Six

I loved my morning routines now. Instead of waking up alone, cleaning up after Jake and wondering where he was and what he was doing, or should I say who he was doing, I was happily having breakfast with Kate who appreciated it so much and giving coffee to the valet man, Armand who's face literally lit up when I gave it to him every morning.

I can't believe how long I stayed with him. He treated me like absolute shit. I think I'm going to lay off men for a little, I'm tired of being taken advantage of.

My fight with Dylan was still bothering me. I really didn't like the way he yelled at me last night. I just wish I had the guts to do something about it...

I'm so weak.

Why does he think he can control my life like that? Its my choices! Sure I acted a little recklessly but it all worked out for the best! I stopped 32 from getting out of the cell! That should definitely be considered a success, I should be being praised, not yelled at.

Thankfully today's his day off.

I walked into work, greeting people along the way as I headed down to meet Doctor Shawl.

Thirty-two's cell was the most secure place in this hospital, therefore deep within the hospital. It takes forever to get there.

When I finally arrived I smiled a little to myself, trying to suppress it so I don't look like a crazy person.

You have to be very careful when you're in a mental hospital, one wrong move and you're done. It is way too easy for them to lock you up.

Hell, after running at a clearly unstable patient who was trying to break the glass I'm surprised they haven't even sent me to a psychiatrist yet.

I walked in and imeditately smiled when I saw Dr. Shawl who looked so pumped he was almost bouncing off the walls.

He gave me a gigantic smile, standing up from where he was studying his notes at his desk.

"Opal Locke! My favorite little coworker!" He exclaimed, walking towards me.

I couldn't help but smile back, his energy was really contagious.

I could feel my nerves increasing as I neared 32's cell, as always.

I shook it off, excited to see him.

"Alright, before we start I just want to discuss everything that happened yesterday. You really saved the day but you need to be safe above anything else. I also need you to sign a few things, basically insuring you won't sue the hospital if anything happens to you during this process."

I nodded, following him to the desk.

"Remember, you can back out at any time. I'm not going to lie and say we can do this without you, I made no progress without you but if you're uncomfortable you shouldn't continue. You need to be healthy and happy."

"No worries, I like helping, I-"

I was cut off by a loud bang against the glass near us.

I looked to the doctor questioningly and his eyes were extremely wide.

"Fuck. He must sense you're here. He's clearly not happy you haven't said hi."

"Well I should get to it then! The window already has a crack!"

The doctor looked to it nervously.

"I think you really need to sign these papers first. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Fuck." I nodded, diving into the papers.

I wasn't planning on suing them but they definitely had to be careful in case.

The banging became loud and I heard multiple cracks as I signed the papers as quickly as I could.

At this point I could be signing over my life to Shawl and never know it, I just signed where the little Xs were as fast as possible.

"Fuck, how many of these are there!" I yelled while Dr. Shawl stood up, backing away from the window.

"Opal, we need to leave. Now."

He grabbed my arm pulling me out of there when I heard the sound of breaking glass. He did it. He broke through.

"Shit shit shit shit shit" Shawl mumbled.

Shawl and I ran as fast as we could towards the door, the doctor careful not to touch me just in case.

Just as I was about to follow the doctor out of the door to safety I felt arms lock around my waist pulling me back.

I shrieked, trying to fight the hold be they were too strong.

The door shut and locked, the alarms beginning to blare throughout the room, red warning lights flashing.

I could hear a low rumbling from behind me, sending vibrations through me that were weirdly calming.

I felt myself feeling oddly safe in his embrace. I knew I should be scared for my life but I just couldn't be.

I managed to turn around in his arms, looking up at the gigantic man in front of me. I wasn't that short but I felt like a dwarf in his arms.

Those green orbs shone down at me, making my breath stop.

He was somehow even ore beautiful up close. I don't know how, but he was.

The alarms suddenly stopped and it went dead silent, only the sound of his breathing filling the room until a loud beep signaling the intercom was turning on sounded, making me leap and making 32 hug me even tighter, rumbling even louder.

I felt myself sigh in content, somehow relaxing and even resting my head on his chest.

He started swaying gently, still holding me tight as ever but I couldn't think.

All I could think about was how good it felt to be in his arms. How right.

Suddenly Shawl's voice boomed throughout the room.

"Opal! Are you okay?!" I slightly panicked voice came through.

Reality seemed to snap back to me at that point.

I tried to pull back a little but 32 wasn't having it.

