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Chapter Twelve

"How long have I been here?" I questioned as I pushed the fried rice around my plate.

The man took a bite of chicken, chewing his food. The sound was painfully loud, getting under my skin. His eyes watched my fork slide across the plate to pick at the food.

None of my limbs were confined at the table today. I was thankful, glad to not have the annoying chunk of metal weighing me down.

The window in the kitchen caught my attention. How had I not noticed it was open before? The pane was halfway up, the evening breeze whizzing in.

"You should eat that. You've lost too much weight, it can't be healthy." He remarked softly, acting as if he cared.

His words pulled me from my trance, his utensil pointing towards my plate as a signal for me to obey him.

I sighed, then picked a forkful of rice up. The soft texture mushed nicely in between my teeth. I raised my eyebrows at him, making sure he noticed that I took another bite.

The food tasted good, but it was hard for me to eat. I had grown used to the painful burn in my belly, it almost felt comforting at this point. Not to mention my stomach lining shrunk.

My eyes fiercely squinted at the plate in front of me that had a heaping pile of cheesy rice and chicken on it. It was difficult to not give in to the desire to jump through the open window. I wondered if he left it accessible for a reason. A test maybe?

I tried not to gaze at the scenery through the cracked pane longingly. It was difficult, because it was all I could think about right now. Him leaving it open is like taunting a dog with a bone.

Following a routine of eating and drinking for the man to watch, I washed down my food with water from a plastic cup.

"I still don't know your name." I inquired after I set the plastic cup back on the table. Distracting myself from trying to escape was my best choice right now.

He chewed on his upper lip for a minute in thought before responding, "My name is Lorenzo."

I carry on eating instead of continuing the conversation, not wanting him to get the idea that I was interested in talking to him.

"That's all you want to know?" He questioned, directing his eyes to my half empty plate.

I scooped up another piece of chicken slowly. 

"That's all." I said blankly, pushing the plate towards him.

"You want it?" I questioned hopefully. My stomach was full. I realized that after the last mouthful. That was the most food I have eaten at once in a long time. He observed my movements.

"Two more bites." Lorenzo ordered, picking up the fork and sticking a piece of chicken to it.

"One?" I requested.

"No." He said firmly, making it clear I had no option as the utensil moved towards my mouth.

I quickly bit the small piece off the fork and started chewing. He watched me with an amused look on his features.

Lorenzo held another bite out. My hand reached out for the fork this time, resulting in him pulling it back.

"No." He said while smiling, "I want to do it. I like to."

I decided not to argue even though I hated the gesture. It was time to start picking my battles more wisely, so I complied.

"Why does your mood change so quickly?" I questioned. What I really wanted to ask is for him to let me go but I knew that would make him mad. He had been eerily nice today so I knew the switch was coming soon.