Chapter 5: Cooperate With Me
"Insanity is relative. It depends on who has who locked in what cage."-Ray Bradbury
Cindy
"Riley, what's up your brothers' ass? Well I mean I know what's wrong obviously but Hiro just did something epic and things are starting to look us for us and shit so that's a reason to be at least a little bit happy...right?" I noted with Huey well out of sight.
Riley shrugged, not really paying me any mind and I mentally sighed. This is how it's been ever since it happened. He's not himself and I understand that he's in the mourning process, rightfully so, but that shouldn't give him an excuse to shut down from the rest of the world especially acting uncharacteristically reserved towards the ones who care about him the most. Maybe he does have an excuse because I personally don't know this type of pain and heartache since no one I've been extremely close to has died. I'm not good at knowing how to handle someone in mourning. But this is Riley and it's different and I want so desperately to comfort him and tell him that he's not alone. Its hard to do that when the person you want to help is also the person that pushes you away. Purposely yelling hurtful things at me with no remorse. Ignoring me when I come to check up on him. Along with many other instances that have backfired and left me feeling more of a nuisance than ever.
We used to be so close like two peas in a pod and now...Now I don't even know what we are anymore. Whenever some problem arose concerning him I always made it a priority to be there for him and he allowed me exclusive access into innermost crevices of his mind. Now i feel like i'm everyone else stripped of that privilege to see that other side of him. Not that Reezy image so infamous to the streets. No, I had access to Riley Freeman and that meant more to me than any persona people thought they knew as the real him.
"It's cool. I know how Huey can be." Hiro commented, waved me off, and interrupted my internal rant. Part of me was relieved for the interruption because I never used to overthink things and that's how I liked it. It was nice to not have to think about things too much and accept things as they were. Then when I realized my feelings for Riley my ability not to overthink were blown to hell.
I folded my arms. "What? You mean an asshole?"
Hiro moved his head back and forth then put a finger to his chin that made him look like he was in the middle of deep thought, "Yea. Asshole - you're right on that but come on that's that's typical Huey. But he's just messed up with what happened to Mr. Freeman. It's understandable why he's not raving over what I did. Cairo is still out there and that doesn't make him want to celebrate anything...Even though I did a fucking awesome job if I do say so myself. He sported a conceited smirk and nodded his head enthusiastically.
My eyes rolled then I chuckled a little. "Yea, yea. I'll give you some props on that one but don't let that shit get to your head, Ro." A smirk slowly crept on my face. "But that was funny how Cairo was freaking out, though. That motherfucker is psycho...He on that serial killer shit."
Hiro and Caesar nodded their head in agreement. Caesar finally joined the conversation. "Yep, he really is! Damn, he could have at least just shot the girl. Didn't need to do all that unnecessary extra bullshit. Fuck."
"I'm a proud sadist but I wouldn't even go that far. the only brain I want to see is when Vanity goes down on me" Hiro remarked.
If Caesar wasn't already sitting he would have just about fallen out. He guffawed. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at the group pervert mentioning his equally perverted girlfriend. Or whatever the hell they were.
"Right! How did Dewey say it?" I cleared my throat and tried to imitate Dewey's speech and mannerisms. "Ay Cairo, I think you getting sloppy." The guys laughed at my impression of Dewey and I continued talking, this time in my regular voice. "I mean, where they do that at? Cairo is supposed to be the leader but he's acting like a toddler that throwing a tantrum. Regardless of Dubios backing him he's gonna get caught if he keeps doing stupid shit."
Caesar cut in. "Naw, naw. We gonna get to him before the pigs do."
Hiro and I nodded in agreement. An idea popped up in my head and I decided to bring it up. "What if Dubois watched this? I mean what if he saw the real Cairo? I'm sure that fucking pretty boy has been keeping up an act around Dubios that he'd never believe Cairo was capable of this without proof. He'd definitely reconsideration the decision of allowing his daughter to marry him and passing his position over to him when he croaks...True?" I asked seriously.
I guess I was the only one who thought of that because Hiro and Caesar nodded their heads thoughtfully.
