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She noticed that his part wobbled slightly, moving on his head – and smiled knowingly at the realization that it wasn’t his hair, but part of his costume.
“Wig too?” she invited in a soft whisper. “I won’t tell anyone, and no one can see you in here. I imagine it’s really warm under there, and there’s a breeze.”
He hesitated – and then yanked it off, putting his head back against the wall and sighing before looking at her…reallylooking at her. His face was scarred on the left side ofhis forehead, temple, and cheek, along with is ear being slightly misshapen.
“My team was in Iraq during the war and our party was clearing some of the area after they’d dropped bombs. People were desperate, their homes destroyed, the casualties, and they began to rally, banding together. I think it took less than five minutes…”
He said quietly, closing his eyes against the memories that were obviously bothering him.
“A bottle filled with propellant was thrown at Bo, causing him to catch fire on his leg – and Shepherd put it out, before praying with him, there in the sand.”
He held up his hand, wiggling his fingers.
“Lack of proper medical care, infection, and stubbornness can be a deadly combination – resulting in loss of limbs,” the captain admitted. “Jared’s eye was gouged out by a woman’s thumb as the crowd suddenly overtook us, and this,” he said bluntly, pointing at his face. “This was from a torch that was being used to light more Molotov cocktails to be used against ‘the evil infidels that were wrecking their lives’. We barely got out of there – which is why you are in here.”
“I don’t think that is going to be the case – do you?”
“An angry mob is a dangerous and unpredictable thing,” he said quietly, his voice exceedingly soft as he looked at her.
“… And Yellow needs to calm down. She’s trying to incite others to her ‘side’ – which is completely ridiculous, but it’s working. Blue, Red, and Green are all in an uproar for the time being.”
They sat there for a few moments, silent.
“You are safer here for the moment.”
She was holding her plate in her hands, unable to dragher eyes from his, as she realized that he had such intense blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean… and they were kind.
He was watching her, his eyes searching hers, making her wonder what he was looking for… as he suddenly looked away, getting to his feet.
“I’ve got to get back out there,” he said gruffly. “Do you need anything?”
“I don’t suppose you have a book to read, or something – do you?”
“I think I can manage that,” he replied, a slight smile touching his lips as he yanked the heavy wig back on, pulling his hat down low over his forehead. “Remember, this was our secret.”
“Thank you for the food.”
“Thank you for listening,” he replied easily. “Let me grab you a book and someone will bring you dinner later.”
He disappeared, locking the cell door behind him, and it was a few minutes before he returned… with a strange look on his face, combined with a nervous smile that touched her. Calista rose to her feet as he opened his coat and pulled out a Kindle.
“Shhh…” he began in a hushed voice - his smile slight, but there. “I’m human – and paperbacks take up a lot of room in a small cabin. I’m trusting you’ll keep this hidden.”
Calista couldn’t help the wave of warmth and understanding that washed over her as she realized that the captain was just a man who’d seen quite a few horrors and had a job to do… despite his contrary temperament towards electronics.
“I really appreciate this,” she breathed, accepting the Kindle.
“Travel battery packs are a godsend,” he volunteered,putting his finger over his lips as she chuckled easily in understanding.
“Thank you, captain.”
“Certainly… Calista.”
She was stunned that he’d actually used her name and knew it. She was always just ‘Orange’ or completely ignored by the man before her – and understanding now it was for show.
“Wait…” she whispered quickly, reaching through the bar to touch his coat.
“I’ve already been here too long,” he replied, moving away quickly, making her wonder if he was as confused by all of this as she felt right now.
