Chapter 81

Russia? As in... Not the headquarters. Not here. My entire purpose was on the line. Reid's words pulled the rug out from under me and I was free falling with rickety insides, mentally scrambling and drowning. On the outside, I just stared at the man, frozen in shock and hanging on every moment.

After a long second, he continued speaking. With how close he stood, his voice sounded more intimate than smug. "I invested in a piece of property a while back once we realized you were closing in. Russia was the ideal location for a new headquarters. I have a lot of business in that part of the world, have many associates that agreed to help make it happen, and it's an area where trafficking is common but not noticed. The base and our new home isn't entirely finished yet, but it is enough for us to transfer over soon."

Soon. Apparently, very soon. Possibly, too soon and before the FBI get here. I didn't want to face the possibility. The horror was starting to creep into my bones. "You expect to move your whole operation, all of this, in two weeks."

"No, I expect you and I will be there in two weeks. It will take a while to transfer over all the essentials. But not all my workers or girls are going. While I run things from our new headquarters, this place will become my biggest sect. I'll return regularly for business. It just won't be where I'll reside, oversee, collect all information, and enforce the continuing function of my organization." He clasped his palms together and raised them to his face, resting his smooth chin on his thumbs. "You see, I could afford the FBI discovering this place... but only if it's not the central location for my business."

Reid was right: he couldn't afford it if this place is found right now. Which is the point; that's why we needed to stay right here! My deal with the FBI was to lead them to this location. It wasn't to lead them directly to Reid. That was their job (which would be easy once this place is found - and if Reid is here). But for my part, all I had to do was stay here. Technically, they already have the location because I'm here and with their tracking device. That is how I know my end of the deal is kept... but it meant me staying here until they arrive.

There was a car crash inside me that burned more than the brand marking my skin. My eyes were frozen in Reid's, but my mind was in free-fall mode, trying to grasp at anything, any piece of hope or sanity! I couldn't go anywhere. That's all I could think. Reid could set up a new base all he wants, just don't take me! Because if this location is uncovered anytime soon (which it would be if I stayed here), his new base wouldn't be far enough along. That way if this location is uncovered... Reid would be fucked anyway. For that to happen, I just couldn't go to fucking Russia.

I didn't want to panic or lose hope. I mean two weeks.... That had to be plenty of time for the FBI to show their faces, right? Right? I would think they would get here before then, but I didn't know! I just didn't know; that would be cutting it close.

"You alright?" he asked softly, but an observant flare crossed his expression. Hands dropping, he rested them on my hips. "I didn't mean to drop so much on you. Obviously, this is going to have a huge impact on your everyday life. Like our dining room at the new place might not have a pretty view like the one here."

As if his contact electrocuted me through the dress, I jolted back, but his hands were too strong on my hips and I stayed in place. I couldn't deck him either because I was cuffed. What was worse was his heavily-laced sarcastic words. He made a point. I had no reason to care about any of what he was saying. I've lost all hope, remember?

I tried justifying my display of shock and panic. "Russia isn't around the fucking block! Just because I'm screwed doesn't mean I can't be shocked and don't feel anything."

"What do you feel then?" he smiled. It was such a natural and real smile too. I didn't fucking understand.

"I feel like breaking your hands if you don't get your paws off me. You can take me back to my glass box now."

Eyes flicking down to my scowling lips, his chest jumped with a hum of amusement. "You aren't going back there for a while. Your first session is tonight. You should be excited. I know you've been curious about what the girls experience."

Yes, I was curious about what these girls go through... you know, before five minutes ago when I learned I had every reason to freak out! I needed to figure out what the fuck to do! Because if you guys couldn't guess, I wasn't going to happily board a plane with psycho. Guess I'd have to figure this shit out later.

Two of Reid's men took me off his hands. They escorted me back towards the Confinement Area, but we went down a different block of hallways. There were doors with numbers next to them. The men typed in a passcode at the door of room five and flipped the deadbolt. It was the first time seeing those. It was the first time seeing and experiencing a lot of things once we entered.

The hall we came from was white, clean, bright like every other hallway. When we entered, it was colder. There was a distinct smell of grease, metal, dirt, and dampness. We also became engulfed in darkness after groaning metal and an iron heavy click reached the air. I realized it was the door shutting behind us. Jesus, you wouldn't think it was iron from the other side.

One of the men pulled the string of a single lightbulb above us and it dimly lit the small room. The four walls and ceiling were all cement and mostly bare. There were only two wooden chairs and a slim table with straps next to the iron door. The back wall had a wide mirror. It was grubby and had water spots.

