Borrowed Time

Chapter Ten

Over the next few hours, neither of us sleeps. Jaden teaches me a hand game called 'Slide' and we play 'Concentration,' a game we evidently both learned in elementary school. I tell him about my favorite songs, and he explains the plots of entire movies to me. Sometimes I get dizzy, or my head begins to hurt, so we just lay next to each other in silence. We exchange a few laughs, a few kisses. It feels nice.

When finally Jonathan comes to take me again, like I knew he would, I whisper for Jaden not to fight it. I promise I'll be back. He's reluctant, unsure, and I can see him fighting with himself, but in the end he lets me go. I am thrown into the red room again, I hear the door click behind me.

Belarus is sitting in the same chair as yesterday. Before he can say I word, I speak, “if I'm going to help you, there's some things I need,” I say quickly, before I can think better of it.

“Oh, and what are these things?” He asks, his white eyebrow rising on his wrinkled forehead.

“Bathroom breaks... and more food...” This is my only chance, what do I need? “..and I need to get a letter to my friend.”

His lips curl into a sly smile. “Oh, my dear, if you corporate, I will allow you as many bathroom breaks as you want. I'll have Jonathan escort you. I will also inform Virginia to bring you more food, we'll need you well enough to work. As for the letter, I'm afraid we can't risk it.”

I want to argue, but I don't really see any point. It was a long shot anyway. “What do I have to do?” I ask.

“You're going to have a chat with our old friend, Dr. Barnes. My men will be following you, so don't even think of running. They're faster.”

“A chat about what?” I ask through gritted teeth. The thought of seeing Dr. Barnes again tugs at my insides but I ignore it. This is what I have to do to save Jaden.

“Tell him you've been living on the streets. Tell him you're lost and confused and hungry. I don't care what you need to tell him, but you need to get in.”

“Into where?”

“Into wherever he does the transfer. That's where we must be led.” Though his body is old and fragile, I can see that his eyes are ablaze with wild excitement.

“He won't believe me.” My voice is small, I sound weak and I hate it. “This isn't even where I'm from, why would I be here? It makes no sense.”

“Tell him you've been looking for him. You've traveled quite far. If you don't want to, don't answer too many questions, you needn't speak much at all. You just have to make the bastard want to help you.”

“Why not just kidnap him too?” I ask.

“You ask too many questions, Cecilia.”

I ignore this statement. “Why do you need me?” I just want to know. Is that too much to ask?

“I have spent millions of dollars on research for this. On finding a solution for this...problem. You see, our old friend Dr. Barnes tried his little experiment before all of you children. The only difference was it was on adults. The transfer doesn't work on adults, you take time from them, but not give it. However, this is my time. I'm not taking anything. Only getting back.”

I wish I hadn't asked. I don't want to know. I want to forget.

“Can I go now?” I ask in a small voice.

“I will have Jonathan take you to the bathroom and then back to your room. You'd best say goodbye to your little friend for now, you'll be gone tomorrow and I don't know if you'll ever come back here.”