Chapter 23
"Vince…please come out…" Saboo pleads as he knocks softly. There's no lock, but I'm sitting with my back against the door, making it impossible for him to open it. "Vince, just come out and talk to me, please."
"No!" I shout, crying.
"Please, Vince." I shake my head, even though he can't see me. "Vince, come out."
"No!"
"Vince…" His voice is strained now.
"I'm not coming out!" I hear him stand up and walk away, sighing.
Time passes, but I've no idea how much. I've left the door now, and I'm curled up in a corner of the room. I hear footsteps approaching the door. I can tell that it's more than one person, but I can't tell exactly how many. Panicking, I try to work out who it is. I fight the urge to stiffen my body, knowing that any blows will be worse if my muscles are tense.
"Vince, please come out."
Naboo.
"No." It's somehow harder to say no to him.
"Vince, if you don't come out, I'll come in."
"I don't want to." I say stubbornly.
"Vince…"
"I'm not coming out!" I shout, interrupting him.
"Fine." The door opens and he comes in. I see people outside the room, but he closes the door before I can look at them properly.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here because Saboo had to come to the meeting I was in and bring me back here. I thought you trusted him Vince! You told me you were alright with me leaving you with him!" He sounds sad, disappointed, and…angry? I can't remember him ever being angry with me. "Why did you lie to me Vince?"
"I had to, or you wouldn't have gone to the meeting, and you said it was important. If I'd told you the truth, you would have stayed here!"
"Oh, Vince…" His face softens.
"I wasn't trying to make you angry, I promise!"
"I'm not angry, Vince. You shouldn't have lied to me, though."
"Sorry Naboo." I mumble, my head hung. He smiles.
"It's ok. Are you feeling better?" I nod. "Good. There are some people I want you to meet. They're very supportive, and I think they'll be able to help."
"Who are they?"
"Come and see." He says mysteriously, walking towards the door.