath.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of the lock.

She squeezed herself further, her spine bending uncomfortably before she closed the door just in time for Ryan to open.

Her heart was pounding in her chest, Reed taking shallow breaths to avoid sneezing at the dust bunnies floating in the air.

"Can't even bring me food... Unreal..." Ryan muttered to himself.

Reed's fingers dug into her cheek, tightening at the sound of footsteps right by her.

"I'm fixing the goddamn radio for her and she can't even..." he sighed, the sound of rustling barely audible through the cabinet door.

Ryan inhaled deeply, pausing whatever it was he was doing.

"It's not like I wouldn't do it... It's pathetic... She said no and I am still like this..." there was something eerily soft about his voice before the man paused.

A couple of slaps followed, flesh hitting against flesh.

"Get a grip... Focus..."

Reed's stomach churned.

Had he finished? Was he going to stay there?

Her forehead felt sweaty, beads of sweat settling on her brows and threatening to drop any time. Her fingers slid across the cords and cables, too slick to keep a good grip.

What if he wasn't going to go out?

Just how long would she have to sit in there?

She practically flinched at the idea that just entered her head.

It was stupid... Reckless.

She couldn't afford to get caught...

And yet, Reed tried to shift as quietly as possible, positioning herself just close enough to peer through the crack between the door and one of the hinges.

Ryan stood right before her, the back of his legs facing her while he rummaged through the shelves.

Was he looking for something?