Caesar turned his head to Hiro. "C-Murph has a point. Just in case plans don't go well, we could always use that to make Dubois see that Cairo should be nowhere near his legacy. That's just a shit storm waiting to happen if he takes over. I'm sure he wouldn't want his daughter to marry a nigga like that too. If that doesn't fuck over Cairo then I don't know what will. You should make copies of that footage and give it to Huey telling him C-Murph's idea."
Riley got up from the couch and walked towards the hallway that led to the outside patio. I was about to get up and follow him until a hand touched my shoulder and the owner of the hand started to speak. "Let him go."
I turned my head around to see Caesar with a serious face then he continued. "He needs space. People grieve differently." He shrugged. "It sucks, I know. But you gotta leave it alone. Leave him alone. He'll come around to his senses eventually."
Something in the back of my mind knew he was right but I ignored it. Instead I decided to play innocent. My shoulder brushed off his hand. "What are you talking about? You thought I was going after Riley? Psh. " I said sitting back down on the couch, resting my legs on the table, and sinking into the comfortable leather sofa.
Hiro and Caesar gave each other a knowing look before Caesar continued. "We're not stupid. Yall been fucking and you got attached."
My face became red but it wasn't out of embarrassment only a pulsating anger. I've got nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to Riley. What I feel for him - that's genuine and I refuse to act bashful about it. My anger was aimed towards the words not yet spoken. The upcoming lecture that was going to be brought up is what made me so hostile. "So what if we been fucking? It's none of your damn business."
Caesar eyebrows rose in amusement. He chuckled lightly and shook his head. "We couldn't care less. It's Huey you gotta worry about. You better not let him find out or he'll kick you out of the crew for your feelings. You know he doesn't allow pleasure to interfere with business at least within our immediate crew. No matter how many things you've done for us you will only be a liability which Huey has no tolerance for. I'm just looking out for you."
Hiro cut in, "Damn you really have it bad for him if you're this worked up. Don't think I've ever seen you this red C-Murph." His phone started ringing. "Hold on." He held out a finger and reached in his pants pocket to get answer his ringing phone. "Hello...Yea I called, it's about Huey...Well, he's pretty stressed out ever since everything went down with his grandfather. He is just in a really bad place right now...Yea, that bad...Well come over, woman... He always loosens up when you're around." He paused and laughed coldly at whatever it was the person on the other line said. "Oh you think you're funny. Vanity is off limits to guys but girls however. You're welcome to join us." Another short laugh erupted. "You know me I had to at least try...Alright. Later."
"Don't tell me that was Phoenix?" I asked with a painfully slow roll of my eyes. Disgust apparent on my face.
Hiro donned a perverted smirk. "Yep."
I glanced at Caesar briefly who suddenly became eerily quiet. The usual playful disposition gone and replaced by one more cryptic and detached.
"And why exactly did you call that heffa?" I asked with disapproval clear in my tone.
Disapproval more on behalf of Caesar than myself really. I knew that the bitch was a sore subject for him. Even though Ceez is annoying 99.9% of the time and always makes me his favorite target, he is also the big brother I never had and never really wanted but eventually accepted and became extremely close to. So when all that bullshit went down - well nothing technically went down because Caesar didn't react to it and is the not one for confrontation especially over a woman. But everyone else looking from the outside in would see that it was wrong and fucking disgusting how things played out.
Hiro smirked. "Sometimes a guy just needs some ass to cool down." He turned to Caesar for backup. "Am I right?"
Caesar gave him a poker face, got up, and left the room silently. Hiro confused of the change in behavior, asked "Well, what the fuck was that?"
Fucking idiot. "You know Hiro for someone so smart you're completely clueless about common sense. Or did you completely forget about the love triangle that bitch started when she met Huey?"
The light bulb came on finally as Hiro realized his mistake. Regret clear on his face. It was rare for him to regret anything so I knew he particularly felt like shit in that moment. "Wow. That was a dick move wasn't it?"
"Pretty much. Just because it wasn't a big public blow out between the three doesn't mean that he wasn't affected by it."
He sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Well, i'm going to go...apologize." Hiro muttered like a child sent to time out.
A shocked gasp escaped my lips and eyes wide to match. "Hiro apologize?! This has got to be the biggest taboo of my life."