My chest swirled in unease. Whatever was about to happen in this cement room would be awful. "How long is this going to take?"

No answer. Taking my handcuffs off, they turned to the door. No, I'm not just being left in here like this! When they opened it, I immediately tried bolting out. Both of them shoved me back, making me fall, and made a swift exit. Well thanks, assholes. And thanks for fucking telling me what this means, what will happen, how- wait, what is that?

From where I landed, my knees were damp and so was the pink fabric under me. My hand rested on something with texture when I propped myself up: a drain. A huge drain. There were long drains that bordered the back wall too. What the hell? And why is the floor damp? What is this place, a demented shower room?

You could barely notice, but the suffocating cement walls had a lot of crooks, latches, and holes. Thankfully, the holes weren't large enough to be classified as gloryholes... unless there were some shrimp-dicks on the other side. No, these latches and holes were definitely made for things to be attached to them. No doubt to make the experience in here even fucking better.

Just as I got to my feet, a man entered. Didn't even acknowledge me, but I shouldn't complain. Hovering in the left corner by the door, I watched him withdraw something from a circular opening in the floor. It was a large retractable hose, it's size reminding me of a massive python. There was a metal level near the narrowed spout. Then... the 'fun' began.

Pointing the spout in my direction, he pulled the lever. Before I could even blink, a fierce rush of water plowed into me and sent my ass back to the hard floor. The only thing I could comprehend was vibrating stings of water. There was no room for me to even bitch about it being cold; that's how fast this water was hitting me. All I felt was stinging pain. I was flinching, holding my hands up, turning my face away so my gasping lips had air.

Jesus fuck, did this dude get this hose from a firetruck?! Either from the force of the water or my instinctive need to get away... I eventually found myself with my back pushed against the back wall. I shielded myself with my knees huddled against my chest and my head ducked into my arms. The stings started to feel like burns from where the water hit me.

Being attacked by a spikey rush of water wasn't pleasant, but bottom line: it could be worse. That's what I needed to remember. Hell, Clare did similar shit like this to me. Just hold on for a little bit longer and wait it out.

However, it took several minutes of waiting, waiting for something else to happen, to realize... this was it. The water didn't stop. The only thing that changed was my increasing heartrate and dread. Why wasn't this stopping? How long would this go on for?

The answer: way too long. I stayed huddled against that wall the whole time, being pelted and doused. My body was getting used to it and became numb, but the pain didn't go away. Especially when the narrow cone of water would shift every few minutes and hit a different area of my body, igniting that whipping sensation all over again.

I would guess he blasted me with that water for maybe 40 minutes to an hour. Yes, he was very lucky I didn't have a super-soaker to get revenge because I was fucking done.

When he finally stopped, it felt weird and foreign. My soaked body tingled and the burn set in more. Despite that, I was happy the water stopped. I could maybe catch a break (or my breath). The tightness in my muscles didn't agree though and I stayed tense. The coldness hitting me like a brick wall didn't help either.

I forced my numb defensive legs to stretch out before me. They were red as were my arms. The soaked dress was bunched up to my hips and the neckline was torn and stretched, revealing the top of my bra. Like I could care at that moment. Panting through bared teeth, I noticed the man laid the hose down.

The door opened. Just as the guy left, a different man entered the room. He wore a tan sweater and khakis, was slightly chubby with blonde hair, and was holding a clipboard. If we weren't in a small dungeon, he could be mistaken for a real professional. "Albany, I'm honored to introduce to you the first stage of your transformation. As you can see, these first lessons are rough, unpleasant, painful. It will be a hard learning experience for you. That's how it has to be - and should be. You'll come to understand you deserved what just happened," he said, dragging a chair out and sitting next to the door, that portion of the room still dry.

I felt so beat up and exhausted, his words held no meaning at first. I stared at him, water from my soaked body and dress puddling under me. He dove into what was clearly a more mental attempt to break me down.

"Entertain this thought for me: you were always, and will always be, a mosquito."

"I-I... I ain't doing metaphors," I said hoarsely between with my hard breath.

"It's not a metaphor," he said in a calm tone. "You're weak, you're small, insignificant. The only thing you do is burden, annoy, and drain people."

I wasn't in the best mental shape, but come on! Does he really think this would get to me? "Well I am a v-very effective and popular mosquito then. Worth this entire business being jeopardized," I breathed, trying not to shiver.

