Remember Me

- 3 -

Less than an hour after leaving Ren in the small cell, the stranger re-entered the basement and took a seat on a metal chair just outside the locked door. She remained standing as they looked each other over, watching for any hints of emotion.

"You're pretty short," he said, interrupting their staredown. "I thought you were a lot younger earlier," he finished, taking note of her slight curves now that her coat was removed.

"Well, you're a lot older than I thought you were," Ren responded snarkily.

"And exactly how would old that be?" he replied, narrowing his eyes.

"Well-I mean-you've gotta be at least...30?" she declared warily.

"30? Do I seriously look 30 already? I'm 27. And you're what, 20? 21? When did 30 become old anyway?" He finished, metaphorically.

27, only a year younger than Jude. The stress lines on his face make him look five years older, Ren reflected. His age was surprising, he seemed to have the experience of someone much older, and his voice sounded years older to her.

"I'm 22," she replied defiantly. It was odd they managed to exchange ages before names. He laughed at her response, making her grimace. She could handle a lot of things, being called names, getting beat up, none of that really bothered her.

Being laughed at was inexcusable. Remembering the situation she was in and feeling annoyed at her lack of control she turned around and crossed her arms in frustration. In another circumstance, she might've been tempted to join in at the sound of his hearty, unbridled laughter.

"So," he cleared his throat, getting serious again. "Who are you anyway?"

Ren weighed the pros and cons of telling him the truth. She turned back around to judge him better. It couldn't hurt to tell him her real name. Almost everyone who knew it had died or been taken, prisoner. Except for the King. After the loss of her family, she had gone by her last name, Nelwood - 'Nel' for short. If he or anyone else had heard that name before they would know who she was right away.

"My name is Ren."

"Well, Ren, it's obvious you haven't taken care of that wound on your side, however it is that you got it. And it doesn't look like it's doing so good."

Well, I didn't exactly bring a suitcase full of medical supplies and clothes with me, she thought.

The pain had started to set in upon their arrival at this prison, or shelter, or whatever it was. She wasn't quite sure exactly where they were but she had yet to hear signs of anyone else being in the building so she assumed it was his private quarters.

By now the whole area surrounding the wound was starting to go completely numb. She nodded at him, admitting that she needed help.

"I don't suppose you would stay still if I let you out, so I'll just have to come in." Ren gave him her widest, most convincing, innocent smile hoping to convince him to let her out. If she could just overpower him for a few seconds then she might be able to trade places, him locked inside the cell and her free.

There was no question that he would come after her but by the time he got free, she could be long gone. As her brain rushed to come up with a plan he cocked his head and looked at her knowingly before saying,

"You can forget that idea right now." She flinched, wondering for a moment if she had spoken her plan out loud. He chuckled at her reaction.

She was somewhat surprised but knew she still had a couple of tricks up her sleeve. Her plan of escape would have to wait, for now. The only thing she really wanted right this moment was food. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like he could sense that.