PROJECT ROSE PART II

     I was a prisoner. I was not allowed outside of my room. All my meals were brought to me in my room. If I had to use the restroom I was required to use the one in my room. It was small, but at least it had a shower. It didn't feel right to complain. After all I was just a traveling hobo before, but honestly, it was boring being locked in this room all the time.

     It had been three days since I first came here. In that time John did several tests on me. He drew blood, measured my heart rate, and even my brain waves. It hadn't seemed as if he discovered anything unusual, at least if he did he didn't share it with me. I spent most of my time waiting for my meals, taking showers, playing with my hair, and daydreaming. But after the third day this routine was unbearable.

     "John, have you found anything strange?" I asked him on my fourth day as his prisoner/experiment. He didn't answer me; I guess it took a lot of focus to listen to my heart beat. "Hey John how old are you anyway? Aren't you a bit too young to be a doctor?"

    He stood up and gave me a dirty look. Aha! I had gotten his attention. "I am nineteen years old. And no I am not a licensed doctor, but despite my young age I am already in my residency." He told me wrapping his stethoscope around his neck.

    I smiled, although I only understood half of his explanation. Honestly, he used too many big words. "Only nineteen that's so young!" I giggled. He wasn't amused. In fact he was so displeased he turned and began to walk toward the door. "Ah wait!" I called after him, jumping out of the bed. He stopped and turned to look at me. He looked annoyed. I looked at the ground shamefully. "Never mind…"I muttered and sat back on my bed.

    He continued on to the door, but stopped in the doorway. "I will allow you to see Jake." He said and then closed the door. I stared at the door, wondering if I had just imagined him say that or if it really happened. I smiled giggling to myself. I laid back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Finally! I get to be reunited with my Jake and Ren! I couldn't stop myself from grinning. I was so excited. I couldn't wait to see them!

    Unfortunately I had to wait. In fact I had to wait the whole day. It was a while after dinner and I was sure that John had just played a cruel joke on me. But then the door opened, and in walked Ren, Jake, and John. I almost jumped out bed. As soon as Jake saw me he smiled and ran up to me, embracing me tightly. I hugged him back.

    "I'm so glad you're ok!" Jake cried as he cradled me in a suffocating embrace. I laughed and pulled him off.

   "It's good to see you again." I told him with a smile. I looked behind him to see Ren. Suddenly a flash of that night came back to my mind. Ren had got injured. Jake began to lean forward as if to kiss me. Pretending I didn't realize it I went around him and called out to Ren.

     "How is your injury?" I asked him. Ren smiled at Jake, but I didn't look back to see what Jake's reaction had been.
Ren touched his stomach. "It's fine. I only needed a couple of stitches." He told me.

     "Hmm…" I replied, looking down at his stomach. I lifted my right hand and with my left spun a circle. I reached out and touched my right hand to his stomach, placing it gently over where he had patted earlier. Ren's hand twitched.

     "What are you doing…?" He asked becoming stiff.

     "Relax." I laughed putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm just doing ReiKi." I told him with a smile. He relaxed his body and sighed rolling his eyes in annoyance. I guess he knew what it was, but didn't believe in it!

     "What's ReiKi?" Jake asked coming from behind me. He looked down at Ren's stomach and my hand, then up at my face, and then back again to my hand.

      I smiled, staring at my hand. Trying to focus my energy into it and transfer that energy to Ren. "Reiki is a stress reducing technique that promotes healing. It works through touch. Originated from the idea that there is an unseen life force energy that flows through all of us—basically if your life force is weak, you feel ill. But if it is strong you will be happy and healthy." As I finished my explanation I removed my hand from Ren's stomach. I glanced at Jake who stared at me like I was insane. "Is it any better?" I asked Ren.

     "Humph." Ren replied. "Yeah I guess."

     "Whoa! Does it really work? Amazing!" Jake cried sarcastically and then laughed, "Man! Rose, you're weirder than Ren! What the heck, Reiki?! That—what is that?! Sounds Japanese. Do you know it Ren? You're Japanese right?" Jake laughed mocking me openly.

     "Yes I know it." Ren replied.

      "Really what's it mean?" Jake giggled.

      "It means: You're an ass, go die." Ren told stated while wearing a serious expression.

      I tried not to laugh. Jake glared at Ren, then glanced over at me. I stood up straight trying to look like I wasn't amused. I don't think he bought it. John cleared his throat. "Alright it is late, let's all retire for bed." He told us, opening up the door as if to usher Ren and Jake out.  Jake frowned, but before he could state his complaint, John continued. "You can see each other again for breakfast; Rose will be staying with us." He told Jake.

     "Awesome!" He cheered to himself. Then he looked at me. "I told you I would come back and steal you away! You're gonna live here with us forever!" Jake declared and then ran out, dragging Ren by the wrist with him. I stared at the empty doorway. I see, so that's what he meant…What a nice guy, to pity me so much he wants me to live with him. I looked at John; he looked back with his same pensive expression as usual.

      "Is this ok? Amn't I a prisoner?" I asked. He was not amused by my joke, as usual. I sighed, "I guess I will owe you all even more now!"

      He took a few steps toward me, and looked down into my eyes. "It is I who is indebted to you." He told me. "After all you saved my younger brother's life; there is no way I could possible repay you for that." I stared up at him surprised by his sudden slip of character.

       "Ah well…but…" I began, but I was lost for words.

       "Don't think this means I trust you." He said suddenly. I looked up to see his apprehensive glare. He began to walk toward the door.

        "But you trust me a little; after all you let me see Jake!"  I told him, desperate to disprove him. He stopped in the doorway.

        "No. you're wrong. As I told you I am indebted to you, but I do not trust you. Do not misunderstand." He told me in a cold and harsh voice and then left. I didn't believe John really was a cold person. I wanted to believe there was something more, but when he always acts this way, how am I ever supposed to discover any other side of him?