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“Listen up!” The nervous chatter surrounding her died down when the man spoke. “You will be allowed out of your cells periodically, assuming good behavior. Work is mandatory. You’ll earn your keep here.”
Their keep, she thought with hostility. As if they had chosen to be here and their captors were so gracious to offer a place to stay. How kind of them…
In addition, you’ll also be let out for meals and for some free time on the weekends. Again, this is for those who exhibit good behavior only.” His emphasis on good behavior made rebellion come alive in her.
The guard extended his arm to show off the open space in which they currently stood. “This is the courtyard where your meals will be served and where you can spend your free time.” Then he took a few steps backwards and motions for them to follow. “This way.”
They made their way along another hall and she spotted the biggest kitchen she’d ever seen in her life. So many ingredients, pots, pans, utensils. It was more than she could’ve ever imagined. Everything was spotless, too. How did they keep it so clean?
“Some of you may be assigned to the kitchen. In that case you’ll be working here with one of our chefs. Let’s keep moving.”
The guard walked fast and didn’t give them much time to take in their surroundings. Ali supposed they had the rest of their lives to explore their small enclosure.
The next opening was very similar to the shower room they had entered through. Grates in the floor for drainage, but this one had individual shower stalls and a mirror on one wall lined with sinks. Shelves of clean towels and washcloths lined another wall. It wasn’t glamorous, but like the other rooms, it was spotlessly clean. She was grateful for that. “These are the showers. You’ll be allowed to rinse off once per day for no more than fifteen minutes. Any questions?”
Ali looked around her. Everyone was too nervous to speak. They all glanced at each other, waiting for someone to make a sound, but no one did.
“Right. Well let’s go back to the courtyard then. If you think of anything at all, just ask myself or one of the guards on duty.”
The group shuffled back in the direction they’d come from. Besides the guard giving the tour, a few others had appeared in the back to keep watch. Now it was their turn to take the lead.
“You’ll be given half an hour now to spend in the courtyard. The other guards and I will be making rounds to give out your work assignments.”
Ali found Eli in the crowd and approached him tentatively. The last time they had spoken, he’d been in a dark place. She couldn’t blame him, but she wanted to gauge his mood before she spoke. He looked distracted, but otherwise okay.
She reached out to touch his arm. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said in his husky voice. It always amazed her that this man could be the perfect juxtaposition of masculine and sensitive. He was a bright beacon of light most of the time, but when something upset him, it was obvious. It was written all over his face.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Ali. I’m…adjusting.” He looked around and took in his surroundings. “I just still can’t believe this happened. This doesn’t feel like my life.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” She slipped her arms around his waist and hugged him close.
She felt his chin rest on top of her head. “I’m glad you’re here. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
A man cleared his throat and interrupted their reunion. He had a clipboard in hand and a pencil. “Names?”
They both gave him their first names.
“You’ll be assigned to the greenhouses.” He appraised Eli’s giant body and added, “You might be a better fit for a more physical position in the future, but you have to earn that responsibility.” He scribbled something down and walked off toward the next person.
“Greenhouses. Fun,” Eli said sarcastically.
“At least we can be together.” She could only handle so much change at once. She didn’t know what she’d do if Eli was suddenly ripped from her, too.
They spent the remainder of their free time snuggled together in the cold. His arms were the safety that she’d missed. He was her home away from home.
“Free time is over,” a guard yelled over the hushed chatter.
Ali lifted her head from Eli’s chest. She knew that voice, the one that had caused her insides to melt and her chest to constrict. How long had Nik been here?
His eyes flickered in her direction, and she had this gut feeling that he’d been watching for a while now. When he looked at her, the hairs on her arms stood on end.
I really wish that would stop happening.
It felt like he wasn’t just looking at her, but through her. She felt just as naked now as she had during their first encounter.
