The story about how he started to smile / or "The Final Cut" (Part Two)

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It wasn't a long way to cell number 68.
Olivia had taken Maria's hand, a slight smile was on her face... Maria was very excited, like a little girl. She had to tell everyone they met on their way, where they were going.
"We visit my brother now!"
"We are on the way to Jack!"
"I have to help him now!"
The look on the Professor's face showed, he was slightly annoyed by this. But he didn't say anything.

Number 68 was also guarded. The man looked surprised when he saw the small group approaching.
Olivia, the Professor, Maria and the other guard.

"Well then, Maria." She took the woman's hand with both of hers. "I told you, he hadn't eaten for a week now. His... very weak... so... don't be shocked, okay?"
Maria nodded quickly.
The guard opened the door. They entered the cell.

This room looked basically like her own, except there was no table and no chair.
In the dim light she could see someone lying on the bed.
"Jack!" she stormed off, towards him.

The Professor wanted to follow, Olivia stopped him and shook her head. He glared at her... but remained silent again.

Maria sat down on the edge of the bed. She swallowed and stared down to the man, who lay in front of her. His skin was usually pale, but now it was nearly as white as the sheets around him, as white as his hair...
The only darker parts where the rings under his eyes, and the grazes caused bay the straps, which bind him to the bed.

"Jack..? Jack! Wach auf, ich bins!"
She could hear Olivia mumbling the translation for the Professor. "Wake up, it's me!"
She knew he didn't like it it when they talked German, but she also knew how much Jack hated it to talk english.
She gently touched his shoulder. "Jack?"

All of the sudden he opened his eyes, stared at her.. his face like stone.
She shivered.
"H... hallo!" she smiled.
"Du bist nicht real." ('You are not real.') He closed his eyes again.
Maria blinked, again she touched his shoulder.
"Was sagst Du da? Ich bins wirklich!" ('What are you saying? I am real!')
The white haired man opened his eyes again, slower this time, like a dreamer, who just found his way back to reality.
"Schwesterlein, ach Schwesterlein... meine kleine Jane..." ('Little siste, ah, little sister...my little Jane...') he whispered, the face still blank and unmoved.
This look... without any emotions... it scared her.
She didn't want him to look like this.
"Wie... wie geht es dir?" ('How... how are you?') her voice quavered slightly.

He didn't answer. Instead he glanced towards the door.
For a second his eyes shone in a strange way, then he stared at the ciling again.
"Sie... sie sind tot... ich... ich habe sie wieder sterben sehen... sie... sind..." ('They... they are dead... I... I saw them dying again... they... are...') he mumbled.

She was confused for a moment, then she understand.
A painful look crossed her face.
She bent down, kissed his forehead and put her arms around him, lay her face next to his.
"Nur ein Traum... es war nur ein Traum, ja?" ('Just a dream... it was just a dream, yes?') She whispered into his ear.
One single sob.
It sent a shiver down her spine. She only saw him crying twice since she met him for the first time... she started to shiver again.
She put herself up and looked at his face.
It was dry. No tears... no emotions.
She couldn't bear this view anymore, looked away.
In this moment she noticed the plate on the floor, next to the bed. The mash on it had to be cold by now.
"Nur ein Traum... nur ein traum..." ('Just a dream... just a dream...') she could hear him whispering...

"Sie... sagten du hast lange nichts gegessen?" ('They... said you havn't eaten for longer now?') she forced her voice to sound happy.
"Willst du nicht jetzt etwas essen, ja?" ('Don't you want to eat somethign now, yes?') she bent down and took up the plate, put some of the mash on the spoon. "Nur für mich, ja?" ('Just for me, yes?')
Jack stared at her again. For a second she thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitching, like he wanted to smile but forced himslef not to do so.
"Ja..." ('Yes...') he whispered "mach... mach mich los... und.... und ich esse, ja?" (un... untie me .... and... and i will eat, yes?')

A happy smile appeared on her face, she put down the plate again and started to put off the straps.

Suddenly, a movement behind her.
"What...!?" The Professor's voice. She started, turned around slowly, a scared look on her face.
The professor stepped forward, Olivia was holding his arm.
"He... he..." Maria scattered "he... he can not eat... when... when..." her voice died.
An angry look on the face of the grey haired man. It was clear... he was not in agreement... not at all.
Olivia pressed his arm "Please!" she hissed.
He gave up. After all , she would be responsible for everythin that happened and will happen here.
He crossed his arms.

Maria went on to open the straps. She helped up her 'brother' ... and started to feed him. While she watched him affectionally, he glanced over her shoulder again, towards the others.
Both guards in front of the door. The Professor and Olivia left, in front of them.
... it was not impossible...
No... certainly not.
Now with Jane by his site...
He let her feed him for a few minutes. Then he gave her a close look. "Wir hauen ab." ('We escape now.) He whispered nearly inaudible. Jane froze. "W..was?" ('W..what?') she whispered as quiet as him. She forgot to put down the spoon again.
He quickly poked her, she shook her head and went on.

"Es... es ist so einfach... du.. du schaltest die Wachen aus... und... und wir sind frei... ja...?" ('It's so easy... you... you take off the guards... and.. and then we are free.. yes...?') he whispered forcefully.
"Ich... ich kann nicht...!" (I.. I can't!') she mumbled.
He gave her a piercing look. Jane lowered her eyes, stared at her hands.
"Du... du musst schnell sein, Schwesterlein, hörst du? Du... du darfst nicht zögern!" (You... you have to be quick, little sister... do you hear me? You... you don't have to hesitate') he hissed.

She still stared at her hands. Slowly, a silvery liquid, almost like mercury, stated to seep from her skin. A burning pain spreaded where the metal flowed over her hands.
She swallowed. "A..aber..." ('B... but...') She felt her brothers hand on her leg. Her face got pale.

Slowly she turned around towards the door...

"I... ich kann... nicht?" ('I... I can't..?')