Breed Me. Daddy Alpha – Chapter 271

The laughter amongst them felt loud and sharp like a rusted blade dragging along a chalk board.

It cut straight through the thin barrier of calm I’d been trying so hard to keep together since my somewhat successful chat with Coban…

I just remained frozen next to Coban on the bench, still reeling from the sudden invasion of my peace. The guys hadn’t stopped smirking since they showed up, all puffed chests and loud voices like the yard was their stage.

And then one of them – the one with blunt tattoos trailing under his eyes like messy black tears – had the nerve to eye me up and down before declaring, “Fuck! How’d you land such a hot one, boss?”

Hot.

Like I was a prize. Like I was meat.

My stomach twisted.

Beside me, Coban’s posture shifted immediately. He didn’t lunge or growl or even glare subtle than that, but I noticed it.

—

A roll of tension moved through his body like thunder underneath his skin. He leaned forward slightly, one forearm resting on his thigh, the other hanging loose like it was ready to do damage if needed.

“Why don’t you focus on your own bitch, Rocker?” he snapped, voice low and sharp enough to slice through bone.

Rocker apparently the name of Tattoo Tears just grinned and held both hands up in mock surrender, unfazed. “My bitch gives good head anyhow, so I’m happy!” he hummed like it was something to be proud of, the words drenched in casual filth.

The other three guys around him erupted in to laughter, elbowing each other and making whooping sounds like we were in a goddamn locker room.

I stared at them, blinking in disbelief, cheeks burning hot as the heat climbed up my neck.

Only two people noticeably didn’t laugh though – Coban and Leo. (2)

They exchanged a look, brief but clear. Disgust. Or maybe it was their patience wearing thin?

–

My eyes flicked to the Rocker dude again who was now yanking a girl toward him by the hip, pressing a sloppy kiss to her temple like she was a toy.

She looked surprised for a second, but then plastered on a coy smile as if it were all a game to her too.

And that’s when I recognised her.

Mint–green.

The uniform was unmistakable, and so was the girl.

Of course it was one of them.

I’d clocked her from on the ship. Loud laugh. Loud opinions. Pretty face with sharp eyes and zero shame. She’d boasted all about this guy, before catching me staring at her…

And now, here she was, arm wrapped around him in person, like she was proud of it all.

They’d already done something. Last night. On night one. Unlike me who hadn’t even had the decency of sniffing the bed let alone sleeping in it!

It was laughable really.

Sort of embarrassing too.

My throat dried out at the thought of how different our nights had gone… with me being on a hard floor…

But was I the weird one?

Nah, no way!

I just wasn’t desperate…

“Surprised that the guards didn’t come to tell us both to shut the fuck up last night!” Rocker adds, as the others agree and share their own experiences so openly amongst their laughter.

A chill snuck its way up my spine, and before I could stop myself, I shuffled a little closer to Coban. Not even consciously. It just happened on instinct. My body leaned into his side like it was seeking shelter from a storm I didn’t fully understand.

And something even more surprising than that?

He let me.

Worse actually – he even responded.

An arm, solid and steady, slid across my shoulders and rested there. Heavy, grounding, firm. His fingers hooked loosely at my upper arm, pulling me in a little tighter. Like a claim. Like a warning to the others not to push it any further.

–

Oh no.

I panicked.

What did I just do?

He said no violence though, right?

My hand instinctively reached out and caught the edge of the bench, like I could stop whatever was about to happen. But Coban didn’t look back at me.

Rocker blinked. “Woah! Hey, relax boss, why you looking so pissed off all of a sudden?”

But Coban just stepped forward once. No words. Just presence.

Enough to make everyone tense.

Even Luca stopped smiling.

The air shifted.

Like the warning before a hurricane.

“Your voice is making me want to put a blade through you now…” Coban’s words leave his lips, as I glance towards Cara in sheer horror and disbelief.

As though I hadn’t just damn well caused this!