He pulled me closer, pressing my head back against his chest and I swear he actually growled a little bit.

I'm really starting to doubt that this guy is actually human. I know its crazy to say but I meannn...

"Y-ya, I t-think so" I stuttered out, still a mess of nerves.

"Do you think you can distract him while we make up another room for him? It'll take about 10 minutes."

"Probably?" I said, it accidentally coming out like a question.

"If you change your mind we have guards lined up to burst in and handle the situation their way... It won't be great for the patient but we want you to be safe."

"O-okay, thank you."

For the next 10 minutes 32 just swayed us back and fourth, the rumbling never stopping.

As crazy as it sounds I almost fell asleep in his arms.

I probably should have said something but I was still in shock and perfectly happy just being in his embrace.

Finally the intercom turned back on but I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"Okay Opal, I need you to lead him out into the hallway. They are lined with guards in case anything goes wrong. I need you to lead him to the room just next door if you can. Don't worry if something doesn't work out we'll handle it. Just do you best."

He reminded me a lot of me dad honestly. He believed in me but was protective over my safety. Is that weird to say?

"Hey, um, you?" What the heck am I supposed to call him?!

He looked down at me, seemingly amused.

Hm, maybe he did know English. Well, that's embarrassing.

"Uhh, we need to go now, to your other cell."

I tried pulling away but he held me tighter.

"Thirty-twoooo" I wined, trying harder to break through but he didn't move and inch. He actually seemed very amused by my struggles.

I huffed, glaring at the giant man in front of me.

Well, I didn't want to have to do this but...

"Hey! You let me go now, do you hear me mister?" I said, putting on my most stern face.

You would think that would make him let go and be like, oh shit, this woman means business, but no! He actually laughs!

LAUGHS!

He doesn't just chuckle or something but he throws his head back and laughs! I swear I saw him wiping a tear.

Through his laughter I managed to get myself out of his hold, somehow sliding out through the bottom.

I landed on my ass which hurt like a bitch but still!

"SUCCESS! AHA!" I exclaimed, from the ground while 32 was recovering from his laughter.

I managed to get up, rubbing my sore tailbone a little before 32 came to me, arms wide, ready to embrace me again.

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" I yelled, sprinting towards the door, just as I was about to make it he caught me again, making me scream a little in frustration, wiggling as hard as I could.

Finally I went limp, accepting defeat. Next thing I knew a miracle happened, he started walking towards the door.

He picked me up, throwing me gently over his shoulder before walking out the door into the hallway.

Just like Shawl said the hall was lined with fully armed guards.

I groaned in embarrassment, trying to hide my face in 32's back as it was probably as read as a tomato.

32 walked right into the next door cell area.

Shawl was there, looking nervous as hell, although slightly amused at my predicament.

"Well! Aren't you going to help me!" I exclaimed to him.

As soon as he took a step forward 32 growled making him stop in his tracks.

I guess that's a no.

He sat on the small bed, that I'm not convinced he could actually fit in and put me down.

I don't think he was expecting it but as soon as he did I managed to slip out of his grip and was out the door right before he could catch me.

He actually pouted at me and whined as he watched me do my victory dance outside of the cell!

"BOO YA!" I exclaimed, laughing to myself before facing a very amused Dr. Shawl that was clearly trying to hold in his laughter.

"That was... interesting."

I pouted as I approached him, tears literally filling his eyes as he tried not to laugh, coughing a little here and there to cover laughs that managed to escape.

"What?" I asked and that was all it took for him to lose himself, bursting out into a fit of laughter.

Even 32 on the other side of the glass stopped pouting and was laughing along with him now.

"What?!" I whined, crossing my arms and pouting.

"I've just... I've never... seen... someone so... so..." He tried to say between laughter, eventually collapsing on the floor holding his stomach, tears streaming down his face.

"So what?" I said, throwing my hands up in the air in frustration.

He finally sobered up a little bit, sitting up and fixing his coat a little.

"How do I put this delicately... you're not exactly an... intimidating person."

"What do you mean? I can be scary!!" I whined, kicking the ground a little.

This seemed to make both of them laugh harder.

"SHUT UP YOU... YOU... PENCIL HEADS!!" I said in my most intimidating voice possible.

They went silent for a second, staring at me with wide eyes.

Yaaa, that'll show em.

They collapsed again into a whole new fit of laughter, smacking the ground, fighting for breath and I just had to watch.

I swear I'm scary! They're just crazy.