03

“All right, stop thinking about it now. I’m sorry that you had to remember that.” Sean said his sorry for how many times already. “You want to go with me? I’ll deliver the food for them.” He asked while carrying the tray filled with food.

“O-kay.” I said, unsure. “But!” I halted when I remember something. “Can I be the one to give this to the new prisoner? He might not want to see me there but I’ll try though.” I lowered my head, thinking of that prisoner I meddled with.

“Are you insane? What is up with that prisoner?” He scowled when he heard me.

“Relax! I’m not going to put myself in danger,” I defended so he’d allow me.

“You are putting yourself in danger.” Says the latter, completely disagreeing.

“Please?” I pleaded.

Sean sighed. “Then, I’ll go with you. I don’t trust that prisoner,” his smug face was evident.

“I’ll be fine. Didn’t you know that I’m a black belter in Karate?” I mocked him and he turned to look at me with judgment. We were walking out of the kitchen to deliver the food.

“I know. But didn’t you also know that you’re a scaredy-cat?” Says the latter, teasing me.

“Hmp!” I accepted my defeat as we both head to the cell.

He went to the other prisoner’s room and I took the chance to go directly in his place.

As I was in front of his cell, a puff of air escaped my lips. He’s probably asleep ‘cause his eyes were closed as he lies on the bed, so I decided to just give the food without him knowing.

I didn’t know why but my steps were as silent as a snake that he wouldn’t think of me approaching his area. Maybe I’m afraid he’d notice me here after what happened.

“Why are you here?”

To my surprise, I almost threw the tray when I heard a hoarse voice. Only he could be the one to ask that since he’s alone in this room.

My plan to put the food and leave in an instant vanished.

I was calming myself before turning around to look at him.

Eh?

His eyes are still closed though. How did he know?

I didn’t answer since he might just be talking in his dream. I was about to go out when I heard the creaking sound of the bed. A sign that he either stood up or he just made a move.

“I asked why are you here?”

Oh my God!

I was silently praying when I turned around to look at him, only to be welcomed by a cold, poker-faced man.

“Uhm, y-your food?” I stammered, unsure of what I just brought so I gave him an awkward smile.

Get a hold of yourself, Nix! For Pete’s sake, that’s just a man. Says my mind as I was standing in front of him.

“You can go now.”

His voice was monotonous and as cold as his impassive face. His eyes were blankly inscrutable that I find it hard to interpret what he really feels.

I just nodded in response and grabbed the tray after putting the plate on top of the table.

“Nix, let’s go.” I heard Sean’s call. I got out of his room impromptu.

While we were walking, a snap of his face came into view. I didn’t have the chance to look at him closely but I had a glimpse of his features.

His brows were furrowed no matter what. His eyes filled with vexation. His nose was pointed, and his lips were plump.

Have I not noticed that his hair was tied up in a bun?

Hmm, this person made me want to know more about him.

What are you hiding, prisoner?

“Hey, you okay?” I went back to my senses when he spoke.

“Yeah, why did you ask?” He must’ve noticed me spacing out.

“Looks like your head is filled with thoughts,” he uttered. He really knows me well.

“Hmm, I don’t know. I’m curious about that prisoner,” I replied with honesty.

Sean is the only person I could tell about my random thoughts. We’ve known each other for so long that I find it hard to lie to him. Besides, there’s not much to hide.

He looked at me with a frown. “What? You like him now?” He blurted.

“No! Of course, not! I just, you know, feel like I want to know more about him. I find him mysterious,” I quickly disagreed with what he hypothesized and tried to explain in a direct way.

“It’s okay to be curious, but you have to be careful. He’s here for a reason, okay?” Says the old man, I mean, Sean.

“I know, I know,” I assured him.

Few hours after when the night came, I went to get my things on the locker and bid my goodbye to Uncle Ino and Sean.

As I ride my scooter on my way home, I felt the cold air brushing through my skin.

Seems like winter is about to come. I said in mind.

This has been my daily routine. Wake up early in the morning to cook for myself; ride my scooter along the way to the cell; work, then go home afterward.

You might find it dull, but for me, it’s somewhat thrilling.

Just when I got out of the scooter, my phone rang. My brows furrowed when an unregistered number appeared on the screen.

Who could this be?

“Hello,” I muttered when I answered the call.

“Is this Zarahi’s daughter?” I got goosebumps when I heard a deep-voiced man talking on the phone.

“Who is this?” I answered him with a question since it’s dangerous to just confirm your identity to an unknown caller. Also, I don’t recognize his voice.

It’s not new for me to be called by a stranger. They might have known me because of my past. Unlike everyone, I cannot just disclose my name to a stranger.

I was trained to recognize a caller’s voice by my parents. They taught me these things since I was young. It’s because of the Elites. They edified me not to be pliable and docile when it comes to them. They make people believe that they’re benign and highly powerful to the media but in reality, they’re merciless and murderous.

Ordinary people wouldn’t know that unless they stand by the law. They’d just believe in what Elites want them to see, and be entirely blinded by the truth.

I came back to my senses when I heard his authoritative statement.

“Duncan. Get my brother out of the jail.”

Duncan.

An elite.