RIVAL’S POV
I woke up before the alarms.
Not because I’m some disciplined bastard with perfect habits. No.
Because I hadn’t f*****g slept.
The lights never really go off in this hellhole — they just dim enough to remind you you're not free. I sat up, rubbed my hand down my face, and stared across the room. He was still asleep. Thomas. Curled up on the blood-stained mattress like he didn’t know he was sleeping in a dead man's bed.
I hated how peaceful he looked.
Soft breaths. Eyelids twitching. Dreaming, maybe.
I bet Shadow dreamed too before I broke him.
The door slammed open at 6:00AM sharp. Metal boots clanked down the hall. A voice barked names, but I tuned it out. Same s**t every day.
But something in my gut… twisted.
Like I needed to move. Now.
“Thomas,” I growled.
He jolt
