Freedom

Chapter 10: Yasmin

Static filled the speakers as they sparked on. A robotic deep voice sounded, "This is an initiation reactionary test to simulated scenarios. Testing such as psycho analysis, physical changes and outcomes will be assessed. Your destiny relies on you."

Trent and I stared at each other. "They're gonna test us?" he uttered.

"Trent, I don't know how much longer I can deal with this," my voice shook as I spoke. Trent heaved himself up and limped to where I was standing in the tiny room. He placed one of his hands on my shoulder and squeezed gently while looking into my eyes. I didn't realise how tall he was, probably 6 foot.

"It's going to be okay Yasmin." he whispered while managing a smile. I walked past him and sat on the bed and stared blankly at the floor.

I looked back up at him and said, "No it's not."

He limped to the bed and lightly lowered himself next to me.

"I will never forgive myself if I don't get you out of here, I promise I'll try with all my might, it's the least I can do."

"Thanks. By the way the bed is mine."

"Oh what? Okay..." His voice was dripping with disappointment.

"You didn't expect me to share the bed with you ! After all you have done."

"Errr um no I just... Umm... Nothing" He murmured as blood rushed to his cheeks and he stared at his feet.

A wave of guilt washed over me, not for not letting him sleep here, but for embarrassing him. Why was I so mean? Well, after all he has done he deserves it. But maybe he has changed. Maybe he is not that bad.

No. What even am I thinking? This is the man who ruined the past 2 years of my life. I can't let him get to me. I lay down and pulled the icky woollen blanket over myself. I could hear him settling himself on the ground. He winced in pain. The lights dimmed and after a few minutes I heard his breaths deepen, he must have fallen asleep.

I rolled around and the room was faintly visible, a small hint of light illuminating him. His shirt was off and he was using it as a pillow. Wow. His stomach was hard and muscular, looking at it made something flip in mine. He must work out everyday. His arms were muscly and toned and his tan was glowing. He was beautiful.

Trent turned his head to look at me and caught me staring. I quickly turned away and acted like nothing happened. He smirked and I couldn't suppress a chuckle. He looked so uncomfortable and vulnerable on the floor. The ground was so hard, damp and dirty.

"Do you want to come in here?" I asked him, surprised at what I had just said. But it was freezing and I couldn't let him shiver on the floor all night. I was shivering, but the bed didn't provide that much warmth, but just enough.

He looked at me incredulously. I patted the bed in the space next to me to let him know it was okay. I could barely speak through my teeth chattering. Trent slowly got up, struggling to walk, and climbed into the bed. I felt a sense of relief as his warmth, or what little he had, radiated and heated up the bed. Much better. We soon stopped shivering and I drifted off to sleep, listening to the sound of him breathing.