no turning back

• twenty two •

gladys

The room was dark when I stirred. My head was pounding like someone had tried kicking my skull in, and I briefly wondered if Raman had given it a try.

After lying still for a few minutes, I realized the headache wasn't going away on its own. Also, I felt severely dehydrated—which meant Jesse must have been much worse off than me.

I attempted to sit up, the pain flaring between my temples. My anger incensed at remembering Elijah had drugged me.

Gritting my teeth, I forced myself out of the bed. My gaze surveyed the unfamiliar, dark room. It smelled like old newspapers, fading ink on yellowed paper.

The four-poster bed was flanked by end tables and lamps, and I could faintly make out the shape of some bulky piece of furniture, probably a dresser. I shuffled slowly through the darkness in search of a door.

My fingers found purchase on a cold knob and it twisted easily enough with some pressure. I blinked at the brightness of the moonlight slotting in through a small window over a soaking tub. There was a double vanity, toilet, and shower.

Huffing, I pivoted and continued my search in the dark room. My eyes now adjusted, I found the second door that opened to a long hallway. I looked around, holding my breath, and listened for voices or footsteps.

Unnerving silence filled the dark space. I crept out into the hall and followed it, checking doors as I passed. There was a linen closet, then a powder room, and two doors opposite of each other situated at the furthest end.

I hesitated at the first door. What if Raman was waiting for me on the other side? While I didn't think Elijah would let him do anything to me, I had no clue where Elijah was.

Sucking in a reassuring breath, I twisted the knob and forced the door open. A full-sized bed faced me from its position against the wall. The sheets were twisted around a slender shape that I recognized instantly as Jesse's.

Panic hit me as I looked around for any sign of Raman. I didn't dare breathe or move until several seconds of silence passed. Releasing a small sigh, I slipped into the room and went to the bed.

I sat on the edge and glanced over Jesse's still form. The guilt returned, flooding me to the point of hopelessness.

Her hair fanned out around her, her hands and feet tied to either end of the bed. She still wore the outfit she'd been dressed in earlier. I was slightly relieved to know Raman hadn't undressed her in her sleep—not that I'd put it past him.

This scene reminded me a little too much of a horror movie.

She shouldn't be here. She should be home, living her normal, safe life.

Although the future had never been more ambiguous for me, I knew I had to get her away from here. I would do anything Elijah wanted me to if it meant protecting Jesse.

More than anything, I wished I could go back in time and stop myself from getting involved with her. Elijah proved time and time again that he was inescapable. I should have known better than to drag anyone else down with me.

For once, I just wanted to pretend like I was normal. It had never been more apparent than now how that would never be an option for me.