Man in the Wall (Who is he?)

Chapter 9 - Painfully problematic

Steven instantly let's go of my hair. He places his hands under my armpits before yanking me to my feet. With my body being far too frail to support my own weight, I feel myself collapsing in Steven's hands which forces him to hold up a deceased-like body.

"Do your ears fail to work or have I not voiced my query loud enough!?" Marcus furiously questions while stepping into the little room.

Oh no, he's going to see my boobies too.

"Her nurse required her to remove her clothing for an IVT, sir. But she refused to cooperate and tried to get away. I had no choice but to stop her, sir." Steven defends himself.

"By killing her!? Look at the damn thing! She's worth nothing to us if she's dead Steven!" Marcus exclaims as he walks over to me and lifts my chin to examine my features. I can hear the outraged tone in his voice. I want to pull away so badly from his touch, but all the strength I had in me five minutes ago disappears into thin air.

What does he mean I'm worth nothing if I'm dead? I thought he couldn't care less about killing us if we didn't cooperate, I wonder.

Marcus instructs Steven to place me on the bed and forces him to carry me bridal style in doing so. I can hear his exasperated sigh but he does it anyway. Just as he's about to lay me down, an audible gasp makes its way to my ears and the room falls silent. A silence which lasts only for a few seconds of course.

"What have you done!?" Peggy yells with both shock and frustration, her footsteps growing louder.

"And where have you been?" Marcus questions, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. 

With my body now sinking into the bed, Steven takes few steps back. I can tell she's so focused on my limp body in Steven's arms, she barely notices that Marcus is right there. Her startled state once she hears his voice only proves my theory.

"Sir!", she takes a quick moment to gather herself appropriately. "Apologies, sir. I exit the room to fetch the stirrups and speculum. Without them, I cannot perform the IVT on the girl. I didn't have them previously in the room as it was a new procedure on the list." Peggy explains herself ever so calmly.

She went from 'I'll kill you and your unborn child' to 'my voice can tame and put any beast to sleep' in matter of seconds.

I find enough strength in me to open my eyes and rotate my head from left to right, but that's about it. The rest of my body decided to take a break from normal everyday functionality. Steven sees this and steps closer to me. "She's awake sir, but too weak to move. Should I remove the rest of her clothing?" I stare up at Steven wide-eyed, with tears begging to be released.

Oh, now the dickhead can ask? Where were these manners before? Shoved deep up his ass? Because I sure as h- okay Jess! That's enough.

"Sir with all due respect, I believe Steven's presence agitates and frightens the girl. As she is blanched and spooked. That's why she's being so painfully problematic." Peggy speaks up before Marcus can reply to Steven's request.

"Cowardly blanched..." Steven mutters under his breath so only I could hear him.

"Steven is only doing his job." Marcus replies to Peggy before turning to face Steven. "However. I believe it's best you stay posted outside the room. Only enter should she call you for assistance." I see Steven wanting to protest against Marcus's orders, but decides to shut his trap and do as he is told instead. He shoots one last glare my way before exiting the little room. The type of glare that yells 'don't start with your shit again or else'.