I had intertwined my fingers with hers as we stood behind the bars. If only I could tell her- tell her how I felt, for real, and tell her about Aldriss without her worrying. But she would worry, and Aldriss would torment me if I did tell her.
"Still here?" I whispered. She rested her head on the crook of my shoulder and nodded.
"Obviously," she said softly. "I thought you'd be long gone, at least a year ago. Have forced that evil little slug out." Her hair, a beautiful chestnut, rested so softly on my shoulder.
"Not yet," I said, "not yet," But I would be without Aldriss soon, if things went well.
I had met her so long ago… she was her name to me, my Hope, my love. I loved her with all of my heart, all of my being. She was the reason I fought.
A tear ran down her cheek.
I took a finger and wiped it away. "Never give up," I whispered to her. "Ever." She nodded.
A Hork-Bajir cam just then. I knew it was for me. As he ripped me away, I yelled back, "Never. NEVER! HOPE! Hope is all you have. Hope!" I fought back. I bit and tore, but half-heartedly. I wasn't going to win this one. I was just glad Hope didn't noticed the increased guard on me. I COULDN'T be let go, so I had three Hork-Bajir instead of two.
My face forced into the pool of sludgy, crap looking stuff. I fought.
Then he cameinto my ear.
(What? No, 'Welcome home?' ore 'I missed you?' Come on, now, we can do better than that.) Aldriss cooed.
I didn't respond.
(ANSWER ME! NOW! Or I will bring up your dream. You know… the one where Hope dies? A slow, painful death, and all you can do is watch? And you…)
(I HATE YOU!) I burst. He knew I hated that dream. It happened repeatedly. Over and over and over.
Aldriss smirked over at her. My heart wretched. She was crying freely now, soundlessly, and a Hork-Bajir was going over to her.
Watching her made me proud. I knew what she was fighting for. For freedom. For… for life. REAL life.
She bit. Clawed. Fought like crazy. But then she was forced under. A thunder of jeering and yelling and clapping was happening, from Yeerks and humans.
(See what happens when you resist? Nothing. She will only be punished by her Yeerk and nothing else. She is not free, you are not free. Pointlessness,) he laughed.
And a tear trickled down his face… MY face… even with him there.
Had she fought for me?