< SHARE Chapter 37 - Solitary Margot's POV Time dragged . It had to have been hours since we slammed the door shut behind us , locking Cara and me inside , as we waited for the sirens and yelling to cease . We hadn't spoken much since the chaos outside had settled into a dull , distant echo either - just laid here , sprawled across the top of the bed like a pair of forgotten dolls , neither of us wanting to move . The blanket was scratchy beneath my arms , the pillow beneath my head smelled like Coban's aftershave - earthy , woodsy , a little like leather - and the guilt was beginning to creep in the longer I stayed here . This was his space . Not mine . Not Cara's . We hadn't earned it ... as Coban would say . But it wasn't like we had much of a choice . Cara couldn't go back to her Block , not after all of that , and I simply couldn't stomach the idea of sleeping alone . Not after the blood . Not after the yelling . Not after watching Coban disappear into a sea of violence with no promise of coming back out ... I shifted my legs and glanced over at her . Cara let out a sigh , rubbing her eyes with the heel of her palms . " How long are we gonna be stuck in here ? " she grumbled , voice thick with sleep and frustration . - We must've dozed off - maybe for an hour or so , or maybe more purely out of boredom or stress or sheer exhaustion . I wasn't complaining about the nap either . The brief rest had done wonders for my back , which had still been sore from last night's sleep on the cold floor . But now that the silence was stretching , dragging its weight over us like a heavy coat , the anxiety was clawing back up again . ' I don't know , " I said flatly , staring up at the ceiling . " I can't stand not knowing what happened after we left ... " Cara sighed , as I hummed in agreement . It was weird how the past twenty - four hours had felt like an entire month . How we had been completely swept up in this new routine , new lifestyle . I hated to admit it , especially this early on , but I couldn't help but route for Coban and Leo's freedom now . 1/4 3:20 pm P Chapter 37 - Solitary Perhaps Coban could actually learn to be a bit softer ? A bit more understanding and less hot headed ? He wasn't the worst , and I was certain of that ... and therefore , I was more than willing to give the guy a chance . That's what this project was for , right ? To give these men another chance ? I just hope that he has the opportunity to at least continue with this ... if he's fit to do so after the fight that is ... I gulp at the mere thought , not wanting to think about all of the ' what if ' outcomes again ... Before my thoughts are ripped to shreds as we both suddenly jolt upright hearing loud , firm knocks pound down against our door . I barely had time to process it before the electronic buzz of the lock sounded next , making my stomach flip . The door was opening . Coban ? Was he back now ? Was it all over ? I stood up fast , smoothing down my sweatshirt and brushing at my hair , nerves pinging inside me like electric static . I suddenly felt awkward about Cara being in here with me . In his personal space . What would he think ? What if he didn't like it ? But if wasn't her fault ... it couldn't be helped after what had gone down ! But I sighed instantly ; realising that it wasn't him . Instead , the door creaked open and two guards stepped inside - one female , one male . Both in full uniform , stern but calm , Oh no ... was this bad news ? The woman's eyes scanned the room first , and then darted over to the both of us as I sank bank down to sit on the bed again in defeat . Her partner stood beside her with a clipboard in hand , looking annoyingly amused . Now wasn't the damn time for his smugness ! " Sorry about that little hiccup outside , ladies , " the woman said smoothly . Her tone was almost casual , like she was telling us we'd missed lunch or something , and come to think of it , we had ? 2/4 3:20 pm PD Chapter 37 - Solitary " Your inmates are currently in the medical wing being patched up . Once that's done , they'll be spending the night in solitary confinement as punishment for engaging in extreme violence . " She explains , as I felt a sudden weight lift off from my shoulders . I blinked , the words registering slowly . My heart stuttered at the confirmation . " They're alive ? " Cara asked before I could , sitting up straighter , her eyes now sharp . The male guard let out a loud , unbothered chuckle . " It'd take far more than a badly - made knife to bring those two down sweetheart , " he said , smirking . " Trust me , I've seen ' em both in far worse shape before , that was nothing . " I heard Cara let out a loud breath , one of disbelief as she began to cough next . That was nothing ? He couldn't be serious right now ? That was the worst thing I had ever witnessed ! But with that aside , the main thing here was , they were both still alive ! So what about the others ? " I asked , voice shakier than I had meant for it to be . " The ones who started the whole thing ? " The female guard turned to me , her expression cool . " They're facing punishment as well . A longer one , I should add , for instigating it . The man with the knife has been removed from the program entirely . He blew his shot . " She nodded , knowing it was the right thing to do . I nodded slowly , the knot in my chest loosening slightly . Ok , fine . But I couldn't help but think that the three of them deserved worse . The other two would still be around after their punishment was over . Still in the program . Still a risk for causing another scene ... " You two happy to stay in here together tonight ? " she asked us next , one brow lifting . " It's understandable . It'll be better than being alone . You'll be escorted to dinner by us , and tomorrow morning you'll be on your own again until they're released back to you likely sometime in the afternoon , if things stay on track . You're both handling this well so far , so well done . " She commends us , despite it not feeling right . - I managed a tight smile , nodding once . The woman's presence felt steadier than the others we'd met . Like she actually gave a shit . Not just about the program or the guards ' egos - but about us , the vulnerable girls that had been tossed in here without much warning . " Thank you , " Cara answered for the both of us , her tone still hesitant but polite . The woman gestured toward the hallway . " Come on then . Let's get you both something to eat . " 3/4 3:20 pm PD Chapter 37 - Solitary I stood slowly , my legs stiff and sore , my stomach twisting with newly discovered hunger , or maybe it was just dread ? We followed them out without a word , the door clicking shut behind us , as we noticed the others exiting their rooms too . It felt horrific being out in the open without Coban around as my companion . I felt almost exposed now , despite having two guards walking us there . But this was only for a short time though , right ? " At least we don't have to swap prisoners ... " Cara whispers , relieved as I nod in shared agreement . She's right . And at least Cara and I weren't being separated either , not until they get back . For a second , I let myself hope that tomorrow ... maybe tomorrow would be better . Maybe Coban would come back , relieved to get another chance in the project ? And maybe we could all just pretend for one more day that this place was somehow survivable ? Chapter Comments 36 Write Comments SHARE