Chapter 6: Lock-up Part 2

Kym's POV

The skies are getting darker as I glanced out from the window in the room. I guessed it's almost dinner time. Right at that moment the lock was being turned. I looked up and saw Ben carrying my tray of food. I haven't had any appetite recently after being lock-up so I am not looking forward to meal time. But I know I have to eat to gain strength. Moreover, if I don't I will get a lecture from him. He did that once last week and I regretted not having my dinner.

[Flashback]

I was stirring the bowl of oatmeal in front of me but I have no appetite to eat. Being in this stuffy room is making me lose appetite. I decided I will not eat, just for today. When Julie came to collect my tray, she saw that my food has not been touched.

'Kym, are you alright? You didn't touch your food,' she asked as she collected my tray and looked at me.

'I am not hungry. I just don't feel like eating,' I replied.

'But you have to. You need to regain your strength,' she said and looked at me with so much concern.

'I know Julie. Just today, ok,' I said pleadingly. She nodded.

'I am so sorry that you are stuck in here,'

'It's ok. It's for the best,' I tried to sound cheerful but my look gave it away.

We talked for a while and then she left. Not long afterwards Ben charged in. I was startled. I thought something has happened.

'What is it Ben?' I asked.

'What are you doing Kym, by not eating?' he asked. It took me a while to register what he was saying. Oh… that!

'Julie told you?' I can't believe she ragged on me.

'I met her in the hallway. I saw the tray she was carrying. The food was untouched,' he said, staring at me with a dagger look that could kill. Oh..so Julie didn't ragged on me. Ben found out.

'It's just this time, ok. I don't have any appetite. I just wanted to sleep,' I explained. It was half truth. I don't have appetite was true and the wanting to sleep is not. I just hope by saying that he will leave the matter alone. But I was wrong.

'You should still eat even if you have no appetite or even if you are tired,' he said while rummaging through his jeans pocket. He fished out a small packet and handed over to me.

'Here. Eat!'

'You didn't eat them while you were out patrolling with the rest?' I asked. Every time those who went out for a long patrolling will take some snacks with them. I know it because I used to prepare them with Julie and some of the ladies.

'We were early today so we don't need them,' he said and his hand was still extended to me with the packet. I really have no choice but to take it from him, tore it open and eat it in his present. He waited till I was finish to the last bit before he left. Since then, I never skip my meals….AGAIN!

[End of Flashback]

'Hey', Ben said as he closed the door behind him. He placed the tray on the table and dragged it between us. Next he took two chairs and set them on each side of the table, facing one another. I noticed there were two bowls and two cups on the tray.

'I am having dinner here with you tonight. Right here,' Ben said answering the question in my head. He removed his rifle and placed it next to him. For the past two weeks, Hal, Maggie, Julie, Matt, Dennie, Jean and Lourdes have been taking turns to keep me company during meals but it could prove difficult as all or most of them have their duties to perform. Ben has been faithfully coming every morning but never dinner time. Most of the time he will either be on duty or in a meeting. He must have swapped duty time with the others. So, having him here now means a lot to me.

'Thanks Ben,' I said as I took my seat.

'Did I tell you that Lourdes briefed us, the de-harnessed kids about the possibility of removing our spikes without any side effects?' he took a mouthful of his food and then looked up. This was the first time I am hearing it.

'So, are you planning on removing them?' I was curious. Although Ben has hated them initially, he didn't deny the fact that the spikes give me extraordinary strength. He could do so much more than a normal person could.

'I am not sure. I sort of gotten used to them. Moreover they make me useful for dad, for the 2nd Mass.' He got a point here. Without Ben or Denny or any of the de-harnessed kids, we wouldn't have done so much.

'Have you talked to anyone about it yet? Have you thought about it?' I asked while I kept eating.

'I have had a conversation with Denni a few nights before. She was keen to remove hers but I….,' his voice trailed off.

'It's ok Ben. If you want to keep them, then you keep them,' I told him. 'Don't feel pressure by what others expect of you.'

'Thanks for being so understanding,' he smiled and took a sip of his drink.

'Hey, did you bring along your sketch book?' I asked. The spikes have given many benefits to Ben. Besides the extraordinary strength, channeling for the aliens, great eye-sight, and amazing hearing, those spikes has also given Ben the talent and skill for drawing.

'Erm… nope. It's in my room,' He sounded unsure and wasn't looking at me.

'Show them to me the next time you come. I really love your drawings.' Which was true. I saw sketches of the people in the 2nd Mass, his family, and even some sketches of us.

'Sure.' He looked up and grinned.

[At the rooftop]

Ben's POV

I was reluctant to leave Kym in that small, stuffy room. I hope Anne has spoken to dad. I took out a small sketchbook tucked at the side of my jacket. I do not know why I lied when Kym asked about it during dinner. I flipped through the pages and then I knew why. The last few pages were filled with sketches of her. Why do I feel shy to show it to her? It's not that I have not drawn her before. I can't be sure exactly but I just feel embarrassed.

As I was standing guard at the rooftop of a building, Matt came to join me. I quickly put my sketchbook back to my jacket.

'Hey sucker fish. What are you doing?' Matt asked enthusiastically. I wish he will continue to stay that way.

'Hey kiddo. I am on duty as you can see.'

'How's Kym? I wished she doesn't have to be locked up in that room,' Matt sounded sad.

'I know. We all know but it's a precaution,' I said as I sat at the edge of the building. Matt followed and sat next to me.

'Do you think Karen will come back? Come back to hurt us?' There was fear in his voice.

'I don't know. She might,' I said, my voice sounding hard.

'She's gonna hurt us, isn't it?'

'We will fight, kiddo. Don't you worry,' I assured him as I pulled his head towards me and gave it a kiss. My little brother, how I wanted to protect you but I am not sure if I can even protect myself. But no matter what, I will do my best to make sure Karen and the overlord will no longer hurt those whom I love and care.

'Thanks', he muttered.

'For what?' I asked.

'For not lying. For not pretending that everything will be alright,' he said, looking up at me. I put my arms around his shoulders and gave it a tight squeeze.

I really wanted things to be different but right now all we can do is to fight.