“Chill, chill, I’ll just leave you to it then! We were heading inside anyhow!” Rocker plays it off cooly, grabbing his mint–green girl before pulling her off with him without another word – obliging quickly.

I sat there, frozen, watching it unfold…

Coban barely had to try, before getting Rocker out of our proximity…

“Leo you stay,” Coban mutters in a bored tone, as I watch the other three guys and girls awkwardly peel off from the group next too, not wanting to test sticking around longer.

“I don’t need a fucking invite to stay!” Leo tuts out; “But I’m glad you got rid of them, I can only handle that lot in small doses.” Leo states loudly, as he pushes Cara towards the bench beside ours, Cara choosing the seat closest to me.

“They’re fucking in heat by the looks of it, probably never even seen a pussy before this experiment too!” Coban snorts, as him and Leo talk over us.

Breed Me. Daddy Alpha – Chapter 272

The guys spoke over our heads, casual curses and rough laughter as I took note of the different side of Coban… the more relaxed side…

Although I felt somewhat safe, I couldn’t fully relax.

Not after hearing how those guys spoke about their assigned girls.

Was that what this project mostly was? Girls coming here to please the inmates?

Cara gave me a look part concern, part ‘what the hell just happened‘ – before lowering her voice.

–

“You doing okay still?” she asked quietly, leaning in so only I could hear her. Her bright eyes flickering behind me to where Coban’s hand still rested loosely against his thigh, rock steady.

“Yeah… we had a sort of, good chat in the room,” I admitted. “But hearing those men, that was insane.”

Cara exhaled through her nose and nodded, frowning. “They saw Leo on the way out and followed us. They seemed to know him well though… maybe they work with them or something if you get what I mean…” Her voice was barely above a whisper now. “I even tried saying hi to the girls… and nothing. Just blank stares.”

She looked genuinely rattled. I hated that. Cara didn’t get rattled easily.

I leaned in closer, my voice low. “They’re probably all just…”

“Assholes?” she offered, trying for a small laugh.

“Yeah. That.” I smiled back.

We lapsed into a brief silence, both of us pretending to listen to Leo and Coban talk over our heads, though neither of us were really paying attention anymore.

My heart was still racing, and something in the pit of my stomach still wasn’t settling as I looked around the courtyard…

Leo suddenly went stock–still mid–sentence, eyes narrowing over Coban’s shoulder. His voice exploded through the still air like a grenade…

“What the fuck’s he doing here?!”

Gravel cracked and shifted as both Leo and Coban stood at the same time, fast and sharp like striking vipers, rising up on either side of us in perfect sync,

“Looking for another fight, clearly,” Coban snarled, and his voice wasn’t casual anymore. It was cold steel. Murderous.

My stomach dropped.

“What’s going on?!” I hissed, voice caught somewhere between panic and disbelief as I looked to Cara for reason.

Her eyes were wide, mirroring mine, and without a second thought she reached for my hand.

We clutched onto each other tightly, fingers locked in a panicked grip.

Then I saw who they were looking at. Three men. Standing just beyond the far side of the yard, whispering amongst themselves. Their postures were rigid, movements subtle, but their expressions were pure venom.

Their eyes never left Coban or Leo. One of them even had a half–smile pulling at his mouth, as if this was funny to him.

There was tension, thick and sour in the air. Something unspoken but old.

History.

Bad history…

–

I barely had time to process it when I heard Coban’s voice again a hard tone that snapped me back into the present.

“Bella!”

He didn’t even look at me. His eyes were still locked on the three figures.

I jolted slightly. “Y–Yeah?”

“Go walk over to the fence behind us with Cara, and bring us two of the largest rocks you can find.”

My brain stalled. “Wait

–

Had I heard him wrong?

What?”

He didn’t like that I didn’t move. His head whipped toward me, eyes flashing.

“DO IT!” He snapped.

His voice cut through me like a whip and suddenly my legs were moving, Cara’s too. He didn’t have to tell us twice.

