Criminally Insane

Syncing Heat

My mind couldn't stop remembering Rowan's conversation from the night before.

I was starting to feel bad about my choice of words. People do rash things in anger and he was angry. He hadn't gotten over his anger.

His mother was dead. She was tortured and now he's become a torturer.

But what did my professor and my friend have to do with anything? They were innocent people.

I shook off my thoughts as I laid in my bed and attempted to fall asleep.

I was finally back in my own bed.

Your own bed, my thoughts haunted me.

My own bed. I couldn't believe that I'd actually gotten used to living here.

My phone pinged, signaling I had a message.

I turned off my lamp and picked my phone up. The bright light made me squint my eyes.

It was Lily.

I heard what happened to you. Are you okay?

I smiled.

Yes, I am fine. How are you and Heather? And thanks for asking.

I watched the three bubbles jump, meaning that she was texting back.

We're good! We went shopping and we saw this dress that would look absolutely stunning on you. You must come out with us next time. Are you on house arrest or something?

I laughed quietly and shook my head even though she couldn't see me.

No, was my short response. I didn't know how else to respond.

Did they know what Rowan had done to me? Were they victims as well? Or were they regular people that just happened to find me?

Could they get me out of the trouble I'm in? Could they help me escape?

Good night, she responded.

I hearted her message and placed my phone back on the nightstand.

Her and Heather were my only contacts besides Colton, Grace, and Rowan in case of emergency.

There was a knock on my door that jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Come in," I said.

Rowan walked in with a laptop. "You want to watch a movie?" he asked, sitting it on my bed before taking a few steps back.

His hair was all over the place and his tie was loosened around his neck. The first few buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned.

He looked tired.

"I was just about to go to sleep actually," I said quietly. I didn't look at him though.

He nodded, running a hand though his hair. "You can use this for school work," he said.

My head snapped up to him. "What?"

I had to make sure I heard him giving me full access to freedom.

"Use this for school," he repeated. "Unsupervised. I'm hoping I can trust you," he said the last words quietly.

Excitement ran through me and I leaped out of bed, throwing myself at him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I squealed as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt his body freeze.

His arms wrapped around me after a few seconds and warmth took over.