Chapter 24 - The Floor Margot's POV The bathroom door creaked open behind me , and I didn't even need to look up to feel the shift in the air . Coban's presence very quickly sucked the oxygen from the room like a black hole . He loomed behind me as I crouched beside the open boxes , my fingers still resting on the fuzzy edge of the blanket they'd given me soft , warm - looking , harmless . - - Unlike everything else in this place . I sensed him staring down at me . His shadow stretched long over mine , and the weight of his gaze made the hairs on my arms stand on end . He exhaled a dry scoff above me . " Treating you bitches like fucking royalty , " he muttered , voice like gravel scraping over glass as he eyed my things . " As though you're some hero coming in here - when in reality , you're just a dumb bitch , putting your life in danger . " I didn't respond . Allowing his harsh words to settle in . I just lowered my eyes down to the slippers again - beige , soft , untouched of a box made for my own survival . But before I could think up what to say back , Coban wasn't finished yet ... - sitting like a cruel joke inside " We're just using you all to get out , you know that , right ? " he snapped down at me suddenly , the venom in his voice slicing through the thin thread of peace that I had tried to gather earlier in the bathroom . My heart quickened , but I kept my face even as I stood up , slowly , dropping the blanket back in to its box as I turned to glance up at him . ' I guess that I'm also using you to get some money out of this though , right ? " I said carefully , my tone quiet but steady . " Could be a win - win for the both of us ? " I gave a small shrug , but nothing . For a moment , there was silence and I didn't quite know if my words had helped the matter or not ... But then his jaw tightened . Coban's eyes darkened , narrowing into something far more dangerous than amusement , " Don't get smart with me , " he growled , stepping in closer , his height casting a full shadow across my body now . " You might be here for your little paycheck , princess , but if you think for a second that makes us equals in this ... then you're already dumber than you look . This place is my house , what I say goes , and you're only going to get out of this alive if I want you to ! If I want you gone or swapped for someone else 1/4 3:16 pm PSDD Chapter 24 - The Floor in this project , then I'll make it happen ! So I suggest you learn how to behave ! " He concludes firmly . I swallowed , hard . His breath was warm against my face now . Close enough that I could smell the faint hint of mint toothpaste from the brush he'd used earlier , and the clean citrus soap left from the shower dispenser on his skin . He tilted his head , his tone dropping in to a horrifying whisper . " So to make this clearer , incase you don't understand ... If you annoy me enough whilst you're in here , I'll be real quick to teach you a fucking lesson before getting rid of you . You understand me ? " " Y - Yes , Coban " I said , fast . Too fast . I hated how my voice had come out in a rushed whisper , breathy and small . " I understand what you're saying and I'm sorry if I've upset you already , I'm just nervous , I'm trying to do b - better . " I admit to him weakly . " Good . " He stepped back just an inch - but it felt like a mile of air rushed back into my lungs when he did . " There will be rules of course , " he added , eyes scanning mine like a threat was hiding behind them . " Rules you're gonna follow if you want to keep me happy in here . " I nodded , not even hesitating this time . " Okay . Yeah . Uhh ... that will help . I'll follow the rules . " I didn't even ask what they were . I didn't need to . Not yet . I'd agree to anything in that moment just to get his mood to stop spiraling toward something worse . He didn't elaborate . Just turned away , scratching absently at his neck whilst yawning as though threatening me had drained what little energy he had left . He dropped back onto the bed with a grunt . His body sprawled across it like he owned the entire room - and he sorta did . This was his cell before it became mine . * I'll go shower before bed , " I said after a beat , keeping my voice calm , low , and nonthreatening . " If that's okay ? " " Bed ? " He scoffed , suddenly pushing himself up on to his elbows to glare at me . " W - What do you ... " I began , before he cut me off again . " You need to earn your spot on the bed , Bella , prison rules . You'll be on the floor tonight . " He shook his head , chuckling before lying back down again . " Oh ... right , sure ... that's okay . " I sigh , disappointed but knowing that I couldn't test for another argument . " Don't take forever , " he muttered . " In case I need to piss again . " He added , turning his head . 2/4 3:16 pm PSDD . Chapter 24 The Floor I nodded quickly , crouching back beside the box and pulling out a bundle from the labeled sleepwear bag a simple set of thin grey shorts and a loose cotton white T - shirt . Modest , at least . I grabbed a fresh pair of underwear and the soft - bristled hairbrush , grateful to feel even somewhat human for a minute . Then I made my way back to the bathroom without another word . - As I shut the door behind me and locked it once again , I felt my spine straighten just a little . My heart was still hammering , but this room - this small , sterile box of tile and steam had already become a sanctuary . A temporary one , but mine all the same . I turned on the water , letting it run hot enough to fog the mirror . The sound of it hitting the tile was the loudest thing I'd heard since arriving - second to Coban's voice of course . - Stripping off the pink uniform I'd been given the one I'd sweated through since the moment we were dumped off the transport trucks - felt like peeling off a second skin . My hair didn't need washed , so I tied it up and stepped beneath the spray and let the heat hit my shoulders , my face , my chest . For a long time , I just stood there , arms wrapped around myself , letting it wash away the salt of fear , the ache of tension , the grit of silence . But the thing about water ? It couldn't clean the kind of filth this place embedded in you . Still , I used the citrus soap and scrubbed until my skin flushed pink , rinsed the bubbles and then stepped out . I undone my hair , brushing through the knots until it laid straight , and I dried off with one of the white towels they'd so thoughtfully packed for me . My sleepwear felt foreign . Soft , but foreign . Like it didn't belong to me . I brushed my teeth quickly , barely taking a second to glance at myself in the mirror before moving to hurry out fearful again that I was taking too long . When I stepped out still sat , 1 hair still damp - I didn't say anything as I crossed to the corner where my boxes After five minutes , I heard his breathing even out , as I bucked up the courage to pay him a glance - he was sound asleep again. Ok , great ... I sighed softly , I carefully and quietly continued folding my things before gently peeling open the bottom drawer - 3/4 3:16 pm PD Chapter 24 - The Floor thankful Coban had left it free for me . Tomorrow is a new day , and tonight , I'll have to make do on the carpeted floor ...