The Forest Behind Bars

Chapter VI: Another visit

As I am telling him the legends revolving around the zodiac collection, I cut myself off.

I hear footsteps. Heavy ones. It can't be him. He never comes this shortly after a visit. He rarely comes twice a week.

I move up from my place half lying down on the floor and sit down at the back wall.

Aster notices my change in posture and sits up more as well.

''Okay listen, Chief is coming again. I do not know why or how, but it is probably to provoke us. Do not give away any important information. You can talk to him when he sounds like he isn't gonna let it go or beat you again.''

The footsteps grow louder and the keys are turning in the door.

I quickly shove more advice his way. ''Do not show mental pain. And limit the physical pain.''

''What?'' Aster's eyes widen and dart to the metal door springing open.

I don't even look as Chief walks in and keep my eyes on Aster, who turns his head back at me in fear.

''Try detaching your mind from your body. Umm- project yourself in a place that feels safe and fixate yourself on the details or go over the star constellations I told you about.''

I snap my mouth shut as Chief passes all the other cells and stops in front of mine. His eyes meet my own, and there is a wild look in them. Something happened that sent him back down here.

Chief's lips quirk up in a dreadful sneer and he slowly spins on his heel to Aster.

''Was she was spitting out useless advise to you?'' A pause, waiting for an answer that doesn't come. ''Poor boy lost all his hope already?''

I can't see Aster with Chief blocking the way, but it stays quiet.

My bet is that something happened that Chief didn't agree with and he needs someone's pain to bring him back from his unchecked temper.

Temper is a dangerous thing for those in power.

''Not going to talk, are you? Maybe your new tutor feels like talking?'' He says mockingly as he turns away from Aster, and a small tension relaxes in my chest.

''Why bother giving the new boy advise? You're clearly not able to save him. Another insignificant soul lost because you took it upon yourself to save them and failed. Just like you failed that other boy. I suppose experience doesn't always make you wiser.''

He is trying to provoke us. Normally it wouldn't work, but maybe I can use it to my advantage. Maybe I can save Aster like I couldn't save him.

''Well, no, experience doesn't seem to make you wiser, and while I know I'm a step up from some ordinary human, I still am not immune to certain influences, such as time.''

''Some ordinary human?'' This seems to anger him, or at least annoy him. Good.

I shrug. ''Yeah, what else would you be? A powerless being after power like any other human.''

''Powerless?'' A grin touches his lips and curves his mouth in some evil-like smirk. ''I'll show you who has the power here.''