He talked to me with the sweetest tone, assuring me that he isn't a bad guy. I believe that he isn't like the kidnappers since he is a victim of these bad people.

He told me places around the city. Gigantic buildings filled with busy people, a large park that is echoing with children's laughter, a beautiful beach to build sandcastles and play in the refreshing water, and the center of the city that has tons of places to visit.

The more that we talk, the more that I feel jealous of people who can freely look at the wonderful surroundings that the place has to offer.

"Tell me more!", I quickly responded every time he stops talking.

" You sure are interested in this place. Say, you're new here?", he asked me with curiosity.

I nodded.

"What is your business in this city? You give me a Foreigner vibe but you don't look like one.", he said.

I wasn't able to respond to his question.

He is a kind person who was also a victim, but I shouldn't trust him too quickly.

I can't tell him that I ran away from home to escape my horrible fate. He shouldn't know about this.

I'm still uncertain if he is at my side.

You can't just simply put your trust in strangers. That is the first reminder I told myself ever since I was kidnapped.

" I'm just exploring this place. Nothing more. Sooner or later, I will be gone here.", I told him. I want to make sure that he won't have any interest in me. Stating that I won't be here at this place for long is better than telling him that I escaped.

It took him a while to reply.

"That's too bad.", he sighed. The tone of his voice shows how dissatisfied he is with my answer.

" What's wrong with staying in this city for a couple of days? I got things to handle outside this place.", I replied.

"Like what?"

I gulped.

I don't know what to say.

It's like I was being cornered. I can't say anything. I can't think of any more excuses to make.

"The moment we escape here, I wanted to take you to the places I told you. The ocean, the park, the restaurant that haves one of the most delicious donuts ever made, and most of all, the center of this city.", he told me slowly, making sure that I heard every single word that exited his mouth.

It would be nice. I haven't gone to places. All my life, I was stuck at a building that I called home.

" Do you feel the same way that I'm feeling today?", he quickly muttered.

I tilted my head slightly at the side, showing that I have no clue what he is saying. "What do you mean?"

"Whenever you speak to me, I felt that you are special. It's a good thing. Of all the people I met, you are different."

I can feel him staring at me. I'm not aware of the emotion that he has right now, but the mood had become heavy.

"Can I be honest to you?", he asked me with hesitation.

"Sure."

"I'm sorry if this might be weird or will make you feel uneasy, but I want to know you more. I'm glad to be able to meet you. It will be good if we haven't met here in this cold shut room that we are locked on. I think we will be able to get along. It will be better if we can be friends and hang out.", he told me honestly.

My heart skipped a beat. This is the first time that a man told me that he wants to be friends with me who is a stranger.

I also want to know him more, but...

" We can't be friends.", I responded to his honesty.

This is better. The lesser the people who know me, the safer I will be.

"Ok."

The room became extremely quiet because of the awkwardness we both feel. No topic was brought up. I was even looking forward to more communication with him, but I deserve this.

The night came near and thankfully we have been given food to partake. The food isn't good. The bread was dry and cold. The water is burning my throat with its extreme coldness.

It is better to eat cold foods rather than starve to death.

The moment I was done filling my stomach, I crawled towards the slightly warm hay to rest, trying to warm myself with my jacket.

It's hard to sleep in a cold environment with a very limited source of warmth. Recalling the warmth of my home, a part of me wished that I shouldn't have left home and just accept my fate.

I blew at my hands, trying to make them feel warm. Maybe if I rub my hands together rapidly, the friction will provide me heat.

I rubbed them as fast as I can and felt my hands being a little bit warm.

I suddenly felt two strong hands grasping both of my hands strongly.

I panicked.

"It's me, Arthur. Are your hands freezing?"

The moment I heard his voice, I calmed down. I thought it was the kidnappers.

"Yes."

He held both of my tightly, making my hands feel warmer. Feeling the warmth that he had, my whole body suddenly wanted to feel the same warmth my hands are feeling.

Reflexively, I pulled him down, making him lie next to me, and wrapped my arms around him. His warmth is tempting, making me pin down Arthur and hug him.

He shivered as my cold body brushed and touched his skin, but he didn't complain nor push me away. He just hugged me and make sure that I won't be cold.

This hug reminds me of the warm embrace of Lenna. We are far away from any shelter when it started to rain. Holding my hand, she led the way. The moment we found shelter, I shivered. She teased me and told me that I looked like a wet kitty when I shivered.

"You're so adorable, Rachel!"

She pulled me for a hug, diminishing the chilly feeling that the rain gave me, and gently patted my damp hair.

Thinking about Lenna made me sleepy. My eyes are getting heavy and before I knew it, I slept deeply with no worries.