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“Everyone has been acting as if I was expected to be in this section of the camp, even though I've been hacking into computer systems since I was eleven years old. Now, I’m being told I’m expected to learn how to fuck information out of people, kill on command if it’s warranted, and live my little paranoid anxiety-ridden life out this way. I’m spiraling a little, which is why I needed to take some time,” I tell him softly.
“Silla… that was a lot to unpack. Section B is a support section for hackers and intelligence services. I’ve never heard of it being described the way you are, and I’ve been here awhile. As for your designated section, you didn’t choke on your assessments, right?” Zachary asks.
I shake my head, eyes dropped to my food, realizing I’m no longer hungry. “No, of course not. I’ve never failed a test in my life.”
Pushing my food away, I jump when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder. Zachary’s eyes widen at me, and I wonder if what’s behind me is something he wanted to talk to me about.
That’s just the way my luck runs lately..
“Hello, Warden,” he says politely, and my eyes close for a moment. Of course it’s Grayson. My day can always get worse.
I don’t have any rainbows or give-a-damn's right now.
“I believe I asked you to tell me the next time you saw Silla, didn’t I, Zachary? You’re doing a shit job with your intelligence skills right now,” Grayson growls.
I give Zachary an odd look, remembering how the Warden told me not to trust anyone. Zachary shakes his head slightly at me, but I’m torn on who to trust.
“There’s nothing to report, and no one wants false information under the guise of following orders,” he says smoothly. “She’s here now, but you never told me what you needed Silla for?”
I notice that he’s trying to get Grayson to tell him something so that he can maybe help me later. Otherwise, there was no reason for the question. I have also given him plenty of small pieces of myself that he could have used against me.
I hold onto the fact that he hasn’t.
“I didn't feel the need to,” Grayson rumbles. I swear I can feel my chair move just from the power of his voice. This man makes my hands shake, and my insides feel odd. I don’t know what to make of him. “Since you appear to be done, I want a word with you, Silla. Come with me.”
Zachary leans forward, but there’s nothing he can do. I raise my eyes to his, and he stares back helplessly. “I’ll see you around. I’ll probably miss our walk outside,” I tell him with a small smile.
Zachary smiles softly, pulling my tray to him. “I’ll get this for you. The line is getting congested. We have more to talk about, and I look forward to continuing our conversation. Kick ass tonight. Remember what you told me about exams.”
The little reminders we give each other that we’re there for each other help, and help my shoulders stay relaxed as I stand. Maybe he really doesn’t know what Section B entails? It appears the red uniforms are for those being prepared for intelligence work. If that’s true, wouldn’t he know about what’s expected of Section B “recruits”?
Inclining my head, I stand. “Thanks. I think our conversation may be over though,” I tell him sadly. I’ll have to figure things out on my own if my section isn’t openly spoken about. What if Zachary decides not to be my friend because of it?
Who wants to associate with someone being trained to fuck for hire? His face goes stony, and I know I’ll have a fight on my hands later. It’s a problem for later, though.
Turning, I’m greeted by Grayson’s chest. “You were looking for me, Warden?” I ask innocently.
His finger finds its way to my chin, pushing my head up. I want to pull away, but the dining hall is getting quieter, as eyes begin to find us.
“Warden, you know people talk. Whatever you need, don’t make a public spectacle of it,” Zachary hisses.
“You never meet my eyes,” Grayson grunts in complaint.
“You don’t deserve to see them,” I tell him as my gaze meets his.
His breath hitches as he stares into my eyes, and I drop them, even though his finger is holding my chin in place.
“Come with me,” Grayson barks, dropping his hand as if I’ve burned him.
Holding back a sigh, I follow him as he begins to walk. The Warden doesn’t say another word to me as we move through the different hallways, and I think dejectedly about how damned lost I’m going to be on my way back.
In the meantime, Grayson makes conversation with people as we walk. Everyone has a small nod or smile for him, and I wonder if I’m the only one he dislikes. Opening the door to what appears to be his office, he waits for me to walk in.
Shutting it behind him, I stiffen. The room is on the small side, and I swallow hard. I really wish I could wave a magic wand to make this go away. Taking a breath, I take solace that there’s a window brightening up the room. If I can see the sun, I think this will be tolerable.
“Why did you miss lunch?” Grayson asks, standing behind me and I sigh. This man is insufferable. He has so many people in this facility, why does he care what I do?
“I was studying,” I tell him, keeping my arms at my sides even though I want to wrap them around myself.