He expressed a not so nice finger but not before rolling his eyes and replying, "The biggest taboo? What a sad fucking life."
Ignoring Caesar's advice from earlier, I was graced by the presence of the younger Freeman brother. The scene before me was incredibly suffocating. Enough tension to cut with a knife. It pained me to see him like this and I wish Huey's plan was immediate instead of over the course of a few months. That meant i would see him like this, suffering, for months. Riley had his arms resting on the ledge of the porch railing. In front of him was a horizon of beautiful, lush forest expanding for miles. I could tell that not even the most serene setting could calm his nerves. His fist were clenched to the point that I felt pain for him just by looking. Eyes glaring at nothing with unbridled rage.
Maybe Caesar was right and I should just leave him alone. Just let him get through this part alone because it's true about how people do grieve differently at least what I've seen. When my grandfather died, my mother cried the whole time from the news to the funeral to months after. My aunt, however, didn't seem phased to the point where my mother called her heartless until a few months later when my aunt had a complete mental breakdown in the middle of a speech at a political event. It was bad and it went viral.
I hate that feeling of rejection when he brushes me off so suddenly. Or I could just suck it up and show keep reminding him where I stand. Loyalty has always been something Riley admired and I would show him that i'm completely loyal to him. I'm loyal to comfort him, cry with him, talk to him, to basically do anything to make him not feel burdened. The latter won and I prepared myself for the possible backlash. Well, here goes nothing.
"Riley?" My voice quietly wavered. He didn't budge, probably not hearing or simply choosing to ignore it. This time I spoke a lot louder where not hearing was not an option. "Riley?!"
He slowly turned his head to me blatantly annoyed. "I heard you the first time."
"Then why didn't you answer?" I asked, hurt that he was indeed ignoring me for the umpteenth time.
"I was hoping you'd take the hint and leave me the fuck alone." His eyes were harsh and uninviting.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Riley? Before when things come up I'm here for you, you vent to me, and we get through shit together. You know the routine." My eyebrows furrowed.
Riley chuckled sarcastically. "Oh, I don't know Cindy. Let's see. First of all my Grandad was killed. And not just shot or simple quick shit, no, he was brutally tortured. Second, his killer is on the loose doing whatever the fuck he wants. And third, Huey is taking his long ass time to cap that nigga! So that's what's wrong with me since you're too stupid to see it yourself."
My head lowered so I wouldn't meet his eyes. I'm not letting him get away with being rude to me and allowing him to push me over like I was a weak bitch. The whole sympathetic approach wasn't working so maybe tough love would. I turned around about to walk out but not before I coldly said, "Whatever. I'm just trying to be here for you but just go ahead and sulk in a corner with your tail between your knees all you want like the pussy you are," and left without allowing him to say anything else.
Why does this hurt more than it should? I slammed the door open to my room and fell on the bed with exhaustion. Maybe I just need sleep. Today was a long day...Yea, that's why I don't feel good. I yawned and put a hand over my mouth to cover it. Within the next few minutes the only thing I could see was the back of my eyelids
"Cindy." Obnoxious taps on the door accompanied the greeting.
My eyes fluttered open as loud knocking woke me up from my peaceful slumber. I glanced on my nightstand to see the clock read 11:00 am. Damn I must have been really exhausted to have slept in this late. My biological clock woke me up no later than 8, so 11 was pushing it. For me that is.
"Cindy come on open up."
More knocking followed as I groggily got up to open the door. "I'm up, stop banging on my God damn door!" I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes when I opened the door to see Hiro on the other side.
"Huey wants to see you," he announced. "Said he's been calling you for the past hour."
You've got to be kidding me. Not only is the youngest Freeman not too thrilled with me at the moment but I have the pleasure of the older one as well. I could feel a headache coming on just thinking about it. I looked down at my disheveled appearance. An over sized shirt and with baggy gray sweat pants. Hopefully he doesn't send me on a mission at the moment. There's no way he's sending me out looking like this and I wasn't in the mood necessarily to get all dolled up and flirt the information out of Cairo's minions. On the other hand, part of me was anxious to have an excuse to get out of this place even if it turned out to be something simple. "Did he say what for?"
