Episode 3.6

The canteen is deserted except for two figures standing closely embraced. A man and a woman are locked in each other's arms. I recognize her immediately. Tosa. The man has his back turned to me. His uniform identifies him as a guard. He is tall, with brown hair.

At first, I'm surprised by the sight and linger in the doorway for a while. Neither Tosa nor her boyfriend have noticed me yet. Tosa has her eyes closed, her lips pressed against his, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

It's actually a sweet sight, but I'm used to Andy and Nora interrupting such moments. Besides, I want to get rid of the package finally. I approach the two lovers slowly, even a smile crosses my lips. With a soft but audible apology to make them aware of my presence.

As soon as Tosa's boyfriend looks at me, I pause in my step. My smile fades into confusion. His face is etched in Nora's and my memory, and it will stay there. He cornered us in the shower.

Fear makes my heart pound wildly in my chest. I'd rather run away, but no, he can't make a mistake in her presence.

His gaze is so intense that it sends shivers down my spine. If I don't keep my mouth shut about what happened, he'll surely do something to me.

"Please, Kyle, ignore her!" Tosa calls with a smile on her lips.

The rather dismissive girl I see is now floating on cloud nine with him. She's in love.

When he looks back at her, he shakes his head. "I'm sorry, my darling, but I have to get back to work." He gently strokes her cheek with his hand. "But I have a farewell gift for you."

Tosa watches eagerly as he takes something out of his pocket, but I shake my head. This guy plays Tosa's lover here, but at the first opportunity, he harasses women and wouldn't even hesitate to commit murder.

If it weren't for my fear, I'd tell her right now.

I pity her for being so naive in her love for her friend's character. I don't believe for a second that he has a twin brother, such coincidences.

Kyle opens his hand at the level of Tosa's eyes, and a green crystal falls out. A beautiful stone that swings back and forth directly in front of her eyes, shortly after Kyle drops it. The crystal is attached to a chain wrapped around his hand.

Fascinated, her gaze follows the movement. Even I can hardly take my eyes off the crystal.

"As beautiful as your eyes, my darling," Kyle whispers, gently kissing her hair. Slowly, he steps behind the girl to put the necklace on her. "You'll know when to wear it."

One last kiss on her lips, then he approaches me.

My heart beats even faster with fear, especially when he stops next to me.

"If Tosa finds out what happened in the shower, I'll kill you!" he threatens me in a low voice, making sure Tosa doesn't hear anything. "And that bastard won't save you then."

Kyle leaves the canteen. But even after he's gone, my heart still pounds in my throat.

Maybe I should just accept the offer, I think to myself. Or talk to that other guard. I don't doubt for a second that this guy would carry out his threat.

"What are you doing here?" Tosa demands to know from me, examining the crystal on her chest.

"I'm supposed to give something to Akara," I reply when I've found my voice again. My heart has even calmed down a bit.

"What?" Tosa looks at me curiously, hiding the green crystal under her clothes.

"Even if I knew, I certainly wouldn't tell you," I reply bluntly. Immediately, Tosa's venomous gaze is on me. She's angry. "Where's Akara now?"

"On her way," she snaps. Angrily, she turns away from me. "And I don't know when she'll be back."

"I can wait," I say, shrugging unimpressed. She probably just wants to brush me off anyway.

When I look back at her, I manage to catch the disdainful look from the girl. "How come that bitch Kaia was so nice to you? She's not exactly known for her kindness around here."

"No idea," I reply truthfully.

"And you seem to get along great with that idiot who's on duty right now."

I know who she means, even though it's total nonsense. I make that clear to her immediately.

"I can't stand him!" I exclaim at her remark, jumping off the bench. "As you yourself said. He's an idiot! I want nothing to do with him!"

"But he's spoiling you and that blonde quite a bit. Someone should tell the prisoners." A grin spreads across her face.

"That was..." ... as compensation for this shitty morning your friend gave us, I almost shout, but I stop instead of saying it out loud.

Besides the fear, there's also the fact that she probably wouldn't believe it anyway.

"Just forget it!" I say instead with a sigh.

It's not my business what's going on between them, and I shouldn't interfere.

Tosa is about to inquire further when a door to the canteen opens from the right, and an older woman with her hair up enters the room. Akara carries a box of fruits in her hands, just as the guard gave me.

As soon as the old lady enters the canteen, Tosa wants to take one of the fruits. But she's reprimanded by Akara with a glance, causing the young girl to abandon her plan. When Akara's gaze falls on me, she's initially very surprised.

I stand up, take the package, and go to her.

"I'm supposed to give this to you from a secret admirer," I call out, smiling, and hold out the package to her.

Akara puts the box away and takes the gift. Her young colleague watches the whole scene with interest, just like me.

Carefully, Akara opens the box.

Three beautiful flowers, resembling lilies, nestled on silky fabric come into view. One blue and two red.

What are they for? But I dare not ask my question, but someone else takes over for me.

"Who are they from?" Tosa asks. Her green eyes wander curiously over the plants.

"These damn gang!" the old lady mutters, seemingly moved to tears by the gift. "The same thing every year!" Her fingers gently trace over the flowers.

After a while, her gaze shifts to her young colleague.

"It's just a gift from a few friends."

She wipes away a tear.

"Tosa, I'll be right back. Bring the fruits in, but don't touch them!" Akara turns to me. "Thanks, Janine!" she says with a smile to me, holding only the gift in her hand as she quickly leaves the canteen.

Tosa doesn't care much about the prohibition and grabs one of the fruits. I, on the other hand, also leave the canteen, but in a completely different direction than Akara. Still, I'm not at ease with this thought.