"Yes, you're worth a lot. You're valuable, but that doesn't make you a valuable person. When it comes to who you are... you're nothing but a mosquito."

What was with the mosquito thing? I didn't really care. As he continued trying to bait me, I kept my mind occupied. My discomfort, the cold, and hunger helped.

"Have you ever thought about your effect on the world? All the people in your life?"

I would kill for a blanket. Or food. Both.

"Imagine where all those people would be if you weren't born," he said.

I could settle for... well any hot food. Pizza, potatoes, lasagna. Fucking BBQ chicken - with spice! That would heat me up and satisfy my hunger. They needed a KFC in here.

"Name a person in your life that you did not damage or burden."

He finally caught my interest. KFC put up a good fight in my head... but those words stuck with me. I knew he was trying to manipulate my thinking. But after considering his words... it dawned on me. There wasn't a single person I didn't negatively effect. Though not my fault, that even includes Clare. Which this guy was bold enough to get into.

"You burdened people before you were even born. You ruined your parent's relationship. Your own father sold you because that's how much of a problem you became. They needed money and he was desperate. All because of you. You can't blame your dad for leaving. And your mother was so annoyed by you, she abused you," he paused, then stressed his next words. "Think about just how deep of an affect you had... to actually drive your own mother crazy and cruel. To make her hate you, torture you, not want anything to do with you. You ruined her life so much that she-"

"What the fuck is this?" I scoffed, my stomach and chest trembling from the cold. Resting against the back wall, I pushed back the wet hair stuck to the side of my face and wrapped my arms across my torso to try to stay warm.

"This is reality."

"It's my fault my parents were stupid and got pregnant with me?" It's not my fault they weren't ready for a kid. It's not my fault they had awful judgement. And it definitely was not my fault that my own mother couldn't handle raising me.

"I'm explaining how you affected them. I'm not saying what they did is justified. I'm simply saying... those things happened because of you. Am I not correct?"

I wasn't going to break because of this. Believe me, I thought about this shit enough. Clare pretty much drilled into me how everything was my fault, but I never let her get to me. It wasn't my fault she was weak. But I couldn't argue with this man. Whether it was right or wrong, it was technically true. A lot of what happened, what they did, my mother turning hostile and miserable... was in result of me just being alive.

I was starting to get pissed. My tight jaw helped keep my shakiness from spreading. "Yeah, can we move on now? Believe me, I think she proved that every day of my life. You're not breaking new ground."

"Yes, we can move on. Let's talk about Luke."

Soaking wet, cold, and sore... I also tensed up twice as much. I should have known they would use him as a way to get to me. I just couldn't let it phase me. "If you're going to talk about how much I burdened him too, save your time. I fucking know." Did they really think I never considered how my life impacted his?

"Then you should realize by now how you are nothing but a mosquito. The lives of your parents went downhill because of you. And then, you ruin and leach off a man who had a normal life. You played with his heart, dragged him into your drama, put his life at risk numerous times. You devastated his psyche for three years and still have the audacity to toy with it. You wrecked his future because of your own problems; he's either going to prison or he will never be a police officer again. All because you are weak, needy, and drain people. Albany... you're nothing but a pest. A mosquito." Thumbing the edge of his clipboard, he leaned back into his chair. His expression was calm and thoughtful as he spoke softly next. "Think about it. Really think about it. Think about how structured and put together he was before you crashed into his life. Think about the damage you have done since then. Think about how his morals changed. Not just him though, even his family. You allowed his brother to get involved, his innocent niece, and his parents. You caused a rift in that whole family. Just because you weren't strong enough. You weren't strong enough to put your feelings and selfishness aside. You were weak and dragged them all in, burdened them, and left a scar."

You guys know I already beat myself up over how much trouble I caused Luke and his family. But his words added a sickening light. Validation I was weak and selfish.

Yes, I tried keeping them out of it. Tried keeping Luke away and out of my problems, but he wouldn't listen. Regardless, I could have done more. There were many times where I had the opportunity. I could have run off, turned myself over to Reid at any time, I could have stopped Luke from risking his life over and over. I could have stopped this all if I just wasn't selfish. His family's worry, Francis getting involved, and Brooke being put through a traumatic experience. I burdened them all....

"Even those kids at school... many were scared of you. Stressed. Your teachers all had to stick up for you. Your school's reputation was even on the line."

"All those small-minded dipshits deserved it," I mumbled.

