Chapter 29

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Trigger warning

Chapter name: a nightmare

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Temperance

Once we all get back to the mansion, Alec runs towards me. He takes me in his arms and holds me tight.

I place my head on his shoulder and take a deep breath.

"Where were you?" He pulls back, keeping his hands on my shoulders.

"Just walking around." I know there will be a wave of questions. But I don't want to answer any of the ones he's bound to ask.

"I'm dirty and tired." I blurt before he has the chance to ask anything else.

He looks at me and sighs in defeat. "You need to eat. I know you haven't been eating."

I frown at him. I don't want to eat. I can't. I won't be able to hold the food down. And I don't deserve it anyway.

"No, Alec, I'm fine." I roll my eyes taking a step back.

"Temperance, you're going to eat."

The other guys pull up. The ones that have been looking for me, I presume. They stop the cars and park them.

"No, I'm not. You're not going to force me." I grit my teeth as they walked past us. I know if Alec and I aren't talking that they'd come up and hug me and ask questions. But they can sense that they shouldn't do that right now.

"Just let me take a shower."

With that, he moves out of the way.

Once I get into the hall, I see that everything I threw and broke has been replaced, like I never did any damage in the first place.

I slide off my jacket. I peel off my tattered dress. I won't be able to wear you again. I drop it onto the floor then take off my bra and underwear.

I turn on the shower then when the heat fills the room, I step in.

Steam rises all around me, fogging up the air and fogging up the glass door for the shower.

I let the hot water hit my skin, causing all the dirt to go down the drain as it slides off my body.

The water stings the cuts I have lingering in my body.

I dry myself off and put on my clothes: a baggy long sleeve shirt and black sweatpants.

I pick up my jacket and pull a picture of my mom out of it. I place the picture in my pocket, trying not to gaze at it for too long.

I walk out of the room with the clothes piled in my arms and spot Ella.

"Ella, can you burn these?" I ask her, holding my clothes out to her. She raises an eyebrow in question.

"Burn them?" She repeats, astonished by my peculiar request.

"Yes, please." I place the clothes in her hand. With that, I walk back into Alec's room.

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