Chapter 16

46 2 0
                                        

*One Month Later*

Carmon's P.O.V.

Today is finally the day I get to see them all again. I'm not sure what time Sky will be back but I hope it's soon. I pack all of my things; books, journals, pens and pencils. It has been a very long month but everything will be back to normal now, or what will become of my normal anyway.

I walk up the stairs and Cassidy is with Rylie sitting on the kitchen counters. I drop my stuff at the top of the stairs and give them hugs. I can feel them cry as they hug me which is surprising since I didn't think they cared about me enough to get really emotional.

They both handed me bags. I opened Cassidy's first to see a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I giggled and ate one quick before I started opening Rylie's. I started opening it and I knew instantly what it was. It was two homemade bookmarks. I gave them both hugs again and said thank you. I couldn't think of a better welcome back party.

I hadn't seen any of the guys for about an hour. The girls and I were watching TV with popcorn and cookies. Just as we were putting in Breakfast Club Derek and Quinn came in the living room. They told Rylie and Cassidy to start lunch and then stole the TV to play video games. I brought my stuff to my room and decided to get myself situated.

Skylar's P.O.V.

I didn't say a word as Ben walks me to the car. I get in the back seat and wrap myself in the large sweatshirt. It didn't use to be large, but things have changed. I am much smaller then I originally was. There were many things different. I haven't seen any of the girls in a month but it feels so much longer then that. Just looking at Ben made me want to hug him, but I didn't, he was the reason I was gone so long in the first place. It was all of the guys' fault. They shouldn't have interrupted our lives anyway.

We drove down the road I had been forced to run down for weeks. Every morning we would go on a 2 mile jog. It felt different this time, this would be the last time I ever see it. I have graduated the program and I'm now officially a baiter. It's who I am now, it's not something I'm proud of but there isn't anything I can change about it.

I'm done trying to escape, I can't bring myself to anymore. I had a plan, a very well thought out plan. But I lost hope a while ago. A place like that changes you not only physically but mentally. I will do my mission without fights, I just need to survive. I need to help the others survive also. Who knows maybe they'll just let us go sooner or later.

We pulled into the driveway and Ben opened the door for me. I walked up to the door still not talking to him. He didn't push me too say anything. I think he knew how upset I was with him anyway. I opened the door not even carrying in my bag. I was more interested in seeing the girls. I found Cassidy and Rylie making food in the kitchen. I snuck up behind them as they stood next to each other frying chicken. I gave them both a strong hug from behind. They both jumped in surprise but started laughing when they saw it was me. They both turned around and gave me a proper hug.

"Is Carmon still downstairs?" I asked.

"She came up a few hours ago but left upstairs," Cassidy said.

They both offered me baked goods they made specifically for me but I politely declined. If I want to stay in shape and never go to that place again one of the rules is to stay on my diet. They both gave me weird looks before I left to go find Carmon.

I jogged upstairs and knocked on the door. I walked in to see Carmon reading on her bed. I ran over and jumped on her bed giving her a hug. After that I laid next to her to see what she was reading. She was reading Hugo. I walked across the room to my side and laid on my bed, hoping to take a nap.

Just as I was beginning to fall asleep Ben came in and threw my bag on me.

"Supper is ready," he said then left right away.

I looked over to Carmon and I don't think she even heard him. She seems very interested in her book. I walked over to her and told her supper was ready. We walked down to the dinner table together. All of the guys were already eating and we sat in the empty seats. It felt weird being back here with everyone. I am used to the heels and salads everyday. It felt kind of nice to be back even though I hate the guys here.

Rylie and Cassidy came in with our food and went back to get theirs. They made some sort of noodle thing and I didn't know if I was allowed to eat it. I did anyway though because I am back and no one can stop me.

Derek decided to make lovely conversation while we were eating. Note the sarcasm.

"Skylar, your going on a job tomorrow," he said not even looking at me.

"What should I wear?"

"Ben will go with you tomorrow morning to pick out clothing."

"Fine then," I said, not fighting it.

I go to bed early that night knowing the next day will be very busy. Not only will I be in public for the first time since who knows when but I will probably be an accessory to murder. I hate how I have become. I have become this person that walks around without a care. I should care. I should care that I'm stuck in a gang with other girls against my will.

**********************

In the morning I take a shower and put on whatever I found in my closet. I skip breakfast because I didn't feel hungry enough to eat. After Ben finished eating I rushed him to the car. I was very excited to be in society. Maybe that Justin Bieber guy moved back to Canada, then there wouldn't be anymore complaining about him. Not that I have to listen to it anyway.

I sit in the passenger seat as Ben drives, it is a comfortable silence. I reach over and put on the radio. After an hour or two we get to the small mall and walk into Macy's. They don't really have anything good enough for what I am looking for. I know exactly what I'm looking for actually and this stuff is to formal and casual for me.

We go to the clothing store next to Macy's and after a while of looking I find it. I try it on and come out showing Ben.

"Wow," he says looking at me up and down.

"Like it?" I ask actually curious.

"Yeah, red is defiantly your color," he said still a little dazed.

I laugh and walk back into the dressing room. I look at myself in the mirror. The dress is a dark blood red. It is sleeveless and has a couple different layers. It is flat and does that thing where it's long in the back and shorter in the front. I put my original clothes back on and once we stopped to quickly get black high heels we went to the checkout.

We went to the cashier and she flashed a smile. Once Ben was digging in his wallet for cash I looked at her. I mouth 'help' but she gave me a confused look. I got kind of worried Ben would notice so I stopped and looked towards the exit.

I grabbed the bag and walked slower then Ben, he was a little in front of me getting distracted by the mannequins. I look back and look at her panicked. She is still looking at me thankfully. I mouth 'help' but slower this time. Her face pales a little bit and she nods. She tries to act normal till we're gone. or at least I hope that is what she's doing.

We leave and I feel like that girl will help us. She has too. Or I just don't know what to do anymore.

*****************************************

VOTE AND COMMENT!!

Gang || #Wattys2016Where stories live. Discover now