A/N: Another chapter! I would like to thank you, bibliophile102, for writing that amazing comment :D! I couldn't keep the grin off of my face all day, and got to brag to my friend that I actually ama decent writer XD But seriously, once I read your comment, it made me immediately want to write more. So thanks for motivating me, I'll work hard to make you and others happy and proud!
Disclaimer: The characters are owned by a Ms. Kelley Armstrong.
True to their word, Mrs. Talbot gave me the medication right after lunch. I stared at the two small blue pills in my hand before shutting my eyes tightly and throwing the medication in. I made the motions of swallowing, then opened my mouth to show her. She smiled.
"You don't have to do that with me, Miss Chloe. I know how much you want to get better. " With that, she turned to put the medication away and lock the cabinet, filled with medication for the others. As soon as she turned away, I spat back out the medication that was hiding underneath my tongue, throwing it into the nearest trash can.
"Better not let the nurses catch you doing that." Chirped a voice behind me. I jumped a few feet in the air and spun. The nearest trash can had just happened to be in the kitchen, where apparently another food raid was happening. Simon stood there with a smile as usual, with his shadow closely behind. I could feel my face pale quickly as I looked between them.
"I-i-it's n-n-not..."
"Save it." Rumbled Derek, cutting me off once again. I would be angry if the circumstances weren't so dire. They could turn me in, I would be forced to take this strange medication, the nurses would keep an even closer eye on me.
I looked up to see his irritation, as well as wariness.
To be honest, I guess I would be scared too, if I knew the local schizo didn't take her medication.
Stop it. I told myself. They don't exactly know why you're in here.
Besides, Derek should be the least concerned. He could just pick you up and throw you out the closest window.
What a great way for the heroin to go out. With a bang...from hitting her head on the cement.
My eyes snapped back to Simon as he started speaking.
"What Derek is trying to say is that we're not snitches. Your secret is safe with us. I usually hate taking my medication too."
Now I was concerned. What wasn't he taking that he was supposed to? He wouldn't go crazy and stab me in my sleep, would he? He seemed like a nice enough guy.
"T-Thanks..." I muttered quietly, taking a step back and looking between the two of them. I looked up at Derek and matched his wary stare. Was he not taking his meds too? He didn't seem too hostile, just anti-social. And would he keep my disposal a secret? I doubt Simon would give me up, based on what he just told me, but Derek...
I quietly prayed that Tori didn't have the same habit. I'd rather not end up dead in a ditch.
I looked away as Derek's gaze got particularly cold.
Derek pushed past his brother, his arms filled with food. He grunted something about going back up to the room. My eyes followed him as Simon just shrugged and looked back at me.
"Sorry, he's not the most social. Never has been."
"Didn't we just eat lunch?" I murmured, my eyes only looking back after he left my view.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but Derek eats more than your average bear. So," he said, pausing for a second, "how did your therapy session go?" He asked, motioning to the dining room to take a seat. He took his and looked at me expectantly. I hesitated, looking between the chair and the exiting hallway, before sighing in resignation and going to sit by him.
"It was fine. Typical, really." I said shrugging, playing with my hands. Socializing a little couldn't hurt too much. Might as well get on his good side too, just in case his decision of not taking meds turned out bad for me. I decided turning the conversation back to him before he could ask anything else.
"How about you? Like your therapy sessions?" I asked, turning my heads toward him, laying back in my seat. If he was anything like Liz, I figured I should get comfortable.
He smiled and shook his head. "I don't get therapy. Not troubled enough to get them, I suppose," he sighed dramatically. "Life's so unfair."
I laughed a little. "You must feel so left out. Can't imagine how bad that feels."
He placed his hand above his heart. "It hurts me, it really does." We both laughed for a second.
"So why are you here then? If you don't mind that I ask." He shook his head.
"I can't answer that unless you promise to answer one of my questions." I hesitated. He caught my look and spoke quickly.
"Nothing too personal, I promise." I looked at him and nodded.
"Alright, but you have to answer first."
He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, thinking for a second. He looked back at me when he spoke.
"Derek and I got caught in the same situation, so we got sent to the same place. My jail sentence is just a bit different from Derek's."
I nodded. By his vagueness, I could tell that it definitely wasn't a fun situation. I considered asking more about this so-called "situation", but thought better. I had been unwilling to share my story, so why ask him theirs? Besides, I wasn't here to make friends, as harsh as that sounded. I was here to convince everyone that I was just fine, then return to Dad and Aunt Lauren.
A thought occurred to me then. It would be nice returning to family, sure. But what about school? I never really liked being the center of school drama, but after screaming and jumping out of a window, I was sure that my face would be more recognizable. I didn't even want to think about the rumors that were surely spreading. I sighed slightly. Maybe Dad would let me transfer schools, or -even better- become home-schooled.
"So that means Derek gets therapy?" I asked. He put his finger up and shook it. "Nuh-uh. Now you get to answer my question." He said, a foxy grin spreading across his face.
