An alliance

Gabriel

A woman walks into the room, and she has one the same mask that the one that attacked me had on. She is carrying a tray and I smell the meat before she even drops it.

I haven't eaten in I don't even know how long.

"Food," she drops it on the table, and I act uninterested.

I am starving but I can't show weakness.

The woman eyes me cautiously as I try to maintain my composure. My body may be weak from hunger, but my pride won't allow me to show vulnerability in front of her. I force myself to stay still, resisting the urge to dive for the food like a starved animal.

"I see you're not eager to eat," she says, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You've been like this for days. You can't keep starving yourself. It won't do you any good."