Silent

Chapter 21

I panic, looking around the small, metallic room, trying to think up an excuse that wouldn't require me to say anything. His steps get closer and, cringing, I instantly step back suddenly slipping on a piece of newspaper, attempting to catch myself with my left foot I jerk it to the side unexpectedly smashing my ankle against the heavy duty wall.

I grab my foot and silently drop to the ground. The pain is sharp but quick and starts turning to a throb after a few seconds while a red and blue mark forms.

"Miss Soto?" His voice echoes and his steps get louder. "Are you okay?!" I hear next and I look up to see him standing in the doorway looking back at me in confusion.

I am about to shake my head yes when instead he swoops down and before I can stop him he is quickly sliding off my shoe. Taking one look at the swelling he then glancing down at the torn newspaper contorted out of its, original, peaceful state and deducts the rest.

"You slipped?" He asks, probably rhetorically, because it's quite obvious, but I nod my head anyways. "How does it feel?" He asks, carefully picking it up. "Does this hurt?" He adds looking up at me. I try not to show the pain in my face and shrug, unconvincingly, I'm sure.

"I'll be right back, don't move." He instructs then speedily darts out of the room reappearing a few seconds later with an ice pack in hand. Crouching down again he slowly sets it on the bruised spot and looks up at me.

"It looks kind of bad maybe you should skip the market today." He says and I shake my head anxiously trying to, as politely as possible, refuse the suggestion, I really want to go and I try to say it through my look.

I think he understands, but doesn't like the idea. "Well, do you think you would be able to stand or walk okay?" He asks softly with a sympathetic expression. I think about it for a second then nod slowly bracing myself and laying my hands on the ground ready to lift myself and prove it.

Carefully replacing my shoe back he stands and bends down offering his hand. "Here-" he says and I stare at it for a moment hesitating. "What's wrong? It's okay, I won't hurt you." He says reaching closer.

I silently take a breath and quickly grabbing his hand try to jump to a stand and let go immediately. It hurts even more standing but I hold back the winces and smile instead, his concerned look becomes relief now and he smiles back.

"You okay?" he asks once more and I nod. "Good" He takes a look around at the room and when his eye catches it bends down to pick up the last crate. He easily tucks it under one arm and turns, watching me take a step forward. I have a slight limp and it hurts like crazy, "Do you need help getting to the truck at least?" he asks but I shake my head, no.

I make it out the door okay but the pain hasn't gone down in the slightest, he keeps looking back to make sure I'm okay so I force a smile each time.

The truck is just about 10 feet away and Mr. Dussel and Mr. Otoroka are standing by it talking, I take one look at them and try to walk in the direction of the opposite side to get out of view but I don't make it in time before they look up.

The moment he sees me Mr. Otoroka's smile becomes a scowl. I try to pretend I don't notice and watch Mr. Shikitai carry the crate into the van but I can feel his eyes burning through my skull.

"There you are." Mr. Dussel exclaims in his usual chipper tone but I hesitate before turning to look at him. Glancing over Mr. Dussel is slowly walking forward with something in his hand. When he gets close enough he hands it to me.

I look down at the familiar grey colored card, the top is lined with a black magnetic strip for a scanner to read and from the middle down are printed words including his name, a line of random numbers and letters, and a few sets of dates indented into the plastic itself. "Would you mind scanning my card as well? You know where to go, right?" He asks and I nod. "Okay then, I'll just close up the truck and we can leave when you get back." He finishes and I nod in agreement this time.

I stand there for one last moment before slowly turning and taking the first agonizing step almost falling again but catching myself just in time. "Are you okay?" Mr. Dussel asks quickly and I look back just to nod. "No, she slipped and hit her ankle, but insists on still going." Mr. Shikitai intervenes appearing from inside the truck as he jumps down he looks over to his friend who is listening from afar wearing a blank face.

"There's no need, I can go myself, and you need to stay off that." Mr. Dussel insists but I shake my head before turning back catching Mr. Otoroka as he turns from his friend rolling his eyes and walks away, to no particular place, just away.

I try to walk as normally as possible just limping a little bit but if they could only see my face, from what I feel I probably look like someone is slowly stabbing me and twisting the knife around in my flesh, I only dread having to walk back, when I'll be facing them.

I leave relieved to get away and finally be able to grab onto something for support. It takes a while but I reach the service room and swipe both cards twice before the green light comes on and approves them, then turn right back the way I came again, not wanting to waste any time, I'm slowed down enough as it is.

Luckily the pain doesn't get worse, but I wouldn't say It's getting better either, I'm just becoming used to it so it's easier to walk now. As I pathetically climb back down the stairs clutching the rail, I could just imagine the insults I'd be getting if Mr. Otoroka could only see this, I don't know why he hates me so much still, I didn't mean to hurt him, and if he couldn't already tell how sorry I was than words wouldn't have helped anyway, it shouldn't bother me maybe, but it does.

I arrive to the kitchen and take a moment to rest my ankle before walking out. It of course still hurts but I'm barely limping now and it's easier to conceal, I am so happy finding that the two of them have left and only Mr. Dussel standing by the truck with his shopping list in hand. I close the door behind then walk over to accompany him when I see him look in my direction.

"They had to leave to catch their breakfast reservation, Mr. Shikitai asked me to wish you well and thinks you should reconsider coming, as do I." He tells me but I shake my head as politely as possible. "Well, I won't force you to make any decisions but any time while we're out you can ask me to bring you back or leave to sit in the truck." He concludes opening the passenger side door for me and walking around to the driver's side. We both climb in and take off immediately.

I enjoy watching out the window as we drive down the same long road we came by the other night, it's even more beautiful in the daylight when the bright pink of the blossoms and green of the summer grass is vibrant and better visible.

Through the iron fencing I watch the branches sway in the wind and the morning light flickering behind them as we drive past creating orbs that illuminate the sky as they hit your eyes.

"It is beautiful, isn't it? Do you like to listen to music?" Mr. Dussel asks and I look over to him nodding happily, he grins back. Switching the dial to the radio on, he adjusts the station, skims the different channels and stops at a lovely spirited tune that is playing.

As we listen he rolls the windows down a bit. It's warm; the sky is absolutely clear-blue and the air smells of sweet cherry blossoms, this would have to be the perfect kind of summer morning.

Up in the distance the end of the property appears marked by the subtle entry way, where the fencing comes to a sharp corner arched by the branches of the tall cherry trees.

Soon the beautiful orchards disappear behind us and the City surrounds.