Chapter 8 When I arrive back at Lilydale, in handcuffs of course, it's breakfast time. Except unlike the usual buzzing of patients in the hall, it's relevantly dead. Staff I don't recognize in black coats walk past me, carrying trays of food toward the dorms. Apparently, by the looks of it, we're in a classic Whittingham timeout-though I don't think it's one of the punishments we all detest. This is nothing more than a show of control, to calm the chaos and keep us silent. A few detectives wander the halls, chatting among themselves, and barely even glance at me. They do, however, acknowledge their colleagues on either side of my frame, and when we pass Whitface's office, I dare a peek while they are distracted. To my surprise, it's empty with not a single soul in sight. Well, Whittingham doesn't have one but he's not there either. Nausea rises into my throat when we stop at the door that leads to the patient side of the facility. It means I need to pass that hallway again. Captain Asshole bangs on the door twice, and a few seconds later, there's a beep on the other side before it swings open. Relief floods through me at the familiar sight of Dr. Smith, who takes a couple of seconds to scan over and check my physical condition before gesturing for me to follow him. 'I've got her from here. Thank you.' The asshole in blue undoes my cuffs, unnecessarily shoving me toward Dr. Smith before leaving as if the building is on fire and he needs to evacuate. Perhaps he's terrified he'll catch the craziness if he lingers too long. If there was a fire in the building, I know without a doubt that he'd leave me inside. 'How are you feeling, Avery?' Dr. Smith asks as we start to walk to his office, but I can't answer him. My eyes immediately look down the corridor, inspecting it for the evidence from yesterday. Even though I know Damon is alright and very much alive, it still terrifies me to spot the warzone where everything went to shit. Thankfully, it's been somewhat cleaned but I can still see remnants on the floor and walls. Much like other sections of Lilydale, blood is a bitch to get out of everything. I do my best to avoid looking directly at the place where Damon had laid, letting Dr. Smith guide me into his office. He closes the door behind me and I drop into the chair across from his desk with a shaky breath. It's been a whirlwind twenty-four hours, and without Damon's presence to steal my focus, my mind is suddenly buzzing with flashbacks, questions, and a whole lot of anxiety. 'Here,' Dr. Smith says, handing me a mug. 'It should still be hot. I made it when I got word that you were on route back to Lilydale.' The smell of fresh coffee fills my nostrils, and I don't hesitate to take the mug from him. 'Thank you.' Sitting across from me, he waits until I've taken a few sips before re-asking his question. This time, I finally have the ability to reply, knowing he's probably just as nervous to know what's happening outside these four walls. 'Damon is okay,' I tell him. 'Awake and recovering. I'm fine too.' Dr. Smith nods, relieved. 'Good. Did Alexander turn up at the hospital?' My eyes widen slightly at the question. 'How did you know?' 'He made a point of announcing his intention to do so.' Well, that checks out. Though, I have no idea why he would tell Dr. Smith that. Wasn't he fired? As if sensing my own question, he smiles softly. As I study his features, I realize he has dark bags under his eyes, meaning he's had as little sleep as I've had. 'My termination was temporarily rescinded pending the authorities' investigation into yesterday's events. However, I have been locked out of certain staff privileges.' 'I see. Where are Grey and Theo?' I quickly shoot back, not overly interested in going into excessive detail about his employment now that I have an answer. 'Are they okay?' His eyebrows furrowing together set off alarm bells. It looks like he's gone stiff in his chair, concerned etched across his face. 'Grey is currently in solitary confinement,' he answers slowly. 'Only until later today. We had a bit of a... situation.' Situation... In Grey terms-blood was probably spilled. The thought of him downstairs alone almost tips me over the edge right away, but I focus on the fact that he's safe and I'll see him soon. 'And Theo?' 'In his room along with all the other patients.' I nod, unsure where to go from here. 'I need to see them.' Dr. Smith offers a wary, tight smile. 'I'll do my best, but with my restrictions, it may be difficult. Arthur has only just restored power to the facility-though, it's minimal. From my understanding, electricity is on but he's still got everything else switched off to minimize disruptions.' Both of us turn our head to the camera in the corner of the room, perched high on the ceiling. There's no flashing red light, and it only confirms that Dr. Smith is correct. No security means no access-in or out of the rooms unless they allow it. And something tells me they have no desire to open any doors. 'They can't get out,' I try to ask, but it comes across as a solid statement. 'Everyone is locked in their rooms.' Confirming, he nods once. 'My staff card will only work for the general corridors at this time. They also changed the pin code again.' 'Again?' 'This is the third change since your arrival. I was provided with the details from another colleague and while I'm sure Damon's people will figure it out quickly, most access paths are blocked.' 'What is the code?' I'm surprised by my tone-strong, a little demanding. Not at all like my usual self. Dr. Smith appears taken aback too, pausing for a second as he processes my request. I don't break eye contact with him, letting the seconds tick by while he psychoanalyzes me from his desk. Will he decide that I'm having some type of psychotic break? Or maybe he'll recognize it for what it really is. Either way, I refuse to let Damon down-or anyone. This is the time for action, to step up and prove that I'm better than my demons. This is what I survived for. What I'm meant to do. 'The code?' he mutters. 'It's Aunt Lily's wedding anniversary-0314.' A dry laugh escapes my lips. 'Of course it is. Alexander sure has an odd sense of humor. A dishonorable homage to my own wedding date, no doubt. For a rich man he sure gives Temu style gifts.' I cock an eyebrow, holding my gaze steady as I finish. My silent question doesn't slip past the psychiatrist, awkwardly squirming in his chair. 