*
Driver had slept in the Surveillance Room the night before, after Jaz had attacked the food bringer. The Surveillance Room was right across the hall from his room, which was next to hers, separated by the thick oak door she’d kicked the tray at the first day. He wished she’d react like that again. He even wished she’d attack someone again. It would show she had some strength left in her. Today, she had barely moved an inch.
Enough was enough.
Driver jumped up from his chair and grunted, “I’m not gonna sit around any longer and wait for her to die. She’ll get too weak. Her body will cripple if she Changes now.”
“She won’t,” Maria argued.
“What makes you so sure?”
The old woman glared at him.
There were others in the room. They were watching the two discreetly. Maria and Driver's bickering was their only entertainment during the long, dull hours of watching others living their lives in the village.
Maria cleared her throat, adjusted the front of her chiffon dress, and lowered her voice as she said, “You’re forgetting who she is and where she came from. Her bloodline is strong and she’s from the outside. She won’t accept her true identity willingly. That will hinder her Change.”
Just then, a pretty, young man with light blond hair and freckles marched in. He had three fresh scratches on his left cheek. They looked very sore. He surveyed them both as if aware he'd come in at an awkward moment. “You sent for me?” he asked.
Driver nodded once, his frown fading into a light-hearted expression. “Yes, Alf. You have her meal prepared?” The young man bobbed his head in reply. “Good. I want you to go in there.”
Maria observed Driver with intrigue. Alf glanced at the monitor, his ocean-blue eyes widened slightly. Driver just smiled.
“What? Now?” the boy asked in a high voice.
“Yes, now.”
“But- begging your pardon- she’s awake.”
“She won’t bite,” Driver grinned.
Alf stared at him, not finding any amusement in the private joke. “She has sharp nails, sir.”
“I actually think this look becomes you.”
Alf didn’t look so sure.
Driver suppressed the urge to laugh. He enjoyed winding Alf up. He was like a little brother to him- though he was only a distant cousin.
“Oh for goodness sake, what are you playing at?” Maria demanded.
Driver became serious. “I’m tired of all this hiding. She’s clearly trying to get our attention.”
“She’s going to be a bit… annoyed though, isn’t she?” Alf added, trying to keep his voice even but failing.
Maria smiled; it was her first real one in weeks. “Understating the obvious, I think,” she noted wryly.
“She’s weak,” Driver reassured the boy. “Just put the tray of food down. Let her see you for a moment, smile and walk out.”
Alf stared at him incredulously. “Smile?” he asked in disbelief.
“Yes. Smile.”
Maria grumbled, “She’s not a lab rat.”
Driver glowered at her.
She rolled her eyes.
The sound of something rattling caught his attention. He looked down the row at the three occupied chairs to his right.
A young woman with bright-red, curly hair and pale freckly skin was sat in her chair, her light blue shoulder-bag resting on her flowery leggings. She was holding a small, white tub in her hand. She popped the cap open and tipped open a rugby-shaped yellow capsule into her palm. She then put it in her mouth and drank it down with bottled water. Driver stared as she pressed the cap back on with a 'pop!' and the same rattling sound of pills filled the air as she dropped it into her open bag and kicked it back under her desk.
He called to her, “Sunhild.”
She cocked her head up, fluttering her long lashes. “Yes, sir?”
“What are those?” He pointed to the bottle of pills poking out her bag.
She looked down by her sandalled feet, then smiled as she met his gaze. “Just a supplement, sir. Cod liver oil.”
“What is it, Driver?” Maria knew that look in his eye.
“Did you check her handbag?”
“Jaz’s? No. It’s with her suitcase in your room.”
“Alf,” Driver turned to the young man. “Go get it.”
The blond boy left hastily and returned less than a minute later with the dark blue shoulder bag.
Driver snatched it from him and zipped it open. He heard the rattling before he saw it. He held up the white bottle and read the prescription. 100 Ferrous Fumarate 100mg tabs. Take TWO daily for anaemia. “You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me.”
Maria gazed at him questioningly. He chucked the pills to her. She caught them spinning the bottle round in her French-manicured hands. She read the label down the length of her nose. Her eyes widened in surprise and then the worry was clear on her face. “Shit. Alf, you've got to go in there now.”
“But she-”
“Don’t argue!” Maria cut him off. “Take these with you.” She was about to hand over the bottle when Driver put his hand out to stop her.
“Wait,” he began. He watched the girl searchingly on the monitor. “First give her a steak. A fresh one.”