An angry growl came from deep within Shilo's stomach; startling both her and Graverobber back into the present moment. He was about to ask her how long it had been since she had last eaten, but after a good look at her… He knew it hadn't been recently. At once he sprang to his feet and started for the door. Shilo stared after him; eyes sad and mouth agape like a fish out of water. As he reached the door he called over his shoulder: "I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't get any funny ideas about climbing on that rail again while I'm gone…" Shilo nodded weakly and lay back down; too drained for much else.
Graverobber contemplated sliding down the long banister but figured that the amount of splinters he might pick up in an old mausoleum of a house like this one would be too much. He settled on taking the stairs on 2 at a time. Part of him *and by part, I mean 95% of him* wanted to run like hell and never return there again. There were a million viable *to Graverobber* reasons why getting involved in the kid's life was a terrible idea. He was having a hard time figuring out why he even went there in the first place; and now here he was going to buy the kid food. He rounded the corner into the square with a look so intense on his face that an approaching scalpel slut shrank back, too afraid to ask for a hit of Z.
Sanitarium Square was packed as usual with stalls selling everything from clothing to minor surgical procedures. This was also the only place to find food that wasn't freeze dried. Fresh food on the Island is the only commodity more precious than Zydrate or new organs. Nothing grows on the Island so meat and vegetables are shipped in. The Largo family owned Italian eateries get first pick of all the food shipments leaving the other vendors to fight over the scraps; but the other places managed somehow.
He scanned the square quickly and decided on the sandwich shop closest to him. He ordered two large turkey hoagies *since birds were fairly cheap even with the extra shipping costs* loaded with every sandwich topping they had. "If she doesn't like it, she can pick it off " he thought. He stared off deep in thought while the greasy looking kid making the food dropped a basket full of French fries in the oil. He set it in his mind that he would take the kid the food and then go about his way. Conscience satisfied, he gets to retain his life; everybody wins. The cashier called out his order , breaking him from his thoughts. He picked it up and started back to the Kid's house with his mind made up.
Shilo stirred at the sound of heavy footfalls coming up the stairs. Fear almost took her again until she smelled the savory aroma of food coming closer. Her heart fairly leapt with excitement at this because it meant that Graverobber had actually come back. She had never really expected him to, but here he was… And he had brought food! She scooted up to a sitting position and smiled widely at him when he came into the room. Graverobber moved the wingback chair closer to the bed and handed her a sandwich and a bag of insanely hot fries. Shilo wanted to say so many things to him; but it was all forgotten the moment that the food was in her hand. She no longer wanted anything except to tear into the food like a starved wolf, and she did, burning her mouth with the fries several times in the process.
Graverobber raised a surprised and slightly impressed eyebrow at the ferocity of Shilo's eating before opening his own sandwich. They ate in silence for a while before Shilo stopped mid sandwich. She wrapped it up and flopped back on the bed; her tiny belly now visibly distended from all the food. "Thank you" she said softly. "Thank you for being here and bringing me food… And for pulling me off the rail. I think I can make it now since you're going to help me." Graverobber nearly choked on his sandwich. He had forgotten he had said that he was going to help her out. His magnificent plan went completely out the window. He looked at her; her face written all over with unabashed joy and he felt… Guilty. He knew in his heart that he couldn't leave her and live with himself; but he didn't know what he was going to do with her either. He grunted an acknowledgement and turned he focus to his sandwich and full mind.