March 18th, 1985.
14
All of a sudden, Mike is back. There is no mention of his extended absence. He's just… back. With a thick Russian book for me to learn from. My head hurts just to look at the characters. I thought that mission was a one and done, but apparently Papa has new, bigger plans for me now.
"You have to trust me." Mike instructs. We are supposed to be working on my Russian verbs, but he has something else on his mind.
"Yes?" I respond, trying not to look at him. That dream has made me feel uncomfortable in his presence. I try not to think of his hands, touching me. His mouth, burning my flesh, his- no, no no. Stop. I shake my head to dislodge those thoughts.
"El?" He grabs my hand. I stiffen.
"What?" I reply.
"I'm gonna get you out of here. But you have to trust me."
My eyes widen and my hand rips out of his.
"How?" I whisper harshly. He flinches, not expecting my aggression. I bit my lip and try to settle down. I must not do anything to make Papa come in here. He can see us on the cameras, even if he can't hear us. I'm uneasy. What if he asks what we were talking about? I don't want to go back to the bad room.
"I have a friend who's really good with uh, magic tricks and stuff. He knows how to make people disappear. And… I've talked with Max."
Something green and petulant bristles up and down my spine. Why is he talking to Max? She's pretty, I know. Prettier than even dream me. But I have to get out of here. If Max is part of that, I will deal with it.
"What do I do?" I manage to say.
"Stay asleep. We're gonna do it in exactly one month. I'll tell you exactly when. Max will give you a pill the day of. All you have to do is eat it. Don't chew. Just swallow. It will put you to sleep. That way, if we get caught, we can take the blame."
My brow furrows. He's offering to die for me, essentially.
"That's all you need to know." He frowns, running a hand through his hair. I don't say anything. I can't. I am overwhelmed by the concept of leaving. Of getting out of this place. Of going. What lies outside these walls?
"Well, I guess… that's it for the, uh, lesson. I'll, uh, see you tomorrow El." Mike offers me a lopsided smile and stands.
"Thank you Mike." I blurt out. His eyes widen slightly and his smile seems a little smoother.
"You don't need to thank me El. You deserve me. We're just doing what's right."
"Right?" I haven't heard that word used this way. Isn't right just the hand that I write with?
"Uh… It means good. Good and what you should do."
"Oh. You are right, Mike."
"Uh, thanks. Uh, s-see you tomorrow." Mike's face is pink as he stumbles out of the room. I touch my own cheek, smiling softly. I made Mike feel warm. Soon I will be too.