Chapter 8: Silence of the Damned

Joyce sang quietly to herself as she listened to Alfred putting away groceries in the kitchen below her. She was less than excited about having to go rejoin him below, the guilt churning in her gut was making her physically sick, and she wasn't sure how long she could last. He was just too nice to her, there was no way she could keep lying to him.

But she had to.

She tensed when Alfred came up the stairs, knocking on the door before peeking in. "How about steaks tonight? Sound good?"

"Mmhmm, sounds lovely" Joyce gave him a smile, and got to her feet. But she stumbled, and Alfred caught her, only to put her on her bed. He checked her forehead, and gave her a frown.

"You have a fever."

"No, no, I'm fine."

"Stay in bed."

"But-"

"Stay." the man turned to leave but paused when he heard her mutter.

"I'm not sick, I'm just worried…"

"Why?" he turned to her again, and watched her roll over so her back was to him.

"Everything… Grandma and grandpa are coming here soon, your government is singling out everyone from Russia, and I'm here with you, the country who is the symbol of freedom… How can I explain to them that we're safe with you, when the rest of the country is against us?"

"I have a feeling that's not what you really want to know." Alfred walked over, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know what's going on in your life, but Joyce, if you're running from something, you can tell me."

"I wish I could be sure of that…" she murmured, making him shake his head before he left. He knew she was hiding things from him, he had known since the beginning, sure, but now he was certain it was something dark. Maybe they're using her against her will? Or maybe… maybe she used them to get over here, and now has to figure out to escape them.

Alfred walked down to the kitchen, and busied himself making soup for the woman in the room above. He thought over everything that had happened since Joyce had arrived, all her little quirks, the things she said, and… held close… his gaze wandered to the purse she had left on the nearby table. He listened out for her, then walked over to it. His hand shook as he reached out to it, slowly opening it and casting a final look over his shoulder before he began to rummage through it. Inside was a gold pocket watch, which was the only thing that caught his eye. He pulled it out, and examined it closely.

It was a Soviet, with the U.S.S.R.'s beloved hammer and sickle standing proudly in the center with the motto of the Union engraved below it. But when he opened it, and examined the inside, he was shocked to see some messily carved words inside.

"Don't… fight for the… for the motherland…" he tilted it more into the light. "use it… to get you… out… and to s… safety… Love… your dear…" he squinted. "father…"

"He always wanted me to have a better life." the sound of Joyce's voice made him jump, and turn to look at her. He was clearly floundering for an excuse, but she shook head. "I heard it fall and came down to make sure the watch wasn't broken."

"It's… not." he snapped it closed and put it back in her purse, feeling guilty that he had snooped through her things. "I'm sorry, I should have been more careful."

"It's alright." her look softened, and she walked over to zip her purse closed. "You can't help that you're clumsy."

"I'm not that bad!" he gave her a pout, but felt himself relax when she only laughed at him. Joyce had calmed down again, and now stood in front of him with that dazzling smile on her face. But as he moved away to dish out the soup, her smile fell, and she turned her gaze to the floor.

"Alfred… I… I need to tell you the truth…"

"Didn't I ask you to already?" he glanced over his shoulder before turning off the stove and carrying a pair of bowls over to the table. "Joyce, I swear by status as the United States of America, I will help you."

"That's funny because… well…" she shuffled her feet before lifting her gaze to him again. "The only reason they sent me over here, the only reason it was allowed… was so that I could become one of the spies the Soviet Union has planted in your borders-

-I was sent to become a member of a growing sleeper cell."