Hiro shrugged. "Yea. Something about the girl."
"Ugh!" I exclaimed and slammed the door shut behind me. We both parted ways seeing as our destinations were different. His probably one that was going to lead to something productive while mine would lead me to frustration.
Ever since she's gotten here, he's put me in charge of her. Since the first meeting wasn't very welcoming, I had to apologize and play it off as some silly initiation act. Had to reinvent myself as someone that was on her side and genuinely cared about her well being. "Cindy, she needs this. Cindy, she needs that. Cindy, try to get to know her and make her feel as comfortable as possible." Does it look like we're at Mangoes during happy hour catching up like old buddies? Hell no! But still I'm the one who had to go out and get her clothes because she wasn't going to wash and then go back in her same clothes because that's just not sanitary and very inconvenient. I'm the one who had to get her feminine products, body wash, etc. I'm the one who had to check on her, even though we have guards, just to make she's enjoying her lovely stay at the Freeman headquarters. God, i feel like one of those sales people at the store that harasses you every five minutes telling you about a new deal or simply saying "Let me know if you need anything" or my favorite "Do you need help" if you stare at something for too long. You would think they'd get the hint when the last 3 people that asked the same exact question got the same "No" as a reply. It was cringe-worthy on both parts. Mine, because it annoyed me to act so fucking fake when I always speak highly about being real. Hers, because it was apparent she knew that I wanted so badly to be doing anything other than playing the caring hostess role.
Huey has always been paranoid about one of the guards being a spy or something, "trust no one" is what he says. I'm the one who had to miss out on all the action because I'm forced to keep an eye on her. Caesar, Riley, and Hiro have been in and out of the headquarters accomplishing things while I'm stuck here with the spoiled brat. It's insulting. Sexist, if you ask me. I barged into Huey's office and sat in one of the chairs sluggishly not really caring that my unbecoming appearance was rubbing all over his precious black silk duvet leather chair.
He looked at me with annoyance at how I presented myself but pushed it to the side and addressed the real issue. "Where the fuck have you been? I've been trying to get a hold of you since breakfast."
"I was doing something called sleeping. It's a really cool activity that prevents bags under your eyes like the ones you're sporting. You should look into it."
If looks could kill then I'd be dead three times over. I didn't particularly care either because frankly I wasn't in the mood to begin with and the fact that this unknown pressing issue deals with that woman makes matters even worse. He glared. "Don't start with me because you will regret it. She won't eat and you need to fix it."
With raised eyebrows and a scrunched up face, I looked at him strangely. "And what do you want me to do about it?"
"I need you to make sure she eats. I can't have the girl dying on me anytime soon."
I folded my arms and smirked. "How am I going to do that? What you want me to feed her like she's a baby?" I made childish gestures, trying to imitate what parents do when they first ween their babies off the nipple and on to table food. "Open wide here comes the airplane!" I laughed at the whole situation. It was ridiculous.
Huey shrugged. "I don't care what you do or how you do it, but I want her eating by the end of the day."
I sat there, paralyzed in the chair thinking how the hell I got stuck with this dumb ass "assignment". No, it's not an assignment. More like punishment for being a woman. Sexist piece of shit. Like "here let's give Cindy all the tasks a suburban housewife in the 50s' would be expected to do...What? Gender equality? Hmm. I'm not with that familiar term." If it was in shifts and everyone took their turn being host then I wouldn't be so pissed off. Instead, she's suddenly my priority because supposedly a woman and another woman get along always.
Is he serious?
He started to look through some papers but sensed I was still in the room so without looking up from the documents he murmured dismissively, "That's all. You can go now."
Yea, he's serious.
Before I knew it my mouth decided to take over my body. "Bullshit." I mumbled out loud instead of in my head where I thought it was.
This caught Huey off guard and he looked up at me an intensified glare. "Excuse me?"
Damn it he heard me. Hell might as well finish it. It must be national piss off the Freeman brothers' day. I'm a lucky gal. I conjured up the courage and continued. "I said, bullshit! This is total bullshit. Why the hell are you making me stay here with the girl while Hiro, Riley, and Caesar get to go out and do stuff?"
