I closed my eyes and opened the countdown in my mind.
Redemption mission failed. Forced termination commencing.
——
The countdown blazed behind my eyes: 72:00:00, digits hammering.
I dug my nails into my palms hard enough to break skin, forced every sound back down my throat, and threw the thin blanket off my body.
Cecil crushed the half-smoked cigarette into the nightstand.
His knuckles cracked as his fist tightened.
He crossed the room in two strides and seized me by the collar.
"What are you throwing a tantrum for? Ruby just recovered from a serious illness. She needs a toy to keep her company. Being allowed to carry one for her is your good fortune. Don't mistake kindness for weakness."
I grabbed the pill bottle beside my pillow and hurled it at the wall.
Glass shattered across the floor. Pills scattered everywhere.
"If you needed stem cells, why not just say so? Why fake episodes and beat me until I bled out? Eight times! What am I to you?"
Vivian stepped forward, brushed the shards off the bedsheet, and folded her arms with a cold snort.