Laurel.

The room feels smaller than it did an hour ago.

Maybe it's the weight of my guilt or the way Sophia’s silent judgment suffocates me.

She’s sitting cross-legged on the bed now, cautiously spooning bites of canned soup into her mouth, the cuffs on her wrists jingling softly with every movement.

Her face is blank, but her eyes? They’re daggers. Every glance she throws my way feels like a blow, a reminder of the mess I’ve made. Even when she is half smiling through it all.

Basic psychopath behavior and I wish I could read her mind.

I lean against the wall, arms folded, forcing myself to meet her gaze when she looks up.

She doesn’t trust me—why would she? I wouldn’t trust me either.

But I can’t undo what’s already been done. All I can do is try to make it right. Somehow.

“You should let me help you clean up,” I say finally, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.

Nobody is trying to sound desperate or like they don't care enough.

Sophia pauses mid-bite, her expression skeptical and shocked at the same time.

“You’re kidding, right?”

I take a step closer, careful to keep my movements slow. Earlier she snuggled up closer to me, she put her head on my shoulder and I wanted to bask in that.

I wanted to feel like we were friends again but the guilt tugging at my stomach just couldn't let me.

“I’m not kidding. You’ll feel better once you’re cleaned up, I promise.” I clear my throat . “I have fresh clothes.”

As if that's supposed to make it all go away. A bed bath and fresh clothes to make up for a fucking kidnapping. Wow!

Her laugh is sharp and unmistakably bitter. “Right, because I’m all about comfort while chained to a bed.”

She tugs at the cuff to remind me it's still there.

I bite back a sigh, my heart sinking to my belly.

“Look, I get it. You hate me. You think I’m some heartless monster. Fine. But I don’t want you to feel like…” I trail off, searching for the right words.

But truth be told, there are no right words. Everything I say to her now is just bullshit and I know that.

“Like you’re less than human. This situation sucks, I know that. Let me do something to make it a little less awful,” I continue despite my resolve.

Sophia stares at me for a long moment, and I can see the wheels turning in her head.

She clearly doesn’t trust my motives, and she’s probably right not to. But I’m not lying—not about this, at least like I did with everything else from the point we met.

“Fine,” she says at last, setting the soup aside. I'm supposed to be scared because how is she giving in this easily? But I'm so desperate for any sort of normalcy between us that I overlooked that.

“But if you try anything—”

“I won’t,” I interrupt, raising my hands in surrender. “I swear. Just here to help.”

Before she can change her mind, I move like a robot, gathering supplies from the tiny bathroom attached to the cabin. Warm water in a basin, a bar of soap and a soft washcloth.

I grab the spare clothes from my bag: a plain T-shirt and sweatpants.

Wondering why I have a bag full of clothes? Well, this was the contingency plan in case the thing about going in and coming out at the hotel as Mr. Black did not work.

By the time I return to the room, Sophia is watching me with pure suspicion.

“This is weird,” she mutters as I set the basin on the nightstand.

I can’t argue with that.

“I know,” I admit. “But it’s necessary. Trust me, you’ll feel better afterward.”

She doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t argue, either. I take that as permission to proceed.

“I’m going to start with your hands,” I say softly, dipping the washcloth into the warm water and wringing it out. “Tell me if I hurt you.”

She scoffs. She probably wants to say that I've already hurt her but she doesn't.

Her hands are rough, the skin around her wrists red and raw from the cuffs. I work carefully, gently cleaning away the grime.

She doesn’t flinch, but I can feel the tension in her body, like she’s waiting for me to make a wrong move.

“This isn’t how I wanted things to go,” I say quietly, my focus on her wrists because let's face it, I can't look her in the eye.

Sophia snorts. “Yeah, because kidnapping me was such a thoughtful plan.”

I flinch at the word kidnapping, but I can’t deny it.

“I didn’t have a choice,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m not doing this because I want to hurt you. I just need—”

“Whatever your reason is, it doesn't justify anything,” she interrupts, her tone cold.

I pause, the washcloth hovering over her wrist. She’s not wrong. I’ve clung to the finding Emily mission like a lifeline, using her as an excuse for every bad decision I’ve made. It doesn’t make any of this okay but it's the only way.

And I say it again, I will do anything it takes to find her even if I have to cuff people to the bed.

“I know it doesn’t justify anything,” I admit. “But I’m desperate, Sophia.”

Sophia doesn’t respond, but I see a flicker of something in her eyes. Pity? Understanding? I’m not sure, but it’s enough to keep me talking.

“I’ve made so many mistakes,” I continue, rinsing the cloth and moving to her arms. “I know this is one of them. But if there’s even the smallest chance you can help me find—” my voice breaks because saying her name now feels so wrong.

I shouldn't have to make other people suffer and give excuses about finding Emily. She would one hundred percent disagree with this.

Sophia watches me in silence as I work, her expression unreadable.

When I finally step back, I hold up the clothes. “I’ll help you change,” I say.

She raises an eyebrow. “You sure you’re not enjoying this a little too much?”

I shake my head, ignoring the heat that rises to my cheeks.

On any other day, in any other situation, I'd be drooling over this.

“Trust me, this isn’t exactly my idea of fun.”

She sighs, and for a moment, I think she’s going to refuse. But then she nods, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “Fine. Let’s just get it over with.”

The process is awkward, but we manage. I keep my movements quick, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.

“Thank you,” I say softly, stepping back to give her space.

Sophia looks at me like I’ve grown a second head. “For what? Letting you play nurse?”

“For..." For nothing. I just turn away and head to the bathroom.

It's enough explaining for one night.

Balz: Someone was tailing me today, I lost them but I think they know.

I read the text from Balz, the guy Couz gave me to help guard Sophia when I'm out running errands.

They know and soon enough, they will be coming for her. I need answers ASAP!