"You are doing stuff, just different things from them. Equally important."
I huffed. "There's nothing important about that bitch. Why can't the rest of the guys do this shit? Let me go out and do something other than watch over her! Let me do what I do best."
"You're a woman and you'd know what the woman needs compared to the others. They don't have a clue about females if they're not trying to sleep with them so it wouldn't make sense to put them in a position that wouldn't be useful on any part." Huey said indifferently.
"That's so sexist! There are more important things to do than watch that spoiled brat all day." My eyebrows were furrowed furiously.
Huey put a hand to his head in with eyes closed in irritation then opened them abruptly and stared at me dead in my eyes. "I don't give a fuck if it was sexist, offensive, or anything else you find not to your liking. Jazmine Dubois is your only priority from now on until I say she's not so deal with it. If you can't handle something as simple as that then you shouldn't be affiliated with us anymore. Everyone has done their share of things they don't like to do. Now it's your turn. Get out of my damn office and do what you were told!" He said coldly his eyes glared angrily.
I got up from the chair and walked out of the office but not before slamming the door as hard as I could. With each step I could feel my attitude becoming darker and darker. My fists balled up as I walked towards the kitchen area. I didn't feel like cooking because the way I'm feeling right now a knife in my hand will end with someone getting cut. Besides this bitch was not getting special treatment from me. Hell no. This is by any means a 5 star restaurant. So I searched for something more simplistic. Grabbed an apple, crackers, and an already made sandwich from the fridge.
The guard greeted me politely when I reached the room but I pushed pass him harshly and opened the door to go inside. She was sitting down to the wall parallel from the bed with her arms wrapped around her legs and head tucked in the small crevice between her legs and chest. With a sigh of frustration I stomped over to her and grabbed her by her hair ungracefully forcing her to notice my presence. I received a whimper of distress from her as I looked the girl dead in the eyes heatedly. Nice hostess time is over. If Huey is going to keep being a complete ass then I would do whatever it takes to make her eat and I wouldn't be cordial about it either. Besides, he said he doesn't care how it's done so I guess that means the whole "make her feel as comfortable as possible" spiel doesn't apply.
She looked awful. Her eyes were blood shot red with dark sullen circles around them as if she hadn't slept properly the few days she's been held captive. Tear streak stains from previous crying were still visible on her face. The luscious strawberry-blonde hair wasn't straight as it was when she first arrived. Instead it was now in and exotic mess of tightly curled ringlets that still covered the majority of her back. Her skin had a reddish tint to it - like a sunburn - as if she was rubbing too hard. In conclusion, she didn't look as fine as everyone claimed she was. A wide smirk slowly crept across my face in pure amusement as I was soaking in the unappealing state of her appearance. Looks like the brat aint all that and a bag of chips after all. Ha!
I let go of her hair took the bag of crackers opened it and put one of the crackers near her mouth. Her lips pressed down in a straight line and she shook her head in protest. My head shook incredulously. Can't believe I'm really about to do this shit. "Eat, Jazmine!" I urged impatiently.
She went back to her earlier state with her head in between her legs and let out a muffled, almost incomprehensibly, "I'm not hungry."
So she wants to do this the hard way. "I really don't care just eat the damn thing." A minute passed by as I allowed the grown ass woman one more chance before obliterating her dignity. Only to be met with silence.
Can't believe I'm really about to do this shit, but fuck it. "Stop being so damn difficult." I complained loudly before lifting up her head again and shoving the cracker into her mouth. Loud coughs erupted from her small frame and her eyes bulged in surprise. Eventually she stopped coughing and slowly started chewing her food.
"Here comes another one." I was about to force another cracker in her mouth but instead was met with a sharp tingling sensation and screamed in pain realizing this bitch just bit my finger. "Shit!" I screeched. "You little bitch!" Without hesitation I slapped her with enough force that her head turned to the side. Her body was trembling. "If you bite me again, I'll give you another one! Do you understand me?!"
There was no response from her.
"I said, do you understand?!" Speaking louder, a stern tone laced around my words.
She nodded her head reluctantly.
I sighed and continued to feed her.
"No!" She smacked my hand away boldly.
