What It's Like Loving an Idiot

Sixty Seven || Close

Vena's POV

I wake up for the second time this morning and James still hasn't waken yet. I pull the blanket off my legs and carefully move James's arm off me, trying my very best to not wake him.

At this point, I just want something to eat. Now.

I quickly change into my jeans and leave the sweatpants on his bed. As I look back at him, I grab my cardigan off the back of the chair.

I shake my head as I stare at his sleeping figure, his peaceful face faced towards me.

Fuck, I should have never come here. In no way did I believe that this situation could get any more complicated. Clearly, I've never been more fucking wrong in my life.

I leave the room, vigilant shutting the door behind me. I take a big breath when I'm in the clear.

"Taking off?" Autumn's voice startles me. She stares back at me, wonder and worry flooding through her eyes.

I stare back at her, not exactly sure what to say or what to do. I doubt she'll try to stop me when I leave because even after the past exchanges I've had with Autumn, I know she doesn't want me here. She wants me gone and quickly as possible.

She smiles, a real smile. It's odd and could I say, Frightening?

"Did you tell James about... you know that thing from yesterday?" she asks me uneasily. I've never seen Autumn nervous. It certainly is a sight. For a person who is constantly declaring that she's fearless and on the highest tier, worry was never an option.

"No, I wouldn't do that. Though, I wouldn't be questioning me about it."

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrow together at me. "What do you mean? Did you hear something?"

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. She's supposed to be the "leader" or dare I say "reigning queen"? Nevertheless, her relentless wonder for what's going around in this place shouldn't be her number one priority. Though, what do I know? I come from the city, not a place where the walls are lined with weapons.

"I mean, that I found out from Kamer because apparently, he can't control himself. If it's going to be anyone to let this secret out, it won't be from me."

"I know," she nods. "Right, well breakfast? Did you even get the chance to get dinner last night?"

I shake my head. Hiding away and fighting with James took a lot of my time yesterday.

"Well, good thing you're here then because today we have pancakes and bacon."

What is this place? Seriously, I'm being honest with that question. When I think drug lord's house, this is not what I imagine. I don't see family after family sitting in a dining hall. I don't see room after room in a maze of a building. Here though? I don't see chaos, I see order.

I'm not going to lie, I see a cult. Maybe it's just me, but all these people do seem to worship Autumn.

We make our way down the stairs and it's nothing happened last night. These people, they act like they weren't in fear of the unknown bullet shot. Maybe, they weren't scared. I hadn't even taken a moment to take in consideration that maybe this is the way they were built as soldiers, to be fearless.

"Just over there," Autumn gestures to the cafeteria style set up on the furthest wall from us. "They'll give you a plate." She gestures to me and then to them and one of the workers, nods to her. Workers... can I even call them that? Are they getting paid for this? Maybe. It's clear that Autumn is worth millions.

She begins back up the staircase and I want to tell her to stop, but she's too far up. I would just get stared at if I yelled after her.

I stand in the middle in of open space. People walk past me, bumping into me, refusing to apologize. God, I just want to go home where people know how to use manners.