His eyes remained fixed on me, analyzing me. I couldn't read him, but his aura of power was growing. Finally, he spoke.
- I'll give you $20 if you let me use the computer. -
His words came out so fast that they caught me off guard, and it took me a while to respond.
- What? -
- Come on, don't play dumb. I know you don't have any money or your things here. If you take the money, you can ask for more time on the computer later. - His voice remained very serious.
Was he really trying to buy my time on the computer? I didn't think this was going to happen.
I stayed quiet for a moment. The money sounded tempting, and I didn't know what would happen if I refused. Would this be his first and last offer?
Apparently, my confusion and doubt were obvious.
- Why are you thinking about it so much? - His voice sounded much angrier now.
I didn't want to back down so quickly. Besides, what did I want the money for? It was unlikely that I would be able to use the computer again. Were there other uses for the money at home?
- It's just that I was wondering what I would use the money for? -
His face became confused for a second.
- What do you use money for? - That was the next thing he said. - For the same things it's used for everywhere. -
I was still confused, and that seemed to make him desperate.
- I know, let's do this. I'll give you $20 and lend you my Netflix account. Can you understand that? -
- And where could I watch it on that TV? -
His look of desperation reached a new level. He ran a hand over his face and started biting his lip.
- Yes, that's how Netflix works, yes. -
He was clearly annoyed. I had already played tough, I think, but I really didn't want to see what would happen if I refused again. He already seemed to be reaching his limit.
- Okay? – I said doubtfully
- All right, move then, - He said quickly.
After saying this, he put the money on the floor for me to pick up. While I was doing that, the homeless man complained, got up heavily from the couch, and with gloves, which I didn't see him put on, removed the plastic wrapping from the keyboard and mouse.
- Damn it, move. -
As soon as he got up from the desk, Strong sat down and assumed the most obsessive position I had ever seen. His back was hunched, his neck was forward, and his eyes were fixed on the screen as if he didn't want to miss a thing. Despite this, I only saw him move the mouse without using the keyboard.
I picked up the money, and as I did so, the homeless man came over and handed me Thing, who had been left on the table amid all the commotion.
- Don't forget your guardian, - said the homeless man.
I smiled back at him and escaped to my room once again. With my stool, Thing, and twenty dollars in my hand, since the suit I was wearing had no pockets.
I tried to hurry out of there, but as soon as I got to my room, I relaxed and celebrated loudly.
- Why are you so happy? You sold the place you worked so hard after just a few minutes of getting it. -
Thing's voice sounded slightly annoyed, and it made sense. For her, all the effort had been in vain, but for me, things were different.
- You wouldn't understand, but I was finally able to do what I wanted to do. -
- And what did you want to do? -
I had to think of something quick to say in response. I didn't want her to give me away, but I didn't want to lie to her either. I put it down on the table and looked her straight in her porcelain eyes.
- Can I trust you? - I said it as seriously as I could.
She was silent for a moment.
- Of course. -
- Then I'm going to ask you not to tell anyone, okay? -
- Okay. -
- All right. - I leaned close to her little ear and whispered so no one else could hear us. - I sent an email to my parents. -
Because she looked like a doll, I couldn't tell what expression she had on her face. I didn't know if she agreed or if she was surprised or nothing at all. I waited expectantly to hear her answer.
- Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I promise, or may lightning strike me dead. -
I smiled back at her and relaxed completely. I lay down on the bed even though I wasn't sleepy and stayed there.
An hour or two passed before we went to the dining room. Naturally, I took Thing with me. When I arrived, I saw that Eye was sitting at the table. She didn't have any food or anything, but when she saw me, she smiled as usual.
I didn't know what to think of her. On the one hand, she had upset me and gotten me into trouble, but on the other hand, she had been honest with me, and it wasn't her fault that we got caught. Besides, she had also gotten into trouble for it and hadn't been able to attend the dinner because she was grounded.
As I was deciding what to do, I was walking to my seat at the table when she approached me.
- So, tell me, how was the freak show last night? -
- It was fine. I was able to talk to Tiny. -
- So, you really didn't notice? -
- Notice what? -
She put her hand on her forehead, but as her expression changed slightly, she seemed genuinely surprised.
- Holy shit, that means I owe her $60. -
- Did you bet on something? -
- Don't worry, that's my business. -
As we talked, I sat down in my plastic-covered place and Nanny brought me my food, a plate of scrambled eggs with peanut butter toast.
- What did you do all day yesterday? - I asked, not really expecting an answer.
