Midnight Toxicity

23

I rummaged through the shelves and cabinets inside the bathroom as if everything belonged to me. The hampers filled with wet towels made me cringe, but I also found loads of extra toothbrushes and other amenities up for grabs that had me exhaling in relief. Living with a bunch of people who I didn't trust sucked. Finding alone time to shower without an audience would be rare.

With that in mind, I used the small toilet closet in the hall. I then hurried back to my room to grab fresh clothes before stopping by the kitchen to eat before returning to the awesome bathroom. I rounded one of the narrow passageways, noticing a shadow reflected on the wall behind me.

Someone followed me downstairs.

I hesitated in the hall, wondering if I should confront the shady peeper. Being the odd one out in this massive house made me feel like a field mouse being hunted by the house cat. I decided just to ignore the creeper. Some people were shy.

The lights in the kitchen were off except above the lengthy island counter and sink. The tantalizing aroma emanating from tin pans on the countertop confirmed that Mrs. Bitters and her niece worked tirelessly to provide us with food during our hectic days and nights.

I shook off the feeling of being watched as I grabbed the sandwich waiting for me. Ciabatta bread with thick turkey meat slices and cheese sticking out of the corners had my belly rumbling as though I hadn't eaten on the plane. Wow, Mrs. Bitters made a mean hoagie. I reminded myself to thank the woman again as I stood over the sink devouring my dinner.

I cleaned up the mess as best I could, listening for signs of the creeper, but all was quiet. Too quiet for a place filled with delinquents.

No one approached me as I strolled to the rear of the house to bathe. I opened the door to see a man with short dark hair and a wiry build leaning over a basin, brushing his teeth. He glanced at me lingering in the doorway before focusing on his task. Shaking off the sensation of being hunted, I carried my stuff to the far shower stall, intending to keep to myself.

"Hey, new girl," the stranger drew close as if I weren't about to disrobe. "What's your name, baby?"

With a tight smile, I placed a fluffy towel inside the stall. "Well, it isn't, baby."

He flinched. "Oh, so it's like that, huh?"

"Charlize," I said, hoping he'd lose interest and leave me alone. "Have a nice night."

He licked his thin lips, tugging his shirt over his head. Did he intend to shower while I was here? He wasn't unattractive but gave off the vibes of someone who did not know when to quit. I could tell with certain men. They gave off a persistent energy that never sat right with me.

"Glen. Making yourself at home already? That's cool. Care if I join you?" When I scowled, he snickered, "Next cube over, of course. I won't peek... much!"

I shrugged, gathering my supplies to escape the awkward situation. "Have at it. I changed my mind. I'm too tired."

He unfastened his pants with a flick of his wrist. "What's the rush? Ain't anybody shy around here. Mr. Golding encourages that we all work... and play together."

Was he telling the truth? Did Golding support hookups between the crew? Somehow, I didn't envision Golding wasting his time hearing how Chace bent me against the wall. Either way, I had major plans underway and didn't need this idiot panting over my tits. With false bashfulness, I curled my shoulders, sweeping past him to wash my face and teeth.

Half-dressed, he followed me like a weirdo. "We can have some fun while we're here. You're pretty. Hang out with me. Want to fuck?"

My brows shot up in surprise, realizing this guy was crazy. And pushy. I had no respect for perverts with no self-control. "Uh... no. That won't be happening."

Unexpectedly, he shoved me against the marble counter between the sinks, and I laughed in his reddening face. My amusement made him angry, but it also threw him off-kilter.

"What's so funny?" He frowned, palming my waist.

"You have ten seconds to remove your hands, or I'll shove my toothbrush so far up your ass you won't sit right for a month," I promised, tightening my grip around the blue plastic. "Try me, Glen."

He scoffed but warily stepped back until there were a few inches between us. Then something overcame him, and he ripped my shirt from the neck down. Whether he didn't see me as a genuine threat or loathed being bested by a girl, he chose the wrong action. I cocked a fist, bashing it against the side of his head.

The blow did nothing to deter him. He yanked at my bra strap, focused on my exposed flesh rather than my lower body. I jerked my knee upward, nailing him in the balls. He squealed like the pig he was, staggering away from me at last.

I brandished the toothbrush. "Your pants are already down, so why don't you make this easy and bend over?"

He growled, "Fuck off, bitch."

I kicked at him, but he dodged my attempts. "If this is some jump-in shit, you can tell Golding nobody touches me without permission. Does our boss encourage this? No, I heard he's big on consent."

The color drained from his face. "It ain't our code."

I nodded, realizing I had the upper hand. "You want me to keep my mouth shut, right? Will this earn you a beat down by the lake?"

He groaned, shuffling to his feet to button his jeans. "Not my fault. Some bitches like it rough."

"If you had any game, you'd have figured out I wasn't interested. Back off!" I waved the tooth polisher as though it held magical powers when he edged closer. It worked because he stopped his advance. "Get out of here before I follow through with my threat."

"Where I come from—"

"Are you so eager to know how this feels up your chocolate starfish?"

"You'll find out who runs the show around here real soon. Round one to you!" His manic laughter echoed throughout the bathroom before he disappeared.

I sagged against the sink, catching my breath. I was not looking forward to meeting the rest of the crew if they were like Glen.

What kind of asylum was Golding running?