A high pitch squaked out of the speakers and then disappeared just as quick as it came on.
There was a cough.
"Mm. We're going to open the door. Someone will come in. They will shut the door behind them."
Keith still had his eyes mostly closed.
"Do you understand?"
Keith nodded, eyes still squinting.
"Okay."
Keith bit his tongue, slapped his face, tried waking himself up as much as possible. A slight migraine hummed distantly in some far off part within his head.
A loud buzz preceded a mechanical slam. Then the door opened. Keith watched the doorknob rotate. He couldn't explain why, but but he knew that he would remember this image for the rest of his life. He hadn't seen that doorknob turn once his whole time in this cell. They had always had the door open automatically when they let him out.
In came a man in his late 50s. Fit. Completely bald, shaven clean. Slightly above average height. A strong frame. He could easily take Keith. Even if Keith could get a punch in, the man's face looked like it would inflict more damage on a fist, than the fist it. Deep set eyebrows, a sturdy jawline. Not that Keith was looking to throw a punch. Whoever had him in here could easily make his life even more miserable than it already was.
"Dave." he said with his hands reached out. Keith went to grab it. His fingers and hand were longer than the man's but the thickness of Dave's hands made him feel frail.
"Keith."
"I'm sorry you must be confused as to what's going on. I'll keep it simple. I need you. And these people," he motioned to the walls in the cell as if the physical elements of the room were meant to represent Keith's captors, "have agreed to loan you to me."
"Okay." That was all Keith could muster. What else was he supposed to say?
"I'll keep you safe. And I'll have you back in no time," Dave's smile immediately turned into a somber glaze. The man realizing that being in here was not considered 'home'.
"What's this for? What do I have to do?" Keith asked with a squeak in his voice like he was a highschooler again.
"I can explain everything in the car. It's a long ride. So we'll have time." Dave spoke calm. Kind of put Keith at ease. Also Keith had to admit, the prospect of getting out of this room did make him feel something that he hadn't felt in a while. He was looking forward to something.
And just like that he followed Dave out of the cell and they left. He heard the door shut automatically behind them. Keith looked back to see the door shut. Illuminated in the fluorescent prison like lighting he thought to himself, I'll never come back here again. Wherever this Dave is taking me, I'll either run when I have the chance or I'll fight to my death. Whatever happens, I'll never return here. And the whole time I'll never give up
Imogen Howe
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