Marissa felt a cold wet washcloth on her head as she started to come to. Her eyelids felt heavy and her mouth felt dry.
Slowly she opened her eyes. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she started to make out the features of a familiar figure. It hadn't been a dream. Luke was really there.
She opened her mouth to try and speak, but no words came out.
"Shhh, calm down Marissa. Have a sip of water." Luke spoke slowly while offering her a bottle of water.
Marissa gulped it down in less than twenty seconds. She then tried to speak again.
"Luke, what are you…? How did you…? I mean… How come you're here?"
"It's a pretty long story really, but I'll give you the short version for now. I'll explain more to you later, but right now I really need you to give me your full attention. I don't have much time here."
Marissa just looked at him with her big eyes, the look a mix of surprise, happiness and despair.
"I'm a psychiatrist nowadays. I got a job here and found out by accident that you've been here for the last seven years. I know I shouldn't have done so, but I read your file when I stumbled onto it. And I honestly to God don't know what to think of it Marissa. But I had to see you, see how you are and what's going on."
Marissa's eyes filled with tears. After such a long time, she saw a familiar face. She saw a sign of life from the outside world, and the chance to make someone see what was happening to her in this place. Luke sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her, hugging her closely.
"It's been terrible. My mom…I told her about me and Alex and then I was sent here. And Alex tried to help me but she couldn't. And now mom's paying them and they're not letting me go. But you've got to believe me, I'm not crazy Luke."
"Calm down Marissa, calm down. I believe you. I've seen Alex yesterday, she told me all that has happened. She loves you very much Marissa, and we're gonna fight together to get you out of here but we need your help."
At the mention of Alex's name Marissa pulled away from Luke, to stare him straight in the eye.
"You saw Alex?" her mouth went dry again.
"Yeah. I saw her name in your file, so I decided to ask her if she could tell me more about what was happening to you."
"How is she?"
"Honestly…Pretty much the same way you are…a mess. Lost a lot of weight, lost all tan. The only difference is that she's out there and you're here. But she never forgot you. She's been trying all these things to get you out, she was writing down plans to free you from this place when I found her. She's still waiting for you."
"Will you… Will you tell her I love her so much, and that I miss her. And that I'm gonna keep fighting to get out of here."
"I will do that. And remember; she loves you too. I've got to go now before I get caught here, but I'll be back soon. I'm gonna bring some tests we need to do, so I can gather proof. That's the only way we can get you out."
"Okay" Marissa breathed.
"Now you just keep acting normal, don't tell anyone I've been here, we must keep this a secret. Hang in there, I'll be back soon."
He kissed Marissa's cheek, then turned to leave. With the closing of the door, Marissa was left alone again with her thought. But for the first time in many years, the thoughts contained an emotion Marissa almost didn't believe even existed in the first place. Hope.