Landmine - Post Malone

47

"Eat."

"I said I am not hungry, warden."

"Warden my ass, and I don't give a shit. You refused your breakfast so you will eat your lunch."

"I will not. I am on a hunger strike."

"You are pissin' me off."

"Why am I on a hunger strike? Well, thank you for asking. I will tell you why. I am a prisoner."

"Girl, I ain't playin'."

"Neither am I. I am fighting for my voice to be heard I am fighting for my basic human rights. I will not be silenced and I will not eat until you release me from this prison and let me go home. I want to go home."

"I will shove that food down your throat myself."

"Your threats don't scare me. I will no longer be oppressed."

"So fuckin' dramatic."

"Fighting for my freedom is not dramatic, warden."

"Eat."

"No!"

Josie snorts from the door and they both turn to look at her. She had been trying so hard to hold her laugh back. But, the fight Dillon and Austin are having is ridiculous; neither is backing down, and Dillon intends to up her dramatics and throw a bigger tantrum until she gets her way. She has been stuck in this hospital for three weeks now. Even Becky has gone home. Austin's refusal to let her be discharged is ridiculous and all based on his belief that she will not listen to him once they are back on the ranch. He is not backing down even after she refuses to eat so she needs to up her dramatics.

He has left her no other choice.

She reaches over and opens the draw in her side table, then pulls out Austin's ridiculous handcuffs. "Don't you fuckin' dare," Austin says moving toward her, but she is quicker than him and snaps it around her wrist and then to the bed frame. "There. Now you have what you want. I am a prisoner, I can't go anywhere," she snips. Austin's face hardens and his jaw clenches as he stares her down.

The man is furious.

"At least this hospital has large windows and I get to see the beautiful blue sky from my bed. It allows me to dream somewhat," she adds with her nose in the air. "What are you dreaming about?" Josie whispers. "This ain't your fight," Austin warns her as Tanner appears next to Josie. "Freedom, Josie. I am dreaming about my freedom," Dillon says arching a brow at Austin. Austin's glare is so deep his eyes have turned into little slits and Dillon is sure she can see smoke coming from his ears at how angry he is. Not only is she defying him every step of the way, but she has brought someone else into their fight. If the tables were turned she would be raging at the disrespect.

She is being a bitch now. But, she wants to go home.

"I won't be eating," she snips as she, too, stares him down. Her statement is not needed, but she is taking a stand. If her hunger strike does not work she might just start a riot. She wants to go home. She is desperate for her ranch; Austin, of all people, should understand that. "You also may not tend to my wounds anymore. We are in a hospital and so the doctors or nurses will do so while you sit quietly on that chair over there," she says lifting her hand to point at a chair, she had forgotten about the handcuffs so winces when they pull tight and press against her wrist as they make a clanking sound against the metal on the bed.

The sound upsets Austin further, and she watches as he grabs his Stetson and then slams it to the floor. That's twice now that she has made this man throw his hat. She knows it's bad when both Josie and Tanner gasp softly. He turns and walks over to the window then childishly draws the curtains, blocking her view of the beautiful day outside. Then gives her another pointed look before he walks out of the room. It's silent in the room, all three women a little shocked at Austin's outburst. "Miss Dillon, you made him throw his hat..." Josie whispers. Dillon can hear the shock and concern laced into every word Josie says. "You have never made your men throw their hats?" Dillon asks looking at Austin's hat that he had left disguarded on the floor then over to Josie and Tanner. "No. Never," Josie says.