The Black Widow

Over

It wasn't hard. Escaping I mean. By the end of the next day it was over. We were home in Russia. The captain was gone. I don't know what happened to him or where he went but we were separated as soon as our plane landed. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.
Now I am sitting in a different compound. One where I am not supposed to be the enemy but I feel like one. They locked me in this room. There is a couch and cot and some books. It feels like a normal room but the door is locked from the outside.

Ivan left sometime yesterday. He said to be a good girl and that he will be back soon. I don't know if they think I am an idiot or not. I see the cameras. I know they are observing me.
Ivan must have told them I acted like I just had an injection, for the most part.
They want to see if he is lying about what he saw. I do my best to act like it.

I walk calmly. I keep my face blank. I read the books multiple time and act like I don't care when I get bored. I wake up at the same time every morning and go to bed at the same time every night. I consider this quite am accomplishment since I don't have a clock. I exercise regularly. Push ups and sit-ups and things. It has been five days according to my sleeping patterns and I am not sure how long I can keep this up. I am sure I can be more patient then them though. I know I can.

After my daily morning exercises the door clicks. I stand. Ready to get out of this place.
I am greeted instead to a face that I haven't seem in a long time. It's Alexei! My heart wants to jump out of my chest but I force it to stay where it is. This is a test. If I show any sign if emotion then they will know that this is a trick. He grew out his hair from the last time I saw him. His eyes are the same though, Filled with life and laughter. He is still wearing that uniform which I suppose is fitting since I am still wearing my own.

"Natasha!" He grins.

He looks only 11 or 12 now. They must have giving him that thing to make him stop aging otherwise he would be much older.

I stare blankly at him, "Hello Alexei."

He rushes towards me and hugs me, "I had wondered why happened to you."

I don't hug him back.
I shrug but don't give an answer. What lie could I tell.

He laughs, "I see your primary mode of communication hasn't changed."

I like the way he makes a joke out of everything. It makes me want to smile. I like the feeling but I am not sure how long I could hold it in. I shrug again just to make him smile even bigger.

"You've changed." I say. I have never really had to have a real conversation with someone before. Either I'm interrogating them or taking orders. I think about pretending to be someone different like they taught us in the red room. I could completely change my personality but I don't want to do that. I want to be myself with Alexei.

He unconsciously touches his hair, "yeah I can't believe it's so long. I haven't really had the time to cut it."

I nod but don't say anything. I can see how desperately he wants to get to know me. He wants his friend back. I would love to be that for him but I can't. I could be his friend while I am in here but what would be the point? They would inject me again and I wouldn't feel anything for him. Better that I keep my feelings to myself.

"What have you been doing... yeah know cause of the war and stuff."

"They moved me out east. We live on this farm.... you?"

"Same..." he pauses, "Not the farm I mean that I got moved east."

I want to ask about his family but I know emotionless me wouldn't care. 

We are both silent for a few awkward moments. "Do you know about the aging thing."

I nod slowly.