Strangers in the Night

Riccardo sat on the cold metal stool in the dark room, gloomily eating baked beans from a can. He hadn't had anything to eat all day, and he was ravenous. Although he despised baked beans when they were cooked, and these ones were stone cold, he'd eat anything right now. It was hard enough to just get the damn can open... He had to cut the top off with a surgical knife, which took a hell of a lot more effort than he thought it would, and as for what he was eating them with... He had no idea, some scoop-shaped instrument, probably used to scoop out someone's brains or something. He'd made sure to wash it thoroughly... but still, he wouldn't have done it if he wasn't as hungry as he was.

He looked over at Fiona, lying with her back turned to him on the operating table, sleeping soundly, Hewie curled on the floor beside her. She laid down about an hour ago, not saying a word to him, but obviously trying to get some sleep. Riccardo knew that she wouldn't be able to catch a wink with those glaring fluorescent lights on overhead, and wondered why she hadn't just gotten up and turned them off. Finally, he walked over and did it for her. She made no acknowledgement of this, but Riccardo didn't expect her to. He knew she couldn't hate him forever.

Soon afterwards, she fell asleep, leaving Riccardo awake in the room, the only light now coming from an x-ray panel on the other side of the room that was on, not that that helped much. He noticed himself nodding off, and knew he couldn't fight off sleep himself much longer. His only concern was... what if, while he was asleep, Fiona took the key from his pocket and tried to escape? He knew she would, if the chance arose, and it was about then that he realized how truly hungry he was. At least food took his mind off sleep for a good half-hour, and half of that was spent just opening the can.

He knew they had plenty of water, there was a faucet in the room, and he knew that they could both stay in here for as long as necessary. And he'd thought of something else while he was eating his disgusting meal... why didn't he just hide the key somewhere in the room where Fiona couldn't find it? He looked around, but could hardly see anything by the faint x-ray light... but that meant neither could she. He could just put it in some dark corner of the room, and if she turned on the lights, it would definitely wake him up. He put the half-eaten can of beans down, unable to eat any more without retching, and tired enough to literally drop to the floor. He got up, about to put his plan into action... when he heard a noise from the door. No... it couldn't be...

But he heard it again. Somebody was knocking. Who... had Fendari betrayed him, and told Leonardo of his whereabouts? Riccardo had no idea if the man had returned yet... but maybe it was Fendari, maybe something had happened... again knocking, this time accompanied by a dog's whimper. Riccardo brought his hand up to his face, relieved yet annoyed at the same time. It was only her. That homunculus and her damned dog... What is it with dogs,he thought, looking back with disgust at Hewie, who he could barely see in the faint light, now apparently awake, having heard the other one. He debated whether to even bother.

"Fiona? Fiona, are you there?" He heard her voice from the doorway. No, he didn't want to be involved, he didn't want any part of it... He moved to put the key away and go to sleep.

After a moment, the voice returned. "...Riccardo?"

Riccardo stopped dead. What the devil... how did she know his name? Fiona must have told her, the blasted girl...

"Please... let me in... I need help."

Riccardo inhaled though his teeth, taking all he had not to yell in frustration. Why the fuck should he care? He helped her once, now she was on her own. But... what if she told somebody about him being here? She could ruin his whole plan... How did he get mixed up in this? His mind ran circles, and he realized hopelessly that there was no other way out but to let her in. He moved toward the doorway, making no attempt now to soften the sound of his footsteps.

"What do you want?" he asked quietly in his most spiteful voice possible.

The reply didn't come for a few seconds. "I'm sorry... I know you didn't want me coming back, but... I need some answers. And I think you're the only one who can tell me."

Riccardo felt his impatience rising. He was liking this girl less and less. "You're damned right I didn't want you coming back!" He paused, sighing in frustration.

"Are you alone?"

"Yes, It's just me and Po... um, my dog."

Riccardo thought, wondering if he could really afford to do this. Finally, he gave up.

"You'd better make this quick."

He fumbled with the key, trying to find the lock in the darkness. He finally pushed it in and turned it, opening the door. Light flooded through, and the girl and her dog walked in. Riccardo looked back, fearing that it might have awakened Fiona, but her back was turned to the light, and her sleep was undisturbed. Hewie, however, was now walking toward them, investigating. Riccardo took one cold look at the girl, then shut the door, enveloping the room once more in darkness. He was used to it, and his eyes adjusted right away, but she looked around with a frown, unable to see anything.

"It's very dark in-"

He cut her off, grabbing her arm, which caused her breath to catch. He had no time for this.

"Speak," was all he said.