"No, bitch?! Well, you won't eat! If you want to be a baby about, best believe i'm gonna treat you like one." Moments from forcing another cracker in her mouth she stopped me when she started to speak.
"No...I'll do it myself." She took the plate from me and started to slowly nibble on the crackers while watching me warily.
"It's about time you start acting like you're a grown ass woman with some sense enough to feed yourself." Mumbling exhaustively as I sat down on the chair in the room.
The expression on her face went from guarded to confused really quickly. Obviously stricken with surprise of my continued presence. My visits were never too long. Nothing more than ten minutes usually. "I'm eating...Why are you still here?" She timidly asked.
I scoffed and rolled my eyes at her question. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? I'm not going to go away so you can stop eating. I'm gonna wait right here until you're all done. So the slower you eat the longer you have to deal with me."
Her head lowered and she continued to eat her food. This time taking bigger bites and chewing at a faster pace.
"Why are you so cruel?" Her voice vicious.
"Aww you're confused because I was told to be nice to you that I was actually starting to care. Cute." I stopped and sent a fierce glare to her. "I'm cold because I like it. No, I love it."
She looked me in m eyes coldly and let out a snort. "You know what? I actually feel kind of bad for you because... With a view like that, you probably will never know what love is and if you miraculously do end up falling in love then you poor thing. Because no one could ever love a heartless bitch like you. So you will just go on loving someone that will never ever fall for someone so-"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP AND EAT!" I bellowed at her and she jolted from the thundering vibrations of my voice then listened to me and continued to eat.
It seemed like she was taking forever with the little bit of food I gave her and it was boring watching this bitch eat. I could be doing better things with my time like working out by now. "Hurry up!" I exclaimed. Her body shook in surprise by my outburst and she started to eat faster.
The only thing that ran through my mind was how much I would love to punch that smug little bitch.
Jazmine
8 pm
Finally, the blonde haired woman left and I was able to wade in my sorrow in peace. I decided to take another 30 minute long shower to clear my head, scrubbing my body red until the water turned a chilling to the bones type of cold. The beige walls that cage me in that room get exhausting to blankly stare at so I venture to the bathroom to get away from them from time to time. When I first arrived here all I did was sleep to escape this living nightmare. At least in my dreams I have a faint hope to getting out of here. In reality, that hope's been long gone. I slept so much that my body physically can't anymore which forces me to deal with this terrifying mess.
The water became cold so I rinsed off a couple more times and grabbed the towel to dry off then changed into some new clothes the blonde haired girl brought me. I look down at the un-stylish and unappealing clothes they've made me wear and it makes me even more disgusted with everything. I look like a prisoner, a prisoner that's done nothing wrong. Too many tears have been shed that I can't muster up anymore. My hands run through my natural tight curly hair as I let out a frustrated cry.
That's it; I have to get out of here.
I stood on top of the toilet bowl and opened the curtains shielding the small window that led to the outside world. It was very small but large enough where there was still a possibility of my slim body making it through the tight space. As soon as my thin fingers touched the window, I stumbled off of the bowl and landed flat on my ass from the excruciating electrical shock. A painful yelp escaped my lips as I rubbed my tailbone in pain then rubbed my hands trying to soothe the ache radiating off of them. Damn it! There goes my window of opportunity, literally.
Eventually I got up and rushed to the front door and knocked on it lightly. Seconds later a slot opened and I saw the dark security sun glasses covered eyes of the guard that stood outside of the door. "Hn," He grunted in acknowledgement.
"Umm, I need to speak to that…lady." I asked timidly leaning from one foot to the other impatiently shaking my bruised right hand repeatedly still trying to shake off the lingering uncomfortable discomfort.
"What for?" he asked monotonously.
"The one with the braided blonde hair. The one that comes in all the time. It's err about a girl thing... You know that comes along once a month..." I trailed off bashfully.
Even through his tinted sun glasses, I could tell he was uncomfortable about the topic. Every guy was when it came to that particular subject. "Yes, I-I'll get her right away." He replied embarrassedly.
The slot closed at once and I let out a small triumphant deceiving smile. I just hope this works. In about 20 minutes I was met with the mean mugging face of the blonde girl that ferociously barked at me, "What the hell do you want?"
