Population Zero

Chapter Twenty-Three

When I awoke the pain immediately returned to my body. In the darkness I struggled to make out my surroundings but it was clear to me even in the blackness that this was a prison. Something about the smell was oddly familiar. A light began to shine in the distance almost as if it were a flashlight and it darted back and forth from wall to wall. I could have sworn I was in here alone at first but now I wasn't so sure. The light grew brighter and closer almost blinding me causing me to squint my eyes to try to catch a glimpse of the wielder. She lowered the light just below my face close enough for me to look into her shining eyes. Sophia. My mouth dropped open in wonderment.

"Sophia. What are you doing?" I asked emphatically. "You shouldn't be here!"

I knew right away the consequences of her coming. If Mother Camila knew she was here she'd probably be bound and gagged right next to me and not of her own accord.

She remained silent and it drove me crazy because now that I could finally hear all I longed to hear was her beautiful voice. She set straight to work cutting through the rope that bound my arms and tore off the tape from mouth with a loud rip sound.

"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself." She said righteously. She slid down against the wall and sat next to me close enough so that I could feel her breathing. She brought her knees up to her chest and crossed her arms over them and turned to look into my eyes.

"How old are you?" She asked.

"13. Almost 14." I said quickly wanting her to be impressed by my age for some reason. It was true although I hadn't realized it until now. It's been almost a year since I was taken from the West Wing. What a long year it has been.

"I'm 12. Almost 13." She responded softly. When she spoke it was as though a faint and gentle melody played into my ears and I was completely overtaken by her. She reached her hand out and touched mine and this sent shivers down my spine but in a different sort of way than what I expected. I felt light and airy like I could float away at any moment. I tried to steady my breathing but my body was electric and it was beyond my control.

"Mother Camila would be very angry." She said finally. "But I am so tired of listening to her. She never listens to me. She is so filled with anger and hatred and she never gives anyone a chance to prove her wrong. I am her last child. She had 15 boys that were all ripped away from her. I was her only daughter. I think that's why she's so protective over me. I understand where she's coming from but I don't agree with what she has done to our people. Forcing them to live in constant remembrance of the atrocities and never allowing us to move on or seek healing. I think it's a sign that you have come here. A sign that it is time to move on and rebuild and to heal our broken souls. Yes. That's what I believe." She looked deeply into my eyes and I returned her gaze as if I were hypnotized. The tiny hairs on my arm stood up. She brought her face so close to mine and her breathing intensified. Just as our lips began to touch she pulled back. My heart broke.

"She's going to execute you tomorrow in town hall."

"What?" I sat straight up against the wall nearly jumping out of my own skin.

"Beheading. She really loves beheading people. And the people love it too. And a male youth like you? They'll be talking about this for ages." She said matter-of-factly. I got up to my feet and snatched the flashlight from Sophia's hand. Suddenly I wasn't as interested in her now that I realized I was about to be killed. How could she sit here next to me and tell me this with no concern for me? Was she really different than the others or was she exactly the same? To punish me for something I didn't do! For something I didn't believe in! All for show? I shone the light all around the cell looking for a way out. A loose stone, a hole, a break in the bars, anything to help me get out. Sophia stayed in her little spot with her legs still drawn up to her chest. I turned to look back at her as anger filled my eyes. Why wasn't she trying to get me out of here?