Chapter 10: Probably My One and Only Chance

For the next few days, my activities were more or less like this; wake up, eat, shower, walk around the room, look at the outside world from the square window, meet Zo for a few minutes and repeat. Every day is like that.

Zo feeds me twice a day and a change of clothes once a day. Apart from Zo and the middle-aged woman who brought me food, I didn't see anyone else. Not anyone else, not even the tattooed man who beat me the other day.

I'm a little confused about my current situation. It's not that I'm not grateful they didn't hurt me anymore, but it's a little... odd. Their treatment was too normal. Rather than being a prisoner, they treated me more like a ... I don't know. I'm trying to find a better word for prisoners.

They still treat me humanely as long as I obey orders. They didn't even handcuff or tie me up. I've been following Zo's orders all this time because I don't want the terrible things from the past to happen to me again. Although he still harbors anger and grudges, Zo's threat keeps me from moving. However, he kept his promise not to hurt me.

Maybe the man with the hazel eyes' words was true. If I obey his orders, then I'll be fine.

And yes, I'm 'fine.'

I threw away my pride and obeyed everything he said. Since the forced kiss a week ago, he's been acting normal. His expression was still the same as before. As if nothing happened.

One day he could look very calm as if he was just a warden guarding a prisoner. On the other hand, especially when I show signs of arguing, he will threaten me again and be rude to me again. It was like facing two different people.

For example, today. This morning, he brought me a tiny clock that I could put on the table. The clock is a black box with a red line around it with a picture of Iron Man.

"I think you need a clock," he said.

I looked at the clock in my hand. It was 9:00. "But I don't like Iron Man," I muttered.

"What?" asked Zo.

I blinked and quickly shook my head. "No. Nothing."

Zo ignored my answer and placed a magazine on the table. "This. It has a short story in it."

I furrowed my brow in surprise. "Then?" I asked quietly.

"You can read," said Zo. "You like reading stories, don't you?"

I was shocked by his question. I do like reading. How did he know?

Besides, giving is a new thing. He never gave me something other than food, drinks, or clean clothes.

Is there a hidden meaning? Will I be beaten after this?

"What do you think?"

I refocused on my food which I had forgotten for a moment. "No," I said.

Zo sat on the bed while playing with the Rubik in his hand. He didn't look at me, and his eyes stared intently at the Rubik's cube he was finishing. "Don't lie. Answer honestly," he said coldly.

I swallow food with difficulty. I can't even tell him my suspicions. Next, he will be rude to me again if I provoke his emotions.

"It doesn't matter. It's just that I prefer listening to stories than reading them," I lied.

My answer seemed to be enough to silence him. He didn't ask anything more than waiting for me to finish my food, as he always did. I'd find him staring intently at me and turning his head away when I looked back every now and then. Even though I was so confused about what was going on, I didn't dare to ask again once.

However, considering that he even bothered to give me a watch and magazine, can I ask for other than this?

"I want my bag back."

I bit my tongue because the request was said just like that without being able to contain it. Damn, it's too late to take back my words because, at this time, he stopped his Rubik's game.

I cleared my throat for a moment and continued my request earlier. "The gray bag I was wearing at the time, may I ask for it back? I just need to get the book inside."

The man tilted his head and looked at me. Zo looks like he's considering my request. I hope he allows it.

"It's been thrown away."

My body felt weak. Inside the bag was my old notebook. The book which written all the essential things in my life. My walking diary.

I don't mind losing anything if it's not my notebook. It's so sad to lose my favorite item. I had it six years ago, and they just threw it away.

I finished my last mouthful with no appetite. I don't want to say anything more to him. I'm afraid that his words would disappoint me.

I stared at the window of this room for the umpteenth time. The various possibilities of escaping seemed to be in vain. It's no use.

I miss home. So freaking much. I miss my Dad.

Dad must be confused looking for me, mustn't he? Why can't he find me? How about Evan? He must be looking for me too, right?

How about Kimmy? Maybe she'll worry about me. That girl must have been thrilled to find out that I was missing.

My throat hurts. Maybe this is the effect of crying for hours. It felt so uncomfortable.

"Here's."

The man gave me a sore throat lozenge. How can he provide the candy when I need it? Did he know my throat hurt or was it just a coincidence?

I accepted the candy hesitantly and put it in my mouth.

"You don't want to be suspicious anymore and think that candy is medicine?"

I glanced at Zo, who was questioning me. Damn. He quipped that I threw away the pain reliever he gave me the other day.

Zo now put his Rubik on the table. He then got out of bed and stood right behind my chair. My neck was cramped to feel the man's presence who seemed to threaten me.

"You've been so obedient lately."

He bent down and inhaled my hair from behind. I gritted my teeth and held the spoon firmly in my right hand. This spoon can become a weapon if this bastard messes with me again.

Zo brought his nose closer and sniffed the back of my head.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a whisper. My body suddenly stiffened, and I couldn't move an inch.

"Your hair smells good."

That's all that came out of Zo's mouth before the man pulled his nose away from my head. He took my empty tray and walked to the door. Locked the door as usual and left me in complete confusion.

***

For the next three days, Zo never came into the room again. This time it was the middle-aged woman who took her place. When I asked the woman where Zo was, she kept quiet and didn't respond. Like I did this time. She just sent the food and, as always, moved like a robot.

"Could you tell me where Zo has gone?"

She paused for a moment and answered without looking at me. "Mr. Loko is going outside for a few days, and Mr. Keenan is also coming with him. They'll be home soon," she answered lazily.

Loko? Keenan? Which one is Loko, and which one is Keenan? Where did they go?

"I asked about Zo. The one who used to come to this room. Usually he—"

"I told you that Mr. Keenan was accompanying his boss outside. Don't ask too much!"

Mr. Keenan was following his boss outside…

Does that mean Zo is Keenan? Loko is the boss's name? The Tattooed Man?

Keenan? Is that Zo's real name?

My mind immediately flashed an idea. How about I run away now? Maybe I can outwit this woman and run away from her. However, she doesn't seem very strong. At least if she hits me, I can hit her back.

I saw the room key hanging in her apron pocket. I can snatch the key and get out of here. This is an excellent opportunity for me. While the man named Loko and Zo are not around, I'd better try.

I have to do it.

"Could you help me, please?"

The woman turned to me with a straight face. Damn, I hate her expression.

"Umm… the water in the bathroom won't come out, so I haven't showered yet. Could you check for a moment, please?"

It's just bullshit. I've showered, of course, and the water in the shower is no problem at all.

"Please," I begged again.

As I expected, she was listening to my request.

The woman stepped into the bathroom while I followed behind her. When she was inside, I slowly pulled the lock on the bathroom door, hanging off. When her body bent slightly to turn on the shower, I quickly put my hand in her apron pocket, and my hand touched a small cold object.

I got the key!

I quickly pulled it out when the water from the shower also sprayed down on us.

I had to hurry because this might be the only chance I could escape from here.