Page 36 of Caging Liberty
“Drunk people.”
The hushed voices reach me in my sleep, pulling me awake. When I open my eyes, the room is well lit with sunlight. The voices are at my back, so I sit up and turn toward them.
Three women are perched on the bed next to me, and when one’s large, muddy eyes lock onto me, she slaps the blonde who opens her mouth to speak.
“Ow.” The blonde woman rubs her chest. “What the hell?”
Muddy-Eyes nods toward me, leading all three to turn to look.
“Oh.” The blonde’s lips lift into a tight smile. “Hi.”
“You heard gunshots?” I ask, pushing my messy hair back and sitting up straighter.
Blondie and the third woman wearing black-rimmed glasses exchange a look.
Glasses is the one who speaks. “Last night. There were several after we got back to the room.”
“Lily,” Muddy-Eyes scolds, her condemnation more evident in her bugging eyes than in her voice. “We don’tknowthat’s what it was. And we’re not supposed to gossip.”
Someone groans from beneath a comforter on a bed across from us. “Oh my god, would you guys keep it down? Some of us are still trying to sleep.”
“Sorry, Molly,” Lily whispers toward the hidden woman.
Someone pokes me in the back, and I jump, whipping around while my spine steels. Naomi’s sleepy eyes find mine, and I glance down at a blanket and pillow on the floor beside the bed.
“Hey,” she says, giving me a smile that’s either sad or tired. “Scoot over.”
I quickly make room for her and grab hold of her arm as she climbs into bed beside me. The other women whisper, and I’m not convinced it’s only out of politeness for those sleeping. I get the sense that they don’t want me to hear them.
“Are you okay?” I ask, scanning her as if I could see the emotional scars I know she must have.
“Yeah,” she whispers, glancing over me at the other women. She gives me a look that tells me she doesn’t want them to hear our conversation as much as they don’t want me to hear theirs. “Would be better if you hadn’t stolen my bed.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” I peer down at the mattress, then back to Naomi. “I didn’t know—”
“Hush, I’m kidding. I’m just happy to see you. I would’ve woken you up last night if I’d known it was you.”
“Surprise.” I half-heartedly smile. “I’m happy to see you too. Seriously, though, are you okay? What’s happened since I last saw you?”
“I’m fine.” Her eyes drift to the other women again. “You need to worry about yourself. Honestly, I’m surprised you’re not dead.”
“Not quite,” I say, half joking.
“Don’t trust any of these people, okay?” Naomi’s voice is low, and her eyes are cold. “They’ll rat on you in a second. Sawyer has almost everyone here brainwashed, so if you’re thinking of planning something, don’t try to involve them. It isn’t worth it.”
I hadn’t been thinking of planning anything let alone whether I’d be able to recruit any of the women. Before last night, I hadn’t been sure I’d even make it up here.
“Okay,” I whisper anyway.
“And don’t try to tell anyone your real name.” Her jaw tightens as she looks at the bed with the woman under the covers. “It’s against the rules, and these bitches are more than happy to get you in trouble.”
“Really?” I turn my head to peek at the three still whispering. That would explain them not wanting me to hear their conversation.
We’re not supposed to gossip.
“Trust me, I learned that the hard way. Just keep your head down and do whatever you’re told.”
I huff out a breath. “Yeah, okay.”