The man chuckled, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his legs. Brows raising, his eyes stayed engaged in mine. His voice turned sincere. "I'm not saying they didn't. Albany... I can not fathom just how unfair the world has been to you. You were dealt a shit hand. Whether they deserved it or not though, my point is... you were still a burden. Tell me I'm wrong: you were always trouble and nobody liked you. Doesn't matter why, doesn't matter if it was your fault, you were a burden. Sometimes, it was your fault. You would taunt people, your friends even, and you were aggressive. People were scared of you. Nobody wanted anything to do with you - with good reason."

Staring down at the wet hard floor, I bit the inside of my cheek. I wasn't stupid. I knew the man was trying to bait me and break me. But... guys, he wasn't wrong! He really wasn't. I've accepted responsibility for a lot of people suffering, but I never really realized that there was a pattern, that I burdened everyone - and I mean everyone. I made their lives worse once I entered them. Every single one of them... I inflicted so much pain and destruction. If my breath wasn't already sharp from the cold, it was now.

"I want you to say you are a burden. I want you to admit the truth," he said.

I scoffed, eyes flicking up to him. "Um... the truth? You are all out of your fucking minds. You think this will break me? It's pathetic."

He glanced up and above my head against the back wall. Looking at the mirror. Then, he made a motion with his index finger. A signal. Sick fucks.... I should have known it wasn't just a mirror! I guess I shouldn't be shocked. After all, I've been on display this whole time. Why wouldn't I be now?

The door opened a few moments later and the same man from earlier walked in. I internally groaned when I watched him grab the hose. Jesus, here we fucking go.

The guy holding the hose only aimed it towards me, showing the threat. The blonde man in the chair continued speak. "Admit to yourself, out loud, that... you are a burden. You're a mosquito. You are weak, you leech off of people, drain them of happiness. You get close to nice people then hurt them. You wreck people. Say it. You are a burden."

I was a burden. I was also stubborn.

After receiving my silence, the man pulled the lever and... fuck! That icy rush smacked back into me. Holy god damn! Shielding my face, I was gasping for air and groaning loudly in pain all at once. It was getting worse! What the hell? The water was stronger, the speed increasing! The guy obviously moved closer, but I couldn't see. Couldn't fucking see anything.

The water intensifying was bad enough, but then it was pointed directly in my face! Oh my god, that hurts! That fucking hurts! Eyes shut tight, I scrambled and squirmed to block it, but it didn't work. It was as if he followed me and held the nozzle two feet in front of my face! Fuck, I needed to breathe. I squirmed away, but it didn't stop. It continued to fuck my face. No matter how many times I tried to block it, cover my face, turn away from it, it still ambushed my whole face. The-

The water invaded my mouth, nose, and throat! Flooded me with pressure my body didn't agree with. I was coughing. Chest convulsing too, lungs a mess, I couldn't stop coughing. Coughing as water kept slamming into my face.

Suddenly, it stopped. Gasping, trying to breathe, my coughing continued. I realized I was curled on my side against the back wall.

"You are a burden. Say it."

Really? This was the fucking game we were going to play? "Fuck you," I choked out against the ground.

My cough subsiding, the pain set in; my face was numb, freezing, yet burning like a bitch! But I didn't say it. And if you couldn't guess... the same thing happened.

They terrorized me with that hose several times. Taking a break, pushing me to say it, then continuing. After maybe the 7th or 20th time, the water stopped again. The only sound was my ridged breath. I was flat on my stomach, cheek against the cement, shaking violently.

Behind closed eyes, I was ready and waiting to hear the demand again. However, the only sound was the door. Opening my stinging eyes, both men were gone. In their place was Reid. Oh joy.

His eyes met mine as he grabbed the back of the chair... dragging it closer to me. Then, he seated himself in front of my shivering and soaked body, making me eye level with his dress shoes. I'm extremely ashamed to admit this... but seeing him was almost a relief.

"Are you cold?" he asked, barely holding back a laugh. Ha ha.

My body was shaking, matching the quiver in my chin that made my teeth start to clatter. The cold dominated my nerves, but I couldn't pass up the chance to try. After slowly raising myself to my hands and knees... I clenched my fist, swung fast, and punched him right in the crotch. Oh, and it felt damn good. He groaned and flinched, face tightening. I collapsed back to the floor on my stomach, feeling a little better.

After taking a deep breath, he scoffed, propping a leg up over his other. Good. Be scared I'll strike again. "At least you're half undressed so I can admire your beauty."

Yes, my dress ripped around hose-down number 11. To the point where the pink material was bunched at my hips, my torso and bra exposed. Looking down at me though, he could only see my bare back at the moment.

