Companion Fairy

Jeht watched Samira leave, her words lingering in the air. A pet, a rabbit, she had suggested. The idea intrigued him, and he found himself contemplating the thought of having a companion, something to care for and find joy in.

“He will definitely love this.”

Jeht returned to the miner's cell with the rabbit after that day. This time he was sure of himself, no one could remain indifferent to this cute bunny.

“I brought you a new friend.”

He put the rabbit on the ground before the miner. After sniffing the place where it was left, the rabbit started to wander around.

“You should consider yourself lucky to have found a rabbit here. I thought they were already extinct.”

After the atmospheric disaster, not only did the human race decline, but the animal species also decreased. Most animals were either ash from the sun's scorching heat or mutated from the radiation emitted to the earth. No one knew what they looked like in nature at the moment. The rabbit Jeht had taken with him may have been the only surviving specimen of its kind.

“Bunny, don't go too far! The person you need to take care of is here!”

As the rabbit tried to get out of the cell, Jeht caught it at the last moment and put it back before the miner. He wanted the miner to pet more than himself.

“Come on, pet it.”

He took one hand of the miner and placed it on the rabbit's body. The rabbit stopped moving when it realized it was going to be petted. Jeht moved the miner's hand slowly, helping him pet the rabbit. He was grateful to Samira that she thought it would be good for him to feel the warmth of another creature.

"He can’t talk just like you do, but he's moving."

He was tired of saying that all the time, but he couldn't think of anything else to say. At some point, he began to feel like she was talking to a wall. This was making things boring for him.

Jeht sat there for a while, observing the interaction between the miner and the rabbit. After Jeht let go of the miner's hand, the miner hadn't continued to pet the rabbit, but he hadn't withdrawn his hand either. That would be considered progress. The fact that the rabbit was still in place made things a little easier. They just stood there until Jeht's phone rang. Jeht placed a piece of lettuce in front of the rabbit so that it wouldn't move while he was away, then picked up the phone and walked to the cell door. It was Luka.

"Did you see my 'Rub for a surprise' boxer?"

Jeht raised his eyebrows as Luka spoke without hesitation.

"I've been out since morning. How can I?"

"I don't care! I left it right there but now I can't find it...”

Luka groaned sadly. Jeht could imagine her pursing her lips.

"I can't understand from here when you say 'right there'."

“Over my bed!”

Jeht thought for a moment.

"How about asking Samira or PJ instead of wasting your time talking to me?"

"No! There's no way they got-"

Jeht heard a chuckle from behind. Then Luka's shout followed.

"Hey! PJ, you son of a-”

The line suddenly cut off.

“What the…”

Although Jeht's days were mostly like this, he still wasn't quite used to it. Especially when these kinds of calls come in while he's on duty. He reminded himself once again that he had to turn off the phone in such situations. Or blocking Luka's number.

“Are you good?-”

As Jeht turned around to say something to the miner, he accidentally kicked something. Then, he heard a squeak from below. It was the rabbit’s voice. In an instant, he let out a startled gasp and quickly scooped up the rabbit in his arms, cradling it gently.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry, little one!" Jeht exclaimed, feeling a pang of guilt for his unintended action. He inspected the rabbit carefully, making sure it was okay. The rabbit seemed a little shaken but unharmed.

“Thank God. Don’t get in my way again!”

He scolded it furiously, as if the rabbit could understand him.

Still, he was happy that he didn't hurt the rabbit.

He turned his head and saw something he didn’t expect at that moment.

The miner's eyes were focused on the rabbit in Jeht’s lap.

Though as soon as the miner made eye contact with Jeht, he averted his eyes as if nothing had happened and returned to his old self, but this time Jeht did not give up easily.

“No, you won’t.”

He rushed towards while laying the rabbit down and grabbed the miner's collar with fury. He was sure of what he saw.

"You can't get away this time."

He brought his face close to the miner's. At this point, the miner had no choice but to make eye contact with him again. As their eyes met, there was an inexplicable quiver in Jeht's mind. It was the first time he had seen his eyes look so bright. Purplish eyes, a mesmerizing hue that seemed to hold a universe of emotions within their depths. Veins of lavender and amethyst converged, creating an intricate tapestry that spoke of both pain and resilience, of a soul that had weathered storms yet retained an undeniable, haunting beauty.

Jeht suddenly grabbed the miner and hugged him, his grip tight yet surprisingly gentle. In that moment, a rush of complex emotions flooded through him. It was a mix of triumph, relief, and an overwhelming sense of connection.

He waited for a bit, a giggle followed afterward. The intensity of his smile slowly increased and eventually turned into laughter. His laughter echoed throughout the cell.

“I just can't believe I worked so hard for this! If anyone else was taking care of you, you'd already be dead! You should thank me!”

Jeht's heart swelled with a mixture of amusement and joy as he hugged the miner. He felt an incredible sense of accomplishment, as if a barrier between them had finally crumbled.

“We don't have to stay in this damn place any longer!”

He looked at his face again. The miner was watching Jeht's movements, with eyes that were still empty but slightly more emotional than before. Although it wasn't clear what he was thinking before, Jeht realized that he was a little taken aback now. Well, it must be the first time he's seen someone like him.

“What would you like to eat tonight? It is on me!"

The miner just blinked.

“Just kidding, the food is free anyway, but I can be a little emotional and get something better. Just for you."

After saying that, he winked to be more effective, but the miner was still unresponsive.

“What's wrong with you?! Do I also have to make an extra effort for you to speak?!”

Jeht buried his head in his hands and let out a muffled cry.

"I don't want it!"

It was only a matter of time before he cried loudly.

"And if I had to teach you how to talk-"

He stopped in the middle and frowned at the thought.

"What if…"

He changed his distorted position on the ground, squatted down, and pointed to his lips with his index finger, looking at the miner.

"Do you…"

He moved his lips slowly.

"…understand me?"

He felt like an idiot for not having thought of it before. Assuming he knew English like everyone else, it was one of the dumbest things one could do. He didn’t know where and under what conditions he grew up! Perhaps they had never taught him to speak English. Or perhaps he could speak very little, but preferred not to speak out of embarrassment. He had to figure it out first.

He waited for the miner’s return.

He paused for a few seconds, then nodded slightly.

This was the second reaction he got from him today.

Jeht was satisfied, but there was something else he still suspected. It was a bit of a hassle to test this out, but he couldn't think of any other method. It was too late, he was ready to face the consequences.

“Then…”

He stood up, turned his back on the miner, and walked away a little. He was trying not to show what he was doing. While he was secretly looking at the miner, he put his hand in his pocket. He felt the coldness of the S.O.S on his fingers and, without thinking twice, pressed the button. The sound of the alarm filled the entire building.

The sound was so obnoxious that Jeht could hardly keep from covering his ears. It was a sound that would cause everyone to startle when it suddenly rang, even the rabbit that was walking around peacefully was startled by fear when it heard the sound. Only one person could not grasp the reason for this startle.

That's when Jeht confirmed his suspicion.

With a grin on his face, Jeht held up his hands as the armed soldiers rushed to their location.

He was deaf.