I smell tobacco.
Why? That guard doesn't smoke, I would've noticed it before.
I blinked my eyes open slowly. Cold floor. Aching back. Right... I'd fallen asleep on the ground. As I sat up, my eyes locked on a figure seated on the couch, between me and the bed.
Long black hair.
Tora.
"You're back," I said before I could stop myself. My voice betrayed something like relief, and worse, something like hope.
Why the hell am I glad to see him?
"Yes," he said, his voice calm, unreadable. "I had some business to take care of."
"Did you… find the phone?"
"I did. Just where you said it would be."
My heart lifted. "Then… I can leave now, right?"
He turned toward me, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"What?" I asked, the smile fading from my face. "I told you where it was. That was the deal."
He stood, slowly. "You thought that" he said with mock sympathy, "but I never said it."
My stomach dropped. I stood too, clumsily, like I could somehow match his presence.
"That's not fair—!"
"And what about your little stunt with my guard?" he cut in, his tone darkening. "Trying to stab someone after all our hospitality?"
"I just, I needed air, I was going insane in here! He wouldn't talk to me, I panicked-"
I couldn't meet his eyes. That gaze of his, like twin blades of ice, peeling back every lie and excuse.
"I see," he said coolly. "But unfortunately, we can't have you thinking that kind of behavior is allowed. We're not amateurs. We have a reputation to maintain."
He stepped toward me.
I backed up fast, but the room was small, too small. The bathroom had no door. There was nowhere to run.
My back hit the wall.
He slammed a hand beside my head, leaning in, suffocating me with his presence.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, "I don't think you're a joke, I was just losing my mind in here-"
Sharp pain.
He jabbed a needle into my side. My eyes widened in shock. Of course. I should've seen it coming.
"Wait—" My legs buckled.
The world tilted.
I collapsed, or I would've, if he hadn't caught me. His arms were sturdy.
Darkness pulled at me, thick and irresistible.
The last thing I felt was the beat of his heart beneath my cheek as I drifted into sleep.