AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What about the water? Aren’t you thirsty?”
Zsanine was unresponsive to his question as she had one of her own.
“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you helping them?”
“They paid me. It’s my job,” the guard answered.
“All money isn’t good money,” Zsanine lamented.
He didn’t respond, but that didn’t mean Zsanine was giving up. She had to get through to him. He might be her only hope of getting out of the mess she found herself in.
“Do you have family, a sister, a girlfriend?” She continued to probe. “How would you feel if someone kidnapped somebody you love?”
The guard had no intention of allowing her words to impact him, but they did. Seeing her injuries also impacted him in a way he didn’t expect. He was much kinder to her after that. He hadn’t been horrible before, but still, he found a way to be kinder.
“If I prove to you that the water isn’t tainted, will you at least drink a little? Even if you don’t eat, you don’t need to be dehydrated.”
“How are you going to prove the water isn’t tainted?” Zsanine asked. She was thirsty. She was hungry, too, but she wouldn’t dare eat anything her captors provided. Drinking a little water would help, though.
“I’m going to drink some, and when you see that I don’t die, then you can drink some.” He chuckled, laughing at his own joke.
“That’s not funny,” Zsanine simpered. “You know they plan on killing me.”
“My bad,” the guard apologized. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”
Picking up the bottle of water, the guard unscrewed the top, held it away from his mouth, and turned it up.
“Now, I’m fine, see?” He replied after a few moments. “Are you ready to drink a little?”
Zsanine’s mouth was dry. She was hesitant but thirsty.
“Fine,” she sighed, “a little.”
The guard was glad she agreed and readily positioned himself and the bottle for her. Only when she was ready did he tilt the bottle, so a slow stream poured from it. He paused, allowed Zsanine to swallow, and then offered the bottle to her again. She didn’t want to drink too much, but the water was so refreshing she went in for a second drink.
“Thank you,” she said, genuinely grateful.
“You’re welcome,” he replied. “And you’re still a no for the food, huh?”
“Still a no,” Zsanine replied.
The guard understood, stood up from his chair, and repositioned it back in the corner of the room. Just as he was about to leave, Zsanine got his attention.
“I know I am asking a huge favor, but my headwrap,” she said, her eyes lowering to the floor where it was. “Can I put my covering back on?” The guard’s eyes followed hers.
“This could be a little tricky,” he replied. “If I let you do that, and you try something, you know?”
Zsanine could tell he was thinking as much to himself as he spoke out loud.
“I promise I won’t,” she replied honestly. “I just would really feel more comfortable, even in this horrible situation, if I had my covering.”
She seemed really honest in that moment to him. He didn’t see the harm in her having it. Just the idea that she might get away would be a problem.
“And you promise not to fight me when I have to cuff you back up?”
“I promise.”
“Alright now,” he began. “Imma trust you with this. Don’t make me regret it.”
