THE LAST BORN

T W O

ANA

When I heard the door slides open, I immediately jump from the end of the bed. He finds me in less than a second and looks around. I feel nervous I walk back until my back is flat to the wall.

This all seems to be too good to be a reality I don't dare to touch anything. The two hours have gone by since Jackie brought me to this room and all I did was sit on the soft bed, studying the floor.

Are they expecting me to do something?

Why am I here?

"Dinner time, come." His words are short and void of any emotion, just like his face. But although I don't see any visible anger or hatred, I do not dare to defy his words. My whole body is aching, and I'm still limping, and my vision is still adorned with black dots every time I move, but I try to do my best to follow him.

This time he doesn't walk as slow as he did when he took me out of the cell. Although I'm doing my best I know it's not enough. Soon his back is disappearing from my view and my breath comes out in pants.

I don't think I can walk anymore.

Just as I start to slide down from the wall, letting my body fall on the hard floor, I feel a hand around my arm.

Slowly, with my eyes barely open, I look up to my savior.

Next to me stands a man, by the lines of his face I can tell that he is much older than Jackie or him. He looks at me with what I can only describe as displeasing. His brows almost touch each other as he is frowning. From the light of his eyes, I can tell he is not happy to see me.

"Come on, you're almost there," He says curtly.

Although his facial expression is dissatisfied, he helps me stand and even helps me walk. With a slow pace, he walks beside me, with his hand on my arm taking a bit of my body weight to help me.

He doesn't know that this gesture is the only kind act I ever received in a very, very long time.

Soon sounds of people talking, and plates clattering are heard. I know we're close to where they are serving food. Food. Real food? Is it safe for me to dream of a warm meal and a glass of water?

The chatter stops as soon as I walk in. Eyes are on me and they are intense. Some of them look at me with curiosity, but mostly they are looking at me hard as if I'm a problem to be solved. The mysterious man lets go of me and walks forward not sparing a glance back.

I look around to spot where the food is.

Limping with my body shakes from the anticipation of warm food, I walk toward the long table where steaming bowls and plates of food are served. If anyone trying to stop me, I'll pull myself with my teeth to get a bite of warm soup, even if that'd be the last thing I do.

My hands shake badly as I take a small bowl and what looks like utensils. I take the first thing I see, red soup. I try to be decent and not fill my bowl to the rim, and although it's only half empty, with my shaky hands some of it has spilled.

I take the closest seat, where the rest of the people on the table moves away from me with their eyes glued to my every move. I try to pick up the utensils but I can't, my hands are too shaky to hold anything steady. I give up and hold the bowl with my hands. As soon as the rich taste and the warm liquid touches my tongue, it's as if the darkest cloud has parted to reveal the sun shining behind.

I get so emotional, I start coughing.

This is so good. It's the best meal I have ever had.

This keeps repeating three times until my stomach feels like I'm ready to burst. People are starting to talk again, about me most probably. I don't mind and I don't care, I ate warm food and my stomach is content. I take the bowl to put it away, following a few people who are walking towards the back.

On my way, I spot him. He is sitting between Jackie and the mysterious man. The mysterious man is talking while Jackie sits up straight avoiding my eyes although I'm directly in her line of vision, and, he turns his head, unashamed to be caught staring at me with his cold, emotionless eye.

I try to walk faster but my legs are failing me. I fall down and break the bowl.

My eyes widen in horror. What would they do to me now?

I quickly look around to see if anyone with anger visible walking towards me, I see none. The hall is once again quiet but none has moved with any weapon towards me.

I hear thumping sounds of footsteps, then I see him.

"Up. Somebody will clean that. Go back to your room." He says briskly.

I use my hands to help me to get up and as quick as I can, get out from the hall.

***

"How long are you planning to keep her?" Jamal asks.

Malcolm sits back before he answers, "a while," and continues listening to his two trusted advisors.

"People are feeling unease with her presence," Jamal adds.

"If nobody threatening her, then they have nothing to worry about. I'm doing what I have to do for our greater good, for our purpose," Malcolm says gritting his teeth. He is close, he knows it. He needs to break the alien so she will lead him to those five pieces of the shitty excuse of beings.

"What are you going to do with her tomorrow?" Jackie asks with her brows knitted. "Should we send a doctor to her room?"

"Yes, why not, she is one of us now," Malcolm says sweeping the break room with his eyes. He is fully aware of what people are saying. He is fully aware of the question and the disruption Noir caused. But he has made his decision to start chasing those UG bastards and targeting them. The only thing missing is their locations, he has his men, he has his weapons, he has his allies, all he needs now is to know where they are hiding.

And if everything goes as he planned, it won't be long until his room is decorated with five heads.