And finally,finally, I let myself feel it.
The fear.The exhaustion.The relief.
My breath shuddered as I rested my forehead against the cool tile, letting the water wash over me.
I was safe.
Ender was right there.
And for now… that was enough.
Chapter Twelve
Ender
The sound of the shower had been steady for a long time.
I kept picturing what that hot water was washing off her skin.
Dirt.Blood.Fear.
Hands that weren’t supposed to touch her.Rope marks that shouldn’t exist on her wrists.
The thought tightened something in my chest until it felt like metal.
I stayed where I was, leaning against the doorway with my arms crossed, my eyes fixed on the open bathroom door.Turned just enough that I couldn’t see inside.Close enough that if she made a sound, if she slipped, if she cried, if she called my name, I’d be there in half a second.
That was the deal I’d made in my head.
The only deal that mattered.
The water shut off.A beat later, the soft sound of movement.A drawer sliding.Fabric rustling.
Then she stepped out.
Cowprint shorts.Oversized white shirt that swallowed her frame.
Her hair was damp and tucked behind one ear, like she’d done a quick towel dry and called it good.
Of course, Alice had given her cowprint.
I swallowed the stupid, out-of-place laugh that tried to rise in my throat.It didn’t belong next to everything else I was thinking.
Clove’s eyes found mine, and something in my chest eased, just a fraction.
“Better?”I asked.
She nodded, fingers drifting up to tuck her hair behind her ear again.Like the movement soothed her.Like it reminded her she was in control of her body.
“Cleaner,” she said.
Before I could respond, a voice came from behind me.
“Beep beep.”
Carnie.
I shifted instantly, stepping into the room and watching her.She walked in carrying a tray like she belonged there, because she did.A large bowl of soup sat in the center, steam curling up.Half a loaf of bread on the side.The smell hit me immediately.