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Through the tears, I see her nod, a small twinkle in her eyes. “In you go.”
I glance over at the tub with longing, its warmth and clean water a luxury not many in the Sidus town ever see. And an opportunity I should not look down on.
Forgoing my sleep for this rare moment will be worth it. Quickly stripping, I slip the healing stone from my pocket and pass my clothes to the woman before stepping into the tub. A gasp of pleasure slips past my lips the moment my feet hit the steaming water.
Once I’m completely inside and the stone is safely hidden in my palm, I submerge myself and bask in the warmth enveloping me whole like a warm hug.
Forgetting about the woman beside me, I am reminded of her presence when she sniffs my clothes and gags.
“Would you rather I burn them?” She gags again but asks sincerely, and I wince at her reaction.
“If you can save them, I would be very grateful.” Considering I have nothing else to wear.
She glances at me with a weary sigh. “I will see what I can do.” She turns and heads out of the room without another word, leaving me to have this strange yet wonderful moment by myself.
Once I’ve enjoyed the feel of warmth, I hide the stone in the water by my leg and start scrubbing the grime off every inch of my body, reminding myself of the cell and small hole I have to freshen up in. I scrub harder, knowing the only water I will have after this is the small cup the guards give me each morning withmy slop. And with basic needs coming first, I will not have this luxury again anytime soon.
I make sure the foul stench is completely gone from my skin before moving to my hair. It takes double the time to attempt to untangle and clean it, but its pale blonde color soon returns.
Once I’m completely clean, I glance around the room for something I can throw over myself while I wait for the woman to return. But I don’t need to wait long, as she returns with a robe and plate full of warm food in her hand. It reminds me of the bread I stole earlier, which is most likely wet now or has been thrown out.
My stomach rumbles as I imagine the taste of the meats and fruits on it. I feel for the stone and hide it in my palm once more.
The woman places the food aside and helps me out of the tub and into the robe.
“Eat and one of the girls will be in to sort out that hair of yours.” She frowns while glancing at my head, but all I can think about is the plate of food that I am allowed to eat. I slip the stone into my robe and head straight for it as she leaves the room. I devour it as if it is the first and last thing I have ever eaten. Every bite is heavenly, and I decide that I am not leaving here without finishing every last morsel.
The girl with the soft brown eyes from earlier returns and smiles at me before motioning for me to turn around on my seat. I do as she says, too engrossed in finishing my food to question her motives.
But they become clear when I feel the bristles of a brush attempt to slide through my mangled hair. It takes a few tries, but eventually she manages to detangle the mass of knots in my hair.
“Your hair is beautiful. I can braid it if you would like?” She moves around me, and I look up at her own beautifully braided brown hair before nodding.
“If it is not too much trouble?” I ask, wanting to stay in this moment a little while longer.
“Not at all.” The woman starts braiding my hair quickly, her soft temperament not bothered by my silence. The older woman returns just as she is finishing up.
“Thank you,” I tell her, and she smiles and dips her head to me before leaving.
The older woman steps up to me, a look on her face that demands I listen to her.
“My name is Visha. Should you ever need food, come here and tell them I sent you. A plate will always be ready for you should you need it.”
She glances down at my body as I stand up. “You are too thin. You need a bit of meat on you if you are to continue on in the competition.”
My spine straightens at her words. “You know who I am?”
The woman gives me a knowing smile. “The Sidus competitor?” She nods. “Yes. You are a great fighter and deserve your place here. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.” She pats my shoulder and hands me my clean and mended clothes before heading toward the door.
“Thank you, Visha,” I whisper, hearing a soft “You’re welcome” as she disappears.
After a warm bath, clean clothing, a full stomach of food, and a healing stone tucked safely in my pocket, I head back toward my cell with a renewed sense of energy.
Passing by a long hallway with large columns, I spot a view of the outside sky, and it draws me to it.
Moving to one of the columns, I lean against it and watch the upcoming sunrise and first signs of dawn slowly rise in the sky, casting its light across the darkness and bringing with it a sense of hope for the new day.
It’s tranquil. Serene. The silence a soft reminder to not take moments like this for granted. I’m so lost in my own thoughts and the alluring view that I don’t notice someone else in the hall until he is right beside me.
