Part 5 - Day 17: One day in the sun.

The doll dress that had been purchased yesterday at Anna’s request lay next to her as she stood in front of the small mirror taped to the side of the books and tried, for the third time, to apply a tiny amount of makeup using the edge of a pin and a drop of water. The result was more doll than she had intended, cheeks too bright with eyes too wide, but she did not wipe it off. Instead she slipped on that pale green dress and stepped into the little plastic slippers he had carefully stretched for her. They were still slightly too stiff, but they stayed on her feet and almost felt like shoes.

Beth watched from the towel without comment. She had agreed to go, but only if Anna came with them and stayed close. She had spent the morning quietly preparing herself for whatever might happen outside. The thought of being carried again made her stomach tight, but the thought of fresh air and open space pulled harder. She did not know if she was giving in or simply being practical. She only knew she wanted to find out which one it was.

When he returned he carried a small woven picnic basket. Inside were two toy plates, a few carefully cut pieces of fruit and cheese, and a larger plate for himself. A folded square of soft cloth sat in the middle like a cushion. He placed the basket on the desk beside the shelf and opened the lid.

“You can ride inside,” he said. “Both of you.”

Anna looked at Beth. Beth gave a small nod.

They climbed in without being touched. Once the lid closed over them, Anna spoke quietly in the dark.

“See? I told you he would find a way.”

Beth did not answer, but she did feel a smile pass over her lips.

Then a short, or rather giant, walk from his apartment to a quiet corner of a park with a wooden table half-hidden by trees. When he opened the basket the women climbed out on their own and sat on the cloth he had spread. The air was warm and smelled of grass and distant rain. For the first time in weeks they ate without urgency. Anna’s dress caught the light when she moved. Beth glanced at it once, then said, almost gently,

“You look like a doll someone dressed up for a tea party.”

Anna smiled instead of bristling. “I know.”

They talked while they ate, about the color of the sky, the sound of the leaves, the way the grass moved in the breeze. Small things. Safe things. When the food was gone, without a word, Anna brushed herself off, climbed back into the basket, curled up on the remaining cloth, and fell asleep in the shade.

Evan looked down at Beth.

She stood up.

They moved to the other end of the table away from the basket. He sat on the end of the bench and she let her feet dangle off the edge of the table, but her arms were crossed.

For a while neither of them spoke.

Then Beth said, “You kidnapped us.”

Evan was quiet for several seconds. Then he nodded once.

“I did,” he said. “At least partly. I could have called for help that night. I chose not to. I told myself it was to protect you, and that was true. But it was also true that I wanted to keep you where I could control what happened next. I’m not going to lie to you about that.”

Beth had expected denial or deflection. The direct answer knocked something loose in her chest.

He continued, voice steady. “I’m still working on getting access to the reversal research. I think there’s a real path. But it’s going to take time, and there’s no guarantee it will work. I haven’t told Anna how uncertain it is yet. She deserves to know. You both do. There are going to be harder choices ahead.”

Beth studied his face. He looked tired in a way she had not allowed herself to see before.

“She’s in love with you,” Beth said. “Crazy in love. And you know it. Don’t take advantage of that.”

Evan met her eyes without flinching.

“I’m in love with her too,” he said. “I know how it looks from where you’re standing. But I’m not using her. What’s happening between us is real on both sides. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t complicated or that it started from a clean place. But I’m not lying to her about what I feel.”

He looked toward the basket where Anna was sleeping.

“I’m going to take care of both of you,” he said. “Even if you never trust me. Even if you keep seeing me as the man who took you. If you’ll let me make your life a little easier, at least you won’t have to go through this alone.”

Beth was quiet for a long time. The wind moved through the grass far below her feet.

Finally she said, “We should let Anna sleep in the basket. You can put me in your shirt pocket for the walk back. I want to see.”

He nodded. He did not ask if she was sure. He simply reached down, picked her up with careful efficiency, and slipped her into the breast pocket of his shirt. Her head and shoulders cleared the top. She could see the trees, the path, the distant cars lining the street.

He lifted the basket with Anna still sleeping inside and began the slow walk back to his apartment.

Beth stayed where she was, watching the park move past her. She did not speak again. Neither did he. The arrangement was understood.

They were not friends yet. But they weren’t enemies anymore either. Just two people who accepted the situation for what it was. For now, that was enough.

Tiny Lauren