'Yes, I married you. You signed the marriage license in here the other day.' 'I suppose this is why they always tell you to read a document before you sign,' I murmur sarcastically. He hums thoughtfully. 'Would it have made a difference if you knew beforehand?' Would it? I haven't had time to consider what I would have done if he had told me what I was signing. It was a shock when that little bombshell was dropped, but I didn't hate it. I'm fully onboard Team Destroy Alexander and Arthur. The only thing I feel is guilt-knowing that Theo and Grey aren't able to marry me too and wondering how they feel about it. Shit. That's assuming they would even want to marry me one day. I'd say I'm jumping the gun but I'm already wed at this point so it's all moot. Were they okay with the decision? Either way, I need to have strong words with all of them about making decisions like this without my knowledge. Goddamn possessive psychos. 'No,' I answer confidently. 'It wouldn't have made a difference. I would have still signed the paperwork.' I scan his face for a reaction, wondering if he'll hide it from me. To my astonishment, Dr. Smith begins laughing. 'You continue to surprise me, Avery. In good ways. You've come so very far from your first day here. And if I'm being honest, Damon too.' 'Don't let him hear you say that,' I joke. 'There's no doubt in my mind that he'll still be able to inflict pain even with his current physical condition.' Dr. Smith smiles. 'Agreed. Anyway, I'll need to escort you to your room soon. They left the door unlocked so I'd be able to get you inside. There are minimal guards on duty at the moment. Though, this situation still needs to be dealt with.' 'We have it under control-or, we will at least. I need you to get me access to Grey and Theo as soon as possible. Also, can you reach out to my social worker?' 'Your social worker?' he repeats, standing and waltzing over to the filing cabinet. I'm a little annoyed to find it unlocked after what happened with my file, but let's be fair... at this stage nothing is private or sacred in Lilydale. It's bizarre to consider the reality that my files being leaked has not been my worst experience during my time here. It felt like it when it happened-like the worst possible thing that could happen to me was my secrets being revealed. But being turned into a human pincushion and tortured takes a top spot easily. And watching my husband take a bullet for me. Besides, I'm not the same person who walked through those doors anymore. The past is in the past. Sitting back down, he flicks open the file, reading it. 'Margaret?' 'Yes,' I confirm. 'I want to speak to her. I also want you to get new cell phones for us since our other ones were confiscated. Communication is essential. I assume Whitface destroyed them after having a good snoop.' 'Whitface,' he chuckles, not seeming like the self-proclaimed professional I've come to know over the past few months. 'I'll see what I can do.' I nod, pleased with... myself. If I had more time and patience, I'd psychoanalyze him. It's becoming clear that even the most put-together individuals wear a mask and pretend to be fully functioning adults. I have a strange feeling that Dr. Smith hasn't been completely honest with us, or me, but that's not important right now. We need to be on our guard, ready for their next move. I know revenge and war is coming. And we'll be ready for them. My room is just how I left it. Except something is amiss. There's no fingers in roses or belongings missing, but I can just sense that someone has been in here. Maybe it's the lingering scent of old spice or a crease on the blanket, but regardless, I can sense in my gut that someone combed through my personal space. It makes me angry, beyond pissed off that they continue to violate us in every way possible. If they were searching for clues or contraband, I doubt anything was useful. We're smarter than that. Everything we need is locked inside Damon's mind-which is a weapon in itself I've come to realize. With nothing else to do, I decide to attempt to take a nap, convinced that I'm stuck in here until at least tomorrow. I'm completely spent, even though my mind circles back and forth in agonizing loops. I'm impatient for updates, ready to go positively feral to find Theo and Grey. At least if I'm asleep, time will move faster, instead of this paralyzing loop with no exit that I seem to be stuck in. When the door swings open, startling me awake, I jolt upright instantly. My heart bashes violently in my chest while adrenaline rushes through me as if I'm under attack. It takes me a few seconds to gauge what I'm actually seeing, almost convinced that I'm dreaming. Gray eyes soften as they focus on me, and I launch myself out of the bed, feet barely touching the floor as I leap into Grey's awaiting, wide arms. 'Little killer,' he murmurs into my neck, unfazed that I'm near straggling his neck in a tight hug. 'You're okay,' I say relieved, catching sight of Dr. Smith over his shoulder. He gives me a small smile and nod before continuing on down the hall, leaving us alone. Grey places his hands on my waist, keeping hold of me as he steps back slightly to scan my face with wary eyes. 'Are you alright? How's Damon?' The question is full of softly spoken urgency and it makes my chest ache. Cupping his face, I give him a reassuring smile. 'He's good. Still stubborn as hell but definitely alive, kicking, and ready to slaughter Alexander.' Relief floods his expression for only a split second before he smashes his lips to mine. It feels so good to be home in his arms, my chest melting into his as I kiss him back with just as much need. I nearly lost them. I nearly lost being able to do this. Our intensities match perfectly, affirming his desperation was just as destroying as mine was. Time has finally brought us back together, all our emotions releasing at once in each other's arms. Swinging me around effortlessly, I barely feel my back colliding with the wall, our mouths not breaking apart for a single millisecond. I feel his fingers leave bruises on my hips from his tight grip and I relish the safety his protective, strong hold provides. I love when he marks me, especially as his tongue reminds me of all the things it can do. Finally coming up for air reluctantly, Grey rests his forehead on mine. We stay still, savoring the moment for a little longer until slowly, he retreats. 'Come on, pretty girl. There's still one more stop I need to make.'