I almost instantly regretted my decision. "Shoot." I said simply. He nodded and thought for another moment, while I studied the bandages on my hands.
They had some blood on them, showing that they were struggling to heal, but nothing too major. Looked more like the amount of blood a paper cut would give.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" He asked simply. My head snapped back up to him, and I couldn't help the relieved smile cross my face.
"Of all the questions you could ask, you ask that?" He nodded, then motioned for me to answer.
"I want to be a director." Well, more than just a director. Being the screenwriter too would be a major accomplishment. I would have zero regrets if I died hunched over planning the newest blockbuster.
"That's pretty interesting! Not your run-of-the-mill 'astronaut' or 'police woman' answer. What made you-"
"Siimmooonnnn!" A voice sang from around the corner. All of a sudden Tori stepped out and began to say something when she stopped dead and took in the situation. Her eyes landed on me and glared hatefully, before turning her eyes back to Simon, smiling again.
"I've been looking for you! Up for a game of basketball? You know I'm always itching to get some outside time from these lame-ass people." Her eyes flashed to me quickly before going back to her main interest.
Aw, I was her favorite. So sweet.
"I'm in the middle of something, Tori." Simon said politely. "If you really want to, you could join our conversation?" Simon asked. From the tone of his voice, it sounded as if he was really hoping for her to decline the offer.
Sensing the icy hate from Tori, I stood up. "Actually, I think I hear my chores calling my name. Talk to you guys later." I sent a small smile towards both Simon and Tori - only getting one of them returned - before I made my way to the hallway door, grabbing a broom and walking upstairs. I didn't want to get involved in any of that.
Now, I wasn't running with my tail between my legs, even if Tori may have seen it that way. I just wanted to get out of here without any more scars and bruises. I was being smart.
I made sure to keep myself busy until dinner, even going out of my way to ask Miss Van Dop if she needed any help. I was then stuck with the task of cleaning the boys' bathroom, which I immediately was not a fan of.
Apparently someone had been slacking in their cleaning duties. And I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't Derek. As little as I knew about him, he seemed the type to just quickly get his chores over with, probably so that he wouldn't have to deal with the berating of the nurses.
Dust bunnies littered the floor, as well as evidence that someone wasn't good at some midnight shooting. I shuddered. My bathroom was always clean at home, with me only using it and with the nanny cleaning it once or twice a week. I never had to worry about my dad's bathroom, and I figured the nanny didn't really have to either. He wasn't home enough to get it dirty.
It was when I was scrubbing the floor with the bristle broom (muttering dark curses under my breath at Simon) that I felt that chill again. I stopped and looked out in the hallway before closing the door. If a ghost were to show itself, I wouldn't want anyone seeing me.
"H-hello?" I stuttered out quietly. I was rewarded with an answer a moment later.
"Girl... please... basement..."
Turns out this ghost wasn't just a dream.
And apparently had a thing for bathrooms and basements.
"What's in the basement?" I asked quietly, continuing my work. I was almost finished.
"D... Door... Go... Door... Stories..."
"A door?" I asked quietly, more to myself. I quickly dried the floor with the mop I had later grabbed, cleaning up the extra water and dirt that the bristle broom had brought out. I hadn't really been in the basement yet. The basement was where you did laundry, and it was Rae's week. I had only seen the basement when Liz showed me it during my tour. Tomorrow started my week. I didn't recall seeing a door down there. And what was this about stories?
The door opened, interrupting my thoughts and making me squeak out in surprise.
Who would open the door to the bathroom like that without knocking?
My answer was answered instantly as I saw who it was.
His eyebrow twitched in irritation as he moved to rub his ear.
Maybe, just maybe, if he made noise like a normal living thing, I wouldn't be so inclined to screech at him every time.
"S-Sorry, I-I was just finishing -" He raised his hand to cut me off.
"Who were you talking to?" He demanded, leveling me with another glare and crossing his arms, leaning against the door.
"I-I-I don't kn-know..."
"Slow down, and don't lie." He snipped. "I could hear you."
I straightened up and narrowed my eyes. I still looked like a child, especially compared to him, but I wasn't going to not stand my ground.
"Is this how you get your kicks? Cornering girls in the bathroom? Blocking their way out?" I snapped. His eyes narrowed.
"Don't change the subject." He growled out.
"The subject of you hovering outside the door while I was in the bathroom? Not to mention that you didn't even knock. Now if you'll please move, I need to put these supplies away." I picked up the broom and stepped closer, he didn't budge. My annoyance grew.
Now, it probably wasn't the best idea to egg on the giant who was put into a group home, but I wasn't going to show him that I was easy bait. I decided to switch my tactic a little.
I smiled kindly up at him. "I'm sorry, did I stutter this time? I thought I made it clear that I want you to move."
His eyes widened slightly, and I caught that curious look again before he schooled his features into a blank scowl.
He moved and left, making his way to his room. I walked out into the hallway, watching the door close before I made my way back downstairs, letting out a breath of relief. I smiled, slightly proud of myself.
