We walked to the truck and drove back to the Red compound. I asked, “Why do I sleep so much? I always wake up in the dark.”
Boris said, “You were sleeping all day? So much of thinking of a plan.”
I said, “And you had this plan up your sleeve and you never told me?”
He said, “It was never a plan. It’s a desperate final thought.”
I sighed and looked forward. We approached Red’s main gates. Boris stopped the car and got out. He walked over to the panel. He came back after a minute and the gate opened. He drove in and parked the truck behind the main building on the left side. He got out and I did too. He came over to my side and said, “We will go directly to the living spaces areas.”
I nodded and followed him. The building had a back door and a security panel. He tapped on it and the door opened. We went through and climbed the stairs. We walked down the hallway till we reached his apartment. We went in and he closed the door. I was unbelievably tired and laid face down on the bed. He said, “I will go get some things.” I didn’t reply and he sighed. I heard the doors close again and I turned my head.
He was so helpful and caring. Unlike me who is selfish and uptight. Why did he love me? I raised myself up and took my shoes off. I got up and walked towards the window. I looked outside and just stared. I kept thinking of tomorrow night and if this plan will succeed at all. I just had to go to my apartment on the third level to room B34, get the box and leave. It’s a fool proof plan. But what will we encounter along the way? Was defence by the machines internal too? What about all the security cameras? This plan is not very solid and the success rate seemed to lessen as I thought it through.
The moonlight was very bright. It was a full moon and I kept wishing I lived a different life. I stared intently and stopped caring about anything.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned around. Boris looked at me and said, “I was talking to you but you didn’t reply. Are you ok?”
I stared at him and said, “Why me Boris?”
He was confused and said, “Because? I’m not sure what you’re asking.”
I looked down and back at the moon. I said, “Why do you love me?”
He sighed and said, “Because you always looked at me like I was someone worth something. You never cared what people thought of me. You always made your own judgements and had a lively personality.”
I looked at him and said, “That’s not the main reason.”
He was more confused and said, “Oh. Well… Tell me?”
I stared and he said, “You have pretty eyes.”
I laughed, patted his shoulders and said, “Oh Boris! You are hopeless.”
He seemed uncomfortable and said, “Is that a reason?”
I enjoyed his gullible and innocent answers. I felt we were still young and at school. He was clueless about so many things. I said, “I’m getting tired. My head is heavy. I should lay down.”
I walked over to the bed and laid down. He looked at me and said, “I like your long hair.’
I laughed so hard and said, “Please stop it. You’re hilarious.”
He stared and was so confused. He walked to the edge of the bed and stared at me. He said, “I don’t understand.”
I turned to my side to stare at him and said, “What did you do today when I left?”
He said, “I was very upset.”
I said, “When did you tell Bob and the others what happened?”
He said, “I told them about what happened as soon as you left. I kept watching the security cameras to find you, but you never showed up.”
I said, “So what did you do then?”
He said, “I panicked. I didn’t know what happened and how I can fix it. I didn’t want anything to happen to you because of me.”
I said, “So you care about me more than yourself?”
He said, “Of course I do. You mean everything to me. You always have and I love you.”
I smiled, turned on my back and said, “That’s the reason.”
He stared and didn’t reply. I guess he was thinking about everything and I said, “I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.” I turned to the other side and said, “Time to sleep. Good night.”
I opened my eyes and it was still dark. I felt that this night was the longest I have ever experienced. I turned to the other side and Boris was sleeping. I raised myself up and looked at the window. I lowered my head and placed them between my raised knees. After a few minutes I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and Boris was looking at me. I said, “Did I wake you?”
He shook his head and said, “I couldn’t sleep well.”
I looked at him and he stared back. He said, “Do you want to talk?”
I said, “About what?”
He said, “Whatever you want. I can listen and you talk.”
I laughed and said, “Is this how our relationship will be like?”
He said, “It always have been. When you talk no one can stop you and I just listen.”
I said, “Tell me then how I was. When I was younger? How did we meet? What did I really want to do with my life?”
He said, “Well, I have known you since you were little. You were always loud and carefree, and many kids stayed around you. I watched you from far away. I didn’t think you ever noticed me or wanted to talk to me.”
I said, “And?”
He said, “As we grew up, maybe we were twelve or thirteen, I can’t remember. Well, many boys were around you.”
