“Friend, save my spot at the line,” Lindi said, whipping out her phone again, “I need a close-up with DJ X”. She ran to the DJ, who was already surrounded by a swarm of students.

Wura was vexed. Lindi just left her as a placeholder in the line! Knowing her, it’ll take ages just to get a photo. “Lindi! You can’t just-“

“Hey,” a voice said behind her. She turned, and saw a tall, light-skinned boy in red jeans, with thick black hair.

Wura’s heart started racing as Anthony stared at her. She had never been this close to him. “Hi,” she mumbled. For a moment, they briefly stood there, awkwardly silent.

“So,” Anthony began, sheepishly, “my friends and I are gonna play laser tag in the game room after getting our passkeys. I was thinking that maybe, you’d like to come with me?”

Wura blushed for a moment. Could this be a date? “I’m no good at laser tag,” she answered.

“That’s okay. Maybe I could…teach you” Anthony said, timidly.

Wura felt her head spin for a moment. She couldn’t believe it. Her crush was asking her out!

Quickly, she composed herself. “Okay, I guess I can give it a try.”

“Great!” He said, smiling. “I’ll catch up with you after we get our passkeys.”

Wura watched as he walked off. She’d always admired him from afar when they were in the same class but never dared to approach him before. Now he’s asked her out.

“You won’t believe the angles I got with DJ X!” Lindi returned, just as Wura was handed her passkey. She shoved her phone back into her pocket. “So, what did Anthony want?”

Wura blushed. She didn’t think that Lindi had noticed them together. She couldn’t help but smile.

Lindi’s eyes widened, and a huge grin spread across her face. “Say less, girl. I got the gist”

Wura cleared her throat “He just invited me to the game room, that’s all”.

Lindi rolled her eyes. “Sure, just games. I’m just glad that he proved my theory right”.

*****

Wura entered the dining room. A long table at the centre held a bountiful spread. A variety of fruits, prime cut wagyu steak, a huge roasted pig at the centre of the table…Wura thought this was cliche. At the end of the table, Canaan was waiting for her at the dining table, being all smiles.

“It’s rare to see one’s captor serving their prisoner with luxury fine dining,” she said, as she sauntered to the other end of the table.

“It’s only fair that I keep my golden goose well-treated,” Canaan replied with a smug look on his face. “After all, had it not been for you, this meal would not be possible.” He took a glass next to him, filled with juice and started gulping it down.

Her gloved hands began working on the steak in front of her with her gloved hands. She nibbed a piece off with her fork and tasted it. So tender, so succulent. Her mother would love this.

Her mother. The thought of her mother being worried sick seemed to affect her appetite. How worried must she be, looking for her daughter every day? Wura set down her cutlery, breathed in deeply and sighed.

“Is something wrong?” Canaan asked, feigning a worried look.

“I suppose I just miss home, that’s all,” Wura replied. She was silent for a moment, and then asked, “Will you ever release me?”.

“Don’t keep your hopes up,” Canaan answered, his voice muffled over the mouthful of pork he had. “Someday, I’ll find a way to take that power for myself. Then, I won’t have much use for you”.

In other words, she’d be discarded in a grave somewhere, Wura thought, a grim fate that made Wura shiver a little.

Laughter could be heard from the door, coming closer, catching Wura’s attention. Laughter from two people.