Arresting Attraction: How To Create A Criminal

Chapter Twenty Two

Rain poured from outside the facility. I watched the small water tracks as it seeped into my cell, and cascaded towards my bed. I had kept myself up, shivering too hard to let myself fall asleep anyway.

My jumpsuit was spread out on the ground, away from any water. The sleeves and legs drenched, reeking of damp wetness. It was rendered useless at keeping me warm — as did the itchy blanket I wore in its place.

Laying in just my bra and underwear, I wrapped the blanket around me, clamping it together with tight hands. My fingers were frozen in place, blue tipped, as the blanket worked to conceal my little to no body heat. My body instinctively curled into a ball, but despite the close skin contact, I was freezing.

My eyes scanned the room, stopping as a blinking redness stood out against the black and grey of the night. The security camera beeped, letting me know if was recording. I'd wondered, many nights, and days, if someone was actually watching me, or if it was only there for scare tactics. I knew it was transmitting, but just how much did they see.

My embarrassment of someone seeing me near naked had faded as the weeks went on. Instead, I got used to the fact. If someone were going to try something, they would've done so already. It was the perfect place, the hidden crime that no one would notice.

And, that thought alone was enough to scare me.

The red became distracting as I turned over, readjusting my position and the blanket over my body. That was, until I heard the all too familiar sound of the elevator moving.

Turning my head only slightly, I peered back at the metallic box, barely noticing it in the expanse of black. The elevator clicked and scratched against rusty edges as it made its dive down into Max Hold. And, as it landed, one final screech signalled its arrival.

The door opened, that I knew.

But no one exited.

I furrowed my brows as I sat up, the blanket covering my body as I looked out into the darkness. The light from the moonlight that lightly streamed into the hallway wasn't nearly enough to help me register if anyone was there.

My curiosity spiked as I got up, the bed creaking under my movement. With small, bare feet, I padded towards the entrance of the cell, keeping myself in the dark as I watched the hallway.

I smelt it before I could see it.

Chemicals. Harsh, distinctive. The kind of poison that seeps up your nose, and tickles the inside of your mouth, itching the skin at the back of your throat. I brought the blanket up to my mouth, covering it, using it as a shield.

Smoke, thick, dense came rolling. It blanketed the hallway, making it difficult to see, as I blinked, trying to get a look. But, blinking made it worse. My eyes watered, as my nose twitched, trying to rid myself of the smell.

The small windows to the outside world did nothing, as the smoke continued to head towards my cell, slipping through the bars. I stepped to the side and ducked down, still holding my nose and mouth from the chemical mist. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my watering eyes.

And, then the coughing began. Particles too small to be contained caught within my throat, as I coughed, my lungs painfully pulsing in my chest.

"Wakey wakey, dear!"

My eyes widened as I held down a cough, my eyes squeezed shut as to stop the irritation.

"I can hear you."

The sound of thick boots made their way towards my cell. Against the solid footsteps, was the rolling of what sounded like a wheelchair. They continued, echoing and heavy until they got to the cell.