the second door on the left, opening it and urging me to enter.
It’s dark until he swipes his hand to the right of the entryway. A small overhead chandelier flickers to life, casting the room in a dim glow. Straight ahead are two long windows reaching almost from floor to ceiling. The wooden casings are a dark wood, which matches the floor. Against the right wall is a bed a little wider than the one I have in the trailer, it’s covered in a soft yellow and white quilt. There’s a dainty white vanity with three mirrors against the same wall as the door to the hallway. To the left, there’s a slightly ajar door and a sliding door that looks to be a closet.
I don’t see any personal touches, no photos or knickknacks. It’s just a spare room. I snort. It’s nicer than anything I’ll probably ever own, and it doesn’t look like anyone has stepped foot in here in ages. “Do you not like it?” Ollie questions me.
“It’s great Ollie, thanks.”
He sounds unsure when he responds, “Okay, well the shower is right through there. I’ll see what I can do about rounding you up something to sleep in.”
I don’t wait for any more instructions. Finding the light switch, I peer into a white tiled bathroom with a closed door opposite of the one I came in.
I start peeling off my clothes the second I see the shower. It’s simple, something I expect to see in any nice hotel. A silver showerhead pokes out of the wall with a tub beneath, just in case you need a bath. I turn the left knob all the way and spin the right just a little, wanting the heat to wash away everything I’m feeling.
I haven’t been in long when there’s a light tapping on the door. “Yeah,” I croak, my throat tight.
“Oliver said you needed something to sleep in.” I cross my arms over my body, hiding, even though I’m behind the thick white curtain when I hear Ares’s voice in the bathroom. He’s the last person I want in here.
“I’ll be right out… thanks,” I mutter though clenched teeth. The door closes with a small click. I drop my forehead to the wall, letting the hot water beat on my back and neck. My hair is going to pay for this, there isn’t any soap, shampoo, or conditioner in here, but a least I showered earlier. I was looking more for an escape than needing to get clean anyway.
Finally, I turn off the water, letting the cool air sting my skin as the water drips off my body. Opening the curtain, I find a fluffy black towel, a thick pair of gray wool socks, and a black t-shirt folded next to the sink. Pulling the towel from the bottom, I shiver as I run it over my hair. I can’t help but look into the big mirror over the counter. My waist is a little more pinched in than usual and my cheeks look hallow. I haven’t lost that much weight, but I look a little sickly. The last few weeks have definitely taken a toll on me.
I wrap the towel around my chest after a brief pat dry and sit on the closed toilet lid. I can’t find the energy to dress myself. I feel like if I walk out of this room, I’ll have to deal with all the crap that’s waiting for me.
Someone taps on the door again. “You okay in there?” Ollie’s voice comes from the other door. He’s a little easier to deal with and he’s the only one of them that has been consistently kind to me.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I stand, knowing I can’t stay in here forever. I debate putting my panties back on, but the thought skeeves me out. Shaking out the shirt, a warm musky scent fills the room. Bringing the fabric to my nose, I inhale. Either someone sprayed this shirt with cologne, or it’s been worn. Ares couldn’t even find me a clean shirt? I’m assuming it’s his since he’s the one who brought it to me. I almost drop it to the floor, but something stops me. I want to wear his shirt, I like that fact he had it on first—the realization pisses me off. But I slide the soft fabric over my head anyway. It falls to mid-thigh, concealing the fact I don’t have any underwear on.