The first bite of broth trickled down my throat and I truly was in heaven. I honestly can’t remember the last time I ate. Breakfast? But that was before I got shot. And when was that exactly? I had just started a new lab report, so that means it was a Friday. Hmmm. Okay, it must have been the eighth then. 

It feels like I am inhaling this soup. I better slow down before I upset my stomach.

“Isabella?” Maybe if I ask questions between bites, I’ll slow down? Plus, there are some things that I need to know. But Isabella is acting more reserved now that we are sitting at her table. It’s like she has been purposefully escaping my gaze. I can’t tell if it’s because she wants to give me space while I am eating or if it’s because she is regretting helping me. I hope that I am not making her feel uncomfortable. I really don’t want her to let fall back into Jace’s clutches.

“Hmm?” She finally made eye contact with me.

“I was wondering what day it is today?” I give her a soft smile, hoping to dispel any qualms she might have.

“Oh,” she smiles. Cool, maybe I am overthinking things. “It’s the second.”

I just about choked on the bite of broth I had just taken. “The second? Of April?”

“Yes?” Isabella gave me a concerned look. “Sophia, why? What day did you think it was?”

“Well,” I quieted and put my head down. What day had I thought it was? I had been running around this building for at least a day. I assumed that I had been out for at least a day, maybe three at most. But it seems like I have been out for a whole three weeks. “I don’t know what day I thought it was. The last day that I remember is March eighth.” I kept my voice small. Maybe I should have lied, but I need someone to talk to.

It was my turn to avoid Isabella’s gaze. She looked horrified when I finally looked up. “Sophia,” she quipped. “What happened to you?” She was fighting tears in her eyes.

“I…”

I shouldn’t do this.

But she grabbed my hand and nodded. “I was shot. Twice. That was on the eighth of March.”

Isabella’s eyes widened. “Is this the same shooting that Jasper was at?”

I nod, and before I get a chance to say anything else, Isabella’s demeanor changed from horrified to excited. “You saved so many lives, including my brother’s. It was all over the news! No one really explained who took out the gunmen or what happened to them. Finally I asked Jared if it was one of our security guards and he said no. He would only tell me that a random person tackled both of them and that they were shot in the process. It was you! And now, I’ve found you. This is so perfect! Wait until I tell Jasper!”

Her mood shifted once again as she grabbed me into a hug. “Thank you for saving my brother’s life. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him too!” She was crying in my arms.

“Hey,” I pet her hair. We’ve reserved roles, I am in the mothering position now. “It’s okay, we’re all safe.” I hold her a while longer before holding her at an arm's length. I wipe her tears and give her a smile.

“The thing is, we shouldn’t tell Jasper.” Isabella sniffed and looked up at me, looking much younger now than ten-years-old.

“But why?” Isabella tilted her head in confusion. “I am sure that he would want to thank you!”

I don’t mean to, but my eyes slip to my wrists. Hers follow.

“There’s more to your story, isn’t there?” Isabella asks as she once again gingerly holds my wrists, closing her eyes in thought before turning to me. When she opens them, it feels like her eyes are boring into my soul; like she has seen the truth and is slightly disgusted by what she sees. “Go on…”

I sigh out all of the tension I didn't realize I was holding in my shoulders. “Well…”

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock* “Isabella, it’s time for your lessons dear!” The intensity in Isabella’s eyes lessened with the knocking on her door. She dropped my wrists, and with that seemed to drop her desire for me to recant my tale. We both jump from our seats and turn to stare at the door.

“Just one moment Ms. Herrah, I am actually talking to my new teacher now!” Isabella yelled back, turning to me with a devilish grin.

“What?” I mouth at her, shocked at what she was suggesting. She simply nodded.

“I didn’t know that they were already able to send someone from the agency?” Ms. Herrah yelled through the door. My eyes returned to the door, hoping that Ms. Herrah wouldn’t tire from yelling through it and choose to open it.

“They didn’t,” Isabella said sweetly. “This is someone who I found.”

“Oh. Well.” I could tell Ms. Herrah was huffing a bit, but she doesn’t seem as confused as I am. “Then, I am sure they are wonderful. Will you be taking your lesson in your room, or will you be going to the rec room?”

“We will take my first lessons in my room and will probably move to the rec room after lunch.” Isabella responds.

“Okay, lunch shall be brought to your room then.” Any hint of earlier huffiness was gone. “Enjoy your lesson dear!”

After the footsteps fade from my hearing, and my heart rate has lowered a bit, I turn back to Isabella. She smiles sweetly up at me, but I can see the mischief in her eyes.

“So, you have qualifications to be a teacher, right?” She asks.

“Yes? I am -was *sigh*- planning on being a teacher after I graduated college, so I got my teaching certification in both Chemistry and Biology. But? Wait? Did you know that or were you just making something up to get Ms. Herrah off of your case?” How could she have possibly known that I could be a teacher? Does she actually want me to teach her? Who exactly is this girl?

“Well, I told you, I found a surprise!” She was giddy, clapping her hands and hopping from foot to foot. “Yesterday, right before I found you, my old teacher had to leave suddenly due to personal matters. When I found you, I knew that you would be the perfect person to help me!”

Her excitement is so infectious, I can’t help but smile and nod my head. “Okay, sure, but I don’t know what you’ve been studying? I don’t know if I can actually be much help?”

“Don’t worry, Sophia, my old teacher left their lesson plans, because they knew that anyone taking over would need them. I am sure that you will do great!” She was smiling ear-to-ear. “I can grab them for you.”

Isabella moves back to the table where I had eaten breakfast, grabbing a pink folder. “Here you go.”

As I grab the folder, I catch another glimpse of my wrists. They are a constant reminder that I am fighting to get out of here. Isabella must’ve seen my hesitation as I looked at the purple bruises.

“Sophia, I can’t quite find the person who did that to you, but I promise that I will keep you safe. I won’t let anyone know who you are. I promise.” Isabella says, giving me puppy eyes.

“I trust you.” I give a curt nod. “I would love to be your teacher, but if we are going to leave this room at some point, I am going to need a disguise.”