Chapter Two

THE WOMAN:

The man’s screaming had stopped some while back and she had mixed feelings about it. Grateful there was finally silence, but worried it meant she was alone again. Nothing was worse to the girl than being alone. At least if there was another person she had a chance. Whatever that chance was. Before she could dwell on the quietness from the man next door, her mind drifted back to Night Eyes. She was disgusted at what she saw in his eyes and dreaded his return. She knew he would be back, it was nearly time for food. She heard a key in the door and pushed herself back against the wall. It wasn’t time for food and she hadn’t been loud. What are they here for now? She thought. In walked Night Eyes along with a woman dressed in the same uniform. All black with an orange badge. They looked over the room with squinted eyes and the woman pointed to the chair in the middle of the room. They shared quick, hushed words and nodded at each other. They left as quickly as they came, but before Night Eyes fully shut the door, he looked back at the girl and winked.

***

The girl was still processing what had happened when the door opened again. Night Eyes was back. He was carrying a tray with a bowl on top. He came closer and knelt down by the girl, causing her to move further into the wall. “You do not need to fear me,” Night Eyes told her. His voice slightly accented. She looked back at the man and took in his face. For the first time in three days of being her she saw the pity in his face. “It’s not feeding time,” she spat back, “so what are you doing here?” He laughed at her, “We do not run a zoo here; there is not specific time to bring you food. We will not treat you as a caged animal.” His eyes growing softer.

Those eyes… Those dark, mysterious eyes that usually confused and scared her, now entranced her. She stared deeply into them. He leaned towards her and she followed him movements; moving closer to him. Their faces were inches apart when she spoken again, coming to her senses.

“Then why am I locked in a room with no sunlight? She asked. He recoiled; looking as if he had been slapped. His eyes becoming hard.

“If you do not appreciate that I bring you more food than I am allowed, then you do not deserve it,” Night Eyes replied.

He starred to rise but the girl grabbed his leg. He looked down at her and his eyes became soft again. Crouching down he reached out and touched her face.

“Let me leave…” the girl whispered.

Night Eyes tucked a stray hair behind her hair, “I cannot do that, just following orders.” “Take the broth though, it is quite delicious,” he put the bowl at her feet.

She could feel her insides start to change towards him. He was only following orders after all. It’s not his fault she was being kept here. It was his boss’. Anger grew in her stomach and she reached out and grabbed the bowl, flipping it onto Night Eye’s face.

“That was not very smart,” He told her.

He stalked from the room and slammed it shut, once again trapping her inside her cage. She knew what she did was not smart, but she didn’t care. She could not forget the line that separates animals from keeper.