I look at her for a few seconds before I start to ask my next question. Somehow I wasn't sure if I could believe her or not.
"Why would they sacrifice themselves if my ability is immortality?"
She ignored my question for a few seconds, poured more tea in her cup, drank out of it and looked at me with a genuine smile on her lips.
"You know… A Cora doesn't have to be born with an ability, but you were. You were one of the first Coras who were born with an ability. That was 17 years ago, when everything started. The virus was still new and your parents didn't know that it's in your blood. They didn't know about your ability, so they sacrificed themselves to save you. Isn't it interesting to see what parents would do for their child?"
"I see. Thanks for telling me."
Maybe I should feel sad now, or disappointed, but instead of that I don't really feel anything at all. It's not like I had hopes up that they were still alive, so I'm not really surprised either. The only thing I'd be surprised of is that this women knows so much about my parents.
"How do you happen to know so much about my parents? Were you guys close?"
She sighs and takes a sip from her tea cup.
"I don't think I can tell you. You could say that… I traveled with them for a specific time. Maybe one day I'll tell you, but this day is not today."
I understand what she means and because I was surprised that she even told me a little bit about me and my parents I nod in appreciation. It was nice hearing about my past, even though this past is long gone.
"Thank you for telling me all this then. I really appreciate those information."
She smiles at me with a somehow worried expression on her face.
"Your parents would be sad if they could see you now. You were so cheerful as a kid and now all the life is gone from your eyes. You look tired… I Wonder what might have happened to you."
I don't look at her. I don't even dare to look at her because I'm afraid of the things she might see when I look her directly in the eyes. I don't want her to know so many things about me, because it scares me. It scares me that she knows more about me than I do. At least it doesn't seem like she knows anything of the torture in the laboratory and about the professor. I'm glad that she doesn't know one thing at least.
"You don't have to talk about it, don't worry. I just wanted to say that… if you want I'll be here for you. If you don't have anywhere to go right now, I would offer you my home as yours. Make yourself a home and I can take care of you. That's what I promised your mother years ago, but I couldn't keep my promise unfortunately."
She is kind. It feels like I could trust her, like I could finally let go, but then I remember what happened to Ria. I could never let something like that happen again. She only died because of me and I could never let the same thing happen to this kind woman. I'm sorry.
"I don't think that's a good idea, sorry. I have a home and a bed. Also, I need to take care of my job and-"
"The number 0?"
I nod with hesitance.
"I see, I see. I know Shinda, so if you want to come here with him to search for a place to stay I wouldn't mind that. He is a bit special, but not necessarily the worst guy. I mean, yes, he does have a bad past, but people can change."
I don't think if we escape one day, or at least try to escape, that it would be a good idea to hide in someone's home inside of the lab. I just nod so that she won't try to convince me.
"And don't forget to bring him this when you see him the next time."
She says and gives me a silver bracelet with a white daffodil on it. It looks beautiful.
"What's this for?"
I ask but she just smiles and shakes her head.
"He'll know when he receives it, don't worry about it."