I thought and thought and thought even more but couldn't really think of a reason for confinement. So instead I spent my time thinking about what had happened in the last few days and how I had met so many different people, made friends, made enemies and even got kidnapped by the bandit queen.
Morning went just like that, with me doing absolutely nothing. This was even worse than my time on the streets. Getting food was difficult but at least I could see other people. Here all I could see was Theresa's cold face and that too only once in a while.
As I contemplated on what to do next, I heard the door being unlocked. I didn't move from the bed and just turned by head. I expected Theresa's cold stare when the door opened. But when it did, it was actually Cleo with a worried expression. Her expression changed from worried to relived and then to happy as I watched her in surprise. As I started to get up, she quickly ran to me and hugged me tighter than she should have.
"Ren! You are really here! We searched for you but couldn't find you anywhere. How did you come back on your own? How did you escape that bitch?"
"Cleoo" I croaked. "I… .can't … breath…."
"Ah!"
Cleo finally let go of me and my feet touched the ground. She had been so quick that I didn't even realize when she had picked me up. I looked up at her and saw her staring at me in anticipation. Instead of answering her though, I hugged her myself. It finally felt like I was back.
I let her go and looked around to see Leana and Turek looking at me with relieved expressions. I thought Sheila would be there too but I couldn't see her anywhere. Leana slowly walked towards me and tried to hug me too. But she couldn't really figure out how to do it due to the difference in our height. So she put her arms under my armpits and picked me up. As she hugged me, I also put my arms around her neck to hug her.
"You have no idea how scared Cleo was" Leana said in a teasing tone as she winked at me.
I smiled at her as she put me back down. I watched as Turek came near and said with a smile, "You don't mind if I don't pick you up and hug you right?"
"Not at all" I answered grinning.
To my surprise, Turek raised his fist for a fist bump instead. He seemed awkward and unsure about how to do it. I smiled and bumped my fist with his. I saw Leana watching us with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on her face but I decided to ignore her.
Once all the hugging and all the awkwardness was over, I heard another voice.
"Well if you guys are quite done, I have a few questions I need answers to..."