23- If you borrow something , don't complain when it's time to give it back . Sharing is caring . I sit up a little more . What did Torin just drop in my lap ? It's ... A tablet ? I don't know what brand it is , but it looks all shiny and new . It doesn't even have a case or anything . I raise an eyebrow at Torin . He does realise that , assuming I can get an internet connection , I could use this to call people , or contact them online . I could contact my brother . I perk up , has he changed his mind about not trusting me with that ? Although if that's the case , why not just give me my phone back instead of a brand new device ? Trying not to get my hopes up too much , I turn to Torin and tap the screen lightly with my nails making a satisfying clicking sound . " What's this for exactly ? " I ask cautiously . Torin is frowning , he looks more than a little unhappy . " Shopping . Buying what you need . " He answers bluntly . " You do realise I'll need access to the internet for that , right ? " I point out excitedly . " I had someone set parental control settings on it so you can't access calls or social media . I'm not dumb enough to think that you couldn't get around them somehow so you'll only be able to use it when someone is with you . If you do anything to raise suspicion we will check your history and I am going to take it home with me when I leave . " He says firmly and my smile falls . So he doesn't trust me . I mean , being able to shop online will be nice I guess . But it's not what I really wanted . I'm sure my disappointment is showing because Torin sighs . " Look , I said I would figure out a way to let you actually spend the money you earn so I'm trying . It's the best I can do . It's better than nothing ... Right ? " He sounds wary . His tone is a combination of exasperated and sympathetic . I glance down at the scratch free screen . He clearly just went out and purchased a brand new one , that can't have been cheap . Not to mention the fact that he went out and did it this morning . It's still fairly early and he is definitely tired . He must have barely slept . This is a peace offering and I know it . Neither of us are particularly happy . I want more freedom and he would be happier if I had none at all . I guess that makes this a compromise . My old boss used to tell me all the time that a good compromise means that everyone agrees but no one is really happy . I really get that right now . " Well ... Thanks I guess . It will be nice to actually be able to get my own stuff . Not that I 29 ل 1/4 TH O < 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 23- If you borrow something , don't complain when it's time to give it back . Sharing is caring . don't like what Laura picked out or anything . But some things you just have to choose for yourself . " I declare . Torin shrugs . He seems kind of moody . He seemed a lot friendlier last night . Is it because he's tired or is something bothering him ? Torin stays where he is , kneeling on the floor by my bed while I power up the tablet and make sure I'm able to access it all properly . He sets up the internet connection for me and hands it back . Now that I have the internet I suddenly don't know what to do with it . I decide to start by looking for a protective case for the tablet . Who carries around such an expensive item without a case ? I find a website and start scrolling . While I look at cases and search around for a topic of conversation . I settle on something easy . " What's the address here ? I'll need to know where to have stuff delivered . " I point out . Torin frowns unhappily . He frowns entirely too much in my opinion . It probably doesn't help with the whole issue of people being constantly terrified of him . He seems to be thinking hard about something . " That wasn't supposed to be a difficult question . " I comment . " You can't have things sent here . " He says quietly . Huh ? Wasn't that the whole point of GIVING me this tablet ? So that I can buy stuff ? " But ... How am I meant to shop if I can't go out or have things delivered ? " I say , frustrated . Torin seems to struggle for a moment before huffing out a sigh . " You can have them delivered to my home . If items are delivered here you won't be able to answer the door to collect them or sign for them since you can't step outside or even reach outside the doorway . Plus most deliveries arrive during the day when you're alone . You could ask to borrow a delivery person's phone or tell them something about this place . I can't risk it . " He decides . I stare at him . " Wow , you are a lot more devious than I am . I hadn't even considered that . Seriously , you're giving me ideas now . " I say jokingly , making sure to smile so that he knows I'm not serious . Torin gives me a doubtful look as if he's sure I'm lying to him . " You are a smart woman . There is no way you haven't considered how you might call for help or made a few plans to consider escaping . " He says like it's obvious . " I don't blame you for it . I would probably be willing to try anything to escape if I were in your position , including being friendly to the demon keeping me captive . " He says pointedly . I frown . Wait , is that what's bothering him today ? He's decided that I'm only 29 2/4 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 23- If you borrow something , don't complain when it's time to give it back . Sharing is caring . being nice to him to convince him to let me go ? He thinks my being friendly is just some form of manipulative behaviour on my part . I scoff loudly at the idea . " Okay firstly , I haven't actually made any plans to try to escape . You are severely overestimating my desire to leave . I can't stay forever , but I'm not in a hurry just yet . Secondly . I'm not stupid enough to believe that you are stupid enough to be manipulated by me treating you decently . You have already made it very clear that my attitude won't affect how I'm treated here . So stop worrying that I'm trying to trick you somehow . I'm not . I'm just being friendly and trying to make the best of a bad situation . " I say firmly . Torin doesn't seem convinced . " Alright . " He says , but I'm fairly sure he's just agreeing so that I'll stop lecturing him . Well , I don't think this is an argument I'm going to win right now . So I'll work on him again later . I change the topic . " Is there a reason that you're here right now ? " I ask . Torin barely reacts but I can see he tenses up a little . Oh great , he interpreted that as me complaining that he's here . Seriously , is he so used to people not wanting him around ? This is so frustrating . I'm totally going to start watering down the drinks of people who are rude to him , I decide I may as well be a little petty . " Not that I have an issue with you being here . I more mean why are you here so early ? I've barely slept which means you've slept even less . The bar doesn't open for ages yet . Does it ? " I confirm . He nods . " You're right it doesn't . I forgot to mention that there are workmen here . They might be a bit loud . I didn't want you to be frightened . " He explains . " Oh , thanks . I'll have to remember to make sure I'm dressed properly before I leave this room . " I appreciate the warning . Dad used to invite guests over when I was a teenager and I always hated walking out of my room in pyjamas to find some strange man I've never met staring at me . It freaked me out . For a few years I would just sleep fully dressed , just in case . It's only since I started living alone that I embraced pyjamas again . I owned several pretty sets of them . All destroyed now . Sigh . On the brightside , now I have a great excuse to shop for more ! I expect Torin to leave now that he's delivered his news . Surely he needs to check in on the workmen or something ? But he looks like he's planning to stay put in his spot on the 29 O 3/4 11:20 Fri , Aug 29 Lesson 23- If you borrow something , don't complain when it's time to give it back . Sharing is caring . floor by the bed . I would tell him that he can go , but then I would have to give the tablet back , and I want to finish choosing a case . I pick out a cute purple one and Torin enters his address for me . I record it in the notes app so that I can use it again later . Once I've put in the order , Torin finally gets up to leave and takes the tablet with him . " Try to get some more sleep , if you can . " He suggests . I can hear the whirring of what I suspect is a drill . What are they doing out there ? I open my mouth to ask , but Torin is already halfway out the door . Oh well , I suspect I'll find out eventually . For now , I just want to sleep for a little bit longer . Chapter Comments 4