A Lighter and a Flashlight

"I Love You"

(All throughout this chapter I had to keep reminding myself that 'Six is only 8' and 'is an innocent little babe', reason being that she doesn't know any profanity. Just imagine Seven's 'shit eating grin' later in the chapter.)

Seven's POV

Recently Roger has had to stop visiting us. The Lady has begun to keep a closer eye on him now days. It has us all concerned.

Six's mom has been visiting us more frequently after the hunger incident three months ago. She says now that Six's curse has been enacted the Lady is weakened, with less control over her body.

Six's mom visited us again last night. She's actually pretty nice, I'm glad that I got to meet her. At first I was apprehensive, seeing as last time I saw her she tried to crush me.

She told us all about what was going on and how she was going to try to kill the lady and stuff. She told us not to worry, that the 'adults' were going to handle things. She did everything to reassure us that we'd be fine. That everyone would be fine.

I think she's lying.

Scratch that, I know it.

From what I know, they're at a draw with the Lady. It seems like no matter how long they fight, nothing is happening. I feel like she's lying to herself too. Imbuing false hope onto all of us. I understand that its good to be positive, so that is why I don't tell Six any of this; but I sometimes find it hard, now more than ever. Lying to her, looking into her innocent eyes and telling her everything will be alright.

All the kids on the Maw are in danger. This is a factory and we are the product. Whoever the chefs are feeding are the consumers. If we keep doing the same old routine nothing is going to change. We need to break free, to start the change.

I want to help, Six's mom, the other kids, Roger, Six.

I want to end the evil in this place. I want this to be a place that I can grow up in, where Six can grow up. This may be an awful place, but this is the only place I've ever known, I place I've learned to call home. Maybe if we can end this horrible system things can get better for us, for everyone. This won't have to be a prison anymore.

That is why we have begun exploring.

Getting around without being seen, mapping the vents, creating and discovering routes throughout the Maw.

I'm going to save this place.

For her.

Anything for her.

. . .

Deep down, I think Six knows its all a lie too. That we're both pretending we don't know whats happening. Putting on a facade of innocence to retain what little normalcy we can manage. To comfort those around us.

We both know why we are adventuring out.

We are going to save everyone.

. . .

Six's POV

The brush has stopped moving in my hair, meaning Seven is lost in thought again. I sigh, looking at the maps and diagrams pinned up on the inside of the suitcase. I try to shift a bit on the blankets beneath us, accidentally un-freezing Seven.

The brush once again begins to slide through my hair.

I sigh involuntarily, the weight of the oppression surrounding us melts away.

Being with Seven seems to have that effect.

I don't feel threatened by the imminent danger surrounding us. I just feel his serene presence behind me. The brush gliding through my hair.