He was a strange man, that was the least I could say.

“Asher, what are you doing here? I saw you rend steel with your bare hands, these cell bars would not keep you, so why are you staying? Moreover, how did they capture you?” I asked.

“Well,” he began, I was preparing for another barrage of nonsense same as he did before, “I let myself be captured on purpose.”

I was in shock, “why? For the love of God, why would you ever do that? You are insane. Wherever came the thought that letting yourself be captured would be a good idea?”

I was silent for a moment letting the shock evaporate then hung my head low in defeat, “it doesn’t matter. Even if you are strong I don’t think that alone would get you far. There are too many guards, too many are involved in this abhorrent practice to let anyone escape.”

“You’re right, it is hopeless. What was I thinking? Helping the helpless, freeing slaves?” There were almost tears in his eyes.

“Just kidding,” he went from sadness to joy to confidence, “fear not, Aini. Tomorrow we’re both gonna be free,” he promised, “everyone here will be.”

Then he took a seat on the wet ground, I sat down next to him.

He looked very relaxed and there was something else on his face I could not discern, “whatever it is your planning you better give up. The guards are not normal people, they’re unscrupulous and strong. They’ll kill you without a second thought,” I tried to persuade him but I knew it was for naught.

He didn’t seem like the man who would change his mind when setting it on something even when it was crazy.

“Hey, Faye, you there?” He asked the air.

He wasn’t looking at me or anywhere particulars so I had to ask, “who are you talking to? Who is Faye?”

Was there another person he was in contact with, with one of his skills maybe?

Backup outside of the prison we were held in?

“Doesn’t matter, Ai,” he answered in return.

“I’ve always wondered what happened to the buff stuff in my mind. Could you un-mute the system for just a second?”

The second he said that he convulsed and dropped to the ground clutching his head.

A faint buzzing noise was coming from him, I couldn’t really place it.

He began sweating and his face twisted into the expression of great pain.

I didn’t know what do to.

“Okay Faye, that’s enough,” he struggled to say.

In an instant, he was fine again.

“Whew, nothing better to wake you up than great mental pains, no?

So, lemme mend that collar and put it back on. My ‘plan’ can begin soon.”