AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jenna’s brown hair is still wet and seems longer and darker than when it’s dry. She smells different, sweet. I can’t wait until it fades so I can smell what’s underneath the soap. The smell of raw Jenna is better than flowers.
I’ve always been fed by others, first in my cell, and later in a mess hall or dining room. I’ve never been in a kitchen before. At first, this surprises Jenna.
“You’ve never seen a stove before? Really?”
Then she must remember my circumstances, because she proceeds to patiently name everything in the kitchen.
“We’re going to start with something easy. Scrambled eggs.”
She retrieves eggs and butter from the fridge, finds a pan in a bottom cupboard, and shows me how to turn on the burner’s flame. With the four of us crammed into the small area in front of the stove, the tuft on my tail catches on fire when I turn to grab the spatula she asked for.
The room fills with the acrid smell of burnt hair as well as the sharp scent of Jenna’s anger. I thought she would be the patient sort, but I can sense her ire rising.
After she grabs a glass of water and dips the still-smoking end of my tail in it, she cranes her head toward me and inquires if I’m okay.
“I’ve been through worse.” My tone is soft as I try not to sound belittling. I’m relieved little Jenna can’t even imagine the things I’ve lived through.
“Noble, do you have any intention of hurting me?”
My head snaps back in surprise. Is she still afraid of me? It’s only now I realize I never apologized for my behavior in the bakery.
“I’m sorry I got mad at you. I’ve never been bossed by a female before. It took me by surprise.”
“Apology accepted. Go get me another carton of eggs.” Her tone is harsh, but I do as she asks.
When I return, she grabs a washcloth, wets it, tosses it to me, and tells me to wipe the already-clean counter. I shrug, but do as she asks. If she’s trying to demean me, she’s doing a good job.
When I hand the cloth back to her, she drops it, the wet rag making a plopping sound when it hits the floor.
“Pick it up.” This time she doesn’t try to put any sweetness into her tone. Even though it’s beginning to remind me of all my years in a cage, I bend to retrieve it. Maybe Jenna’s not as nice as I believed. That thought tightens my chest.
“Do you want to hurt me?” Her voice is level as she stabs me with an unblinking stare.
“No.”
“Irritated?”
I consider lying, but don’t. “Yes.”
“You sure you don’t want to hurt me?”
“Positive.”
She gives me a big smile that lights up her face as it stretches wide, then turns to Barton and Watson. “I feel safe with Noble. Could you guys leave us alone?”
They look at each other, but don’t say anything.
“You ever heard the expression ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’? The poor guy burned his tail because we’re squinched together in here. If anything happens, I imagine you’ll see it on those cameras, right?” She glances to each of the four corners of the ceiling, making it clear she’s noticed the surveillance equipment.
They use their shoulder comms to discuss the issue with their superiors. After a few minutes of discussion, the matter is decided.
Corporal Watson leans closer to Jenna and murmurs, “You just sing out if you need anything. Barton and I will be right outside the door.”
Now, just like that, we’re alone.
Chapter Eleven
Jenna
