Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Atlas gives me one last lingering look and then he’s gone, leaving me to obsess over exactly what he was going to say.
I pass the time doing things I wasn’t allowed to do in Rand’s house, starting with an hour-long bubble bath. If I thought the shower at the motel was luxurious, it’s got nothing on soaking in Atlas’s massive tub.
The bubbles I made using his soap are definitely a bonus. Knowing that his scent will cling to me all day soothes something inside of me.
Once the water grows cold, I drain the tub, dry off, and dress in my threadbare leggings and a hoodie I find in Atlas’s closet. I also pilfer a pair of his socks, since the only pair I brought with me is so riddled with holes they’re useless.
I make his bed and poke around his room a bit before finally giving in to my hunger, heading into the kitchen in search of food.
The pantry and fridge are both filled to the brim. Honestly, the sheer number of choices is overwhelming. With Rand, I was lucky to get scraps, and now, I’m looking at what feels like every food imaginable, and I’m allowed to eat any of it.
This is the kind of stuff I used to dream about when I was locked in the basement for days on end. And now it’s my reality.
After much deliberation, I settle on a turkey sandwich with some chips before taking my plate into the living room to eat.
The remote taunts me from the coffee table as I tuck into my meal. It’s been so long since I’ve watched TV. But Atlas said to make myself at home, so surely, he meant this, too, right?
My fingers itch to grab the remote, to press the power button and find something to watch. I used to love watching mindless reality shows.
“Just do it, Nora. Atlas said it was fine.”
Okay, well, he didn’t expressly say watching TV was okay, but he implied it.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” I reason, wondering exactly when I reached the point of talking to myself out loud.
I polish off the last of my sandwich—which was absolutely the best thing I’ve ever eaten—and then lean forward, swapping my plate for the remote.
At first, I just hold it, silently hyping myself up to turn it on.
“Be normal, Nora.” I rest my finger over the button. “Just. Be. Normal.” I apply pressure and the screen blinks to life.
It takes me a minute or two of fumbling with the menus, but eventually, I get one of their recently watched shows playing.
It appears to be some kind of true crime thing—probably not the smartest choice—but I’m turning over a new leaf today. I’m being brave, normal Nora today.
Not sad Nora or broken Nora, just everyday normal Nora.
At least I’m trying to be, anyway.
The show starts out fairly benign. A missing girl and the frantic search to find her. But things take a turn once her body is found in the woods, and before I know it, I’m sitting on the couch, clutching my knees to my chest, jumping at every little thing.
A small part of me wants to turn the show off, but I don’t. I can’t. Even though I’m shaking like a leaf, the tragic mystery playing out on the screen has me completely enraptured.
This was definitely a bad idea.
“What was that?” The sound of tires crunching draws my attention away from the show. My entire body tenses as I mute the show, listening closely while hoping it’s nothing more than my ears playing a trick on me.
A car door shuts outside.
Oh, God, someone’s here.
Maybe it’s Atlas. He said he was working a half day, but didn’t give a time. But his truck is loud… I would have heard the rumbling engine if it was him.
My already rapid heartbeat speeds up, thump-thump-thumping against my rib cage like it’s trying to break free.
Panic, fear, and paranoia press in on me from all angles, their oppressive weight leaving no room for logic.
“Nora,” a deep voice calls from outside, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand on end.
He’s here. He found me.
I scramble off the couch right as the front door opens.
“Nora!” The voice shouts my name, but I’m already down the hall with no plans of stopping.
Get somewhere safe. Atlas. Atlas is safe.
I sprint toward his room, throwing the door shut and locking it before hiding in the back of his closet.
You have to be quiet. I slap my hands over my mouth, trying like hell not to make a sound. Maybe he’ll give up. Maybe he’ll—
“Nora, where are you?”
My ears ring and my entire body trembles as visions of Rand busting down the door and dragging me back to his house flash through my mind.
I can’t go back there, I just can’t. I won’t.