Retaliation

Chapter 11 Tangled Up

I woke up with a slight smile on my face, knowing it was the day I had been waiting for a while. I've purposely been keeping track of the date thanks to the ship's computer so I wouldn't miss it. On Jasmine's file her birthday was listed and I decided to use this as an opportunity to form a more close bond.

I glanced over to Jasmine who was asleep beneath a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. She had another nightmare last night and I felt terrible because I had no idea what to do to try and comfort her. I didn't want to wake her because I didn't want her to wake up in Bombshell mode but I also didn't want her to suffer in whatever hellhole her dreams contained. I just had to keep my own safety in mind even though it felt selfish. She would eventually just stop squirming and screaming as she shifted into a more calm mindset. That or her body just stopped due to exhaustion from not sleeping much to begin with.

Careful not to wake her up, I quietly got up from my bed and snuck into the kitchen to start cooking my surprise. There wasn't a whole lot in terms of getting someone a present on this ship so I had to improvise a lot. The act of making breakfast itself wasn't that strange as it has been a few months at this point, so I also made a bracelet made out of different colored wire I found while rummaging the ship. 

I think these are supposed to be some sort of tripwire as they were thin yet strong but it worked. I tried my best to make it not look like trash but it still looked tackier than the average cheap friendship bracelet. She would probably hate it but it's the thought that counts right?

From an outside perspective it must look like I'm down bad for her...

The breakfast wasn't the fanciest by any means either. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast topped with peanut butter and a side of almond milk as she preferred it over the orange juice and tea. I set both mine and her plate down on the table and quickly rushed to grab silverware. In my haste, I accidentally dropped one of the knives from my hand and just barely moved my foot in time thanks to a brief vision. Jasmine was a light sleeper thanks to her enhanced hearing so that probably woke her up.

I picked up the knife and set it in the sink. I grabbed a new one and carefully placed all the utensils down on the table. I brushed my hand over my back pocket making sure the bracelet was still there. As I predicted, Jasmine silently entered the kitchen with a tired and confused look on her face due to my big smile.

"Good morning." I greeted. "Come on and sit." Jasmine did seem a bit cautious which was understandable, decades of being at DRAKO probably would make you paranoid. Simple acts of kindness weren't too common either.

"What is going on? Why are you smiling like that?" She asked.

"Do you not know?"

"Know what?"

"Today is June 30th." She continued to stare at me with a blank expression, there wasn't even a hint of recognition or realization. "Jasmine...today is your birthday," I explained. 

"It is?"

"Yeah, it said so on your file."

"I guess I forgot."

"I'm sorry I couldn't have done much more."

"No, it's fine... T-thank you." She stuttered. The poor thing's face was struck with shock as the gesture alone looked like it was enough to make her want to break down and cry.

"Come on. The food is getting cold." I motioned.

With that, she finally sat down and began to eat. Normally she would pick at her food and tear it all apart before she actually ate it, again another form of being paranoid, but she didn't do it this time. I almost called her out on it but I decided it was best to keep it to myself. We ate in awkward silence. After we finished eating I grabbed both of our plates and set them in the sink to soak.