I heaved myself upright. My legs trembled. I wanted nothing more than to crawl on all fours ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ again, like when I’d almost lost consciousness. Staggering, I managed to stumble out of the woods. I was returning on my own two feet to those bastards. I could only hope this wasn’t the wrong choice. At last I emerged from Kelly’s path and entered the quad. Barefoot and wearing someone else’s overalls.A stiff wind blew. My hair whipped around my face. Yet despite the gale, the sky remained clear.I crossed the empty quad alone. As I approached the Dormitory entrance, I saw the matron standing there. He stared at me in silence. I realized his gaze lingered at my throat. Only when I touched my neck did I remember that I’d discarded the dog collar.Jérôme must have hung the collar and lead on his saddle. Even if I went back to the stables after him, he’d either be gone or have tossed them already. I didn’t want to return to one of Jérôme’s traps… So I gave up on retrieving the collar, no matter the punishment. Dragging my feet, I climbed the stairs as the matron’s gaze followed. I didn’t look back.By the time I reached the top floor, I was utterly spent. I staggered into my room.No one was in the Dormitory. Despite the windows being wide open, the air was stifling—heat still lingered from the fire in the fireplace. The boys must all have gone out for the evening; they wouldn’t return until the heat dissipated at sunset.I stripped off the overalls and stumbled to the bathroom. Dousing my hair with cold water from head to toe felt like salvation.I washed away every trace of them on my body—the stains of Hugh’s, George’s, and the matron’s fluids. After all that, my dick wouldn’t rise again tonight. After bathing, I stood naked in the sitting room, staring at the fireplace.The hearth was immaculate—no ashes of burned clothes or melted rubber from shoes. The matron must have cleaned it thoroughly. The only sign of use was the firewood piled inside and a can of petrol beside the hearth.I surveyed the spotless fireplace, then turned away. I fetched water from the kitchen and returned to the sitting room. I curled up on the rug and exhaled slowly. All was silent. The only movement was the wind tearing at the curtains through the open windows.Suddenly, a thought struck me like a spark.I went back to the fridge. Besides the bottle I’d just drunk from, there was one more filled with water. I took both out. I poured one bottle completely down the sink and left half the other.In my room, I rummaged through Simon’s wastebasket and retrieved the powdered drug I’d hidden. I dumped it all into the water bottle.The drug dissolved without altering the water’s appearance. It was exactly enough for the three boys to each take a cup. I hurriedly returned everything to its place and sat back down in the sitting room.Though the wind howled, the sun was still hot, and the room would take time to cool—no doubt they’d all be thirsty. Even if they weren’t, water was always easily obtained! If they didn’t each drink their full cup, there might be an issue… but that was fine. Even if only two fell asleep, I still had one syringe left, so the odds were still in my favor.Moreover, they never imagined I’d strike back. They were completely off guard… I could win. If the drug worked as intended, if they drank that water, I would win. I would return their dirty tactics on them!Excitement surged through me. The clock had just passed three in the afternoon. The boys wouldn’t return until the midday heat subsided. Jérôme wouldn’t come back until four at the earliest—if he came back at all…Naked, I lay curled on the rug. My chest felt ready to burst with tension, yet my body was utterly exhausted. So tired I thought I might die. I stared at the curtains dancing in the wind, blinked slowly—and at some point drifted into sleep.I woke to a warm hand brushing my hair. A familiar warmth. Rolling over, I finally opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the sky, now pitch black outside the closed window. The room was no longer oppressively hot—in fact, it felt slightly chilly. Blinking, I realized I was resting my head on someone’s thigh. I turned my head slightly.Simon. He sat on the floor with my head on his lap, stroking my hair. He saw me awake and looked at me with his soft dark eyes. My senses cleared. Pretending to rub my eyes, I stealthily checked the clock. I had slept for six hours straight. It was nine o’clock in the evening. Then I heard low voices—Hugh and George.“They’ve already arrived in France,” Hugh said. “They called earlier.”“Are they going to watch the match?” George asked.“It’s the round of sixteen now… They said there’s one ticket left.”“If you want to see it, just go. France isn’t far.”“Should I? They said Jérôme’s leaving tomorrow. Maybe we could go together then.”“Yeah. With the matron here, there’s nothing to worry about.”“If only Raymond were tame enough to take with us… Oh, our puppy’s awake?”Hugh spoke over Simon’s shoulder. I lowered my eyes and gave a slight nod. Simon continued stroking my hair. My ears throbbed with anxiety. Had they drunk the water?“Are you cold?” Simon asked, his voice calm and somewhat blunt as always. I said nothing, staring blankly. His large warm hand swept gently across my throat and chest.“I thought a storm was coming. The wind’s fierce out there.”He must have closed the window. That explained the chill. I shook my head and nuzzled his thigh, feigning comfort. Simon fell silent and tenderly stroked the back of my head and neck.“Raymond. You lost your dog collar, right?”His question sent goosebumps down my spine. Sensing my tension, Simon soothed the back of my neck. I sat up slightly and cautiously looked at George.George sat on the floor with a book on his thigh, watching me.