Chapter 14


    I scramble back <b>away </b>from Archer’s grasp. His handse flying off me and I curl into the corner of the bed, sandwiched between the walls. My heart is beating in my throat. I touch one hand to my neck, trying to see if it’s tender from Archer’s grasp. What I find pisses me off even more.


    “What the fuck?” I gasp.


    My fingers toy with the cor around my neck. I pull at it to try and get it off me but it’s no use. It’s a very thin leather band, taught to my skin. There’s a metal bit where the ends of the leather are supposed to meet. A red light shes up at my chin.


    “What the fuck <b>is </b>this?!” I shout, finally regaining my voice from sleep.


    “I told you I was looking into additional security measures,” Archer says. He shrugs as if this is nothing. “This was the best solution. It’s a GPS. We can track your movements to make sure you don’t run off with Mia.”


    I tug on the leather again. “It’s a fucking tracking cor? What am I a dog?”


    “You look like a frightened puppy,” Beau’s voice hits my ears. I whip my head towards him. He’s standing next to his other brothers closer to the door. I didn’t even notice them in my terror. Beau cocks his head. “All curled up like that. It’s tragic”


    I growl at him, low and threatening. He doesn’t need to know why I tend to sleep all curled up. That it reminds me of being safe within my mother’s arms. The rage inside me is hitting an all–time high. Quickly, I scramble across the bed in a mess of limbs and grab the first thing I see. Iunch it at Beau. The diapers ding off the side of his face. He blinks, shocked.


    I hurl another pack of diapers at Archer. He swats them out of the way like they’re nothing. He res at me in response. I take up a defensive stance as he walks towards me. Once again, I’m trapped in a corner and feel like a puppy amongst wolves.N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    “Do that again,” Archer says slowly. “And I’ll chain you to the floor like you are a fucking dog”


    Beau cackles over Archer’s shoulder. I can’t get eyes on him around Archer’s massive frame. I do see Steven’s slightly frightened look, however, and hope there’s some sort of future ally within him. I look back and lock eyes with Archer.


    We’re locked in a staring contest, re to re. I muster all the courage I have to get out of my crouch and tilt my chest and chin up high. I keep our gazes locked, forcing him to stare down at me<b>. </b>I know he’s tempting me, telling me to do something and see what happens. But I won’t give into the predator that easily. I’ve yed this know how to win it.


    game before. I


    With a final snort of air out of his <b>nose</b>, Archer turns <b>on </b>his heel and storms across the room. He <b>leaves </b>and the other brother’s follow behind tentatively. The door ms shut and I’m alone again. I let out <b>a </b>sigh of relief before I sink to the floor, utterly exhausted. I hear quiet gurgles across the room and bounce to my feet immediately.


    I look into the crib to see Mia staring up at me. Her big blue eyes are staring up at me. I tenderly pick her up and bring her into my arms. “Hi babygirl,” I whisper to her. “Are you hungry?”


    She coos back and I sigh. I look at the door and feel a weight on my shoulders. I’m <b>not </b>only worried for me, but I’m worried for the child in my arms. I feed her and quickly put her back in bed. She falls asleep immediately. I find sleep not shortly after, utterly exhausted.


    The next day, I try my best to hide the stupid cor. The brothers are gone from the Pyramid all day and the thought allows <b>me </b>some sort of peace. Mia’s fairly easy to take care of, not too fussy. The staff in the Pyramid look at me <b>warily</b>, unsure of what I’m doing there in tattered clothes, taking <b>care </b>of a baby swaddled in Gi. It’s a weird


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    房


    Chapter 14


    sensation


    I made sure to wear my highest sweater to <b>cover </b>the cor. Truthfully, it looks like some sort of ugly ne. The fact <b>makes </b>it easier to hide and eases the stress of wearing it. I’m starting sses the next morning and I know I‘ already <b>caused </b>quite a scene on campus. Thest thing I need is people seeing a blinking red tracking cor on my


    neck


    At the end of the day. I’m doing Mia’s <b>finally </b>wash and diaper change before bed. I situate her in her pajamas and look up at the mirror. The cor is boldly staring back at me. A mixture of humiliation and rage wash over me for the hundredth time since I’ve arrived at this school.


    The cor is not only a <b>mark </b>of service but it’s also a way for the Hayes brothers to let me know I’m a lesser ss than them. I feel like a farm animal, being wheeled to ughter. It’s a disgusting feeling within me and makes my entire body curdle.


    I jerk my face away from the mirror. I won’t let this stifle me. I came to this stupid fucking school to be a warrior. That’s what I am here to do. Not to nanny. Not to be bullied by idiots who think money solves everything. To <b>train</b>. I’ll be damned if the <b>Hayes </b>brothers stop me from doing so.


    I settle Mia in bed. She’s exhausted tonight as I’ve been ying with her all day save for one nap before dinner. Not only am I trying to keep this kid alive, but I’m trying to raise her. She needs mental stimtion and to be taught manners and all that. Seeing her this young exhausts me. It means I have so much more to do. I pull the side of the crib up and lean down to give her a final goodnight kiss. She’s already asleep under my lips.


    I get myself into my own bed. I curl up, tangle myself beneath the sheets, Tomorrow’s the first day of sses. The first day that I actually get to train to be a warrior. To change my fate from lowly nothing to high ss weapon. I knew I could do it, but the idea of my first ss being a formalbat ss terrified me. I’ve never had any sort of formal training, just whatever bullshit Navis and I got up to. I gnawed my lip with worry. Finally sleep washed over me.


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