The man turned and left, the iron door was locked again and the room returned to silence.
Alora Hart lay for a while before slowly getting up, picking up the box of food, and mechanically shoveling in the fatty meat she detested.
She could not give in at this point. She hadn't completely failed. As long as she was alive, there was still a chance.
——
The officer who delivered the meal left work after informing his colleague on duty. He walked out of the police department with others, discussing where to have dinner.
He looked at his watch with some annoyance. "Damn, I totally forgot to pick up my girlfriend from work. I'm going to get an earful now. Looks like I'm going to miss the gathering tonight."
"Look at you, playing coy after winning brownie points. You're delighted, aren't you? Hurry up, don't let your pampered girlfriend wait anxiously." His colleagues teased unanimously.
It was hard to get a taxi at this time.