I’m left standing there, feeling slightly off balance. That sensation follows me as I clean my plate and head back to the men's den.
When I find my bunk, I crash against the wobbly surface, nearly breaking it, and groan.
Today started poorly, but it was interesting to speak with Nicolás. Catching Melisa watching me makes me feel guilty. We hadn't been kind to each other.
“I saw you talking to Rodrigo. Be careful with them,” a voice says from one of the cots.
I look over at Abet. I’d assumed he was already asleep.
“I wouldn’t have gone near them otherwise,” I murmur. "They spoke to me first."
He snorts. “Good instincts. Just leave them be, and they won't bother you too much.”
While I look at him, I think about dinner. He wasn't anywhere near me, and I didn't see him grab a plate.
“Did you eat? This one wasn't... soured,” I say.
He shakes his head. “Not hungry.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Even after all the work we did today?”
"Leave me be, Rasa,” he says, pronouncing my name like some of the other humans.
"I can get you food," I say gently.
He is silent for a long while, and then I hear a snore from him. His lack of response worries me, but I'm reluctant to wake him.
After a few hours of lying awake while the rest of the men drift into sleep, I sneak out.Now would be a good time to check on messages from Melisa.
It would be good to find some real food. I might even share with my cutting team.
The closer I get to Eneko’s cottage, the more my stomach aches.
Is Melisa with Eneko now?
My breath comes in shallow pants. How had I not considered that before leaving?
But when I arrive, I find every light off.
As I creep forward, the windows are as dark as the night sky. No… explicit sounds can be heard anywhere.
That brings me comfort. But I still creep closer and closer to the back room.
Her room.
The lock on her door is open, and my heart skips a beat. I listen at the door. A small hiss sounds without warning, and a warm, yellow light filters out through her small window. The glass is cloudy, nothing like the fine workmanship in Enduvida.
I wait a minute, and then another, to see if a giant's form crosses in front of the slight square opening. Eneko never materializes, and I let out a long breath. My fingers itch to look through the window again to see her beauty.
Instead, I look at the area where I gave her the first message. To my surprise, she left me something.
Meet me at midnight tomorrow.
Warmth spreads through my chest, and I arrange my own message.
Of course. Be well.
I press my hand to the side of the wall that connects to her room. It isn’t the same as touching her skin, but the connection, fleeting as it might be, is satisfying.