Chapter Four

Chapter Four

“What are you doing here?” a voice behind me shouts.

I jump a little and immediately turn around to see who was talking to me. And of course… It’s Larry.

“I, uh, well, Maryn led me here and I thought it was fine to go here,” I rambled off, deciding not to reveal my “escape plan.”

He starts grumbling something about having a strict talk with her, then says out loud, “Okay… Well, I’m here to show you your room.”

“Great…” I mumble under my breath, “Just when I was about to get out…”

He gestures for me to follow him, so I unwillingly walk toward him, my steps feeling hollow. I take one last look at the window, my only escape, and try to remind myself I can come back later.

We turn to the right at the corner. Doors seem to pass us quickly as I stare down at my feet. It feels like a defeat. But it’s not, I tell myself, You found a way out. You and Leon can escape.

We stop at a door, gray, like all the others, and Larry finally speaks again, “This is your room you will stay in while you are living here.”

Not for long, I think to myself as I turn the door handle and open the door. And wow, what a surprise. Another gray room.

“You guys really don’t know what colors are around here,” I comment absentmindedly.

I hear Larry sigh behind me as I examine more of my room. Just a bed, a wardrobe in the corner, and a simple desk by the door. No windows. I’m starting to suspect this is where they keep prisoners… If they keep any.

“Now I know what you’re thinking,” Larry starts and I roll my eyes, “This is abysmal. And it is! But you can decorate, we just didn’t know who would occupy this room.”

“And how do you suggest I decorate?” I ask skeptically, “I can’t exactly make furniture or colors appear.”

He shrugs, “Well, you might. Depending on what your powers will be… But that’s besides the point, you can just ask us and we can try to find it. If not… I guess you don’t get it!”

He laughs at these last words like he made the best joke in the world. I hold in a sigh, he’s got to leave me alone at some point, doesn’t he? He notices I don’t laugh along and clears his throat.

“I suspect you’ll be wanting to get some sleep since it’s getting pretty late at night,” he states.

“It’s night?” I ask incredulously.

“Yeah?” he says curiously, then makes a realization, “Oh, I guess you wouldn’t know since you don’t have a watch yet.”

I stand impatiently as he rummages through his pockets, like an old man looks for his keys, and with an “Aha!” he hands me a silver and light blue watch.

“This should help you keep track of time more,” he says, smiling.

“Um, thanks?” I reply as I put the watch on, a satisfying metal click sounding off as it self-adjusted to my wrist.

I look down at my shiny, new watch and read the time: 21:43. Suddenly, fatigue overcomes me. I have been walking around all day… and I’m so tired… Perhaps one night in this place won’t hurt. Besides, I’ll probably have to steal some food in the morning for when we leave.

That’s definitely the reason I’m collapsing gratefully into the bed and hugging the pillow close to me. Not because I’m trying to test out my new, comfy bed, but just to sleep for the night. Yep…

I’m such a bad liar to myself.

“I’m going to leave you be for the night,” I vaguely hear Larry say, “See you at breakfast tomorrow.”

Hopefully not, I think to myself as I cozy up in my bed. Hopefully, I will never see your face again.

~ • • • ~

I’m sitting in a lobby somewhere, looking around anxiously for my mother. Finally, she appears at the doorway.

“Mom!” I exclaim with joy, rushing over to her, “I thought you’d never make it!”

She hugs me warmly, whispering, “Shh, I’m here now.”

Tears spring out of my eyes as I look up at her.

“So, where’s Leon?” she asks, still smiling.

My smile cracks in half, “He’s not here, Mum. He’s asleep in his room.”

Her behavior turns slightly annoyed, “But wasn’t he supposed to be with you? Weren’t you taking care of him?”

I look away, “Well, I was looking for an escape and we split up�"”

“You mean you left him alone?!” she exclaims incredulously.

“I-it wasn’t�" I didn’t mean to…” I protest.

“You didn’t mean to what, Rosemary? Leave him alone in a new, strange place with rebels who are meaning to kill you?” she practically shouts.

“Mom, please�"” 

“No. You don’t deserve to be with me if you leave your own brother alone to die,” she states calmly, turning to leave.

“Mom, no! Please, Mom!” I cry out, trying to reach for her arm but grabbing nothing.

“No…” I whisper, sinking to the floor, “It’s all my fault…”

~ • • • ~

I wake up with a jolt, sweat dripping down my forehead and tears still streaming down my face. I touch the tears, my fingers sticking to my cheek. I try to slow down my heart rate. It was just a dream. Leon is safe.

I check my watch: 07:00, it’s morning. I try to calm down, but Mom’s words ring in my head. I left Leon alone. My blood chills as the words sink into me. I need to find where he is, and we need to get out of here today.

