Dancing with Shadows ✔

Pain

Dancing with Shadows

Chapter 26

It had been another week since Emma first arrived at the Institution, and these days blurred together in a monotonous haze just like the previous week. She hadn't seen the mysterious guy she'd spoken to or the group of girls who had approached her in the cafeteria. Even Catharine and Victor, her supposed caretakers, had not checked in on her. Where was everyone?

Emma tried to find some comfort in her bed, but it was a futile effort. Her belly had grown significantly, making her appear as though she was eight months pregnant, and the discomfort was relentless. Her back ached, her legs felt heavy, and her swollen ankles throbbed. As she struggled to find a comfortable position, exhaustion threatened to pull her into sleep, a brief escape from the pain. But just as she was on the verge of drifting off, the door to her room creaked open.

"What is it?" Emma groaned, not bothering to move from her spot. She tilted her head to look upside down at the man standing in the doorway.

"Lunch," he said curtly.

Her mood brightened slightly at the prospect of getting out of the room. "Oh, they're letting me out today? Come and help me up, will you?" she asked, her voice laced with relief.

The man, a guard named Lucas, helped her to her feet before settling her into a wheelchair. At this stage of her pregnancy, she moved slower than a snail, and walking any distance was out of the question.

"So, Lulu...how's the wife?" Emma asked, trying to break the silence as they made their way to the cafeteria.

"Stop calling me Lulu, Emma. I'm not married," Lucas replied, his tone gruff but familiar.

"Do you have a girlfriend, then?" Emma continued, undeterred.

"No."

"Seriously? Why not? You're not bad if I do say so myself."

While confined to her room, Emma had struck up an odd friendship with Lucas. He'd become something of a big brother figure to her, teasing her on some days and indulging her questions on others. Today, she was grateful for his company, even if he was a bit gruff.

When they reached the cafeteria, a few people turned to stare at them. Lucas wasn't known for making friends, and his muscular build and perpetually stern expression only added to his intimidating presence. But Emma knew better—beneath that tough exterior was a teddy bear.

"Thanks, Lulu. Talk to you later," she said, waving him off as he rolled his eyes and walked away. As soon as he was out of sight, the confidence she'd felt with him by her side evaporated. The stares of the other patients seemed to pierce through her, making her acutely aware of how out of place she felt. She kept her head down as she got in line for food, glancing around every few minutes in search of a spot where she could sit.

After her fourth scan of the room, she spotted the guy she'd met before—Red—sitting at the same table they'd shared during their first encounter. Relief washed over her, though it was quickly followed by a wave of apprehension. She didn't want to put her unborn child at risk by associating with someone so dangerous, but curiosity gnawed at her.

With her food in hand, Emma decided to approach Red. Every push of her wheelchair brought a new surge of hesitation, and her body trembled with fear. You can do this, Emma, she told herself, though her nerves were screaming otherwise. Finally, she rolled up to his table, though he never looked up from his food.

"H-hi, Red. Can I eat here?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Red looked up, his expression momentarily puzzled before he gave a slight nod, allowing her to sit. Emma rolled into an empty spot and began to eat, though her eyes kept drifting from her plate to Red and back again.