#cool bath

All I know is that I'm not safe. Something is deeply wrong. Too many things are touching me. This blanket is too warm and yet the open air is far too cold. I can't sleep now, but my entire body is weighed down by exhaustion.

A cool cloth meets my forehead. I flinch at first, but it's oddly soothing. Another one, softer this time, is wiped across my cheeks then placed on the back of my neck. I can't help but relax somewhat, the feeling providing a centering point for my attention.

I hear words but they don't seem to truly process. All I can tell is tone and I know I've upset somebody. I messed up. I did this to myself and now I'm going to pay for it.

I feel myself curling up, preparing myself for Whumper's strike. He never liked it when I did this, but it's the only thing I could do to protect myself. I could be restrained so easily, but I refused to stop fighting.

The hands remained gentle, one pulling my hair from around my mouth and nose and holding the cloth to my forehead. Another, far larger set of hands, pulled me into a more upright position against the pillows.

I tense, knowing what happens next. Knowing Whumper would punish me for my rescue. He would destroy me over and over before pulling my skin back together so he could do it again. I might not survive this time, but he always figured out how to keep me going, just for his pleasure.

To my surprise, I am not met with pain, rather, the lip of a glass bottle is pressed to my mouth. I feel the cool liquid and greedily gulp it down, not giving a damn if it's drugged. The drugs make everything a bit less, so it's far easier to get through.

I drink the entire thing, the taste lingering in my mouth. Had I more of a thought to process the flavor, I would find it to be somewhat pleasant. It was far more pleasant than what happened next.

I'm not sure how long it took. Seconds? Hours? My brain was too fried to know. Because the next thing I knew, I was lifted into the air.

I try my best not to struggle, knowing Whumper would only punish me more. So I just froze, allowing myself to be carried off and hoping for mercy. Mercy from what Whumper would do either way.

I'm not safe here. Something is going to happen.

I'm set down on cool tile, making me shiver horribly. We're in a bathroom. I can hear water running. Not again. Not this again- I can't do this again.

I clutch weakly at my clothing as it's pulled up from my abdomen. Whumper's hand forces my arms from my chest, holding them away from me as I'm stripped.

I didn't want to be rescued. I didn't want to be punished. I didn't ask for this. I didn't-

My body is placed into a bath of cool water. I nearly faint from the surprise. It feels heavenly against my skin, giving me a slightly cleared mind.

Slowly, I look up and find, Leader and Caretaker's fearful expressions staring back at me as Leader relinquished her hands,

I can only cry in response, realizing only part of what just happened and regretting it all the same.

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