Children's Games: A Story of Modern Punishment

Chapter 35 - Emilia

~Emilia~

The beds were thin and the blankets were barely a single sheet to keep them warm. The first night she stayed at Bonnie's side, so she was able to use two blankets over the two beds she pushed together. The night was spent in silence, a state of despair and constant hysteria as they wept. She dreamed of Russia, wondering if Bonnie had those same heart-wrenching memories that pulled her into sweating nightmares. She wondered if Bonnie also seemed to pair the memories with a strange sense of homesickness.

On the first day, Emilia had woken first and wandered around the busy compound in search of a peace offering. She eventually stumbled across the food stores and found a wide range of prepped meals, military-grade with expiratory dates scratched off. She picked out a rice and bean stew and found a wall to lean against while she ate. It tasted odd and grainy while it was cold, but there wasn't much she could do about it. There was another person sitting in the storage room, not eating any of the food, but just guarding it. She watched her with a funny look... judgy and slow. As Emilia took a seat to finish her breakfast, a shiny metallic pocket watch quietly rolled out of the guard's pocket as she got up in a huff.

Emilia grabbed another can and wandered back to their new room. Bonnie was ecstatic when she woke up to the smell of the food, and Emilia gave it to her wordlessly as if it was a gift. The beautiful pocket watch was next, reflecting the bauty that looked upon it. The static awkwardness still existed between them like a repellent, but Bonnie was too warm and open, and it was usually something that Bonnie thawed instantly. But Bonnie was hesitant this time.

"T-thank you... what's this for?" Bonnie looked to be at a loss of words, having no recollection of the previous night's panic attacks...

"No reason," Emilia nodded, trying to offer a much-needed smile as she sat on her thin bed across from her roommate.

The room was half the size as it was in the Home building, and it was as bare as a prison cell. Grey concrete encased the room, and the beds were made of hollow steel rods twisted to resemble a bedframe. There was no door, just a bed sheet that had been nailed to the top like a curtain. It looked old, and she could only assume that it had been placed there six years ago.

"I haven't seen you in a week," Bonnie said slowly... She had this expression on her face that made Emilia cringe. She didn't know what to say in return.

"I haven't seen you in two weeks," she retorted. Bonnie bit her lip and looked down guiltily. Emilia swallowed a lump in her throat. "I'm sorry."

Bonnie looked back up and wiped the sleep from her eyes, then at the dried tears on her cheeks, faint white streaks that were gone as soon as Emilia spotted them.

"Jonny told me you've been staying with him in your office. I'm glad you're ok... I missed you."

Emilia nodded without saying the words back. She didn't need to, and Bonnie seemed to understand why with the way she smiled, dimples infectious and crow's feet glowing. From then on, their bond had been mended without speaking of the first night's events. They spent the entire day together. Bonnie introduced her to more people and showed her around the bunker, mapping it out and explaining the factions. She spoke of how similar it was to the one she stayed in in Houston that developed into the settlement Oasis, and Emilia nodded along politely without correcting her.

That night, they slept in the same room but under separate beds. It was a lot colder without the extra blanket... and the other body to keep her warm. Emilia had the urge to ask if she could slide in Bonnie's bed but didn't know how she would respond to such a random request. The other option was to rip the sheet acting as the door.