His Slave

58. Oak

I shoot her a quick glance. "Follow my lead," I whisper.

She gives a hesitant nod as the door swings open and the officer that has been bringing our meals enters the room. Perfect.

"Good morning," I greet as he hands a foil tray to me and one to Kylie.

He eyes me suspiciously. "Morning," he replies.

"Thank you," I call as he turns to leave, my words as sweet as strawberry syrup.

He stops, turning back towards me, confusion painted across his features. "Two days ago you threw your food at me and called me a little bitch to my face," he says, bemusement lacing his words.

I have to fight to keep from bursting into laughter.

"And you told me I needed to think about my actions, and if I really wanted to be complicit in my own oppression. Well, I've been thinking and you're right," I reply, continuing to use that sweet voice. "I never would have started to see the truth if you hadn't told me that."

He bristles with pride. If there's one surefire way to distract a man from questioning your motives, it's to stroke his ego.

"Well, I'm glad one of you has started to see reason," he replies, before turning to Kylie. "And what about you?" He asks, folding his arms over his chest.

Tears well in Kylie's eyes. "I... I don't want to be a debtor anymore," she gasps out, her voice quavering. I've never seen anyone look so penitent in my life.

The operative smiles warmly at her, turning to leave again.

"Wait!" I call as an afterthought.

He stops, turning back towards me. "Yes?" He asks, much friendlier now.

I hesitate a moment, pretending to think it over. "I... if you get the chance, could you maybe tell Kendra that we would like to speak to her?" I ask him.

After a moment, he nods. "I'll let her know," he replies before slipping out into the hall, shutting the door behind him.

After he's gone I turn to Kylie, beaming. "That went even better than I thought it would," I say, taking the wrapper off my meal.

"Maybe we fooled him, but do you think Kendra will buy it?" She asks. "You said it yourself, Kendra's no fool."

I shrug, taking a bite of bland meat and mashed potatoes with watery gravy. It's always the same - flavorless turkey and mashed potatoes. God, their food sucks. I miss pancakes. And though I'd never say it out loud, I miss making James breakfast every morning. I miss serving him.

"Maybe she will, or maybe she'll see right through our plan. But we have to try," I counter. "If we ever want to get out of here, we have to try."

After a moment, Kylie nods, opening her own tray. "I suppose you're right. But what if they're listening in right now?" She asks.

I shake my head. "They're not. If they were, Kendra would have already stormed in here demanding to know what I'm planning," I assure her.

"They're probably going to put us through some kind of training. I don't know what to expect. Are you any good with technology?" I ask her.

Kylie shakes her head. "Not unless it's Persona," she replies.

"They're definitely not using Persona," I reply. "I guess I'll have to be the one to enthusiastically volunteer to work in I.T.," I add with a sigh. I don't have much experience with computers, but the Daltons didn't use Persona so it's likely I'll understand more of what I'm doing than Kylie will.