Ｅｃｓｔａｓｙ Ｐ．Ｊ．

ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ４

"We have a campfire outside once every month, you just happen to be invited to your first." I had a lot of questions to ask, "Why is it dangerous."

"You will find out. But a lot of people sneak out from the roof." I look up at the setting sun and back at Jimin. "Sneak out?"

He laughs as he walks over to the other side of the roof, me following behind. "You didn't think that the guards would allow this if they knew."

I had a lot to learn. 

"What is your room number. I can get you when it is time to go." I didn't think I had to know my room number. 

"You don't know?" Jimin asked me and I nodded at him. 

"It is on your shoulder." He moved behind me and brought down the sweater to reveal a tattooed number on me. As if we were cattle in a herd. 

"3-170, not too far from the elevator. I shouldn't have any problems." Still in shock over the tattoo, I trace over it with my fingers. How could they just do that. 

"Don't worry Ophelia, it is just one of the many things they will strip you of here." As if that was going to make me feel better. "By doing this, they simply take away your right to say yes and no. As if they are the ones in their right mind. They justify it by saying we are crazy."

"People can never understand others completely." I whisper as I pull my sweater back onto my shoulders. 

Jimin gives me a reassuring smile, "I will protect you." 

"I don't need protecting." "Not from people, but from yourself." 

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.

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Jimin took me back to the recreation floor and it was time for dinner. "Would you like to sit with me?" He asked as everyone started to head to the stairs to walk down to the dining hall. 

"Rather than sitting alone, yes." I accepted gratefully, he seemed to know a lot about everyone and everything. 

"How long have you been here Jimin?" I ask as we get to the stairs. "A long time." I decided not to push him for he seemed sensitive about the topic. 

"Do they ever tell you how long they estimate your stay to be?" Jimin scoffed, "They rather keep you here forever." 

I nodded, just as I expected. 

"You know, when people heard that there was a new arrival, people were going crazy. I don't think there has been a new arrival in a few years." 

"Really? Isn't it like-" "They only take selective cases." 

Jimin and I made it to the first floor, you could see outside. The dark sky and the bright green grass. 

"Lets go get something to eat, you must be famished." I smiled at his small gesture of care, and he lead me to the line. 

"Jimin, why do they allow girls and boys together." Jimin turns around and looks at the dining room where people are already taking their seats with their metal trays. 

"I guess to make it feel more like a society." So they try to make it feel like everything is normal, when it is really broken. 

It was our turn to collect our food, Jimin gets handed a tray that is labeled Jimin. He waits next to me, I stand there for further instruction. 

"What is your name child?" The lady asks rudely, "I am Ophelia." I say softly being taken back by her attitude. Everyone I have met so far has shown me nothing but utter kindness. 

She turns around to find a tray with my name on it, "We don't have an Ophelia." I look at Jimin who looks back at the Lady. "No, she is new, she arrived last night." Jimin said to stand up for me. 

"Not my problem, her name probably isn't registered yet. NEXT." We got out of the way and Jimin stood there appalled. 

"Don't bother, it is alright." I say pushing him out of the way so we can just sit down. I rather not cause a argument on my first day. 

"That's not right though, you are right here. Can't she just-" "It is alright, I am not even feeling that hungry." I tell Jimin and he finally gives in and we sit down. 

He chooses a seat and you can tell the people sitting with us are obviously his friends. There was a girl and two boys that sat right next to each other across from Jimin and I. 

Immediately, the girl wanted to make sure I felt unwelcome. "Jimin, who is she?" Her tone spoke enough, she didn't like that I was here. 

"This is Ophelia, the new girl." The two boys whipped their heads in my direction and I spoke a soft 'hello'. 

"She is going to come to the campfire with us tonight." Jimin lowered his voice as if anyone could hear us through the talking and eating. 

"Gertrude." The girl said to me with the most painted on smile I have ever seen. "Ophelia." I gave her a smile back, not necessarily wanting to be on anyones bad side. 

"If she is allowed to go, why can't I?" Gertrude asked Jimin in a very honeyed voice.  "No." Jimin replied as if to shut her down immediately. 

Gertrude looked at me and back at Jimin, "Why not, I don't see any difference. If anything I am prettier than-"

"Enough. I will not entertain this behavior." Gertrude hushed then and Jimin moved his gaze to the other two boys. 

"That is Taehyung, and that is Jungkook." Jimin pointed them out, Jungkook had long black hair and a strong build. He had tattoos all along his arm and one tiny cross right under his eye. I would just think he is a thug, not mentally insane. 

Where as Taehyung looks very soft, his features aren't as defined as Jungkooks. His amber eyes tell a story, and his soft face gives a very welcoming mood. 

Jungkook looks up from his food to Jimin, "Where is Yoongi?" Taehyung and Jimin give a sad laugh as they both look back at Jungkook. "He got put in solitary again." Jimin spoke as his slid his tray over to me. 

I look up at him about to slide the tray back to him but he quickly shut it down. "It is yours now, just eat." 

I acted as if I didn't see Gertrude huff and stare back down into her food.  

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ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 4 ᴏꜰ ᴇᴄꜱᴛᴀꜱʏ