Page 57 of Fractured Fate

At least she wasn’t kicking him in the face anymore.

He looped his arm around her shoulder, soaking in the comfort it gave him to have someone by his side. Someone he enjoyed being around. Maybe it would help him sleep better. If not, at least he wasn’t alone while he stared at a blank ceiling until morning.

Anything beat being trapped in a cycle of fear, knowing every time he fell asleep, he would die all over again.

12

HOSTAGE

The sound of running water made Charlotte groan. She wasn’t ready to get out of bed, but the sound made her bladder perk up and demand attention.

She rolled over and buried her face in the plush pillow next to her, breathing in the delicious smell of citrus and vanilla mixed with a hint of coconut like her body wash.

It came back to her in fragments as the soothing scent of creamy orange permeated her senses.

Someone had followed her home.

The roses.

Aiden.

Aiden staying the night.

Aiden sharing a bed with her.

She bolted upright and looked around the empty, quiet room. She wondered why she thought she heard water. What had she been dreaming about?

Sunlight streamed through the window onto her bed, and she moved to her knees, inching toward the window to close out the offensive brightness before collapsing back on the bed.

He left.

Of course he left.

The only reason he stayed was because it was too late to drive. Now that morning had come, there was no reason for him to stay.

She chastised herself for the pang of disappointment that gave her.

Her stomach cramped, telling her to get out of bed. It wasn’t her cycle—that had come and gone last week. She was free from Shark Week for another month. No, if she didn’t get out of bed, she’d need to wash the sheets for an entirely different reason.

She rolled over to grab her phone, noticing a piece of paper tucked beneath it with neat handwriting.

Couldn’t sleep. I’ll see you soon.

She wondered how long it would be before she could see Aiden again in person and not on FaceTime or video chat online.

Checking the time on her phone, she sighed. Almost noon. Management never stayed in the building past noon. They went to lunch and took off, leaving only the phone service open to submit requests. She’d have to do that after she emptied her bladder.

Dragging herself out of bed, she stretched and relished the popping sounds her spine made.

It had been a while since she had a decent sleep. She didn’t think she would with Aiden in the bed, but not once did she wake to noises like usual, worrying that her own personal boogeyman had come to visit.

Her phone chirped in her hand, and she looked down at the notification. Monique had sent a text to the group chat.

Monique:

Bad news. Professor Landers has food poisoning and has rescheduled all presentations until Friday.

Rachel: