Episode 5
Kyle’s offer to help me escape wasn’t even worth considering.
Sure, with his help, breaking out would be a breeze. He might even actually let me walk free. But—
I shook my head, forcing the thought away. Frustrated, I shoveled dinner into my mouth, chewing aggressively. Across the bars, Richard hadn’t touched his food.
Prison meals aren’t gourmet, but they’re free. His loss.
I licked my plate clean just to spite him.
“Not hungry?”
“I’ll eat when I want,” he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual edge.
Then I noticed: his wrists were still chained to the wall.
“Did the guards forget to untie you?”
Silence.
Ah.
“So you can’t eat.”
His jaw tightened.
“I’ll call a guard—”
“Don’t.”
Stubborn idiot. I sighed. Let him starve.
Midnight Snack (and Schemes)
I woke past midnight to find Richard’s dinner untouched.
Still prideful, huh?
Then it hit me—this was my chance.
Lockpick in hand, I slipped into his cell.
“You—!”
“Open wide,” I said, tearing off a piece of bread. “Unless you’d rather lick it off the floor?”
His face flushed crimson. “J-Just put it in my—”
I shoved the bread into his mouth. His lips brushed my fingers, warm and unexpectedly soft.
…Why’s this feel weirdly intimate?
“Chew,” I ordered, watching his throat bob as he swallowed. “Now, about escaping—”
“Leave.”
Ugh. I stood, brushing crumbs off my hands.
Then—
“Wait.”
Richard avoided my eyes. “…Thanks. For the food. And the medicine.”
My chest did a stupid little flip.
“Anytime,” I grinned. “I’ll keep dropping by.”
“Wh— No!”
“You said ‘when necessary.’” I leaned in, thumbing a crumb off his lip. “This counts.”
His breath hitched.
Progress.
