Bloody Face and the Dark Mistress

IX. Trapped

Rose glanced up from 'Anne Frank's Diary' to the woman claiming to be Anne Frank and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

This place was crazy.

However she had just seen the woman go nuts on Dr. Arden because she remembered him from Auschwitz.

Rose lit a cigarette and leaned her head back. Dominique was getting on her last nerve and she was about ready to throw the thing out the window.

"Play with me!" She turned her head to smile at Pepper, who held a checkers board in her hands.

"Not right now, Pepper. Maybe later we can play chess. Sound good?"

Pepper smiled and danced away.

"Ms. Patterson, may I have a word with you?"

Rose glanced over at Thredson and stood to her feet, walking out with him.

He turned to her. "We're leaving."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Tonight. We're leaving. I'm taking you away from here to my home."

She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. "And if I refuse?"

He stared at her with an emotionless expression. "This is not debatable, Ms. Patterson. We both know you want your freedom and this is the only way you're gonna get it, I'm afraid."

She blinked and then smiled. "Can't wait."
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"Are you certain that's a good idea, Ro?"

Rose took a second to register the nickname before shaking it off. "I can handle myself, don't worry. I have a plan that will benefit all of us, well . . . maybe not Oliver, but everyone that matters."

"I just-look, I don't want that sicko hurting you," Kit said.

Normally Rose would have been angered by someone saying it, as if she couldn't take care of herself. But there was a genuine nature to his tone. Not gender specific.

She gave him a warm smile. "I appreciate the concern. But I've dealt with much worse than him."

He hesitated but then embraced her in a hug and she froze before patting his back. He pulled away. "Be careful, okay?"

She nodded.

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That night Oliver had covered her with a blanket and snuck her out. She was surprised at how simple it was. Then again Jude was going through some emotional breakdown.

The drive there was silent and awkward.

He opened and closed the car door for her and helped her into his house.

He locked the door behind them.

A way of him telling her, she wasn't getting out of here . . . alive that is.