In a more serious and caring voice, he said, "Albany, even if you don't believe it or mean it... all you need to do is say you're a burden and this will stop."

Really? No shit it will stop if I admit I'm a burden. I wanted to laugh. I might be a burden, but I wasn't stupid. I knew what they were trying to do. "Wow, I had no idea. Thanks for coming in here and so sweetly telling me, Mr. Good Cop. You going to fetch me a blanket and pizza too?" I said through uneven breaths. Reid coming in here was such an obvious display of them trying to manipulate my mind.

He chuckled, eyes catching mine. They were warmer, sincere actually. "I'm not shocked you understand the psychology behind our methods. Regardless, if I brought you a blanket and a pizza, you would still want it."

Cheek against the wet floor, I narrowed my scolding eyes before closing them. Just because he was right didn't mean I couldn't be pissed about it. Reid continued talking to me, but I ignored him, knowing exactly why he was here. Knowing it was to condition me; have my mind associate safety and relief with him. He wasn't safe. He was doing this. He was basically the one hosing me into pain until I admit I'm a burden.

After he left the room, those two men returned, and the cold torture continued. For hours.

***

Withholding those words felt like the only thing I had left. They finally realized that. Because sometime, in and out of a daze, the water stopped. They were gone, and I was alone. The door didn't open back up.

I laid there for a long time. Sore, freezing, and now absolutely exhausted. The water dripping down my face to the floor tried sealing my eyelids closed. I wanted to sleep, but my trembling body didn't agree. Sleep, Russia, and my guilt for everything filtered through my aimless mind. I pondered over each extensively.

Until finally, eventually, the door opened up. And wouldn't you know it....

"Albany?" he asked quietly.

Looking up, all I could think was that I was so thankful to be exhausted... otherwise I would have genuinely laughed (purely just on instinct though). Reid stood there, holding a blanket.

"My savior. Oh, what could I do without you, I feel so safe and happy with you," I groaned.

"Believe me, you eventually will," he said, walking over to me. "Your session is finished."

Before he could offer me assistance, I struggled to get up on my own. It was much harder. My joints were stiff, my body sore and exhausted. I hated that he knelt next to me and wrapped that blanket around me, helping me up.

Exhausted, sleepy, and dazed... he helped me to my feet. And I fucking pushed and struggled, trying to get him away from me. I was too weak, my muscles gone, the cold not helping. Despite fighting him, trying to get away, it didn't work. He held me close to him and dried me off with the blanket.

"Is the pizza on its way too?" I spat with disgust.

"I apologize, it's not out of the oven yet," he laughed. Reid discarded the blanket after I was mostly dry, but still freezing. I felt it was replaced by a coat I didn't notice before. No doubt his coat; how fucking sweet. "Here, this should keep you warm," he said, sliding the coat on me and around my shoulders.

Right... because it's for sure going to help me warm up while I'm still wearing my wet clothes. It wouldn't be for long though. After he oh so sweetly said he'd see me later, the two men that brought me here showed up. Dripping and shaking, dress barely hanging on under the coat, I was escorted back toward the wide bedroom cell behind glass. My vision wandered, I was so out of it, but I noticed sunlight from the small windows. I wasn't surprised it was day. I was in that dungeon of hell forever.

We passed the plexiglass and bedroom, walking straight to a familiar door. I went through it earlier where I was prepped, dressed, and made presentable by that one chick. Her job was apparently to doll us up each day. And sure enough, she was perched in a seat by her vanity when the men dragged me inside the dressing room. Her uninterested brown eyes rose to mine before looking down with a sigh. As if I was a burden. Shut up; I internally kicked myself.

Before she could clean me up, the two men introduced a device to me. At first, I assumed it was a necklace. The silver chain was smooth and thick. Shape similar to the hose from earlier, it reminded me of a snake too. Except this one was a silver garter snake. Harmless looking compared to its fatass momma that retracted from the ground. I should have known better though. Even though my own momma was awful, I did inherit some of my defining qualities from her.

They clasped the thick silver necklace around my neck. It wasn't loose and could be classified almost as a choker. I was too out of it to care, ask questions, or wonder why they gave me a necklace. I was also too out of it to notice they didn't just 'clasp' it like I assumed. One of the guys locked it with a delicate small key. I found that out the hard way later.

After that, the men uncuffed me and left, leaving me with the woman. It was hard standing on my own and I rested against one of the cluttered walls. She immediately was out of her chair and facing me, lips pursing in annoyance. Her eyes in mine were full of resentment.

