The Only Exception

Part #3

I reach out and she bares her teeth and snarls. "It's me, Nai." I crouch down and hug her. "I'm here to save you guys." This seems to have registered in her brain since she no longer struggles but instead hugs me back. "Nai we missed you so much." She touches my cheek as if to see if I'm actually there. I go to touch her cheek but she jerks her head back and away. I realize they have deep gashes that reach bone on both of their bodies. The door starts rattling again, I quickly scurry out and relock the cell. "Your shift is over for the night, be back at the crack of dawn tomorrow" the lady at the desk glares at me as I am escorted out. I here Gareki whimpering and shaking the bars then I hear a scream as well as a whip coming in contact with skin. I can't go back so instead head to the "room" they provided for me and try to sleep.

Forcefully I'm shaken and woken up by two guards. They tell me I have to get ready for my shift in the "dungeon of death" as I call it. I run as quickly as I can manage and reach the cell where Gareki and Mitzi were held. To my surprise I find only Mitzi in her bloody corner rocking. She must know I'm looking for Gareki because she points to a small door at the end of the corridor. I fumble trying to find the right keys but finally unlock the door. Gareki is chained to a wall by his hands feet and neck. He is bleeding badly. This sight makes me furious. 'How dare they do this to my Gareki!' I think to myself and cautiously walk over. He must be having a nightmare because he suddenly starts shaking violently and screaming with tears stream down his blood stained cheeks. I crouch down in front of him and carefully place my hand on his cheek. He jolts up upon contact and snarls while trying to get my hand away from him. I jump back mostly in fear. "Gareki, everything is okay. I'm here now." My whisper is almost barely audible but Gareki must have heard it for he calmed down a bit after that. I take out my contacts and take off the cap to show him it's really me. He tries to lunge at me out of joy but the chains hold him back. He whimpers in pain. "Stay still." I walk around him and start trying every key on the lock. After about an hour or so I find the right key. After all the chains are off I tell him he can move again. No answer. He slumps forward and falls onto his less lacerated cheek. "Gareki?!" I frantically call his name but all I get is a grunt. He's tired I tell myself. I gently scoop him up in my arms and sneak him to the attic room. 'Was he always this light?' I think to myself as I near the door. No one even knows it's up here except for me. It has a king sized bed, a dresser with spare men's clothing, a giant circle window in the wall that looks out over Finland, and even a bathroom with a working shower/tub. I lay him gently on the bed and go to exit but feel a hand grasp my wrist. "Please don't leave me again." Gareki almost whimpers as he says this. I smile and "I have to finish my shift or they'll get suspicious, I'll be back tonight." I squeeze his hand for reassurance and make my way back to the dungeon of death.