The Truth Is

chapter 4 - Where am I?

I walk over to the door.

it's locked. great.

"help! someone! help me I'm in here!" I scream. the door opens.

"hi, my names dawn." a women says.

"where am I? why am I here?" "relax. you're in Grady memorial hospital in Atlanta. you're safe here, we will take care of you." she says. "I'm fine. I want to leave." "you can leave, just not yet." "what are you talking about? you can't just keep me here against my will!" "we saved you! if we didn't come when we did, you'd be one of them right now so you owe us."

I just stare at her blankly.

"look I know this is a lot to take in but you'll like it here." she says.

I don't say anything.

"follow me." I hesitate but then follow her. we walk down long hallways. I look into some of the rooms, there's a lot of patients here. this women is clever. taking people in, fixing them, then they owe her for saving their lives.

selfish, but clever.

I'm still walking. I don't even know where she's taking me. when I look into one of the rooms it makes me stop abruptly.

oh my god. am I really seeing this? I feel a little joy.

"excuse me?" I ask the woman. "yes?" "um. can I please walk around for a second." "sure. I'll check on you in a bit."

she walks off and I walk back into the room. she here! I squeal of joy.

"beth?" I ask the blonde girl in front of me. "Brooke?!"

we give each other the biggest hug. "is my mom here?" she frowns. "oh, do you know where she is?" "I don't know where anyone is." she sighs.

"we have to get out of here and find them." I tell her. "but how?" "I don't know. I just got here, don't you know this place? is there an exit?" she looks all around and then she jumps like there's a lightbulb above her head. "the elevator shaft!" "okay let's go!" "we need a key, I'll talk to Noah." "who's Noah?" "you'll see, but for now, stay away from me so dawn doesn't expect anything. If she knows we know each other, who know what'll happen." "got it. I'll come to your room in the middle of the night. What room number?" "308."

we say our goodbyes and I go into my room. There is a scalpel on the counter, I grab it and put it in my left combat boot.

Just to be safe. I don't know what this place is or who these people are.