Page 50 of Infinity Chronicles 1
I don’t wait for any more instructions. Finding the light switch, I peer into a white tiled bathroom with a closed door opposite of the one I came in.
I start peeling off my clothes the second I see the shower. It’s simple, something I expect to see in any nice hotel. A silver showerhead pokes out of the wall with a tub beneath, just in case you need a bath. I turn the left knob all the way and spin the right just a little, wanting the heat to wash away everything I’m feeling.
I haven’t been in long when there’s a light tapping on the door. “Yeah,” I croak, my throat tight.
“Oliver said you needed something to sleep in.” I cross my arms over my body, hiding, even though I’m behind the thick white curtain when I hear Ares’s voice in the bathroom. He’s the last person I want in here.
“I’ll be right out… thanks,” I mutter though clenched teeth. The door closes with a small click. I drop my forehead to the wall, letting the hot water beat on my back and neck. My hair is going to pay for this, there isn’t any soap, shampoo, or conditioner in here, but a least I showered earlier. I was looking more for an escape than needing to get clean anyway.
Finally, I turn off the water, letting the cool air sting my skin as the water drips off my body. Opening the curtain, I find a fluffy black towel, a thick pair of gray wool socks, and a black t-shirt folded next to the sink. Pulling the towel from the bottom, I shiver as I run it over my hair. I can’t help but look into the big mirror over the counter. My waist is a little more pinched in than usual and my cheeks look hallow. I haven’t lost that much weight, but I look a little sickly. The last few weeks have definitely taken a toll on me.
I wrap the towel around my chest after a brief pat dry and sit on the closed toilet lid. I can’t find the energy to dress myself. I feel like if I walk out of this room, I’ll have to deal with all the crap that’s waiting for me.
Someone taps on the door again. “You okay in there?” Ollie’s voice comes from the other door. He’s a little easier to deal with and he’s the only one of them that has been consistently kind to me.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I stand, knowing I can’t stay in here forever. I debate putting my panties back on, but the thought skeeves me out. Shaking out the shirt, a warm musky scent fills the room. Bringing the fabric to my nose, I inhale. Either someone sprayed this shirt with cologne, or it’s been worn. Ares couldn’t even find me a clean shirt? I’m assuming it’s his since he’s the one who brought it to me. I almost drop it to the floor, but something stops me. I want to wear his shirt, I like that fact he had it on first—the realization pisses me off. But I slide the soft fabric over my head anyway. It falls to mid-thigh, concealing the fact I don’t have any underwear on.
I wrap the damp towel over my hair then pile up my dirty clothes, preparing to leave the warm bathroom. A rush of cool air hits my face and bare legs the moment I open the door to the yellow room. I turn, intending to hang my clothes over the chair of the vanity. I’ll need them tomorrow until I can retrieve my bag from the diner.
Gasping, I hold in a screech as I find Ares tucked into the corner, blending in with the shadows. “Why are you lurking in here? Come to make sure I’m not stealing the linens?” I snap at him, startled by his appearance.
“Milo said Maggie had a vision,” he replies, ignoring my questions.
“Well then I’m sure he also told you I have no idea what she was talking about, or what it means.”
“He did, but maybe Milo didn’t ask the right questions.”
I drop my bundle on the vanity, picking my jeans out of the pile. Shaking them out I drape them over the back of the chair, then move to my shirt to do the same. My bra and panties are balled up together, so I snatch them up to put under the shirt. “You got the right questions then?”
“Maybe.”
I peer over my shoulder. Ares pulls away from the corner of the room, moving closer to the bed.
Spinning around, I glare at him with my arms crossed over my chest. “You want to holler at me until I remember more too? Go ahead.”
“You’ll find I don’t do much hollering, as you call it. I find it unnecessary.” I snort, imagining that to be true. Ares has a look about him that makes you want to tell him what he wants to know before he even asks. “Oliver mentioned you were tired. Would you like to lie down?” Ares pulls the thick quilt out from under the pillows, revealing clean white sheets. What’s he up to?
Ares sighs. “You know, this must be some sort of payback for something we’ve done,” he mutters to himself, looking up at the ceiling with his hands braced on his hips. I lick my lips and tip my head, noticing he seems almost as confused as I am. I drop my arms thinking maybe I’m being a little harsh. This situation is new to all of us. I’ve been assuming, because they knew this might eventually happen, that they were better prepared for all the changes than I am. They are, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling too. As a matter of fact, haven’t they told me exactly that more than once?
I let some of the anger and confusion fall away, making the decision to assist them with helping me understand what being part of their Infinity will mean for us. Now I just need to drop the jealousy I can’t seem to curb when it comes to the guys.
Taking a deep breath, I tug the damp towel from my hair, letting it fall to the floor before shuffling over to the bed. I pass Ares and climb into the sheets. A tapping on the door has us both looking in that direction. Dante pokes his head in after opening the door before either of us have a chance to respond. He looks from me to his brother, then pushes the door the rest of the way open and enters, heading straight for the end of the bed. Claiming a seat, he looks at Ares, waiting for his direction.
“Are the others coming?”
“Milo had to finish up a call, they’ll be right up,” Dante replies.
Ares nods his head and his lips harden into a thin line. “Listen, Laura, before they come up there’s something I need to say.”
“Ares…” Dante warns.
Ares looks at his brother. “Not everyone agrees with me that right now is the right time to tell you, but—”
“Try none of us agree,” Dante interrupts. My eyes volley between the two of them waiting to see what Ares is going to say.
“Well I think it will make everything easier once you understand a few things about how an Infinity works.” I nod my head eagerly, that’s what I want. Ares sits on the edge of the bed facing me. “Uh… so,” Ares stumbles over the words. It’s strange to see someone who has appeared so self-assured and confident stammer. Maybe I don’t want to know what he’s about to say. Ares takes both hands and scrubs them over his face. “I never thought I’d be explaining this to anyone,” he mumbles to himself. “How old are you?” His eyes go wide, as if he’s just now considering this.
“Seventeen, almost eighteen. Why?” What could my age have to do with what he’s about to tell me?
