Page 50 of Chained
Comply or die. His words, his threat—his promise. His voice settles somewhere in my mind, threatening to take over completely. Get the hell out of my head.
"She's dead, isn't she?" Annabelle moves slowly, sitting herself upright on the bed. Her hands move to the bars, tiny fingers wrapping round the cold metal.
I'm so close to telling her the truth but like fate, the door above opens. Heavy boots carry through the silence.
"Don't speak, Annabelle. Don't give them a reason to open your gate—lay down and pretend to be asleep," I hiss at her, pushing myself from the mattress. I move to the gate, gripping the bars as boots thud heavily down the stairs. Annabelle moves fast, lying on her side, wrapping her arms around herself as her eyes snap shut.
I see her first.
Her body broken in the arms of John, the guard. Her head is lax as he carries her, eyes black and bruised with a muzzle around her mouth. Something inside me cracks, breaking at the sight of a girl who'd once been so brave, she stepped in front of a monster to protect us.
"Jade…" My voice is a whisper, my throat drying up with every breath. "What did you do to her!" I let out a scream, my hands smashing against the bars. "Let me see her! Let me help her!"
"Miss, please, you need to be quiet." John's voice is urgent as he kicks open her gate. I watch as he gently lays her down, her head falling to the side, her eyes barely able to open through the swelling.
"Please let me see her, please, I'm begging you." My pleas are loud, my voice desperate. I spot Annabelle sitting up—I'd told her to pretend. I'd told her to listen and stay quiet.
"No…" Her voice matches my own, full of heartbreak and despair.
"Annabelle, quiet," I snap. I watch her face fall. I'm doing this to protect you; I'm doing this to save you. Her face drops as she folds back into herself, face hidden beneath her blonde locks.
"John, please—just let me out for a second. No one will know. Please just let me see her." His eyes find mine immediately; I can see he's breaking, too.
"I can't, if anyone ever finds—"
I cut him off, pressing my body against the bars. I lace my arm through the cool metal until it grips around my bicep, fingers spread as I try to reach him.
"Take my hand." I try to stay calm, to stay collected. I don't stop reaching for him. His eyes fall to my hand, a bead of sweat dripping from his brow. The rhythm of his chest matches my own. He moves slowly as he takes my hand, his skin rough and worn.
"I promise, John." My words fall fast. "One minute, that's all I need. No one will know, I promise no one will know."
His eyes don't move from my hand, his own trembling under my fingertips. I squeeze gently, studying his face.
"Please."
He finally looks up, a crinkle in his forehead and eyes soft. He nods gently once, and my heart almost explodes.
"Thank you. Oh, thank you, John—" He drops my hand and I grip the gate, his fingers fumbling with the lock.
"You have a minute. In and out. No one says a word." The gate opens with a screech, my body moving faster than ever before. I push past him, my heart in my throat as I push open her gate. I fall to my knees beside her, hands finding her hair.
"Jade, can you hear me? It's me. It's Amora. I'm here," I whisper softly, fingers stroking her hair that's knotted. She tries to open her eyes, squinting at the light above. Her face somehow looks younger, different.
She tries to speak, but the muzzle's tight around her mouth. Her eyes are wide, her hand flinging to my wrist.
"I'm here. Don't panic—I'm here."
I turn to face John. "Please take the muzzle off, please."
"Don't push it." He turns away, avoiding my gaze. Avoiding my pleas.
"Is she…okay?" Annabelle speaks through the bars.
I nod fast. "She's alive, she survived."
Jade's hands move fast to the strap of my dress, pulling me closer. Her fingers tremble as she tugs tighter. I frown as she pulls me into her, leaning my ear against the muzzle close to her mouth.
"Run," she croaks, the muzzle almost masking the word, but I somehow hear it. I move back, my brows pulling together.