We scurried behind the bench like rabbits bolting for cover, eyes scanning the cracked ground near the fence, desperate for anything that looked remotely large.

“What the hell is happening?!” Cara hissed again, but I could barely speak.

“I don’t know,” I said truthfully, breath short, “Maybe he’s trying to distract us so him and Leo can talk… maybe it’s nothing…”

It didn’t feel like nothing…

The gravel was useless, mostly pebbles that were too small. But just near the leg of the bench we’d been seated on, I spotted a larger, jagged rock palm–sized, solid. I snatched it up without thinking. Cara found one too, slightly smaller, but still heavy.

–

We turned and rushed back – but before I could even take a full step toward him, Coban was suddenly there.

—

He grabbed me – not hard, not painful but fast and firm, dragging me right into his chest like a shielded fortress. I gasped, caught off guard, but his arms locked around me with purpose.

His mouth was by my ear again, hot breath against my skin.

“Give me it and stay right behind me.” His voice was all grit and command. No room for questions.

–

My fingers shook as I pressed the rock into his palm it looked laughably small in his hand — and in the next second, he was moving me behind him with a single push of his arm.

I peeked around his shoulder just in time to see the three men moving toward us fast now, their pace no longer casual, their faces dark and twisted.

How had the guards out here not noticed a thing yet?! I thought, eyes scanning to count the shocking number of them compared to the inmates…

I couldn’t breathe.

And very quickly, things erupted,

“You thought we’d let you get out of these walls alive Santo?!” one of the men shouted, just before fists flew – no more words, no more build–up.

They clashed like a wave, as I watched Coban smash the rock against the head of the one who spoke first, drawing immediate blood, as I jumped and slammed my eyes shut for a second in horror…

The sound was chaotic: gravel crunching, bodies slamming, the guttural grunts of grown men fighting with no rules, no hesitation before the whistles began to blow loudly – alerting the guards.

Leo tackled one of them hard enough to knock them both off their feet, fists already hammering down, while Coban ducked a punch and swung his rock–clenched fist into the side of another man’s skull.

It made a sickening crack- the kind you don’t forget.

One of the men tried to grab Coban’s shirt, but he twisted, yanked him down by the collar and kneed him hard in the ribs, so hard I felt it from where I stood.

I wanted to scream. Or run. I didn’t know.

Cara was frozen too, clutching me with one hand clamped over her mouth.

Blood was everywhere on all of them. Someone’s nose was gushing. Another was coughing and spitting into the dirt.

And yet… neither Coban nor Leo seemed winded.

Not yet.

They moved like predators. Fluid, fast, practiced. Like they’d done this before. Many times.

It was terrifying to witness them so violent, causing for my eyes to water from the scene.

Guards eventually flooded in, just as my eyes caught one of the inmates retrieving a small makeshift blade, swinging it at Coban and ripping his shirt.

“He has a knife!” I gasp loudly, as Cara suddenly using control of her emotions entirely.

Before we could watch on, rough hands were on us, causing us to shriek, before realising that it was a large guard. “Let’s go ladies!” He yells, hauling us both towards the door to go back inside as I fight to look back at the messy scene behind us.

Many men had gathered to witness the fight, making it harder for the guards to flood in to put a stop to it.

“One of them might die?!” I cried, as the guard only tugged us onwards.

Coban could die?!

But without another second, the door closed, taking us both away from the violence completely…

Breed Me. Daddy Alpha – Chapter 273

The guard’s hand gripped my arm like a vice, yanking me and Cara inside with a grunt of frustration as the door slammed shut behind us.

“What block are you two in?” he barked hurriedly, already scanning the hallway like a bomb might go off any second.

“Block F!” I answered fast, voice high and tight, not caring that Cara wasn’t in that block but not prepared to leave her after what we had just seen.

I gave her a look to be quiet, as she nodded knowingly, face wet from tears.

My heart was hammering against my ribs like it was trying to crack its way out of my chest, my adrenaline through the roof.

“Move. Stay close.” The guard pushed on.

