The Link

Chapter 26 - Natalie

The house lost its casualness when Douglas Corbett arrived. Eyes weren't finding eyes and words became commands. Concerns beyond daily existence became paramount. Even the black-shirted guards became stiffer, something I thought impossible. It was almost as if everyone was in awe of him. I had watched him enter the house from a second story window. He was not a tall man, nor impressive looking. His suit looked like it was designed for a larger man, one with more breadth. At least, he didn't find it necessary to cover the balding patch on the top of his head with a comb-over of his thin graying hair. He moved with an arrogance, without acknowledging those around him. I disliked him even more.

Lunch was brought up to Teegan and I. It was if we weren't allowed downstairs though I didn't test the idea. We were happy enough without interruption, playing with a set of rectangle cardboard blocks that were easy for her to maneuver. Teegan was building something only she could envision. I was having fun placing blocks on top of her structure and watching her, without any irritation, move my blocks to a different part of the structure. She had a design I didn't comprehend, yet didn't mind that I disturbed it. It was a strange zig-zag wall with upright spires along the way. I would have thought it some sort of fort, but she never attempted to close it off. When it was done, she stood and smiled at me. I gave her my best expression of pride. She laughed and began to knock it all down. I joined her in the giggling demolition.

Teegan began rebuilding, this time letting my contributions stand. I had no idea where her mind was as she placed brick after brick. She was enthralled with the boxy structure we were building, ever anxious to speed up its construction. I moved slowly, letting her direct the construction. It was amazing to watch her work, so determined and fixated on building whatever it was we were building. Suddenly she stopped and looked at me. It was a questioning look, so much more serious than I had ever seen her before. I don't know how I knew, but she was waiting for me to place another brick. I put another on top of our squarish structure, and she followed with another. It was important to her that we shared in the building, that she wouldn't place more blocks than me. I smiled as we took turns, building the structure higher. When we ran out of blocks, her joy exploded. I felt Sam join with wonder as Teegan and I happily destroyed our cardboard sculpture. I could feel Sam's surprised happiness. Teegan jumped into my arms, hugging me tight.

"Da," Teegan whispered in my ear.

"Yes," I said, letting Sam flow into me. Somehow I knew he was close. Closer than anyone in the golden prison would have thought possible.

A knock on the door woke us from our blissful reunion. I kissed Teegan's cheek and set her on her feet and stood. "Yes," I called.

"Mr. Corbett is ready to see you," Abigal said when she poked her head in the door. It was a summons. I wondered what would happen if I declined. The punishment would, most likely, not be worth the crime.

"Of course," I replied and waited for Abigal to enter with white gloves that ran to her elbows. Better than the chemical suit she wore the first day. "I'll be right back," I cooed to Teegan, giving her another kiss. Teegan seemed to understand and went back to the blocks. I smiled at my little architect.

"Mr. Corbett is in the library," Abigal said and sat far enough away from Teegan to not risk accidental touching. I nodded, sighed, and left hoping Teegan didn't feel less than human around someone who refused to touch her. Especially around someone who felt so little.

The library was aptly named. Victor had shown me the room, and I promised myself I would visit it again to grab a few books for nights when sleep was fleeting. The visible books were leather bound though there were paperbacks in the closed cabinets below the many shelves that lined the walls. Comfy leather chairs, each with a small table and reading lamp close, filled up the interior. Two of the chairs had high backs and were placed on either side of a table that supported a marble chess set.