Young Writers Society

“They’re psychotic,” Sadie grumbled. She felt through the clothes and found another in the hem of the jacket. She sighed. At this point, she may as well abandon the clothes entirely if she decided to make a swift exit. “I’m taking a shower.”

“Yeah, you do that.”

Sadie went and took a long, long shower. Processing what had happened today. What it all meant. And, most importantly, where her boundaries would be drawn in the future. It was clear she’d let her pride run away with her on this first challenge. She’d let them run her into the ground with it.

No more. She’d figure out what she was willing to give and when she was going to walk away.

Alex leaned against the back of the sofa, closing their eyes as the water ran. Xe felt like a freshwater fish in the sea; something once comfortable turned poisonous in xer lungs. They had dreamed of having a binder, of not fearing where they'd sleep, but the circumstances under which these dreams were finally realized were painful. Alex was well acquainted with pain. They've spent hours counting the scars on xer forearms (forty-six of the circular burn scars, three jagged ones akin to lightning bolts near their elbows), but to willingly subject themselves to that situation again, trading away safety for basic necessities, felt deeply wrong.

At least it wasn’t stealing.

She felt bad about stealing. This had been honest. Stupid, no doubt. And a sick game, certainly. But how was this different from a regular job? Carpenters and miners and plumbers and so many other people got paid to do a job that destroyed their bodies.

This was no different. The only difference here was that it was for some sick satisfaction for someone else rather than a useful product. But what should she care? She got paid all the same.

Alex started to nod off, their crumpled position against the couch tiring.

Sadie dried off and sat on the edge of the tub, taking a long moment to process her thoughts before she started getting dressed. Alex was wonderful. They were. But god what she wouldn’t give to have a room to herself so she could stretch out on the bed and fall asleep. She was so tired.

Alex shook their head, attempting to get a grip on themselves. Maybe, just maybe, if Sadie assumed they weren’t tired, then she would accept the bed. Xe stood up, their joints crackling like pop rocks.

Sadie finally pulled herself together and got dressed. The clothes felt almost as nice as the shower. They were simple, but good quality, and obviously brand new. She wasn’t sure she’d ever had new clothes before. They were always second hand. And these days most of her clothes were third hand and ratty as all get out. It was nice to have sturdy fabric.

She walked back into the main room where Alex was.

Alex smiled up at her, taking a place by one of the windows. “How do you feel?”

"Like a new woman!" She cracked her back and threw her ratty clothes down on top of the dresser. She'd already split her money between her bra and her socks and her pockets. Stashed every last place she could break it up -- less likely to get completely robbed that way. "Pretty sure I used like 80 gallons of hot water and I could go for some more."

“Honestly, you deserve it. I haven’t had hot water in…” Alex pondered, counting on their fingers “…yeah I have no idea.”

Sadie nodded, gesturing behind her. "I'm sure the hotel's got more -- it wasn't even getting cold by the end of my shower. You should go enjoy it too!"

Alex nodded. “I’ll take you up on that offer. It sounds nice.” They grabbed their clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

Sadie watched them go, then slowly let out a breath. She was so tired. And the burnt ring on her wrist was getting irritated by the fabric of the jacket. She sat down on the edge of the bed and rolled up her sleeve to let the wound get some air, then laid back across the bed sideways.

She wasn't going to get under the covers. That'd muss them up and she was going to insist Alex take the bed. But she could lay down for a few minutes while they showered and then smooth down the comforter before they came and they'd be none the wiser.

She closed her eyes, thinking through what her next steps needed to be. Rest her eyes for now. Then food. Then she'd at least give it a go on hacking into their servers from her phone, even though she wasn't hopeful about that one in the least. And then, well... she didn't know. Maybe then she could stretch out and watch some TV and convince Alex to take their bed and they could all get some sleep.