He didn’t wait for confirmation. Just turned and took off down the corridor at a pace that forced us to jog to keep up with him.

Sirens exploded to life a second later, shrill and echoing down every hallway like some horror movie alarm as we both jumped – clutching on to one another instantly in fright.

Red lights strobed from above us as the guards spilled into view, their shouts bouncing off of the concrete walls, “Return to your blocks! Everyone back to your assigned areas – NOW!”

“I really don’t like this Margot!” Cara gasped from beside me, one arm covering her head like debris might start falling.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t.

Everywhere we turned, people were moving frantically. Guards yelling. Inmates being herded or restrained or ignored entirely as chaos reigned – girls whimpering.

But all I could think about was Coban. The blood. The crack of bone when that rock hit the other guys head. The flash of metal as the blade swung. The way his body twisted, protecting us even when he was the one under attack…

I didn’t even get to see if he was okay…

But why did I seem to care for him so much? A man who I met last night for the first time? A man who I knew barely anything about other than how dangerous he was…

“Move it!” the guard ahead of us shouted, snapping me back to the moment. He shoved open the Block F doors, barely holding them for us to squeeze through before barking over his shoulder, “Get in your room and stay there!”

He didn’t wait to see if we obeyed either.

“Come on,” I whispered, gripping Cara’s wrist now, dragging her across the familiar common room until we reached it – the last room on the end.

Our room.

Coban’s room.

I fumbled to push open the door, my hands trembling so bad I almost missed it with Cara practically tripping in over the threshold as I slammed it shut behind us – hearing it lock automatically.

I leaned back against it, gasping for air like I’d just finished running a marathon, sweat slicking the back of my neck.

Cara didn’t speak right away. She just stared around blankly at the room – our untouched bed that Coban had surprisingly made that morning, the shared desk, the light shining in from the outside window.

Then suddenly she moved, pacing hard and fast like a caged animal, her hands yanking back through her hair as she shook her head in a panic.

“What the fuck are we doing?!” she snapped. Her voice cracked like something inside her had just shattered. “Why did we sign up for this shit?!”

I didn’t answer. Not right away. My back slowly slid down the door until I hit the carpet with a soft thud, legs folding beneath me. My limbs were still buzzing with adrenaline, my stomach turning in sick spirals.

“Don’t ask me,” I managed after a beat. “You convinced me to come here! We need the money, remember?” I state, reminding her of her own master plan as she groaned.

Her head whipped toward me, eyes wide and watery. “I know… I know! But maybe we’ve bitten off way more than we can chew here, Margot!” she cried, pacing again like her legs couldn’t sit still. “This isn’t, like, some high school testosterone brawl! These aren’t angry teenage boys fighting over a prom date! These are grown–ass men! Killers! Some of them are in here for murder!”

Her voice cracked again, and I watched as her hands went up to wipe at her cheeks, furious and frantic.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I shot back, dragging my knees up to my chest and curling around them. “I’ve been terrified from the minute we walked into this goddamn place. Why didn’t they tell us on the website that we’d actually be living in rooms with them?!” I suddenly question, running my palms down my sweaty face.

Cara groaned, a deep, hopeless sound. “I know, right? We thought we’d just be having meetings with them or something! Fuck! What do we even do now? Do we just sit in here and pretend like everything’s fine when there’s blood on the gravel and we just witnessed people swinging fucking knives around out there?” She throws out her hands, looking for an answer that I couldn’t quite give.

I didn’t answer because I didn’t know. I wasn’t even sure what we were allowed to do. What could we do?

“Will we even still get the cash if they both wind up murdered one day in to this?! How ironic for us eh? Them two dying before the end of the project… and it would all just be a big fat waste of time?” she scoffed at the thought, spinning to face me again with panic flaring in her face. “Or worse – if they die, then what if they just ship us off to a new prisoner? Like, ‘Hey, sorry your guy got shanked, here’s another

lunatic to start from scratch with!“”

She let out a desperate laugh that sounded more like a sob. “I. was settled with Leo! I was actually starting to feel okay about him. I don’t want to do this again with someone else, Margot! I can’t!”

