Hope dies last

Chapter 5

Gabriel sat in the chair next to Nathalie's bed, watching her sleep. He wanted to be there when Nathalie woke up to make her feel safer knowing that someone was watching over her. After a long while, Nathalie opens her eyes.

G: Welcome, sleepyhead.

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Nathalie wanted to get up quickly and attack Gabriel, but she felt something restricting her movements. She looked at her hand and saw that it was tied to the headboard of the bed. She stopped struggling and looked at Gabriel for wainting an explanation.

G: I'm sorry that you found us this way, but we didn't want you to run away right away, we just wanted you to give us a chance?

N: Do you still naively believe that I will join your resistance? You don't know the saying "hope is the mother of fools".

G: Maybe, but she's the only one I have left.

N: I thought I killed your faith, but my kidnapping suddenly restored it?

G: My son, he was the one who brought it back to me. Without him I would be lost.

N: You seem to have forgotten that he was also a member of the Supreme.

G: I remember it very well, that's why his transformation and readiness to fight gives me strength.

N: And do you think that I just suddenly change sides?

G: You are more stubborn and loyal. I doesn't expect you to suddenly betray those who saved your life.

N: They saved my life?

G: I saw an article where the world thinks you're dead. We thought you were saved and this is your way of repaying them.

N: Right...

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There was silence, no one spoke. Gabriel began to worry a little whether he had offended Nathalie in some way. But he decided to keep talking. Nathalie now has no chance to escape anyway.

G: I brought you food, I'm sure it's much better than what they serve you there.

Nathalie looked at the cart that Gabriel had placed under her feet.

G: I know it will be a bit difficult with one hand, so if you want, I can help you.

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Nathalie didn't answer, she just took the croissant and started eating it. Gabriel watched Nathalie while she ate her breakfast. He began to wonder what he could do to convince Nathalie that she would be better off with them, that they didn't want to hurt her. Her voice broke him out of his thoughts.

N: You're going to stare like that throughout my entire meal.

G: If you don't feel comfortable, I can leave, I'm just here to help.

N: Why are you so good to me?

G: I want to show you that you will be better off with us, you don't owe anyone anything. They probably don't treat you with respect there, I know it because they were ready to kill my son and his friend just to get my Miraculous.

N: Do you think your respect is enough? Supreme shows me proper respect, I am his right hand. He trusts me, I won't destroy that trust because of your strange fantasies.

G: You think peace is a strange fantasy. The only thing I want is for my family and loved ones to be able to live their lives in peace. So that they don't fear that tomorrow may not come. I wants a life without constant fighting, where kindness is not considered a crime.