CHAPTER 7: A Revelation
A few days have passed, and now more than ever, Duo felt better with Chiaki as his cellmate. Most of the times, the two talked endlessly, sharing their views on life. There are, however, times when the two kept silent. Usually when one of them leaves, returns later with a look that they both understood needed silence. The look of disgrace, suffering, and pain.
Duo opened his eyes and sat himself up to look around his cell. He's still not here. He was called three times already. That boy's still weak…
Duo brushed his hands through his hair. Minutes later he was alarmed by the sound of clunking metal.
Duo crawled to the cell bars to see if it was Chiaki. He expected to hear the harsh laughter of the guard as the doors flung open.
"Chiaki!" Duo cried as he was carried unconscious by the guard. To Duo's surprise, the guard carried him in, instead of usually throwing the prisoners about, and laid him gently on the mantel-covered spot of the floor. It was when the guard stood up and headed to Duo that he realized he was different.
Hmm… a new guard. What happened?
"Take care of him, he's wounded," the guard spoke in a rather monotonous voice, handing Duo a small package. Duo tried to eye the soldier, but his cap was covering his eyes. The guard stood and locked the door. As the sound of the guard's footsteps died along with Duo's curiosity, Chiaki moaned in pain.
Duo rushed by his side. "Chiaki, daijobu?"
Chiaki's face was lined in pain. Duo caught sight of bloodstains in his arms. He decided to turn him over.
"Lashes…" Duo said horror-struck. "What happened?"
Duo remembered the small package the guard had given him. He opened it to find a few bottles of antiseptic and a roll of bandage.
Hmm… But they just let their wounded slaves die before, why now?
Once again, Duo shook the thought off paid attention to Chiaki instead. "I have to tend to your wounds," Duo said as he turned him over again and began unbuttoning his prisoner uniform.
And then, he stared at him. He looked at his body as if something was not right. It was only when he had rubbed his eyes that he realized what he was staring at. His jaw dropped when an appalling revelation came to him.
He is a she. Chiaki is a girl.