“You should have pushed back.” He said, startling you and making you look to him quickly. His deep voice sent shivers down your spine and commanded your full attention.
“I’m sorry?” You asked, confused about why he would care.
“You should have pushed back, you shouldn’t have let her do that.” Khan said.
“That’s nothing,” You brushed him off and turned to leave after picking up the tray. “I’ve had worse done before.” Speaking just above a whisper so he wouldn’t hear that. Tears fell again as you stepped out and headed back to the kitchen and then to your room to cry yourself to sleep like you did most nights.
It had been a week with Khan on board, same routine daily, bringing him three meals a day. The seventh day as you brought his dinner to his cell, a co-worker shoved you as they walked by, dropping the tray from your hands and hitting your head on a column. You bent down to pick up the containers of food that had scattered on the floor, tears dripping from your cheeks. Blood dripped from a little cut on your forehead as you stepped into the cell.
“I’ll bring you some more food.” You tried stopping your tears but they continued to fall so you wouldn’t look at Khan in the eyes.
“You should have killed her.” Khan said quietly to you.
“Oh I would never do that!” You gasped and shook your head, you never even harmed a bug.
“You’re too weak. Why are you even here I do not understand.” Khan pressed on trying to get you to answer him, to stand up and get angry. “Why do you care about me?” Urging you more and more until you broke down and cried, you rushed out feeling embarrassed and humiliated. Khan looked to you as you rushed out and out of view.