Our Deadly Sins

Near Death

I'm not sure how long I've been locked down here for. All I know is that I haven't received any food, which means that it can't have been two days yet, but it feels like it's been a year. I'm starving, I don't know how much longer I can last down here.

All I've had to keep me company is Nate, and after a while, he becomes quite boring and annoying. "Literally, you just haven't had well-cooked Brussels sprouts! When we are out of here, I will force feed them to you, and it will change your mind."

I giggle. "No, I'm always going to hate Brussels sprouts, and you can't change my mind."

The echo of our laughs bounces around the cells, and we earn protests from the others locked up within the other cells, making me laugh even more. Despite this, my mind can't help but linger on Scott's words. He said, 'when we get out of here', but what makes him think that's even possible?

I have gathered that Ace has done worse than I thought he had from all that Nate has told me, which makes me doubt that I will ever be able to see the light of day again. He could just keep me locked up for the rest of eternity.

"Nate, do you think that we really will ever be able to get out of here?" I ask, seriousness in my voice.

"Yes." He says, his voice oozing with confidence. It does make me feel slightly better. At least I've made a friend throughout this. Though, I haven't even seen his face.

"Thank you." I say.

"For what?"

"For talking to me." I reply, a small smile forming on my face. Nate has been nothing but nice and distracted me from all the horrid thoughts that have manifested within my brain over the past few days, or however long I've been locked up in here. "You know, if we met under normal circumstances, I think we could've become very good friends."

"Why can't we? What's stopping us?" Nates deep voice echoes.

I let out a shallow laugh, more like a sigh. "I guess I'm still having trouble picturing freedom, and I don't think that it would be much of a friendship if we only ever spoke between a concrete wall, without ever having seen each other."

There was a moment of silence. I know he's thinking of the right thing to say. The right words that will put me at ease to help me forget where I am. I am grateful for when he does this, yet sometimes I wish I could face the truth of my situation.

"I promise I'll get you out of here, Carmen" His gruff voice whispers.

My lips break out into a subtle smile, and I feel butterflies within my stomach at the sweet sentiment. "Thank you." I whisper back to him. His words are already taking their drug-like effect over my mind. I already feel better

****

I don't know when I fell asleep, but all I know is that I'm awake now... And that the lights are on.

I squint, trying to adjust to the brightness. I instantly fear that Ace has come back to finish me off, but no one is in sight. It's dead silent. "Nate?" I call. I hear his body shuffling, and a groan escape him, as if he too is just waking up. Then I hear a gasp come from him as he realises the lights are on. "Shit, Carmen, they are coming down. Be silent, just do as they say. Okay?" For the first time, Nate's voice sounds worried, even fearful, which makes me ten times more scared.

Why are they coming down?

They're probably just bringing food. I'm sure it's been two days; it certainly has felt like it.

"Okay." I whisper back as I hear the familiar sound of the cellar door opening.

Goosebumps run over my whole body, and I shiver in anticipation. From what I can tell, it sounds like multiple sets of footsteps. Is Ace coming down as well?