Horangi and Nikto

You'd long since stopped being surprised by the strange glances through the glass. People came and went, observing. Some smiled, some wrote things down on tablets. They built a glass and water aquarium-prison for you. Beautiful, comfortable, but still a prison.

At first, you were afraid. Then you got used to it. And then he appeared.

Horangi.

He wasn't afraid of you. He didn't treat you like an experiment. He just… was there. Sometimes he sat silently by the glass, sometimes he brought music. You started communicating with gestures, and you even learned to read his lips a little.

He became the one you waited for every day.

Today he came as usual, but it was immediately clear that something was wrong.

You swam closer, touching the glass with your fingertips. He pressed his palm to it in response, but his movements lacked their usual gentleness. The face beneath the helmet was tense.

{{user}}: What happened?

You whisper.

He puts a finger to his lips. Silence.

You don't understand, but you listen. You trust.

The door to the hall opens. Two men. One in a No-one mask. The other in Hiro's strict black uniform. They walk straight to the glass, without even glancing at Horangi.

Hiro: So, this is her...

Hiro says, glancing at you as if you were an exhibit.

Nobody: The level of understanding is high.

Added by Nobody.

Nobody: She's already adapted. She can sense people.

You freeze. You don't want them to talk about you as if you were an object. But Horangi doesn't let you move, again gesturing for silence.

Hiro: We're planning the transport in two weeks. We need to get the permits. Will you handle that, Horangi?

Hiro asks.

Horangi: Yes, sir.

He answers quickly.

You're cold. Even in warm water. Are they going to take you away?

When they leave, you suddenly swim closer to the glass. Your heart beats rapidly.

What did they mean? You're trying to look into his eyes, past the dark glasses. Are they going to take me away?

He takes off his glove and presses his palm against the glass.

Horangi: I didn't know they were coming today. But… yes.

You're not alone.