Nico could feel that they were out there, looking in on him as if he were some sort of sideshow attraction at a carnival. He was facing his own reflection, but he knew he was actually standing on the wrong side of a two-way mirror—they could see him, but he couldn't see them. Nico realized things were unfortunately going to stay this way, too, if he continued to remain silent. 2
Nico pulled away from the mirror and once again scanned the tiny room that had been his noiseless prison for days. The walls were cold and blank, and they seemed to shine with some sort of clear, icy liquid. The floor felt like rough slate on his bare feet, and it, too, was cold and clammy. The chill of the room had gotten into his bones, and every night Nico crouched, shivering in the corner, wrapped tightly in the flimsy fabric they had left for him.

3
In the center of the room was a steel table, bolted to the floor, with a single, bare light bulb dangling above it, just out of reach. Atop the table lay the remains of Nico's latest meal, if it could even be called that: a rock-hard crust of bread, some tepid broth, and a fatty lump of meat—the likes of which Nico had never before seen, let alone eaten. Of course, Nico hadn't touched a thing they had offered, choosing instead to take an occasional secret nibble from the protein bar he had secreted away in a hidden pocket of his uniform.

4
The worst part of this whole ordeal, however, wasn't the room or the food. It was the deafening silence. Nico was alone in this box with only the pounding thoughts of uncertainty in his head. He went over and over the events leading to his incarceration, and he had absolutely no answers. Where was he? How long would he be here? Who was outside, looking in?

5
Nico had originally come to this supposedly uninhabited globe to take rock and crust samples for the International Geologic Institute. The planet certainly appeared deserted when he and his fellow scientists first landed. Then, after getting separated from the rest of his crew, Nico made the greatest and most shocking discovery of his career—the planet he was sent to explore was anything but deserted. It was a vibrant and very inhabited world.

6
That was when Nico was discovered by the alien patrols. They surrounded him, confiscated his equipment, and dumped him into this room. He was cut off from all contact whatsoever, completely isolated and alone with his thoughts.

7
Nico couldn't take the silence a minute longer. He had to make contact, even if it meant contact with alien life-forms. He returned to the mirror and began pounding on the inch-thick glass. “Get me out of here!” he bellowed. “I'll tell you anything you want to know! Anything! Just get me out of here! Please...” Nico slumped to the floor, and the door opened slowly. Two beings walked over to Nico, lifted him gently to the chair, and handed him a mug of sweet-smelling, warm liquid.

8
“We are glad you are finally ready to talk to us, Mr. Nico. We are very eager to hear about your reasons for visiting our little planet,” explained one of the beings. “Oh, and goodness, where are our manners? I am Agent Davis and this is Agent Billings. Welcome to planet Earth, Mr. Nico. We do hope you will enjoy your stay with us.”
What is the best characterization of Nico in this passage?

A

He is cold and extremely hungry.

B

He knows the planet he is on is not deserted.

C

He is isolated and uncertain of what awaits him.

D

He is determined to remain silent.