Freedom

Meeting.

You woke up on a mattress on the floor, feeling hazy and fuzzy. It was dark, at first you thought that it was because it was night-time but on a closer look, you noticed that you were probably in some sort of basement. Just like when you were in that base. You panicked as your brain slowly started to function again and your memories started to overflow. You got up and nearly tripped, your legs were not stable yet and you stumbled to the bars, the icy contact with them made you shiver. You inspected the room quickly trying to analyze the situation. First of all, no guards were keeping an eye on you, which was unusual, then, there were no sophisticated machines recording your every move and the place seemed too "poor" to be something the scientists would own. You concluded that they were not the one holding you hostage this time. You remembered the boy from last time, maybe it was him? But what would he want from you? You heard a door shut and you quickly returned to the mattress, pretending to be asleep. You heard the sound of a chair being dragged on the floor followed by some rustling sounds, someone must be waiting. You hold your breath.

"She's still asleep?" A girl's voice asked.

"Seems so. Do you think I use too much product?" A boy asked back.

"Maybe. Someone will check on her when she wakes up, so don't forget to warn us."

"I know, see you later."

You heard footsteps then a door being shut again.

"She's gone, you can talk now." The boy said.

Your heart skipped a beat and you were too afraid to move. Maybe he was just testing you?

"...I won't hurt you, I promised." He added softly like he was talking to a wounded animal. "My name is Sabo. What about you?"

You did not answer his question and waited for him to leave but he did not move.

"...So you're the quiet type, heh? Well, I don't mind, the others are really noisy so a bit of silence is nice for once," he laughed, "oh, right! You must be hungry, after all, you've been sleeping for three days straight. I would be starving if I were you."

You heard something rattle on the floor and a delicious smell started to fill your cell. Your mouth began to water and before you could do anything about it your stomach gurgled. He chuckled.

"I guess I was right."

You did not want to move but your stomach complained of hunger. You slowly and carefully moved toward the tray and sat in front of it.

"Hi." He smiled.

You immediately noticed the scar. So it was him, the one who took you away. You frowned.

"It's not poisoned, in case you were wondering." He said.

Your eyes widened, this thought had not crossed your mind. You looked back at him terrorized. He made an apologetic face and suddenly crouched in front of the bars and passed his arm through it, you moved aside startled by the unexpected gesture. He must have noticed that he was being abrupt as his movements became more careful. He picked something on your plate and brought it to his mouth and swallowed it. He then opened his mouth wide.

"You see? Not poisoned. And it's really delicious." He gently said. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Your stomach grumbled with greater intensity and you threw yourself on the food, not caring about your manners, you gobbled everything in front of you. Once, you were done his arm reappeared in front of you, holding out a bottle of water. You hesitated but he smiled kindly encouraging you to take it. You took it gratefully and gulped it down. You did not know your mouth and throat were that dry.

"Thank you..." You muttered, in a hoarse voice.

It had been so long since the last time you had talked, the sound of your own voice surprised you but not as much as the man in front of you. He was gawking but he pulled himself together and gave you the most innocent grin you had ever seen -not that you had much to compare it to.

"You're welcome! How are you? Are you still hungry? Do you need more water?" He bombarded you with questions.

"I am good...Where am I?" You finally asked.

The boy grimaced and looked down.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you that...."

"Then...Can you tell me why I am behind imprisoned?"

"I...It's for protection..." He grimaced again.

"Protection? Against whom? Me?" You asked incredulously.

"Yes...But as soon as we're sure you're not a threat, we will let you out. I promise."

"So...You were the one who came, exploding everything, kidnapping me, you also probably completely destroyed the lab and I am the threat?!" You snapped. It was not in your nature to be angry but for some reason, you could not contain yourself.

"I'll explain everything when I can...I'm really so-"

"I know, you're sorry." You cut him off.

You pushed the tray toward him and laid on the mattress, turning your back at him, putting an end to the conversation.