If Dr. Hampton wanted a constant alpha presence and all Lena intended to do was hide, this was going to be painfully boring for both of us.
“Lena,” I said, closing my eyes and tilting my head back against the wall.
I knew she was listening. She always was quiet and watchful, tracking every sound and shift in the room.
“Things are going to be different from now on,” I saidevenly. “You don’t like being touched.Fine.We won’t touch you... as long as you follow Dr. Hampton's routine.”
I paused, letting the words sit between us.
“If you do things on your own, we won’t force you. Eating. Showering. Going to appointments. All of it. You move when it’s time, and we won’t make you.”
I opened my eyes and angled my head, peering under the bed.
“You nodded for the doctor earlier,” I said. “You don’t have to talk. Just yes or no with your head. Can you do that for me?”
She was closer to the edge than usual, arms folded under her chin, eyes fixed on me. Then I saw it. A small, careful nod.
“That’s it,” I murmured. “Just like that.”
I shifted slightly, keeping my posture loose and nonthreatening. “Let’s start with something easy. A shower.”
Her body went taut immediately, every muscle bristling with tension.
“Not like before in the workshop,” I added calmly. “No cold water. No hose. No dragging you anywhere. You go in by yourself with no one watching.”
Her eyes flicked toward the door, then back to me.
“Arealshower,” I said. “Hot water. As long as you want. You can come out whenever you’re done, and then we’ll try eating something.”
I tilted my head, studying her. “Better than getting hosed down with freezing water in the workshop, huh?”
She hesitated, caught between the pull of warmth and the safety of her hiding place. I didn’t rush her. I just stayed where I was, head cocked, waiting.
If this was going to work, Silas and I were going to have to learn patience.
Finally, she nodded again.
Cautiously, she slid out from under the bed, keeping as much distance between us as the room allowed, but she didn’t retreat, didn’t bite and didn’t bolt.
I led the way down the hall, as she trailed behind me. When we got to the bathroom, she peered inside, checking every corner with attention before she would step inside. I stood outside, not wanting to intrude in the small space and spook her.
Once she deemed it safe and entered, she reached for the handle, about to shut the door.
I tutted. "No, runt, the door stays open, just a crack."
Her brow furrowed as she darted back and forth between me and the tempting shower.
“I won’t watch you, but I need to stay here and wait, and I need to hear what you’re doing,” I said evenly. “It’s for your safety. Like Dr. Hampton explained.”
To reinforce it, I eased the door inward until it creaked, leaving only a narrow sliver open.
“I put fresh clothes and towels on the counter,” I added. “Nod if you understand.”
Instead of nodding, she lifted her hand and rolled her wrist in a small, deliberate circle. She wanted me to turn around.
I did, facing the hallway and listening as she moved inside.
A moment later, footsteps approached me. Silas came to a halt at my side.