I said, “Boys? Were you jealous?”
He sighed and said, “It happens. You were the prettiest girl there. Even prettier than Vicky. She was jealous of you.”
I laughed and said, “Vicky? She is our age?”
He said, “A year younger. She is married now and has two kids.”
I said, “Really? She doesn’t look like the type.”
He said, “Type to what?”
I said, “Settle down.”
He chuckled and said, “She had to. It was her father’s dying wish. He didn’t want her to stay alone.”
I said, “Did her father suggest you?”
He said, “God no. He knew I couldn’t stand her but tolerated her presence for him.”
I giggled and said, “She is something else.”
He stared at me and said, “Well, I couldn’t talk to you. I didn’t talk much to anyone really and just kept my focus on learning.”
I said, “You are smart.”
He said, “Not as much as you. Professors didn’t know why you were wild and unfocused, but were brilliant at the same time.”
I said, “I was? I don’t remember.”
He said, “When you started hallucinating and day dreaming all the time, I guess that’s when they realized you had a problem. They took you out of class and from everyone’s sight for two or three days a week for over six months.”
I said, “Did I change?”
He said, “You were quieter and more reserved after that, but there was still a spark about you they couldn’t fade out.”
I said, “When did I start talking to you then?”
He said, “We were eighteen, and I decided with a few others to train and become Red infantry no matter what they thought we should do after we take the test a couple of years later. I felt that I had to defend no matter how smart I was. One day, you came to our private training and asked everyone what our plans were and what kind of life we wanted. You kept asking like a confused child wondering what group to join. To become Red or continue learning and becoming Intelligence.”
I said, “Then?”
He said, “I guess no one’s answer was satisfying to you. So I was sitting alone in a far corner and you walked over to ask me the same thing.”
I said, “What did you say?”
He said, “I didn’t reply because I was so scared you were even talking to me. I just stared at you and you kept looking at me.”
I laughed and said, “Oh my God. You haven’t changed a bit.”
He said, “Umm? Well, after a few seconds of you staring at me you put your hand out for a hand shake. You said your name is Lina and you will do the same; defend those that can’t.”
I said, “Ahh! That’s such a sweet story. I wish I remembered it though.”
He said, “I guess I loved you as long as I remember.”
I placed my head down on my knees and looked at him, “I loved you too. I just never showed it. If I remember anything, then maybe I would have changed you a bit to loosen up.”
He said, “What’s wrong with me?”
I said, “Oh please. You scare everyone and so demanding.”
He stared for a few seconds and said, “I’m a General. I have to be tough. I care about everyone’s wellbeing and I am smart. I can make well-planed decisions quickly and I respect everyone.”
I said, “Oh yeah? What about this plan to go to Intelligence at night. Did you think it through?”
He stared for a few seconds and finally said, “Sort of. But there was a higher chance to get you back here instead.”
I said, “Wow buddy! What does this mean? Is there even this underground pathway? Did you lie to me?”
He sighed and said, “I didn’t lie. There is this path. It’s too dangerous to think of what might happen.”
I said, “So what now? We’re not going to go?”
He said, “I can’t stop you, but we need to get help. I can’t let you go alone.”
I got off the bed and said, “I’m going now!”
He got up and said, “Wow Lina. Please stop. I don’t want to repeat what happened yesterday.”
I angrily said, “Then what?”
He said, “Listen to me. Please. We just need to plan it right and think of every possible scenario that we may encounter.”
I looked at him and I sat on the bed furiously. I said, “I trust you. Just think of this plan quickly before tonight. I’m tired of this place. I don’t belong here or anywhere in these compounds. I want to leave.”
He smiled and said, “Great! That’s the spirit!”
I sighed, laid back on the bed and said loudly, “Uff!”
He looked extremely happy and said, “Lina. Trust me. We only have each other now.”
I stared at him for a few seconds and said, “Don’t push it because I have a soft spot for you.”
He said, “Well, that’s great. In the meantime since we are talking about this plan, umm, do you have any suggestions?”
My eyes widened and said, “You don’t know what to do?”
He brushed his hair and said, “I was hoping you knew what to do since you’re eager to get it over with.”
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. I was so angry and yelled, “Boris! Uff! You’re hopeless. I will ask John.”
He smiled and said, “See! I knew you were thinking of a plan.”