Descent

Chapter 29 ~ Numb.

As ironic as it sounds Rosik really did save the day when he arrived in the hall.

"If Kitty has said no then it's a no." Those few words strung together surprisingly filled me with a sense of power.
Not necessarily the kind of power I wanted judging by the tears gathering in Dana's eyes.

But for the first time on this ship I actually felt as though Dana had to show some respect towards what I was saying.
Dana had to listen.

Nobody questions Rosik besides myself, nobody stands up to him.

I know it's because I haven't seen the worst of Rosik and I doubt I ever will but still, I can't help but feel powerful.

Eddie took his leave, alone thankfully, a mere handful of minutes after Rosiks decision without so much as a backward glance at Dana.

My cousin stared sadly after him but was only disappointed as the doors closed with his back still to the room.

"May I go back to my room now Rosik?" Dana whispered, her head hung low, physically deflated as her puppeteer releases his strings.

Just like that I felt the power slip from my being and feeling equally deflated I open my mouth to try and comfort her but Rosik cuts me off.

"Yes. But first I want you to apologise to Kitty. This is the second time you've made her cry and it is not acceptable." Rosik sounds like a scolding father.

His words firm and brooding but as he wraps his arm over my shoulders I find that there isn't any anger in him.
Just disappointment.

Dana takes her time to respond, surprising both Rosik and I with her show of bravery as she raises her swirling eyes and pins us both momentarily.

Truly seeing us before gritting out a brief sorry.
I nod my head, accepting it no matter what and sadly watch her retreat back to her room.

Once the door closes behind her I squeeze my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose, sighing loudly.

"This time in two days you won't have to deal with her attitude any longer." Rosik attempts to comfort but it only hurts me more knowing that I'm flinging her back into the loud, obnoxious world head first.

Without me there to help her find her feet again.

Is she so wrong in wanting to stay here?

This is contained, sickening yes, but I can understand why she craves it, it's all familiar.
The real world is unpredictable and I won't be there initially to help her adjust.

I bite my tongue to stop myself remarking that I plan on escaping mere days after their release using my wit and survival skills, knowing that Rosik won't take kindly to that confession.

"Let's check on my brother and hope he isn't awake." Rosik now slides in a threat beneath his words and I find my heart clench at the thought of seeing Olivers untrusting and disbelieving expression as we walk towards the lounge.

If Oliver heard so much as a sentence in the last twenty minutes then he's screwed.
Rosik won't hesitate to kill him.

I skip ahead and manage to pop my head around the door first, Rosik has no objections, most likely staring at my ass as I lean into the room.

If Oliver is awake then I could try and send a silent message to calm him down, ease his features with my own...

But none of that is necessary as I find him curled up on the couch, even tighter then before and I release the breath that I was subconsciously trapping inside in a relieved sigh.