Spearmint

5. Julia

May 2018

She waited on the bed again, it was around lunch time she could tell by the way her stomach growled at her. He had taken all the food days before so she couldn't even make herself a sandwich.

There wasn't much to do in the cellar but fester with the scent of the garbage can in the kitchen. The smell was horrid even if it was just urine, it just sat there and filled the air with its putrid scent. How did he not tell earlier, even when he helped her brush her teeth that morning.

The door opened and revealed him, he didn't whince at the smell he just waltzed in before closing the door shut behind him.

"May I speak?" her voice made his head snap towards her. He had a relaxed look about him, his lips weren't pressed firmly together and his eyebrows weren't tied together in a knot in the middle of his forehead.

"Yes."

"Why did you pick me?"

"What did I tell you about nosy questions, Julia," he turned his body completely away from the door with crossed arms.

She tried to keep her voice the same tone. "I'm not trying to be nosy, I just want to know why I'm so damn special."

"I just found you and wanted you and that is the only answer you will get," he spoke firmly.

"When can I get my food back?"

"Now if you want although you may not want it, I fed it to the pigs," he smirked.

"Well if I can't' have it as is, can you at least bring me down more?"

"Sure."

"Also will you empty out the garbage for me?" she pointed across the room.

"What did you do?"

"You locked the door and I had to use the bathroom." He groaned before he turned and shuffled into the kitchen. Thankfully for him all he had to do was change the plastic bag and possibly give the pail a quick rinse. He held it out in front of him as he made his way back to the door, he opened it and left, the door shut behind him once again.

Julia threw herself back on the bed, as much as she hated being in the cellar she knew she would miss the bed and sleeping in it by herself.

Muse returned a moment later with the garbage can and a new plastic bag inside.

"I'll bring you some sprays later," he told her before he placed the bucket back where it was. She heard him approach the bed and she nearly jumped out of her skin when he flopped down beside her. They stayed in silence, Julia relaxed after a few minutes. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the silence, it was all she could do.

She woke up to the sounds of plates being moved, she didn't remember falling asleep at all but she was still somehow tucked under the blanket with a pillow under her head. She turned on her side, he was in the kitchen with plastic grocery bags scattered on the counter and the smell of eggs and bacon wafted through the room.

He turned his head to spot her staring at him. "Morning," he smiled. "You fell asleep a few hours ago, I didn't want to wake you though," he continued to move the food in the pan.

"Thank you," she mumbled as she pushed the blanket off her. She stood and wiggled her toes in the fluffy black rug. She shuffled towards him, he didn't look up as she made her way into the kitchen. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist; he placed one of his free hands on hers.

"I love you," he mumbled.

"I love you too," she muttered while she nuzzled her face into his back.