Meatloaf
had too many memories. Some were of her childhood –
monster-under-the-bed – type nightmares. Then there were nightmares
about her childhood. They were the most dreaded ones. Then there were
teenage memories, pre-Bohemian memories….
Brit memories… she dragged a hand across her eyes, smearing tears,
blood, and dark green Kohl across her face.
"Why d'ya want
tae know, anyway?"
The man in the grey suit shrugged a habitual scowl on his face. "Because you didn't answer me when I asked you who you were, so asking what you were thinking about came next."
"We're in prison, not havin' pillow talk here."
She could practically hear the smirk.
"I realise that. Well, maybe something could be arranged, though I highly doubt you'd enjoy it."
She growled in anger. "Shut up. You killed the man I love, and I'm never going to forgive you."
A sigh. "Well, I can't say I didn't try."
A few days later, they were still bored, and she hadn't spoken since the 'what are you thinking about' topic. He was sitting very still, eyes probably closed, though she wasn't close enough to be able to tell for certain. She yawned, then accidentally broke the silence.
"What'cha doing?"
He blinked – his eyes had been closed, it seemed – and turned his head slowly to look searchingly at her. "Do you care?"
"Asked, didn't I?"
"Fair enough. I'm listening to some music."
Meatloaf's mouth fell open. "Music? How the hell d'ya get that in here?"
He shrugged. "I had it in my pocked…" He held out the tiny rectangular device, and handed to her. She slipped one of the earphones into her ear, and closed here eyes. Opened one. "How d'ya turn it on?"
"Here." He leant over, and pressed a button on the side. Instantly, several options came up, and she was able to find her way into a playlist, and music started to pour into her ear. It wasn't Gaga, it was too powerful. Not loud, not hard, just… powerful. She opened one eye again. "Your taste isn't that bad, you know."
"Thanks."
Hours later, she fell asleep, curled into a ball on the cold stone floor. He watched her, for a while. Then he pulled her up to him, and she wriggled comfortably into his chest. He fell asleep not long afterwards. It wasn't out of pity, forgiveness, or friendship… well, maybe a little. But it was mainly security, warmth, and protection. Or so they told themselves.