I was having fun with our conversation, as I felt very safe around him.

"You still haven't said your name, kiddo."

"Oh..." I thought to myself. I was honestly very engaged in our conversation that I didn't remember to introduce myself.

"It's Hikari" I said

"Hikari huh? Well, I'm still gonna call you kiddo though" Bert poked fun at me.

"Really? I told you my name, but you're calling me that?" I was annoyed at Bert for calling me kiddo.

"Grow up first before I call you by your name, Kiddo"

This was some of the most fun I had talking to a person. I was not a very sociable person, but I didn't mind talking to Bert, which made me soften around him.

We talked for a long time. Seemingly not minding the passing time. I was having fun and he looked to be having fun too.

"So you wanna eat kiddo?"

"Ehh? You can cook?" I asked playfully

"So you're getting cheeky now?" He replied, stood up, and scattered my hair.

"Stop that!" I said

He stopped and walked to the kitchen. He took ingredients from a cabinet and the fridge and started making food.

Whilst he was making food, I rested and laid down in the bed for a while. Since I had nothing to do.

5.2

"I'm done cooking kiddo"

"I'm coming!" I replied. I stood up and walked to the dining room, while he was putting metal bowls on the table.

"Is everything metal here?" I asked

"I mean it's the cheapest thing around. So probably?"

"Why do you sound unsure about it?"

"Oh shut up and eat kiddo"

I sat down the dining table as he passed me my bowl of soup.

"Why is it soup again?"

"It's because it's the food that can fill you up the most"

Stolen novel; please report.

"And?" I asked

"You have way too many questions kiddo" he replied.

"Just be thankful that you even have something to eat."

"Fine" I gave up on asking more questions. At least while we were eating.

After Lunch(?)

"That was decent" it was my review of the food.

"Well thank you for reviewing our lunch kiddo"

"Wait, that was lunch?" I asked.

"Well, yeah"

"But it's dark outside?" I was clueless.

"The thick clouds cover up the sun so it's always dark, or so they say." He replied

"But how do you measure time? How do you know if it's lunch?"

Then he pointed at the clock, which is in the 24hr format.

Then he suddenly changed the subject.

"So kiddo, now that we've finished our lunch, you wanna explore the place?".

It sounded like a good Idea, as i wanted more information about this place.

"Sure, I was about to ask anyway" I replied.

Bert stood up and told me to follow him, which I followed. But as soon as we reached the door, I suddenly stopped.

That's when I noticed, my hands were shaking. But why? I tried to move my legs one at a time, but my body wouldn't follow.

"Why..." I murmured to myself. I genuinely had no Idea as to why I was like that.

"Am I....... Scared?" I asked myself.

And then it clicked.

Am I scared of going out? I wanted to go out, or so my brain tried to think. But my body wouldn't follow. My heartbeat was rising fast and I was having trouble breathing. Then Bert looked back at me seemingly worried

"You okay kiddo?"

But I couldn't hear him properly. All I could do was look at him weakly. I was breathing heavily and it was hurting for me. I couldn't think properly. It was my first sign of PTSD.

"Ki---!"

Someone suddenly ran to me.

And I fainted.

5.3

It was another dream.

I dreamt about running. No, not just running. I. Was too desperate for just that.

Someone was chasing me.

That's when I knew, It wasn't a dream, It was a nightmare.

"Help!" I was screaming loudly, running away as fast as I could. I was Desperate not to die.

I knew it was just a nightmare, but I couldn't help it. I was terrified, terrified of dying.

I looked back. Faceless people were chasing me.

"No!" I shouted as I ran. as I ran, tears came out of my tired eyes seemingly not in my control.

"No! I don't want to die!" I screamed all I could, not to others, but to myself. I told myself that I would survive. But I can't do anything but run.

I tried to run all I could, but they were coming closer. Which only terrified me even more. My breathing was getting heavier, and my heartbeat was skyrocketing. And I was slowing down. As I looked back I saw the faceless guys aiming their guns at me.

I was screaming and crying so much that my voice was coarse and my tears were drying up. But I couldn't do anything.

And then,

Bang.

"No! I don't wanna die!"

I woke up. I woke up screaming and crying. I was waving my hand everywhere, seemingly scared of something.

"No! Stop! I don't want to die!" I was repeatedly screaming those same words. I was terrified.

Then someone suddenly embraced me.

"It's gonna be fine"

"No!" I tried to escape and pushed him with all my might, but he didn't budge.

"I don't wanna die!"

"Calm down kiddo" he whispered in my ear.

"It's gonna be okay, you're not gonna die"

Ah, It's Bert. I realized.

When I realized that, I stopped. I stopped trying to escape his embrace. And I broke down in front of him.

"Why?" I asked

"Why is this happening to me?"

"What did I do to deserve this?"

"You didn't do anything wrong, kiddo. You're just a kid" he replied.

This made me speak more.

"I was just a normal teenager before this, I was supposed to go to college and have fun. Graduate, and help my dad. I wanted to have fun in my life"

"But why am I here? Why am I in this place? I want to go back home."

He didn't reply and instead held me tighter instead. And I embraced him in return.

"Dad" I said.

"Dad, I want to see you again" I was crying with all my might.