The Lizards Void - a Holes Fanfiction

3

[MESS HALL]

I had gotten settled in, and it was finally time for dinner. I was the only one in my tent and there appeared an empty table I assumed was for E tent. It sat next to D tent's.. which i assumed was the tent X-Ray was assigned based on the fact he sat there.

I got my food, wincing at the sight of it. They couldn't afford decent food either? Was this even edible? I noticed some new kid had also arrived, his name was..

"Lewis, whatchu in here for?" X-ray spoke, taking Lewis' bread, the only edible thing on that plate.

...Lewis.. I felt bad for him. Despite being lonely, I felt lucky that I didn't have to sit with X-ray. I continued staring, lost in thought. I got through the first half of dinner just fine, got some stares but it went down pretty okay.

Until right then, someone from the D-tents table threw away their scraps and sat right infront of me.

"You seem lonely, you aight?"

His Spanish accent was a bit thick, a durag tied around his head. He had brown skin and wore a black t-shirt.

"yeah, I'm alright." I reply, glancing up at him and giving him a quick smile before going back to my food, barely eating a thing.

It was hard to not think about Hailee when i was alone.

"Whatcha in for?" He spoke, leaning in a bit as if he were interested in what i had to say. "oh- I uh.. it's private." I give him a sheepish smile. I didn't like being remembered about what had happened.

He gave me a reassuring smile and nodded. i didn't know why he was so kind and bright, but he was... and it wasn't in the weird way Dr. Pendanski was. It was comforting.

"I ain't gonna pry you any further.." He tapped his finger on the table before crossing his legs, his ankle on his knee. "But do tell me, do you think attempting to save an animal is criminal?"

I shake my head, raising an eyebrow and chuckling lightly. "Nope... who'd go to jail for that..?"

He chuckled softly. "Me apparently, it's criminal how they keep em' locked up like that."

Before I could give him my nod the bell that ended dinner rung. it was time to get back to our tents, or hang out in the wreck room according to Dr. Pendanski.

"I'll see you around, yeah? They call me Magnet around here. cause' everything sticks to me, like a magnet."

He stood up, pushing in his chair as i did and giving me that same soft smile he did when he first sat down Infront of me. I nod, I was beginning to get the concept of these "nicknames". Maybe I'd get one of my own soon, I thought as i threw away my scraps.

"Name's Ziva. and yeah, i will. Thanks Magnet." I wave him goodbye and begin to head out of the mess hall with the other herd of inmates. Except I was alone walking myself to my tent, at least for today.

That dude I just talked to, Magnet was it? He reminded me of Hailee.. I just couldn't put my finger on why. And it wasn't in a bad way, he reminded me more of the good times we both had.

[FLASHBACK]

Ziva and Hailee are 6. They were both in the 1st grade and their parents took them out camping. They were both stargazing together, joking and giggling, this might've been the best night ever.

"y'know Ziva? Those stars look like a puppy!!"

Hailee giggled, pointing to what appeared to be a constellation.

Ziva giggled along with her, following her finger "yeah! look at it, it's so pretty!!"

"When i grow up i want to be a vet! i want to help all sorts of animals, and donate allll of the money i earn to shelters!" Hailee spoke, smiling that same signature smile Ziva always loved.

"Mhm! that would be amazing Leelee, I bet you'd make a great vet!" Ziva replied, pointing to another shining array of stars.

"Ooohh! that one looks like a candle!!" Ziva then spoke, the other turning her head and becoming mesmerized all over again. The moonlight reflected off of both of them.

[END OF FLASHBACK]