Trapped

FOUR

By using my nails I scratch the insides of the wall, putting the number 1 in Roman numerals. It's been a day I've been here and it already feels like torture. I look up at the bars and the only light that comes through is the moon, but it's half of one.

I can hear the door going again. I've been waiting here for a few hours now for something to happen, and here it is. I see Michael standing there, as usual. I don't bother to make eye contact with him, so I drag my eyes to look at the floor of the cell.

"I'm letting you out. I need you to be healthy. Harry is accompanying you for supper," he says. But I don't move since I'm not really bothered anymore. I wanted to get out first but now I know it's going to take forever, even if I have to die again.

Michael walks up to me and he sighs when he is only just metres away. He held his hand out and I get confused on why he's doing so. It's like he's making himself vulnerable. "Hold onto my hand. Harry's waiting out there for you," Michael says.

I do what he says and grab onto his hand. It feels soft and has warmth, like he isn't a monster but he actually cares. Maybe first impressions are not something for him.

He walks me out of this cell. When we exit it, he closes the door behind us and I see Harry there leaning against a wall. He looks tired since I last saw him. "Go on," Michael says shoving me away from him as if he's returning to his old self.

It's effort walking but I could tell something is up. "Are you okay?" I ask him in a whisper, thinking that Michael would do something if he hears the concern in my voice.

Harry grabs hold onto my arm, and whisks us away - so we are far from Michael. We continue walking down this hallway which seems to carry on.

"He used the laser on me," Harry says to me in a weak voice like he's trying to put himself back together in pieces. "It doesn't make me fall asleep. It makes me weak."

I say nothing but we walk further. "This is where we eat," Harry says after awhile of being in silence. I walk in to see a room full with tables and chairs and it brings memories of what I should have had. The lunch hall in school, eating what would make me happy. But this lunch hall stinks and makes high school a nightmare for me.

Harry then walks in after me leading me to the queue. I am stood behind a woman who seems to tower all over us. "Oh my jolly," I hear her say when she turns to us. "It's steak! What a luxury!"

"Why do you think that is?" Harry implies like he loves the gossip.

"I think it's because he has a heart and he cares about us really," she continues to speak with such happiness in her voice. I can tell by the excitement food brings them, but the excitement isn't there for me. If only I would be having steak with my family, then that's a luxury.

"You need to stop making all that rubbish up, Patrice. He doesn't have a heart or any love inside, that's why he's evil," Harry says making some emphasis on the evil.

"Maybe he does have warmth but we can't see it? We don't have to see if someone is nice or not, it's judged by their character and what they are like. He's probably nice inside and all his actions have a reason, maybe he's just hurt," I said.

"There is a rumour though. That he has a child he lost but he won't open up," Patrice goes on and the more she talks. As she is talking to us, we grab onto some food steak and chips. The smell lingering in my lungs while I can't help to wonder, that he will open up to me.

We take a seat near the entrance of the dining hall and I notice that there aren't many people here. I gulp before I try to say something. "I can talk to Michael."

"Really? That is brilliant. I like your friend Harry, you do have good taste," Patrice says and I see Harry's cheek turning rosy into a colour of love but is more embarrassed. And I don't want to take her word, but we only just met.

"I have a feeling he will spill some words to me," I say directing the conversation elsewhere so it doesn't make Harry uncomfortable. Now, I have to figure out what to say to Michael.