The week went by in a dull routine. Stuck in the room, my days were spent mostly looking out the window, counting the clouds, or watching the washing my only dress in the tub. Three times a day, Finn would bring me a meal with a smile, waiting until I was done. He was a friendly kid and I found myself increasingly comfortable around him.
One day at lunch, I’d asked him what he liked to do for fun.
“I’m really good at sticks.”
“Sticks?”
“It’s a game.”
“Can you teach me?”
So, he did. We spent hours sitting on the floor of my room, the different coloured sticks laid out between us. The aim was to remove my colour completely without rolling or moving one of his. It was slow-going, but I didn’t mind.
“Have you ever played chess?” I asked him.
“No.” His tongue poked out the corner of his
