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I scan my surroundings, looking for an exit, but only see cell after cell and man after man. Hungry eyes roam over my body, taking me in, drinking me in with their gazes. I feel dirty under their looks and I inch closer to Puck.
We walk through a doorway that leads to a huge open shower room. Men are undressing out of their jumpsuits and washing themselves in the open showers.
I’ve seen a man naked before. But to see this many naked men all in one space makes me uncomfortable.
Most of them have turned and found themselves amongst the presence of a female and their gazes fall down my body as they shower, their hands stroking themselves at the thought of my being here. Bile rises up my throat.I can’t do this.Did they really expect me to shower in front of these men?
But before I even finish asking myself that question, I already know the answer.
Of course they do. They have no respect?they proved that after stripping me off and making me walk naked through the cells.
“I got you,” Puck whispers again, sensing my uneasiness. He leads us to the corner of the room and nods at the guy occupying the shower to move. He scurries off and Puck drops my hand, taking my towel out of my grasp. He opens the towel and stretches it out between his arms behind his back, which is facing the corner.
Realising what he’s doing, I step behind the towel, looking around from all perspectives.
“Step back,” I whisper and Puck takes a step back.
I’m caged in. It’s a small space to shower in, but it’s as private as I’ll get. Double-checking that there are no gaps, I unzip my jumpsuit, step out of it slowly, and hang it up on the hook just on the other side of Puck’s outstretched arm.
Puck could easily drop the towel and expose me, but I trust him. Besides, what choice do I really have?
I hit the button on the wall and cold water streams directly on top of me. I hold back a gasp and try to get used to the freezing spray. Once accustomed to the temperature of the water, I grab the small bar of soap, trying not to cringe at all the hands that must’ve touched it before me, and lather it up in my palms. I run my hands all over my body and through my hair over and over again.
Ridding myself of the dirt and smell.
Ridding myself of the looks these prisoners give me.
Ridding myself of the look King gave me the night before.
Once satisfied, I turn off the water, and Puck passes me his towel, considering mine is still protecting me from prying eyes. I quickly dry and step back into my jumpsuit.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling grateful for his kindness and a little guilty at the trouble he’s having to go through for a stranger. He turns and holds my chin.
“You’re welcome, T.”
“T?” I question the new nickname.
“More badass.” He shrugs. I laugh at him as he gives me a cheeky smile back. Puck hands me the towel and then unzips his jumpsuit. I sneak a peek at his torso. Rock-solid abs intimidate me as I stare. Before realising it, he’s stepped out of his jumpsuit, hung it up, and is standing stark naked in front of me, hiding himself in his hands.
“Keep your eyes off the goods, T.” He winks and steps under the shower. “And don’t go anywhere,” he says from under the spray of the water.
I smile despite the awkward situation I’m in. I face the wall, staring at the brick so I don’t have to see anything unpleasant. Puck laughs as he showers.
“Oh, T, what are we gonna do with you?”
I just continue to smile at the wall.
* * *
After Puck showers,we walk back to our cells, him holding tightly onto my hand. We both step into my cell and drop down on my mattress.
“I’m starving,” I hum and my stomach starts to rumble.
“Well, you’ll be starving for a little while longer. We don’t get served food until a little later on. And it tastes like shit, so don’t get too excited.”
I groan at the hunger, the situation, and the fact I’ll never get to eat a decent meal ever again.
“If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, better than whatever crap they serve here, what would you pick?”