I nodded, slowly, weakly – because yeah, I got her point. All of it.

I didn’t want to start over either. I didn’t want to sit across from another dangerous stranger and pretend it was normal. Pretend I was okay with being part of someone’s rehabilitation like some expert in emotional taming.

What if the next prisoner expected sex from me?

Because Coban hadn’t, and for that, I was more thankful now than what I had even realised at the time…

“I’m scared too,” I whispered, resting my chin on my knees. “I don’t even know if Coban’s okay. He wasn’t all bad either. What if… what if he did end up-?”

I couldn’t say it.

Couldn’t say the word “dead.”

Cara went quiet for a long second. The silence was almost worse than the screaming outside.

“Do you think they’ll tell us?” she finally whispered. “If something happens to them? Or do they just cover it up and hand us someone new with a fake smile and a clipboard?”

I stared at the door, listening to the distant sounds of sirens and boots and muffled yelling.

Would they tell us?

I had no idea.

Would Coban and Leo just become a distant memory to us? As though it hadn’t even happened at all? It didn’t seem right. It wouldn’t be fair.

–

“We just have to wait here for now, wait and see what happens next. If they say something bad happened, then we just quit.” I shrug, nodding at the idea as Cara squints.

“We can’t go back home…” She suddenly whispers.

Fuck.

She’s right…

Because home to us was far worse than here.

Breed Me. Daddy Alpha – Chapter 274

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.

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?

“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.”

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?

Breed Me. Daddy Alpha – Chapter 275

The loud click of the door buzzer jolted me awake like a slap to the face.

My eyes snapped open just in time to see the metal door unlocking itself, the small green light above it flashing in confirmation.

Cara sat bolt upright beside me. “Shit!”

–

“Crap it’s breakfast!” I gasped, already flinging the covers off and launching myself toward the dresser. “We have to get dressed before we miss it!” I shriek, scrambling to free myself of the sheets tangled at my feet.

There was no time to stretch or even think about the fact that we were still in Coban’s bed – still sprawled across it like we now owned the place.

My heart thudded in my chest with urgency as I dug through the drawers, flinging aside a balled–up pair of socks and yesterday’s crumpled vest in search of something clean.

Cara was already hopping into her set from yesterday claiming; “We’ll have to visit my room after breakfast so that I can freshen up!” As I glanced around to find her hair sticking out in about ten different directions…

I peeled off the oversized sleep shirt of Coban’s that I’d borrowed, having gave Cara a pyjama set of mine, before I reached for the folded underwear on the side unit, slipping them on with record speed.

Not fast enough to avoid flashing Cara my ass, but she was the one person alive who had seen it all before anyhow so it didn’t actually matter – I was more conscious about the open door… as I swiftly tugged up my joggers.

“You good?” Cara asked breathlessly, tugging a brush back through her thick curls with a wince as I tossed on another tight white vest – topping it with my grey zip through hoodie this time.

‘Yeah, I can come back for a shower!” I stated.

“Crap, wait!” She suddenly grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with urgency. “The bruise! Your face!”

Shit, I almost forgot about it again!

I cursed under my breath and darted into the tiny bathroom – finding that it had started yellowing a little more today.

I opened the cabinet and rummaged until I found the small concealer compact that I’d been given as part of my “starter kit” on day one.

Honestly, the sooner this damn bruise vanished from existence, the easier my life will be!

“Ok, ok! I’ve got it!” I called back, frantically dabbing and blending until it was passable.

By the time I emerged again, the room looked like a tornado had torn through it – drawers hanging open, socks on the floor, bedsheets tangled and half–hanging off the mattress, clothes everywhere; a fair mix of mine and Coban’s combined.

I groaned loudly, panicking. “Coban’s gonna kill me over this mess.”

“Then we’ll clean it later, we have time!” Cara said, tugging her sweatshirt straight. “Come on. Let’s go before they shut the damn dining hall!”

