The next morning I wake up to the silence of my placid white cell. Linc isn’t there by my side, instead replacing him is a compression of a fresh body is imprinted on the sunk mattress. The mattress was made for one but we made it work. I groan. Why wasn’t Linc here? I let out a small sigh as I get out of the bed. I can still recall the night before. He was curious.I change into my washed clothes by the side of my bed. Once I am done changing I notice that there is a little note left by my side. I unfold it carefully letting the smooth paper lay there against my skin. The note reads in a neat print:
Dear Bree,
I had to leave early since if the guards and the bosses caught me then I would never be able to free you and your sister. It is my mission. See you next time my love.
Yours Truly,
Linc
My heart turns. What a gentleman.
***
The next time I see Linc is when I am taken out again to be shown something. They said I would love it. I roll my eyes at him and entwine my fingers in his slyly in between ourselves. He pulls me a bit closer but his expression is still like he means as he wants to make sure I don’t attack anyone.
As we near the destination they are taking us I notice that we were nearing where Camilla was taken by the Grongula. Camilla was in the new and improved blue Grongula’s hands and was screaming a muffled scream.
“What are you doing to her!” I yell. Then I see her. I see her now. The woman I met first. Cathy. The real boss.
“Let’s start with the main focus.” Cathy pulls out a white slip of paper, torn. “Who is Linc?” I am shocked. I forgot to destroy the letter.
“I won’t ask you again little Bree. Who. Is. Linc?” her voice is like ice and it makes my skin chill.
“No one important.” she laughs at my comment.
“Are you sure about that. We surely don’t care about him. But we’ll make you a deal. Hand in Linc and Camilla will live.”
“Why should I trust you?” I ask.
“Because sweetie it’s the only option you have.”
“Why would you kill her? I mean that would make me have no purpose to live. That would be a reason to tick me off and kick the bucket. You scientists are ruining your chance to kill the humans by killing her.”
“It won’t matter if you’re gone.” she says. “Your husband might be special as well.”
“You have to find him first.” she rolls her eyes and laughs diabolically.
“We already have.” a group of guards behind her drags a man. A man with shaggy black hair that covers his left eye and a leather jacket with shiny pale skin.
“Who is he?”
“Your husband. The real Linc.”
***
My mind is spinning. I should’ve known that Linc was a fraud. I stand in front of Cathy, who smirks delightfully.
“The… The… The Linc Travis who wrote that note is right over-” my words are cut off by Camilla who has sunk the knife into her very own precious skin. She is screaming at me not to tell.
“Foolish girl!” Cathy shouts. “Foolish Grongula! Why did you let her do that!?”
“We can still save her if you tell us where he is.” Cathy continues, turning back to me.
“He’s-” a stone hard vase smashes on my head and I fall into his arms. Linc’s arms.
“He’s over there!” Linc yells at the man who is scampering away. He winks at me in the process.
“I hate you.” I whisper.
“If it’s opposite day, I hate you too.”
***
UGH! I think as I crumple up another note. A fresh note signed by that annoying slob. It reads,
Dear Bree,
Please when you are done reading this destroy it. For my sake and you’re sister’s sake. She seems to love me. I mean how could she not. My beloved cheekbones are marveled worldwide.
Until next time my live,
Linc
Why, that arrogant fool! I uncurl another note. This one is left in my drawer which was empty before.
The note reads,
Dear my Bree,
My beloved, beloved Bree. Stop trying to ignore these notes.
I pause at this. He can see me? How can he? I continue the note as I skim below.
I understand that you are in shock from yesterday but don’t you understand. Earlier you were all butterflies and cake and now you are upset. I don’t understand… I saved your sister’s life! Why don’t you repay me with your presence and love?
Linc
I twirl around the room and look around. How could he know that I was ignoring these notes? I continue down the room when a thought finally hits me.
The ceiling! I think as I look up. There in the left end corner of my ceiling is a little camera watching me. Luckily the room’s length wasn’t so tall. I had enough height to reach the camera. I shook it off and broke it. I screamed at the camera, “Go to Hell Linc!” and smashed the camera under my foot.
***
“That annoying jerk! Why did he even care? I was a nobody and then he comes and makes me feel special!” I say to Camilla who is resting in the hospital bed beside me, her eyes open and her brow is furrowed. The boss boss, Cathy, let me talk to her until 6:00 pm and luckily it’s only 5:00. I have an hour left.
“Just give him some time, Bree.” Camilla breathes. “What did he do that was so bad any way?”
I shake my head. “You don’t understand.” I chuckle. “He leaves me notes and he even left a camera in my room! Not to mention he is full of himself! It’s unbelievable how people can be that way!”
“Totally.” Camilla says, rolling her eyes. “Trust me Bree, I think he got the message when you screamed, ‘Go to Hell’ at him through a camera.”
“It won’t end Camilla.” I sigh. “It never does. I can see his hunger. For something more.” I get up.
“I’ll let you rest Camilla.” I say turning around, ready to walk away.
“Bree,” I hear Camilla say. I don’t turn around. “You were never a nobody. And you are never al0ne.”
***
I hear a knock on my cell door as I write in my journal. A small gift from Cathy so I could write down anything I was feeling or draw a picture. Right now I am drawing Linc. He is a tall boy with shaggy, dirty blonde hair that covers up his left eye. He wears pads of armor and has amber eyes. I draw myself leaning on his shoulder, my blue eyes are glowing. I have no colored pencils but I can imagine all these colors as they come to life. I smile at the picture as I put it through the black slit of the machine set by my side. A shredder.
***
I open my cell door. This was not visiting hour so it would probably be Cathy.
“Hi.” a voice says, crisp and smooth. It’s Linc.
“Go. To. He-” I get interrupted.
“Yeah I heard that crap about me going to Hell, but Bree I need you. I don’t care what people think.”
I slam the cell door.
“I don’t care either.” I whisper facing my wall, back against my shut door. “It’s just gone too far.”
***
How do you say no to someone that you love so much, Bree?
Linc’s new note says.
You don’t.
I roll my eyes. I don’t love him.
When you were about to risk it all for your sister. When you shoved me in the chest when the Grongula took her away… That was true love. and I think we have that.