[Kitsumi]

I've been thinking about it for a while now. Do they need our blood for transfusions? What if they have plenty of sick people? But that seems unlikely. All of their guards seem to be in prime shape. If they needed blood transfusions, couldn't they just give their own blood?

[Kitsumi]

It seemed that every new piece of information only brought more questions. I didn't know who these people were. I didn't know why they wanted us. All I really knew was that they wanted to make sure we had enough to drink. And of course, I knew not to act out the way Eleanor had.

Poor Eleanor. I hope she's okay.

[Kitsumi]

Day Four

I had trouble falling asleep last night. I kept seeing Eleanor's face in my mind. Why was it taking so long for her to come back? I'm really starting to worry about her. What if they did something bad to her? What if they punished her for acting out?

[Kitsumi]

I know that worrying won't help. But even though I know it's useless, it's hard to stop. I hope that the woman isn't seriously injured. I'm scared that when she comes back, she'll be in bad shape. I'm also very scared that she won't come back at all. I need to distract myself from the worries.

[Kitsumi]

Breakfast is still just as tasteless as it was yesterday. But today, we're given about fifty percent more. I ask for my jug to be refilled before eating. Once this is done, I alternate small bites of food with large gulps of water. It helps hide the taste a bit. I'm able to finish the entire bowl of mush without gagging.

[Kitsumi]

By the time I finish breakfast, my jug is empty. I have it refilled again, ignoring the incredulous look from the guard. "Geez, you must be half fish or something," he commented. I didn't tell him how idiotic that statement was. I didn't want to get in any trouble. I simply take the jug and thank him. Then I retreat to the corner of my cell.

[Kitsumi]

Once the trays of food are taken away, I begin exercising. I do a few push-ups, still careful of my sore muscles. I add in a few sit-ups when I'm finished for variety. I know eventually I'll need to have some sort of normal routine if I want to actually get stronger. But for now, I'm just exercising in small increments. I'm scared of hurting my muscles again.

[Kitsumi]

There really wasn't much to do in the cell. I was laying on my back, looking at the ceiling. Thoughts of my family kept invading. I know now that I'll never see any of them again. This thought brings tears to my eyes. I swipe them away angrily, but the thoughts cannot be so easily dismissed.

[Kitsumi]

Standing, I look for the kind guard I spoke to yesterday. I spot him lingering towards the corner of the room. "Excuse me," I call out shyly. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He seems surprised by my boldness. But he comes over, looming over me.

[Kitsumi]

"I can't tell you about your friend," he says. "So if you're going to ask about her, save your breath."

I shake my head. "No, that isn't it. I was just going to ask if I could get a book or something. It's hard not to go crazy in a place like this with nothing to do at all."

[Kitsumi]

The guard doesn't smile at me or show any indication that he will allow my request. But he also doesn't shoot it down right away. This brings me a bit of hope. Pushing a bit further, I speak again. "I don't want to be a bother," I say quickly. "But I also don't want to do what Eleanor did and start acting out. I just need something to do."

[Kitsumi]

After a long wait, the guard finally speaks. "What type of book is it that you would like to read?"

I'm too surprised to answer at first. But when he sighs, I quickly answer before he can become irritated. "I'll read anything! I would just be happy to have access to a book. I won't be picky."

[Kitsumi]

To my pleasure, the guard nods. "I can find a book for you. I'll try to make sure it's age appropriate. You're a teenager, aren't you?"

"Yes," I say, nodding. "I'm seventeen. But like I said, I won't be picky. I just appreciate you allowing me a way to spend my time."

[Kitsumi]

The guard walked towards the door. He leaned over and whispered something to another guard. Then he left the room. I went back to laying on my bed. This time, I tried not to think about my family. Instead, I tried to think about a plan of escape. It wasn't likely, but I had to have hope that I would make it out of this place.