“Don’t worry, Jérôme forcibly took it, so you won’t be scolded this time.”George leaned closer and gripped my chin firmly.“But don’t ever lose it again.”I nodded repeatedly. A new collar and lead were already around my neck, secured to the sofa leg.George released my chin and Simon drew me into his arms again, stroking my hair. He seemed to want me to close my eyes. But I couldn’t.Had someone drunk the water? If so, how much? Or had no one drunk it? All those possibilities spun through my mind. Whoever it was would drink the water eventually—maybe while I slept, or tonight, or tomorrow morning. But it had to be tonight. Before Jérôme left. I stole a glance toward the kitchen. There was no way to check now.I closed my eyes and leaned into Simon’s embrace. At least while he stroked my hair, Hugh and George would leave me alone. It was far better to pretend to fall asleep in Simon’s arms. Instead, I strained to listen.Time passed without incident. I heard a yawn. My body almost stiffened, but I relaxed. I remained in Simon’s arms. If I reacted oddly, he’d notice. Feigning slumber, I slowly opened my eyes. George yawned and rubbed tears from his eyes. He leaned over and kissed Hugh gently.“I’m beat. Didn’t nap today.”“I’m sleepy too. Let’s sleep together.”Hugh set down his magazine and spoke. I pricked up my ears. Hugh rose and went into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he said,“The water’s all gone.”“I saw there wasn’t much left earlier. The matron must’ve drunk some when he cleaned out the hearth—it was hot then. I’ll tell him to refill it tomorrow,” George said.“Only half a cup,” Hugh muttered as he opened the bottle. Leaning against Simon’s shoulder, he drank directly from the bottle. When he finished, not a drop remained. Someone had drunk the water. George—or Simon. And now Hugh had too. My heart pounded madly.It had to have been George—he looked noticeably drowsy. With George and Hugh both having drunk, taking them out would be much easier. But as Hugh and George went into their room, I heard the door lock. The door clicked shut.They locked the door? Did they usually lock their door when they slept?Perhaps because I was overly tense, suspicion flared. As my mind raced with theories, Simon unfastened my lead from the sofa leg. He took my hand and helped me to my feet.“Normally you wouldn’t, but tonight you can sleep in the room.”Simon didn’t force me to crawl on the floor. I followed him obediently into the room and sat on the bed, still calculating. How long until Hugh and George were in a deep enough sleep? Even if they slept, how would I unlock the door? What about Simon? He hadn’t drunk the water…Then I heard rustling by the desk. Simon turned and held up a pair of handcuffs.My mind went blank. Simon knelt before me and secured the cuffs around my wrists. With these on, no matter what I did, I couldn’t overcome Simon…He spoke softly,“It’ll feel uncomfortable now, but if you keep wearing them and sleep, you’ll get used to it.”“….”“Lie down. Let’s sleep now. Not sleepy from your nap?”His words snapped me back. Aside from the handcuffs, if Simon intended an injection, it would be disastrous—he’d filled the syringe with the drug. I shook my head and yawned weakly. Simon observed my face then finally helped me lie down on the bed.I saw in Simon’s pajama pocket the key to the cuffs. My mouth went dry. I lay still. As Simon rose, I quickly grabbed at his pajama hem. He looked down, expression unreadable.“If it’s just for tonight….”I whispered so softly he might barely hear,“I want to fall asleep with you.”As expected, Simon melted. Without a word, he got into bed. We shared a pillow and lay facing each other, foreheads almost touching. I felt his breath against my skin.I fought to steady my breathing. Simon would not sleep until I did. Only after confirming I was asleep would he close his own eyes. Though I’d napped, the chase with Jérôme still had me exhausted—I couldn’t truly sleep, or I’d lose my chance tonight. I had to fake sleep convincingly. Slow my breath…Something felt off. Something…I opened my eyes.“Ha.”A hollow laugh escaped me. Simon lay next to me, asleep. George and Hugh had each drunk, and Simon hadn’t—priceless luck. My mind went blank with relief. I stared at Simon’s still face. His steady exhalations confirmed he was truly asleep.Suddenly my body drenched in sweat. I felt fortunate to be naked. As my chance arrived, my mind sharpened with dazzling clarity. I swallowed and fixed my gaze unwaveringly on Simon’s face—let him sense my stare, so he’d never open his eyes… yet he remained asleep.“Simon.”I called softly.“Simon….”No answer.“Simon, I can’t sleep….”I shook his arm gently.“Simon.”Still no response.At last…At last!I plunged my hand into Simon’s pocket. He shifted slightly but remained asleep. My heart skipped, but I pressed on. My trembling hand retrieved the key, slick with sweat. I unlocked the cuffs. Free at last, I stood without hesitation. I left Simon sleeping and, quick but careful, climbed off the bed.Naked, I rummaged through Simon’s wardrobe. I grabbed some clothes and put them on, including underwear and socks. I found his sneakers—they fit perfectly since we were the same height. Hastily, I moved to the door…and paused. I rummaged through Simon’s trash and pulled out a syringe, just in case.I opened the door—and froze. Someone sat in the darkened sitting room. Only the side-table lamp glowed. It was Hugh’s back. A chill ran through me.Hugh turned and asked,“Simon? Did you put Raymond to bed in his room?”I lunged at him like a demon.

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