Chapter 8 A Thread Of Truth

• Finally, Darren spoke, his voice low, as he set the bag down on the cot and dropped the new tray while picking up the old one. He dropped a pill onto the tray.
• “You should eat. And freshen up, too. This is day two.”
• She lifted her head slowly, her face blotched and wet. “What’s the point?” Her voice cracked. “I’m still gonna die anyway.”
• Something flickered in his eyes: discomfort, maybe guilt. He didn’t move closer, but he didn’t turn away either.
• “You’ll need your strength,” he said.
• “For what exactly?” she whispered. “More crying? More kicking? More trauma?” Her hands clenched tight against her knees. “You don’t know what it’s like to lose everything in one night.”
• His silence deepened. The shadows stretched between them.
• Nina pressed on, her voice trembling but sharp. “Anyway, not like you care. You are just a robot responding to a remote control.”
• That axe cut. His jaw worked, a muscle ticking at the corner. He looked at her, really looked, as though weighing what he should reveal.
• Finally, he spoke, quiet, but not cold.
• “I didn’t choose your family.”
• Her breath hitched. She seized the thread instantly. “Then, who?”
• Darren’s gaze hardened again, retreating behind the shield he always carried. He shook his head slightly, as if cursing himself for saying too much.
• He turned to go.
• “Is… it Horace?” Nina blurted, standing on shaky legs. Her voice broke, but her eyes burned steady. “Please tell me.”
• He froze at the door, his back to her. For a long, taut moment, he stood there, unmoving. Then, softer than before:
• “Eat the food and take your pill. I’m to report back on its progress.”
• And he left.
• Nina sank back to the cot, her mind whirling. He had cracked again, just for a second. He wasn’t her friend. He wasn’t her ally. Not yet. There was a boundary being avoided; perhaps, if she pushed just right, she might get answers.
• Nina glanced at the bag twice before reluctantly checking it out. They were clothes, a few. Shower gel. Body Towel. Wow. Crocs. Socks. Tooth brush and paste. Hmm. Do they always treat their captives like this? Or… could it be him? There is actually something different about him. But are these necessary? I mean, will I really have time to make use of all these? I wonder what beautiful plans Horace has for me. She thought.
• She decided to check out the meal. It was cereal. At least, not dry bread and water. She rolled her eyes. That was when she realized she hadn’t had food or water since she was brought to the safe house. She happened to be a cereal rodent. So, she pounced on the food and downed it in a blink. And gulped down the water like a plunge pool, taking the pill afterward.
• “BUUUURRRRRRPPP,” She carelessly let it out. Then, suddenly clasped her mouth in awkwardness, her eyes swinging from side to side, looking for who was looking. Oh. She adjusted when she remembered that she was alone. It amused her.
• She took the bath tools and went to the washroom. There was a mirror on the wall. She looked at her image in the mirror; she looked like a shithole. Dark circles around her good eye. The second eye still reddish from the hit. Multicolored rather. The doctor’s dressing still hurting, but less. She was a mess. The sadness that had left moments ago returned as tears clouded up her eyes. The injury was a reminder that she was not free. She still couldn’t believe that they were all real.
• ·
• Darren had been pacing the living room for an hour. The memory of Nina’s tears bothered him. He told himself it didn’t matter, dismissing whatever pressure he felt in his heart.
• His phone buzzed.
• He pulled it out of his pocket. “Boss”
• “Report.” Horace’s voice oozed over the speaker, calm.
• “She’s contained,” Darren answered flatly. “No issues.”
• A pause. Then the faint sound of Horace chuckling. “No issues? That girl has spirit. You have no idea what she is capable of.”
• Darren’s jaw tightened. “She’s not a threat.”
• “Everyone is a threat,” Horace replied smoothly. “Especially her. Which is why you must keep her under control. Do you understand?”
• “Yes.”
• “Just a grounding call,” Horace’s voice darkened.
• The line went dead.
• ·
• The sun had risen high in the sky, the day was very bright, and the room was better lit by the daylight than by the bulb. Nina lay on her back on the cot, legs stretched out, crossed at the ankles, fingers joined together on her tummy, mind full of thoughts. Is Horace really coming back for her, or should she expect the worst? Either way, she can’t stay there. She had to get out either through Horace or through herself. But still, she needed an answer.
• She had heard Darren on the phone earlier.
• The keyhole clicked and the door opened.
• Nina sat up on the cot.
• “What?” Darren asked when he saw a questioning look, his eyebrows crowding when he saw she was wearing one of the new clothes but with her pajamas pants under. The dress was short and she didn’t want create any chance for molestation.
• “Thank you for the items,” Nina said, trying to be as calm as possible.
• He said nothing but went straight to the table to pick up the tray. He was really a man of few words.
• “I heard you on the phone earlier. Was it my uncle who called?”
• Darren paused for two seconds, then, started to leave with the tray.
• “Okay, can you please dial him so that I can tell him where I am?”
• Darren gave her a sharp look in disbelief.
• “I mean, remind him that I’m still here, in case he has forgotten.” She corrected.
• Darren continued on his way out.
• “Pleeeeeeeease.” She begged, springing to her feet.
• Darren paused again and turned to face her halfway. “I can't.”
• “Why? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
• In the daylight in the room, she could see the look on his face. Pity, maybe. Her heart pounded.
• His mouth parted, but words did not come. He moved to continue on his way, but Nina came over to his front. “Please tell me that it is not Horace. Please, don’t lie to me. My heart is very heavy, and my mind is unsettled. He’s the only family I have left. I need to know what to hope for. What to live for. My life is in shambles now; I can’t even think straight. Please, Darren.” She searched his face intensely.
• The silence stretched.