The Prison of Deviants

Chapter 31: Theo, Knut, and the Warden

I tell everything to Knut since Dagur's already taken care of it all beforehand - he's told him about the existence of the escape plan. Curse it... It's become even harder now when Knut knows what it's all about. I only hope he won't get upset and inform his brother.

"Wow, that's one elaborate plan..." He smiles. "Dagur sure has helped you a lot."

"Huh? Y... You're not mad?"

I can't understand why he's not surprised or alarmed - we're talking about an escape plan here, and a perfect one, which will surely work! How come he's not alerting his brother right away?

"I would be, of course, but Dagur's already explained the situation to me, so I've got nothing to complain about." He shrugs. "I understand your yearning for freedom."

"So, you're not going to tell your brother?"

"Why? You've spent so much time organizing that break... It'd be a pity to bring it all to naught, especially when I do care about you."

He caresses my dark brown ringlets. His smile is so sweet... He means it, I can tell. I embrace him tightly.

"Thank you so much, Knut! That means a lot to me. Would it be too much for me to ask you to... come with me?" I look into his icy blue eyes, "I'd love to have you by my side when we escape."

"I'll come."

"Really?" 

Is he serious? I thought he'd at least waver for some time, before giving me an answer! Is he going to abandon his brother so easily?

"What about your brother?"

"He's always wanted me to be free." A bitter smile covers his face. "I had nowhere to go, though. So I stayed beside him - my only family. Now when you're inviting me to accompany you, I'd gladly agree."

This was truly unexpected. I thought Knut cared about his brother more. Either way, this is much better for me - now, Knut will help us too in the escape. Then, we'll be together forever.

With high hopes, I go to sleep, cuddled up with Knut in his bed.

***

"No, I will wait here, until you all are safe."

"Then you'll come?"

"You don't have to worry about me. Just do as I've advised."

"Okay."

"Go now. Bob won't be waiting forever."

"What about you?"

"I need to put your balm on, first."

"But your wounds sting when it wears off!"

"I can't do anything. Visitors are coming today from the Feline Kingdom, to introduce the new lot of prisoners. Bob's said I have to look a bit comelier, or else I'll scare off not only the prisoners but the queen's men, too."

"Hmph, Bob is a nuisance..."

"Yeah... Either way, you go now. I'll be ready in short."

"Okay."

It is morning. I hear the voices of Knut and the warden in the room. After Knut receives the warden's order to go somewhere, I hear a door creak and close. I open my eyes. It was the red door to have moved - the one that leads to the warden's office. I can see only Knut in the room now. He's dressed in his administrative clothes, as always. He heads towards the other door to the right - the brown one that leads outside into the feline district.