The place felt different this morning. Lighter somehow. Less chaotic.

Probably because everyone had already headed out for breakfast?!

We made it out in to the main corridors, catching a glimpse of the last flow of pairs who were filing out towards the cafeteria from another block.

We moved quickly, our slides slapping against the cold floor as we fell into step with the rest of them – glad to have made it just in the nick of time.

“You think they’ll be back by lunch?” Cara asked under her breath.

“I hope so.” My voice was hoarse. “I don’t like feeling so, exposed, I can’t explain it…” I admit, as Cara nods her head, pulling me to the line.

“I feel that, at least we knew nobody else would mess with us when those two were around… we have each other today, but how will we stand up to some of these guys?!” Cara whispers, eyeing around the room at the terrifying lot.

“We just have to lay low…” I confirm, before we shuffle forward, reaching the stack of trays before grabbing one.

The smell of reheated eggs and syrup–drenched toast made my stomach rumble despite the anxiety still curling inside me,

“The foods pretty good for a prison though, don’t you think?” Cara asked, as I laughed a little at the odd thought.

We piled a range of different items on to our trays as we moved up the line, both grabbing a bottle of water to finish.

We moved to find a table in the corner, one with only one other couple seated at the end of it.

“Who the fuck are you?” The man snapped as soon as we approached, before ripping off a piece of toast with his teeth in a far more aggressive way than what was necessary.

“Uhh… we thought that uh…” I start to blunder, wishing we hadn’t approached his empty table at all.

The girl opposite him just ate quietly, and didn’t seem too bothered by what was happening around her…

“Where’s your men?!” He snaps next, mouth full of food as his eyes narrow at the both of us being alone.

“Solitary confinement.” Cara whispers out breathlessly, before the man’s chewing seems to still.

He thinks for a second, glancing between us both, before asking; “Coban and Leo’s chicks? Or do you belong to the others?” He tests, and immediately my heart sinks.

Which one would be the right answer in his eyes?

“I’m with Coban, she’s with Leo…” I test, my voice revealing to him how unsure I was.

“Hmm… you both can go sit over there at the end, but don’t annoy me.” He waves us off, as we both nod instantly and scramble towards the last two chairs, offering him a quick thank you…

That was a close one!

We sat down stiffly, trays clattering against the scratched–up table as we lowered ourselves into the farthest corner away from the guy’s line of fire.

Cara immediately tucked into her food, stabbing a piece of sausage and chewing quickly, eyes fixed on the plate.

I tried to eat too, but my appetite wrestled with the anxiety still churning in my gut.

“Let’s hit your room first. Get you showered, so you can change into something clean.”

She agreed with a hum, before we chewed in silence for a few more minutes, the occasional clang of cutlery and low murmurs from other tables surrounding us as we finished up in record time,

Cara stood first, brushing the crumbs from her pants and nodding to the door. “Alright. Let’s get this over with before anyone else decides to pick on us.”

“Good plan.” I rose too, tucking my bottle under my arm and making sure to keep my head down again as we made our way past the man who’d barked at us earlier.

The hallway outside the cafeteria was mostly empty, which was a small mercy.

Cara’s room wasn’t far, just a few corridors down from where mine and Coban’s was.

Her room looked untouched compared to mine when we stepped inside. Clean. Quiet. Exactly how she’d left it.

Cara exhaled, like she’d been holding the air in since the cafeteria.

“I’ll be ten minutes, max,” she said, already peeling off her sweatshirt. “Make yourself useful and pick out what I’m wearing – there’s so many options.” She jokes, as we both knew there was lucky to be two.

I gave a sarcastic salute. “Yes ma’am.”

She tossed a rolled–up pair of socks at my face, grinning as she disappeared into the bathroom and clicked the door shut behind her.

I smiled faintly as I moved to her tiny dresser and started rifling through her clothes. It felt strangely comforting — like we were just two girls getting ready for a normal day…

Normal?