SO COLD (18+) currently editing

Chapter 52.6

SO COLD

Yelling, I hit the pool and swallowed a lungful of warm water almost immediately and sunk to the bottom. Oscar's arms ripped away from me. My view changed from blurry skyline and moving figures to a stretch of first darkness, and then ocean blue, and legs. My clothes felt like they'd taken a spin in the washing machine and shrunken, too tight and restricting for my body. Desperately clinging on to my skin. My boots hit the bottom of the pool, heavy and weighty. I kicked my legs, propelling myself upwards, breaking the water line with a gasp, my hair felt like straggly seaweed, sticking to my scalp. I coughed up watery bile, scraping my tongue with my teeth, trying to get rid of the sweet chlorine taste.

Oscar appeared feet away, shaking his head like a wet dog, cracking a grin. "You alright, sweetheart?" He was teasing, throwing a subtle wink my way.

"You stupid son of a bitch!"

Cole mimicked my burst of outrage, coal-black gaze shifting towards Oscar, irascible. He hunkered down, hands gripping my forearms, pulling me out of the pool. And then quickly wrapping a strong arm around my waist when I attempted to dart for Oscar, expression twisted, animosity splattered across my face. "He's not worth it," he told me, raising his voice, "try that shit again, Oscar, and I will rip your fucking cóck and shove it down your throat."

"You ruined my fucking phone!" I exploded in an uncontrollable rage, hot blooded, almost in hysterics. I tried powering on my phone, a sad screen of black stared back at me, water bubbles running up the length. In a temper, I threw it in frustration, the screen shattered against the concrete, and parts flew across the ground. Ghost rushed after it, sniffing it in interest. "Fuck!" I wrenched myself away from Cole, storming indoors, away from the jeers and laughter. I left a trail behind me, slogging about in heavy clothes.

"What are you looking for?" Cole followed me, watching from the doorway.

"A knife to stab that pig and a spit to roast him over a fire," I wrenched open the door and headed down the steps, across the cold room and then yanked my sodden top over my head, throwing it down in the basket and then struggled with my jeans. Curses escaped gritted teeth.

Cole thumbed the light switch, "You need help?"

"I have hands, Cole, I know this might seem like a goddamn miracle to you, but I can use them!" I finally managed to tug my jeans from my ankles, leaning against the washing machine. I straightened up, bundled it into a ball, and tossed it into the basket. I sighed, pushing my hair out of my face. I made a noise of exasperation. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't snap at you, this isn't your fault. It's that fucker's. I should shove a goddamn spear through his neck."

"I'll buy you another phone," he attempted to console my anger.

"I can buy myself a phone!" I yanked my boots and socks off, mouth in a hateful scowl. "He ruined everything. That pig."

He raised an inquiring eyebrow. "Is there something you'd like to talk about? It seems like something is bothering you."

"No, everything is fine," I stride past him, "aside from the fact that this is going to be my fifth fucking phone this year, and detective Burnham and Walker came around to visit me half an hour ago. Oh, and it's been almost a month since my father shot my grandmother. Other than that, everything is peachy."

He grabbed my wrist, "Where are you going? You're in your underwear."

"Oh, man. I must've forgotten what I was wearing, thanks for the heads up, Cole," I peeled his fingers away, "why don't you go back to swimming with the dogs, Cole, huh? You don't need to run after me."