I looked down at my hand meekly and showed her the small burn forming on my hand. "First of all, I would some Neosporin if you have that," I briefly looked away from her before continuing in a mumbled voice "I had an accident in the bathroom."
There was no need to look up to known she was smirking sadistically obviously amused at my confession. "So you tried to escape huh. Bet that shocked the hell out of you!" She exclaimed loudly chuckling coldly. "I wouldn't think someone as weak as you would have enough balls to do something like that."
Before she could turn to leave I gathered all of the courage I could muster looked at her and yelled "W-Wait!" But she only kept making her exit towards the door.
"No, I want to apologize from what I said earlier." My eyes studied up noticing her abrupt stop and a brief clench of her body before turning her head around and giving me a deadly glare.
Now having her undivided attention, I spoke. "It was way out of line and I take full responsibility for me being well...a bitch" She seemed unimpressed and still angry so I continued. "But I-I need to get out of this room. I'm going crazy in here. I feel so so ...so claustrophobic!" I started pacing back and forth and biting my nails nervously. "I don't know what to do anymore. I take showers to make time go by and I-I- haven't slept in God knows when." I paused and pointed to my eyes. "You see these eyes? This isn't normal. It's unhealthy." I stopped and got on my knees and grabbed her arm.
"I'm begging you; I'm on my knees..." She looked revolted at sight of me and didn't know what to make of me. I didn't care that I looked weak I just wanted to get what I was asking for. There powerful types love when they see submission. Hopefully she's the same. "Please give me something. Give me a TV or music or I don't know anything...Or talk to your boss about letting me out of here. Not leave like that but just get away from these four walls. I-I could go out with a guard. Hell, have all the guards follow me around! Please! Give me anything!" My grip around her arm tightened. "Please. For the sake of my sanity"
She shrugged me off of her arm and I fell on the carpet floor. "Look at yourself, you look pathetic...Clean yourself up." And with that she was gone.
Apparently I lied to myself. I was able to cry some more.
Huey
A demanding knock interrupted my concentration and I quickly answered, "Come in." Only to be greeted by the unwanted presence of Cindy. This time she was more presentable and seemed to be in a somewhat better mood and appearance. But I was still on edge from earlier and sighed. What could she possibly complain to mat about now.
"What do you want," I welcomed coldly.
She plopped down on the chair sluggishly and put her feet on my desk. My jaw clenched in annoyance. "It's about the girl...She's going crazy. Like real twisted. The bitch was begging on her knees in front of me and asking for entertainment! How pathetic is that?!" She started to laugh loudly but stopped when I started to talk.
"Why would she expect to be pampered? This isn't a resort" I replied bluntly with a raised eyebrow.
"No, but on the real though...She looked bad. I mean really bad. She was talking about claustrophobic and pacing back and forth and biting her nails like a maniac and other shit and she looks like shit! Maybe we should stick a TV in there for her or something before she ends up in an asylum after all this is over. I used to always read about things like this. A person needs to have something to do every once in a while. Even if it's simple as painting or some shit. Even prisoners have rec time!... If someone stays locked up with nothing to do, they'll waste away and lose themselves. We need her to be the same as before...Well she'll never be the same after the kidnapping and that thing Hiro and I did," She smirked and laughed shortly then continued, "But you know what I mean. At least let her have her stability."
"Why do you care?" I asked cautiously. This was much unexpected coming from her since only a few hours ago she was complaining about the troubles of being her care taker. And now she's defending her? It just didn't make any sense.
She paused for a moment then continued. "I don't. I couldn't care less about that brat but if you want Don Dubois on our side then his daughter has to be sane for him to trust us. And it will be even better for us knowing that his daughter was well taken care of and not thrown in a dungeon or some shit to rot."
My finger rested on my chin and eyebrows furrowed in deep contemplation as I processed the points she made. As much as I wanted to disagree with what Cindy was saying, it was partly true but I don't think the situation is as bad as she makes it seem. It may be a little over exaggerated. "True...But this girl can't be going that insane. She has a comfortable area with a clean bathroom and gets decent meals. What more does she need?"