"For such a notoriously strong fighter, the least you could do is stand up straight. You're not going to be in here for long," she mumbled. Blinking my red wet eyes, I stood up straight. It allowed her to easily grab the dress on my hips and pull it down and off me. In just a bra and underwear under this useless coat, I was freezing even more.

"W-What if... what if I want a shower?" I asked in a daze. She's wanted me to take a shower before. I think sacrificing my 'stank' would be worth getting warm this time.

She raised one of her nicely plucked and full eyebrows and shook her head. "You're killing me. Ask another time. Though your session is over, you're not allowed a shower yet. To understand your experience, you are supposed to stay cold until you air dry. Which means this is how you will be sleeping," she said, waving a hand up and down, indicating my body. Then, she quickly grabbed a brush from her vanity and returned to me. "I'd put you in my chair but you're a wet mess."

I was too exhausted and done to care. Whatever. I have to stay cold, I have to sleep in just my bra and underwear, blah blah blah. Just fuck everyone.

After she grudgingly brushed my knotty hair, she escorted me into the familiar bedroom. Luckily, the girls knew to back the fuck off and leave me be. They stayed quiet (including chatty girl shockingly). I plopped on one of the beds and it wasn't two seconds later that I was asleep.

***

ZZZZZZZ

I jolted awake. Eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. What was that? It was a rough vibration, almost a small shock.

ZZZZZZZ

The skin around my neck buzzed and pricked with needle points of electricity. It didn't hurt too bad, but it definitely got my attention! What-

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I reached up and grabbed my neck. I felt the silver necklace and remembered that the men put it on me before sleep. With horror, I realized it was no ordinary necklace. It was a shock collar.

Sitting up in bed, waiting for a fourth minor shock in a row, my wide eyes bolted between the three girls. My fingers danced all over and around my neck, clawing at it, looking for a way to get it off. "What is this? What are they doing?!" I demanded, much more aware and alert than before I fell asleep.

The one dark-haired brainwashed chick... what was her name? Samantha. Samantha gave me sympathetic eyes. "You don't need to freak out, it only goes off three times in a row to make sure you are up."

Up? I didn't understand what she was talking about. I just stared at her. While the still kind-of-sane chick kept to herself, Chatty smiled and jumped in. "It's your level one necklace!"

"Dumbass, this is a shock collar!" I exclaimed.

Chatty (think her name is Erica) tried to reassure me. "It's just meant to wake you up every three hours - depends how they programmed each one. I think for you... I think you've only been sleeping two hours. You can go back to sleep though, nothing is wrong. It just wakes you up every two hours."

Even though I felt at least a little well rested... I could feel it in my body. I wasn't. I was tired. And to know it's because of this-this... this fucking thing! Jesus, every two hours. For how long?

"When do they take this off of me?" I asked. I can't function, I can't do anything, I can't be strong if I don't get sleep!

That was the point. "They don't take it off you. Not until you've reached higher levels in your sessions."

My gut sank. Sure, I can go back to sleep right now... but I won't stay asleep longer than two hours! And that's just how things will be now. Honestly, it made sense. Sleep deprivation on top of everything else won't exactly slow their progress. But god damn, it's going to slow mine! I have to stay put! I have to live and survive - without going to Russia! How am I going to even manage getting out of that! Especially now that I will miss out on so much sleep!

No, there has to be a way for this to come off. I wasn't going back to sleep until I get this thing off my neck!

I crossed my bare legs against the made bed (I was apparently too tired to get under the covers earlier even though I was freezing). And though I was aware of just being in my bra and underwear, there was something I forgot about.

As I started to yank, feel for a groove, anything on the silver chain... the sight of my arms and the sleeves reminded me that I was wearing Reid's coat. For the first time though... I noticed it was a wool coat.

I stopped messing with the necklace. My body froze. I slowly lowered my arms in front of me. Wool coat. It was also the same color as....

My heart picked up and with haste, with dread, wanting more... My eyes were already blurry with tears at the high possibility! I flung my body up on my knees to get a better look, grabbed the hems of where it parted and lifted it more into view against me.

Sure enough. Same color, same buttons, same small details. This was Luke's coat.

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A lot dropped on Albany and a lot she needs to figure out. Do you think she will be able to handle it? Especially this last little surprise? Those of you asking for Luke's POV... well, I'm glad you want it, but now you'll have to suffer with Albany and just not know what he's going through - or now if he is even okay....