I opened my eyes, but the room was dark. I looked at the window and it was night time. The moonlight was barely going through the window. I got off the bed, walked until I felt a light switch and turned the light on. I looked around and no one was there. I peaked at the bathroom, the door was open and the room was empty. I was alone.
Near the kitchen sink, I saw two large bags and a food tray. I opened a bag and there were clothes for me in it. It had more Red military clothes and blue shirts and pants. They don’t seem to have a selection of clothing eh? I opened the cover to the food tray and there were many kinds of fruits and vegetables cut into small pieces. I was hungry and I grabbed the tray, but there was nowhere for me to sit. So I sat back on the bed and chewed slowly.
I looked around and wondered why Boris even had this empty place. I stopped eating, got up and placed the tray on the kitchen table. I opened the closet, and there were hardly any clothes in it. It had two hanging military outfits and that’s all. I closed the closet and sat back on the bed. I felt dirty and it was time for me to shower. I grabbed some clothes out of the bag, not military clothes though, and went into the bathroom to shower. I saw myself in the mirror and the head bandage was falling off. I removed it completely and untied my hair.
After I was done, I went out of the bathroom hoping Boris is back, but to my disappointment, the room was empty. I searched in the other bag for a comb. I combed my wet hair and tied it back up. I wished there was a bandage so I can wrap my head, but there were none. I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. After a few minutes, the main door opened, and Boris came in with a small bag in his hand. I said, “Hey.”
He smiled and said, “Hello! You’re awake. Great!”
I said, “My head feels heavy, did you bring any bandages?”
He said, “I got everything, and medicine too.”
I said, “Medicine for what?”
He said, “Antibiotics. You lost a lot of blood too. You need rest, eat and stop being stubborn.”
I frowned at him and he laughed. I said, “Why do you treat me like a child?”
He said, “You act like one.”
I looked at him and didn’t want to argue anymore. After he wrapped my head and injected me with the medication, he said, “You need to rest. That’s all I ask from you.”
I said, “How is John doing?”
He said, “He is doing well. Doctors took the bullet out from his side and he is resting. He will get better in no time. He will be very useful to us, if he wants to though.”
I said, “Obviously, you can’t make him do anything.”
He said, “No I can’t and I won’t try.”
I said, “What if I can?”
He said, “You have a talent for persuasion.”
I winked and he smiled. He said, “Now rest. I got to go back to my office.”
I said, “You’re leaving?”
He got up and said, “Umm, yeah?”
I frowned and looked down. He said, “Do you want me to stay?”
I looked at him and said, “If you want.”
He sat back on the bed and said, “I will stay for a bit.”
I said, “I have gotten used to people around me the past few days. It felt different; to be cared for.”
He stared at me for a few seconds and said, “Forget mind control. You are slowly changing to what appears as someone else. Vulnerable. You are not like that.”
I looked at him and I didn’t know what to say. He said, “Lina?”
I stared at him and finally said, “I don’t want to be alone anymore. I’m scared of what I will do to myself.”
He eyed me and didn’t say anything. He got up and grabbed the food tray. He sat back down and said, “You got to eat. I can’t get you mentally well quickly, but you need to get better physically soon.”
I said, “You don’t seem to care.”
He said angrily, “Lina!”
I said, “What if I go back to how I was. Day dreaming, hallucinating, talking crazy.”
He sighed and said, “That’s why I like you. You are different. Crazy, ambitious, carefree, wild and unpredictable. Kind of exciting. Keeps me alert.”
I said, “You like the abnormal? What if …”
He interrupted me and said, “Lina. Whatever happens, I will be at your side. I promise till the last day of my life. Just listen to me from now on. Please.”
Boris never says please or asks for any type of gratitude from anyone. I nodded my head in agreement and he said, “That’s good. Good start. We are agreeing about something.” He handed me the tray of food and said, “You have to eat. Look at you. You’re so pale. I want you to go back to the Lina I knew.”
I nodded and didn’t say anything. I chewed my food slowly and Boris stared intently at me. He said, “I have to go back now.”
I nodded and said, “More security work?”
He said, “Mostly. There are some other things I have to watch too.”
I said, “Umm, what?”
He said, “What Triangle is doing. They have been loading trucks with supplies and stationing them outside the compound near the west fences. I have no idea what they are planning. They cut off most of the security channels from Red. There are only a few left outside.”
I said, “When did this start?”
He said, “Three days ago. There are so many things to worry about now. The machines, Intelligences’ selfish endeavours and future plans, Triangles’ secrets.” He sighed and said, “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
I said, “Don’t worry. I will help you.”
He said, “You have to. It’s an order.”
I said, “Great. I can’t volunteer my services anymore?”
He smirked and said, “I will be back in a bit. Don’t stay up for me.”
He got up and walked to the door. He turned around, looked at me and said, “I’m glad you’re back.” Then he walked out and closed the door behind him.