Chapter 4 - Unsettled

Margot's POV

"But I do have a question for you..." I clear my throat now, as Laura's brows lift expectantly.

"Do we have to live alone?" I asked quickly, the thought hitting me harder now. "Could I at least be housed with my friend? Because I mean, this place is certainly big enough for two, right?" I state, looking around at the high ceilings and spacious room for emphasis.

Her expression softened, seeing the plea in my eyes. Almost... guilty looking now?

"Well uh... I could ask," she said gently with a short shrug. "Maybe even if it’s just for tonight?"

Hope instantly flared up in my chest so fast that it almost hurt.

"Would you?" I asked, suddenly hopeful, leaning forward slightly.

Too eager.

Too desperate.

But I didn't even care, because I knew if one thing would could come close to making me feel better - it would be having Cara back with me.

"Of course," she smiled. "What's her name?"

"Cara Owens," I said quickly. "She was dropped off somewhere nearby - she can't be too far - she was the last one to get out before me!"

"Okay," Laura nodded. "Let me see what I can do..." she agreed, and I suddenly felt somewhat hopeful.

Maybe I'd judged this woman too soon? Maybe she wasn't bad after all? Maybe her intentions to 'welcome us' to their town were actually pure?

But I still couldn't shift the lingering feeling that something more sinister was at play behind the scenes around this place. Something just didn’t feel entirely right about anything…

Maybe this woman was just exceptionally good at playing her part? And so I couldn’t allow myself to trust anyone too soon... despite the kindness.

After all, to her, I was no doubt being viewed as some dangerous suspect. She most likely thinks that I could've had a hand in whatever the hell went down back at the prison that landed us all here!

And It still bothered me that they wouldn’t disclose any of it to us either…

How crazy is that though, right? Oh - let’s ship you all off the island, handcuff you, take you to an unknown location, and lock you up in a perfect looking little town until we can smooth some things over?

It was the wildest thing I’d ever heard!

This whole stunt tops the idea of the prison project altogether because now, they had well and truly flipped us on our heads and made us volunteers - the prisoners!

"Laura, times up. Let's move on." My posture snapped rigid hearing the soldiers tone break me out of my thoughts - his head rounding the door as he eyed his wife.

She stood up quickly, dusting herself down, tossing me another billion dollar smile with a steadying sigh...

"Well, Margot, it was lovely to meet you! Let me see what I can do about your little friend," she said, already backing up toward the door. "Your food should arrive soon too and someone else will come tomorrow morning to explain what happens next. But until then, please make the most of everything that's been supplied to you here - it's all yours!" She chirps happily, making me feel as though I had just been welcomed in to a damn holiday resort for the week!

I didn't thank her for any of it...

Not yet.

Because I didn't trust any of this.

Didn't entirely trust her.

I just pushed a tight lipped smile back at her and watched as she left, her husband’s boots stomping down the hallway followed by the softer sound of her flip flops hurrying behind him.

The door opened, then shut, leaving me in a deadly silence once again.

“Fuck!” I breathed out, suddenly needing the dramatic exhale of air.

The whole visit from Laura and her husband now felt like it hadn’t even happened at all. Like it was just my imagination.

I shook my head, hoping that she’d stick to her word and would at least manage to get Cara over here for the night…

That way, we could debrief together without any listening ears…

Process how horrific the entire day had been together…

I sniffled my nose to fight back my emotions, feeling I had cried enough today already, and instead I headed for the kitchen - exploring it more thoroughly this time.

I opened the fridge again, taking a second bottle of water, before I cracked it open and began to drink.

I guess this could be one good thing about this place? The icy cold water they’d stocked in the fridge…

I sighed a little, my eyes roaming around carefully this time, as I began to pull open drawers and cupboards to find the cutlery, dinnerware and other basic kitchen finds…

I moved toward the large kitchen island next, placing the bottle down before leaning against the marble countertop with a groan.

My entire body ached now that the adrenaline had worn off. My eye pulsed steadily. My wrists still sore from the cuffs.

But my chest hurt the most…

Because every quiet second in this place only made me think about him more.

Coban.

What was he doing right now?

Had he lost it completely when they told him we weren’t coming back?

A lump rose painfully in my throat.

I could practically picture it.

The fury.

The shouting.

The violence.

Because there was no way he’d have accepted it quietly.

No way.

Especially not after the great week we’d just had…

The way things had finally started feeling… real between us.

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly.

Stop!

Thinking about him was only making this harder…

I dragged in a slow breath before pushing myself upright again, wandering further around the kitchen aimlessly.

Then-

Ding, Dong!

I froze instantly.

The bottle nearly slipped from my fingers.

Another knock followed quickly after.

Louder this time.

I stared down the hallway, every muscle in my body tightening as silence settled over the house again.

Through the hazy glass beside the front door, I could make out a large silhouette.

Definitely male.

Another soldier…

For one horrible second, I expected the door to just open again. Expected them to stroll in like they owned the place, like Laura and Tyler had…

But they didn’t.

Instead-

BANG. BANG. BANG.

A harsher knock rattled through the house.

“Miss Belle, open up!”

The deep voice barked through the wood, making me jump.

I stared toward the hallway for another second too long, my stomach twisting nervously.

Maybe it was just the dinner Laura had mentioned?

“Margot Belle!” the voice yelled my name out again, more impatient this time as more knocks followed - hammering down on the door.

I forced myself to move in that moment.

Quickly.

Not wanting to test his patience any further.

The cold floor pressed beneath my bare feet as I stepped out of the kitchen and into the hallway, my heartbeat hammering louder with every step I took toward the door.

I reached it slowly.

Hesitated.

Then unlocked it carefully before pulling it open…