"Your ass needs to see for yourself. Come with me." She stood up and headed out the door before I could say anything else.
I sighed and got up from my chair. This better be something serious.
We walked to the room and a sight we did see. The girl was curled up next to the wall and lightly bumping her head on the wall. Not violently but steadily as if it was on a schedule, timed almost. When she sensed us in the room, she looked up and smiled hopefully when she saw me. Her fragile body rose and approached me nervously. "It's you." She said dazed.
Cindy looked puzzled at the scene unfolding before her. "You've seen her?"
"Yea, I came to check on her after that briefing," I said.
"Oh," Cindy replied shamefully, remembering how immature and unprofessional they were acting during the meeting.
"You helped me get out of those awful bonds...Can you get your boss to help me some more? I guess she told you the err…situation." She glanced at Cindy cautiously before turning her gaze back to mine.
Cindy looked even more confused. "What the hell is she going on about?"
"He's the one who got me out of the bonds," The girl responded, still staring at me with expectant eyes.
"Oh, yea. You did ask about who did that," Cindy mumbled.
"Will you help persuade your boss?" She asked again urgently.
"I am the boss," I said coldly as my eyes squinted to take her appearance in. Cindy was right, she looks horrible, but that doesn't mean she's going crazy. She just looks unkempt. Her eyes widened and her hopeful gleam turned into fear and shock.
"Y-You're the boss?" Her finger rose accusingly and she pointed at me, backing away slowly with sudden fear until she plopped on the bed. Any traces of the trusting nature was quickly replaced with one filled with suspicion and distrust.
"Yes, I am." I said firmly noticing the slight trembles of her small stature.
"You just don't look like you are. You seemed so kind to me...Compared to the others. But y-you're" She trailed off.
Cindy started laughing noisily and acting moronic stomping around and clapping her hands in amusement. "This bitch is crazy! I think she already needs to go to an asylum or some shit. Huey nice? That was a good one, crazy bitch!" She slapped her leg and continued laughing hysterically.
"Get out." I spat coldly towards Cindy who was stilling cackling deafeningly.
"What?" She said, wiping away invisible tears from her eyes.
"Get out!" I repeated this time louder and with an icy sternness.
She scurried out of the room without hesitance.
My attention turned back to the girl. Once Cindy left she got up from the bed feeling less intimidated and her shocking revelation finally wearing off. She came near me and met my cold glare with saddened eyes.
"Look, I get it. I'm your hostage or prisoner or whatever. Please just give me something to keep my mind right...I-I'm hopeless." Her warm soft hand grabbed mine and she continued. "You did something for me before. I'm not asking for much. Give me a word puzzle and I'll be fine." She let out a small smile and kept her eyes locked on mine. "Please give me something to make me feel more comfortable...If that's not too much to ask." Her head lowered meekly.
I shrugged off her touch and turned around to leave her where she stood. Without a word, without a gesture, without anything really. Just let her stand there dumbfounded without any clue about anything.
It was midnight and I was in my office working on some more plans.
"You should really tell me what you're doing, Freeman."
What is it with the attraction of unwelcome visitors and I today?
I sighed and looked up from my papers to see Phoenix with her arms folded and standing next to my office chair. "Why are you so nosy all of a sudden? It doesn't involve you." I said finally, wishing she would just drop the conversation.
"I know, I know. Usually your whole revolutionary work bores me. But secrecy makes it more...intriguing." Her arms unfolded and she walked over towards me to sit on my lap and gave me a seductive smirk. "You have to tell me now. It's simply irresistible for me to know."
"This time it's different," I said, nudging her to get up from my lap and she obliged with a defeated sigh.
"You win this time, but I will figure out what it is Freeman."
Not if you value your life.
She leaned down to give me quick kiss. "I gotta go."
"Good. You're distracting me."
"I'm the best fucking distraction you'll ever have!" She said, laughing and opened the window to leave but not before I stopped her.
"Why do you always use the window? We have a door."
She turned towards me and gave me a cheeky smile. "There's no fun in that." With that, she was gone. I smirked at her quirky actions.
My face quickly turned serious making sure she was actually gone. Then I took out the real object I was working on. A black bulky bracelet and a screw driver.
