Exuding an aura of grace amidst the savages, I filled my bowl with a generous portion of the soup. Still not finished with my noble-like act, I brought the bowl near my lips, blew some air, and then took a good sip of the warm liquid.
'Can this even be considered as food?' I felt disappointed after the sip, but of course, didn't show it. After all, the soup right now can be considered a great improvement to the leftovers I had in the prison cell.
Chicken broth soup. That's what I can describe it as since the ingredients seem to be nothing but a few chicken bones, herbs, and water. It's quite the shame of a meal. No, it's not even a meal!
As I had expected, the people around me really deserved to be called savages. After I had my sip, they showed the same looks that monkeys would have after you showed them how to open a sealed package of food.
Unlike wild animals, however, these people seemed way smarter. Perhaps even smarter than the average human when it comes to the speed of learning and having rational awareness.
What's even more amazing about their brains is that they seem to have a whole language programmed into their memory! These guys, they understood me and so did I!
"So that's how we eat this thing! We were supposed to use the bowls from the place we had come from..." someone exclaimed.
"Are you here to guide us?" another person asked curiously.
"Why did you let the others die? Is there not enough food for all of us?"
There were many of them who raised questions at me.
In fact, these questions were able to solve some of my questions. Just one question that I had, actually…
The question, no rather, a realization that I needed through observation. These people, they made me realize how they truly lead a life of ignorance. They are like children who have not received any form of guidance throughout their growth period but yet are only so when presenting their wisdom.
Their bodies that grow rapidly seem to have the brain capacity, speed, and intelligence that fit their body. They are quite intelligent people, but alas, without wisdom, isn't intelligence just another form of curiosity?!
I looked at them and said, "I am in the same situation that you all are in. But… I can guide you in things that I can!"
I did not know what language I was speaking, but it was like it was natural for me to be able to speak it. However, the movements of my mouth while I spoke felt unfamiliar, so, certainly, this natural language of my kind is not that of Earth.
After hearing my reply, all of them looked at me with sparkling eyes. It seems that I have become their idol, or perhaps, a figure that they could look up to and willingly follow.
It was sure strange and unusual to receive the idolizing eyes of not one, but nine people. It was overwhelming. Somehow, my heart was telling me to leave immediately…
…
"So, everyone. Listen to me. There are enough bowls for each of you. Use them, eat like how I showed earlier."
As they nodded I added, " And stay here. I'll be right back."
I bade temporary goodbyes to everyone, not because I felt uncomfortable from the way their eyes smiled at me, but because I had something important to take care of.
The last unused bowl and my own bowl... I decided to fill both these bowls with food before I proceeded to leave. I'm glad there was no resistance from them.
It seems that this language of ours might project some of one's true intentions and feelings too. No wonder they understood me when I told them that I had to go out for a bit.
"What an interesting world this is…" I mumbled as I made my way towards where I needed to go.
…
As I returned to the prison area, I noticed the girl was still asleep. Quietly, I positioned the two bowls of food about a meter to her right.
I did not want to place the bowls right beside her for fear that she might accidentally knock them over and spill the food.
After doing so, I then went on to take a seat across from where she sat. Sitting there with my back leaning against the wall, I looked up to the ceiling while sorting out my thoughts.
Sigh… This world was mentally draining me.
Right when I was sighing I suddenly heard a slurping sound. I no longer continued to stare at the ceiling on top of me but turned to look directly at the girl in front of me.
She was already holding onto a bowl, savoring the taste of the food as much as she could.
She continued with the next bowl right after that, and only when that was finished did her eyes finally meet mine.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The girl screamed all of a sudden, not even two seconds later after we had made eye contact.
"I-I! I… I did not want to attack you, but my body moved on its own! Please, you have to believe me!"
The girl continued being loud while she was constantly crying. She seemed to be feeling really guilty about this matter.
Observing her overwhelming self-blame, I couldn't help but feel quite pity for her. It wasn't her fault, not at all for falling under some unknown influence, yet she insisted on taking responsibility, all because of how ignorant she was about her bad life and difficult situation.
"Sigh.These people." I mumbled to myself before standing up.
I slowly walked up to the girl and then stretched out my right hand. "Whether it's your fault or not, it doesn't matter to me. However, are you going to let your mistake bring you down, or are you going to use it as an example to become better?"
The girl stopped crying. "I… I-uh.. Thank you." Her bright innocent smile finally began to show itself again. However, her tears are still visible in the corner of her eyes.
In this dark, hell of a place, maybe a smile so innocent might just be the thing to ignite the light…