The Steam Lounge

Disc 1 - Track 17

Toxic - Peace
"Time isn't frozen, it's melted in the sun. You're like a poison, you linger in my lungs."
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The next morning she woke at six, opening her eyes to see Pete sprawled out next to her. His eyes were tightly shut and his breathing was calm. Mercy leapt up, grabbing her clothes from his bedroom floor and getting them on quickly. She ran to the kitchen, flinging open the cupboard and grabbing the keycard. 

She tiptoed down the corridor, finding the door and inserting the keycard. A light turned green and she turned the door handle. As she flung it open, a loud noise sounded through the house. It was like a fire alarm but she could tell it was just on that floor. The light on the keycard slot was flashing red and she panicked. Emergency exit. Of course it's going to set an alarm off. 

She heard movement from the bedrooms before a loud shout echoed through the apartment. "Don't you dare Mercedes!" Pete's voice was full of anger. She started to run, bounding down the stairs. Each step felt like the beat of her heart, getting faster as she trailed down flight after flight of white staircases. There were more than one set of footsteps following her as she passed the 19th floor sign. 

She was already out of breath, hearing shouts from the others as she continued. "Run little girl, you still won't get away." Joe taunted sarcastically from above. He laughed as he continued to run. Patrick glared at him, his voice following.

"Mercy please, stop now before you get yourself hurt! Just come back upstairs, we'll look after you." He shouted. Her bare feet pounded continuously against the cold steps, making her whole body ache. She continued to run as she passed the 10th floor, lungs on fire and vision starting to blur at the edges. 

"Mercy listen to Patrick. If you stop now and come upstairs we'll forget all about this. Why would you want to go back to a tiny apartment with no one that cares about you?" Pete's voice echoed. Mercy heard Patrick tell him to shut up in anger. Pete ignored, continuing shouting as he sped up down the stairs and distanced himself from the others. 

"Mercy what are you running to? Your parents don't love you and you haven't got any friends. We're all you've have. When you stop, I'll walk you back upstairs and all three of us will look after you. Don't be stupid baby, you can't get away from us, you're just a helpless little girl." His voice made her tremble. 

She could hear shouts starting to become incoherent, the sound becoming distorted. Mercy saw herself approaching the fourth floor sign and she fell on the last step. Her breathing was borderline hyperventilating and her sight had blurred fully.  Her head pounded with an aching sensation, the bright lights of the staircase blinding her.

As she stumbled back to her feet, she heard a step behind her. She turned to see Pete, stood in pyjamas with a smirk on his face. "It's okay guys, you go back up. I've got her." He called up to them, stepping slowly towards her.

She ran down another flight before feeling herself be pushed roughly against the wall. Her body slid down to the floor, breath struggling to form in her throat. Mercy tried to move but she felt frozen to the spot. She moved towards the next flight of stairs but her body was limp. Even standing up was a challenge. She quickly grabbed the hand rail and cowered away as she tried to calm herself down.

It became harder to breathe as he stepped towards her. "Mercedes De Luca, where are your manners? Trying to escape from our apartment again. Surely you know that I have to punish you for this? Can't have my baby girl running out the morning after. I was gonna make you breakfast in bed as well." He mocked, grabbing her by the shoulders roughly. Mercy shook with fear.

"You're gonna regret trying to get away. Oh the things I'm gonna do to you. You won't be able to walk after I'm finished, let alone run." He whispered, breath hot on her ear. His other hand was on her neck, fingertips stroking the side of her face slowly. Mercy's eyes widened as he dug his fingers into her hip, pushing her body against his.