The Cure

XV

Ofelia is frantic when I finally get home. It's about two the next morning and she's waiting up, having slept none from anxiety.

"They just barged in here, tearing the place up and then they went in your room, digging about until they found that thing in your closet! What were you doing with it?"

I feel anesthetized, unable to move, barely breathing so it seems. "I didn't know it was anything important."

"Where did you get it?"

"Who cares!" I'm hot-tempered, I know, but I've been asked this so many times today I feel I will pop if pricked with the question one more time. I'm surprised however, that Ofelia doesn't scold me or ask any thing else. I assumed like Reese she would say how illegal it is or something. It seems Ofelia doesn't even know.

"Reese told me it was black market, to grow plants."

"Who's Reese?"

"Oh, just a Guard. He's the one who called for my release." I know this is enough to say but I can't help but go on. It's as if I want to talk about it more, not forget it. "The way he talks, he seems very high up on the government ladder. Always saying he can do this or that if you don't give him what he wants."

"People like that," Ofelia grunts, "should never be trusted. They're pleased with you until you do something that ticks 'em off. Then you had better watch out."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Although I've slept more than eleven hours in the jail cell, I find myself lugging back to my bedroom where everything is in tatters. I don't bother to clear off my bed but lie down on the twisted sheets, slips of paper and mismatched clothes. I don't fall asleep right away however, I only find I can think back to the scene of my release and all the things Reese tried and failed to explain to me:

"Black market?" I'd yelled. "I have no idea what you mean." 

"It's a line of trade where people buy and sell things illegally."

"Is it a place?"

Reese narrowed his eyes and didn't answer. "I suggest you leave," he did say. "Before someone comes and complicates things further, or I change my mind," he added for good measure.

I stood up. "I already told you. I'm not leaving without Griffin's release." I tried to sound firm and resolute but I knew it came out in a barely audible whimper.

Reese turned his head and walked out. Following him I was surprised to see that the door didn't shut by surprise in a cruel joke. Once outside in the hall, Reese held the door of the elevator shaft open and I stepped inside but instead of going up to the main level it went down, stopping at Griffin's level. I dared to look at Reese's face but it was still as immovable as ever.

He leads me to the door but doesn't scan his face; merely punches in a few numbers and the door clicks open. 

Turing to me Reese mutters, "You have ten more minutes with the prisoner to...explain. After that it's your choice if you stay or go."

He discretely moves to the side and I charge in throwing myself at Griffin once more, whispering to him my confessions about the plant, news of the black market and the choice I have to stay with him or go. He pleads for me to go and I can't decide, not there and then. Before I know it ten minutes is gone and I'm forced to tare myself from Griffin and can feel the tears streaming down my face, worried what they'll do to him again once I'm gone. Perhaps I can stay, to protect him. I turn and see Reese glance away from where his eyes were locked on my tear stained cheeks. I think I see him frown, eyes clouded over with some emotion I don't recognize and he shuts the door.