I lift up my covers and fling myself over to the floor. Thankfully, I didn’t think about taking off my shoes last night. I rush over to the door and push it open, being careful to make as little noise as possible.

Hopefully Leon is awake, too. Otherwise, I’ll have to search every room; And by the way that went yesterday, it’d take days just to find him. I retrace my steps to the cafeteria, jumping at any sound. I open the door and sigh in relief, Leon’s sitting at one of the tables.

I try to walk calmly over to him, “Hey, Leon. You okay?”

He looks at me curiously, “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“We need to talk,” I say, hoping he understands the look in my eyes.

“Okay,” he says casually.

“Over here, though,” I add when he doesn’t move.

I lead him to a dark corner in the room. Hopefully, no one will come in. 

“So…?” Leon leads.

I look around one last time, then whisper, “I found a way we can escape.”

He looks at me with shock plastered on his face, “What?”

“There’s a window, a few hallways away from here, that we can break and escape from,” I explain, “We just need to grab some food and an extra coat or two. Then we can leave.”

“But�"”

“And don’t worry, we’ll go when no one’s watching. I’ll create some sort of an excuse, going exploring or something like that. It’ll take them at least a few hours to notice…” I continue on.

“Rose?” he says timidly.

“Yeah?”

He pauses a while and takes a deep breath, “I don’t want to leave.”

My blood turns cold, “What?”

“I don’t want to leave,” he repeats.

Quickly, against my will, my brows furrow angrily, “These people killed Mom! Maybe even Dad! Why would you want to stay?!”

“You don’t know that!” he says defensively, “You just make up facts and expect me to believe them!”

“That’s not what I�"” I start.

“Please, just listen for once,” he begs me, his eyes shining up to me.

I go to rebut, but I sigh. He’s not gonna quit on this idea. He’s a fighter, just like me.

I lean against the wall, shaking my head, “Fine, what is it you know about them that’s so great?”

He pauses a little bit, not anticipating my reaction. He bites his lip, trying to collect this thoughts. He opens his mouth, but says nothing.

I’m about to make another comment when he begins, “What they’re saying… just makes sense. Think about it: Why would, suddenly, every country turn against us?”

“Because they know we’re superior,” I say matter-of-factly.

“No,” he says, “It’s because it’s a lie.”

I roll my eyes, “Please, why would we start the war?”

“I don’t know!” he says, clearly exasperated, “All I know is that there is no way that all the other countries just suddenly turned evil. Maybe we are the evil ones…”

I sigh, “Even if you were right, we still don’t know who these guys are. We need to escape�"”

“Well, I won’t!” Leon shouts, then quiets down a little, “You can’t just control my life and expect me to be okay with it. You always tell me that there’s no other choice, but look around us! We have a place to stay! People who think we’re important. You can’t tell me that going back to what we were doing was better. And besides, where would we go? Back home? You know the soldiers will be at us the second we get in there.”

“Leon�"” I start, my voice breaking.

“No,” he says decisively, “You’re making your choice. Let me make mine.”

With that he justs… walks away. I just stand there, my mouth threatening to hang open. Is that really what he thinks? That I’m… controlling him? But I’m not. I’m just protecting him. I think of everything we’ve travelled through. Have I really been bossing him around? I didn’t mean to… He’s just so little and I need to help him, keep him safe. Mom told me to keep him safe.

I try to stumble toward the nearest table. I put my head down, shaking my head vigorously. I need to get it together. I need a plan. I need…

I don’t know what I need.

I can’t just leave Leon here. But am I really going to stay with these people? Leon’s words echo in my head: What if we are evil? It had come across my mind before, but I didn’t really think… No. I refuse to think it. President Crpytis is keeping us safe.

And controlling us, like I was controlling Leon…

“Shut up!” I whisper to my inner consciousness, “Just let me think for once!”

“Think about what?” a voice behind me asks.

I close my eyes, I really don’t need another talk right now. I need somewhere to think things through�"

“I… brought the book I talked about yesterday,” the voice whispers carefully.

I open my eyes and slowly turn around. To my relief, it’s Maryn. At least she’s somewhat sane…

“Thanks,” I mutter, trying to collect myself.

Author's Note

I'm so sorry that this is so short like last time I released a chapter haha!! (Ik how fiesty yall can get when I leave quote-on-quote "cliff-hangers") But I figured yall might want a tidbit so you can see where this is going >:3

BTW IF YOU HAVENT READ THE OTHER CHAPTERS: GO READ THEM NOW!! I SWEAR IF I CATCH THIS CHAPTER GETTING MORE VIEWS THAN THE OTHER CHAPTERS I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN!! (jk)

Btw tysm for almost 200 views on Chapter Three- but seriously guys: go read the others. I promise there's more things to what you're reading T-T