Milura returned in ten minutes and unlocked the shackles. I took them off, then stood. He opened the cage. "Thirty minutes. You may touch the swimming gear and the balls. Nothing else. And you may not go in the dark area of the room."
"Can I ask why?"
"It's not time." He walked away. I walked out of the cage and got a closer look at the bats on the wall. I didn't touch, even though I wanted to, but gazed at them in passive interest.
While I did so, I heard Milura moving about, but he didn't bother me, didn't speak to me. I picked up a basketball and started dribbling. "Can I throw it at the wall?" I ask.
"Use the door," he said absently.
I did so, working on catching it when it came at me. After some time, I got a tennis ball and did the same.
I was never an athlete in school, but I learned a lot in gym and did well at different games. However, learning to catch was something my dad taught me to do when I was four. I learned to catch any kind of ball.
"Caroon."
I caught the ball I was throwing and glanced around. I hadn't realized I was caught up in memory and the time passed. Milura waited by the cage. I put the ball back in its basket and went to the cage and stepped inside. Milura shut and locked it.
"Shackles, Caroon."
I did as he said, still lost in my mind with my father. Then, I felt something soft land on the floor and over my feet. I looked down. It was a blanket.
"Good night, Caroon."
Milura walked towards the door and opened it. He was about to shut it when I said, "I have a question real fast."
He turned and looked at me. "Ask."
I hesitate. "Can I have something to grow? If I'm going to be here a long time and have some time to be out of the cage, can I grow something?"
Milura raised his brow. "In here?"
I frown. "I guess not…" Slumping, I unfold the blanket and lay down. "Never mind. I see what you mean."
I shut my eyes and head Milura leave.
The next morning, I awoke to something I heard, but didn't know what. I sat up and looked around. I didn't hear it anymore, but felt something watching me.
"Hello?"
Nothing answered.
"Milura?"
No answer.
I moved so my back rested against the bars and hugged my knees, the blanket wrapped around me like a cocoon. I couldn't sleep now. I didn't know how long before Milura came to see me, but I didn't want to sleep if I wasn't alone.
A long time passed with no sound or movement. I was shaking when Milura finally came into the room and walked up to the cage. "You're awake?"
"It's gone," I whisper. "It's finally gone."
"Gone?"
I shake my head. "I don't know. I just know something was here."
Milura stared at me, then opened the cage. The sound of the shackles coming unlocked made me finally move. I undid them and jumped to my feet. I strode out and was about to run for the door when Milura's hand caught my arm. "Caroon?"
I begin to tremble again. "Please, let me walk for a few minutes? I need to just walk."
Milura stared at me, then let go. I walked very fast to the door, turned, and quickly walked to the opposite wall. Milura watched, shock on his face. I knew I wasn't behaving normal, but I didn't care.
"Tell me what happened."
"Nothing." I shake my head. "I don't know. I woke up to something and felt it watching me."
"No one is here besides you and me."
"Now!" I hiss. "But something was here!" I see him open his mouth to say something and cut him off. "I'm not lying!"
Milura blinked. "Caroon, stop pacing."
"I can't."
"Stop pacing, Caroon."
I will myself to stop and turn to him. "What?"
"Come here and sit in the chair."
"But-"
"Come over here and sit down!" he said more firmly.
I obeyed, if only because being angry at him was better than what I was feeling. I sat.
Milura came over and knelt in front of me. "Stop thinking about what happened and focus on me."
"Why?"
"Because I said." I glared at him. "And because if you don't do as I said, I will make you go back into that cage shackled up and leave you there all day without me here."
I held my glare then sighed and closed my eyes. "I'm sorry," I whisper.
He said nothing, letting me get back to normal. It was hard, but I did.
After five minutes, I finally opened my eyes. Milura was watching me intently. "Good. You're back."
"Can I use the bathroom?"
He nodded. "I will take a look around while you are there. This time, take the whole hour, Caroon."
I nod and let him lead me there. When he shuts the bathroom door and leaves me alone, I sit on the ground and try to get my thoughts straight. I stay there for a long time.
I need to get out of here! I need to escape! Fuck Milura and his rules! Fuck what he may want! I need out!