Emotional Torture

There's a knock at the door, and the person who opens it calls his name, and Hilde turns around from her desk, a frown etched on her face. It's probably just a messenger with orders to deliver or food. The door opens, and a bruised and battered man is thrown inside. He collapses on the ground, unconscious from the pain.

Hilde stands up and drops her pen. "Why is this man here?"

The guard grunts and closes the door. A wave of panic sweeps over Hilde's senses, and she runs to the door and tries to grab onto the handle. But it doesn't budge; she bangs against it desperately. "Let me out! This man needs medical attention!" she says, pounding on the wooden surface.

Her eyes look gloomy. "Well, that didn't work," she mutters under her breath. She sits down and continues her work.

But even though she keeps writing, she barely manages to get through one sentence when a knock makes her pause her pen once more.

The same guard who had deposited the man in before brought Hilde her breakfast coffee.

Looking at the breakfast on her table, she bends down and pokes the injured man on the ground.

He groans, shifting uncomfortably, as the light shines directly in his eyes.

She pushes him slightly and repeats the process, calling out his name until he lifts his head. After blinking a few times, he notices Hilde staring at him.

They stare at each other for a while.

"Why are you here, Horus?" she asks. She steps on him with one leg, trying not to hurt him too badly, but she doesn't care anymore.

"What is happening? Who sent you here?"

Horus doesn't reply to her questions, but he gives her a weak smile and winces.

Hilde frowns and gently nudges him with a foot before sitting back in her seat.

"You're an idiot," she says. "An incredibly stupid and foolish idiot..." she adds after a brief pause.

Horus smiles, but it quickly fades. "Are you sure you are all right?" he asks, concern evident in his voice.

He sits up and wraps his arms around his torso, wincing in pain.

"I'm fine, but you're obviously not." she scoffs. "What have they done to you?" she adds in a softer tone.

Horus sighs. "I am fine," he says, his voice wavering ever so slightly.

Hilde narrows her eyes in disbelief. "Clearly." she retorts.

Horus lowers his gaze down to his lap as tears begin to form in the corners of his eyes.

Hilde immediately jumps off her chair and sits down right in front of him, taking his hands in hers.

"You're pathetic," she says. "Just look at yourself."

Horus lets out a small chuckle. "Thank you," he says, showing a faint smile.

"Don't thank me yet," she warns, and he nods. He lets go of her hands and turns in the opposite direction, rubbing his wrists.

Hilde pulls herself up and stands on the floor, reaching out her hand. He shakes his head, looking up at her.

"Don't make me regret this decision," she warns. He hesitates for a moment before accepting her offer and letting her pull him up. Once standing upright, he stumbles a bit but catches himself on the wall behind him.

Hilde grabs hold of his arm and leads him to the sofa.

"Sit down," she says, and he obeys. She sits down beside him, leaning against the backrest. He's limping slightly; his right knee is bent at a weird angle. He must have sprained it.

"Tell me your story," she orders.

"My...story?"

"Yes. Your story. Why are you here?" He sighs heavily, staring into her eyes. "I heard from another Chief Agent that you were put here, so I caused trouble to be here with you," he admits.

"That's a ridiculous excuse!" she explodes. "What? Did you think you could help me?" she asks in disbelief. "Did you believe I needed help? Do you want me to take pity on you? Don't be silly!" she continues yelling, glaring at him.

Horus sighs again.

"Look..." he says, clearly uncomfortable with all the sudden hostility. "I can help you."

She sighs. "Go do that." she points to a stack of papers. "I'm waiting for you," she tells him.

Horus nods and makes his way across the room.

He picks up a handful of files from the pile and looks inside them individually. He stops when he sees one of them that catches his interest. He opens it up and reads the first page, the second, and the third before he realizes that none of these files contain any information related to Felix.

He sighs loudly.

*******

Horus has finished reading the files by now, but instead of putting them back, he takes a seat on the chair behind the desk.

"Sit somewhere else," Hilde says.

"All right," he mumbles, standing up from his seat and walking over to a different chair. His eyes never leave Hilde.

"How long does this take?" Hilde asks impatiently.

"About five minutes," he replies simply

"Then start bookkeeping."

Horus furrows his brows and stares at her.

Hilde shivers.

******

More time passes, and eventually, Hilde gets bored.

She picks up a pen and begins to write down notes.

"What are you doing?"

She doesn't answer, focusing on the paper in front of her.

Horus sighs once more and stands up.

"If you need anything, please call for me," he says. "If there's anything you need, I'll get it for you."

Hilde raises her head from the document in her hand and stares at him with narrowed eyes. "Just do your job Horus," she says sternly. "If you don't do it right away, I'm going to kick you." she threatens.

He sighs again and walks to a nearby bookshelf.

******

Three days pass like a blur, and the hunger starts to get to Hilde. Much worse, the man she's stuck with is just so...

"Are you feeling tired? Do you need me to feed you?" Horus asks.

He holds up a tray containing some food. On top of it are a glass of water and a cup of tea.

Hilde rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "I could eat without assistance. Thank you," she tells him.

"All right." he shrugs and puts the tray down on the nearest empty table. "But I still want to do everything I can."

He reaches out for the tray again and, after some struggling, finally manages to pick up the spoon and spoon and bring it to her lips. When he leans forward for the cup of water, Hilde moves her head sideways, avoiding him. "I'm not hungry!" she insists.

Horus frowns. He grabs the cup and brings it closer to her lips. "Come on, eat something," he whispers, and Hilde huffs and glares at him. "Please," he adds and holds the cup towards her face again. "You have to stay healthy."

Hilde cringes. "No."

Horus sighs. "Fine. We'll have to find a way to keep you healthy."

She blinks and looks at him quizzically.

He stares back. "What?" he asks. "Do you want me to carry you around or something?"

"C-can you do something for me?" Hilde shakes as she grimaces, her eyes showing a deep crevice etched in her mind.