- Nothing, I was locked in my room all day, and Strong was busy too, so I didn't talk to anyone. -
If spending the whole day on the computer can be called being busy, then I guess he was busy all day.
- You could have come up to see me. -
- No, I'm not going back up there until they tell me I can. I don't want any more trouble. -
- So, I guess at least you got to meet all the damn people on the first floor. -
- I thought there weren't any damn people on the first floor, or so I understood. I spent all day yesterday exploring and didn't see anyone come out of the doors of the rooms downstairs. -
- It's obvious you had a terrible guide yesterday, but don't worry, that's why I'm here. -
- Hey, Eye, I'm going out. Do you want anything from outside? -
I hadn't heard him approach, but on the other side of the table was the cursed one known as Sweet. He was wearing a trench coat, a face mask, and gloves. If it weren't for his pink hair, I wouldn't have recognized him.
- I'm broke, sweetie. -
- Screw you, I told you not to call me that. -
- You're so lucky I wasn't there when they gave you that name, - she smiled more when she saw that his provocations had an effect.
After that, he turned to look at me.
- I'm not even asking you; I know you don't have anything. -
For some reason, I felt really offended that he said that to me. And I was surprised to see that despite everything that had happened, I still had some pride left, so I decided to respond.
- For your information, I do have money. -
- What a lame lie. Your stuff hasn't arrived yet. We would know. - His face showed an expression of smugness that I didn't like.
- And why would I give you my money anyway? -
- So I can bring you things from the store, obviously. -
He was treating me like an idiot, it seemed like he was mocking me, his smile and expression made that clear. But despite that, He had asked Eye first and she had answered.
- That's a lie, you can't leave the house, it's a rule, - I said seriously.
- Oh, poor Rookie, so innocent, such a baby, - said Sweet.
- Fuck off. - He was really starting to annoy me.
On the other hand, Eye seemed to find the situation really funny.
- Relax, Toxon, just because you can't go out doesn't mean we all can't. Some of us aren't walking chemical threats, - said Sweet, clearly mocking me.
With that, he left.
- Is what he says true? - I asked Eye once I was sure he couldn't hear us anymore.
- Yes, you really are the only chemical threat in the house that I can remember. -
- You know that's not what I meant. -
- That if he can go out? – Eye asks
- Yes, is he really going to leave the house? -
- Yes, some of the damned have the privilege of leaving the house, most under certain conditions, but Sweet is the one who can leave most easily. -
- Doesn't that put everyone else at risk? -
- What do we care about the others? If it were up to them, we'd all be dead, so I couldn't care less. - She said it jokingly, but I could sense a certain resentment in his voice.
- You shouldn't talk like that, - Thing's voice was heard for the first time in the whole conversation.
- Look who's talking, you're literally the most famous cursed one in the house, and not exactly for the right reasons, 'doll'. - The last word came out of his mouth as an insult.
I had to divert the conversation elsewhere.
- Can you go outside? -
- Neither I nor Thing can go out. In fact, I think I can count on one hand the cursed ones who can go out, which is why Sweet sells his services to buy things. -
- Does everyone here sell their services for something or what? -
- More or less. The money has to come from somewhere if you want to buy clothes, books, games, or any service in general. You're really green, even though you're red. -
- Don't worry about that, sweetie. - Nanny came to pick up my plate. - You don't have to work yet if you don't want to, but we'll talk about that later. -
Working, being able to leave the house, that meant I didn't have to stay locked up all the time. If I could go out, even if it was just to the yard, that would be great.
- Leave her here and let's explore the mansion together. What do you say? - Eye reached out her hand to me, even though she wasn't close enough to touch me.
I saw her outstretched hand and hesitated. On the one hand, I knew it would probably get me into more trouble, but on the other hand, she was one of the few friends, if we could call her that, I had in the house. I was tempted to go with her, but I turned to look at Thing and knew I couldn't leave her, not only because she was in charge of watching me, but also because she had helped me.
- She's in charge of watching me. I can't leave her. -
- Whatever. Come see me when you've gotten rid of her, then. See you later, Rookie, and goodbye, Vintage. -
Eye left after saying this.
- Thanks. - Cosa's voice sounded shortly after Eye had left.
I turned to look at her, confused, because I didn't know what she meant by that.
- It's nothing, - I said shortly after.
I had finished eating, but I sat there for a while, staring into space, thinking about the conversation I had just had. I was hopeful, but if I wanted to know how to get out, I had to start asking questions.