Escape

Chapter 26

I tossed and turned trying to make myself comfortable on the steel-framed bunk bed. Anytime I turned or shifted on the bed it created this rattling sound that echoes through the silent snores of various people sleeping in this massive hall. Sighing, I pushed the thin sheet from above my body, carefully lifting away the eye patch and looked sideways. I saw a curled-up figure of Brian sleeping peacefully on a bed similar to mine. Right above his bed, I saw Noah's arm hanging over the metal frame. Michael slept above my bed, his light snores filling the silence in this vast hall filled with bunk beds arranged in neat straight rows.

Without moving around much, I quietly sat up and ruffled through the covers before I found the dark eyeglasses. I slipped them on and tied my hair which was much shorter and lightweight now, up in a knot.

I made my way as quietly as I could to the washroom at the end of the hall. I pushed the door and instantly my nostrils were filled with the repulsive smell from the toilets. I made my way through the slightly wet and muddy tiled floors. Covering my nose with my arm, I pushed the door shut and walked down the room away from the stalls to the shower room. Letting go of my breath, I inhaled the air which smelled of soap and deodorant. Walking on the tiled floor, I turned on the light near the mirrors placed on the wall opposite mine. I squinted as the bright tube lights flickered on, instantly regretting my decision as my eyes started reacting to the sudden bright light, I turned it off and turned on the lights that were placed a little further back in the room.

Slowly walking to the mirror I stared at my reflection. Lifting my hands I touched my hair and pulled down the elastic band I fastened just a few minutes before. It felt as if my hair had bled out its colour because what met my eyes was not my usual black, down to the bottom, almost brushing my tailbone, thick straight hair. No, my hair was now platinum blonde with a wisp of grey, wavy hair. It felt soft, the waves bounced every time I ruffled them, falling perfectly over my shoulders and reaching my waist.

I patted down my hair and settled the waves behind my shoulder, tucking the bangs behind my ears and exhaled the breath I have been holding. "I can do this, it's just hair," I tried convincing myself but the hair was not the part that was bothering me, but it was my eyes. The prosthetic irises resting in my eye-sockets made my eyes irritated and feel uneasy. I slipped off the dark protective eyeglasses that I had to wear for 36 hours and slowly opened my eyes. Two foreign sets of eyes glinted back through the mirror. My eyes that used to be brown, the same colour as my dad, were grey now. Just like my mom.

Prosthetic iris for cosmetic purposes was not legal in the area, but Maria arranged it like it was not a big deal. It usually took more than two weeks to fully recover but apparently, the eye drops assigned to me will heal my eyes in a matter of two days. Although, I had to wear clear contact lenses after 36 hours for a week to protect any foreign article entering my eyes. My eyes were a little inflamed but I couldn't help but notice how similar it looked to that of my mother's eyes.

"Blair?" I saw a movement behind me in the mirror and Brian's figure emerged from the dark.

"Hey," I replied, my voice echoing through the empty bathroom.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, his voice soft.

"Couldn't sleep," I replied and looked down, keeping my answers short.

"What's the matter?" He asked and I could feel his figure right behind mine, warmth emitting from his body enveloping mine.

I looked up and looked into his eyes through the mirror, his facial expression that showed confusion slowly changed to that of an understanding. Lifting both of his hands he puts it on my shoulder, running his hands up and down my arm in a comforting manner. His calloused fingers ran over the rough skin of my upper arm that was covered in scars. I was growing more confident and comfortable with my scars, not bothered with how they appeared as much as before.