Rebel Red Hope

17

     Waking up to my warm bed in my room is more terrifying than anything as my hands immediately fly to my face while sitting up to try to remove the device again, but nothing. My arms aren't chained up anymore. The familiar buzz and light from the neon in the room brings me comfort though, as does the familiar gray and white of my room. I'm back home.

     trying to catch my breath, my head rests against the wall next to me as the shadow appears out the corner of my eye, leaning back in the chair at my desk. Its features are more than just a silhouette, but I can still barely see it. Everything except the bright white glowing eyes and mouth that seemingly is cut off by a mask of sorts that imitates the bishops face markings,

     "You're welcome," it grunts, its voice clear yet still 3-toned,

     "Go away," I tell it while leaning my head back against the wall, propping myself up in case a quick getaway is needed,

     "I think you mean 'thank you Ambit for saving my life," it scolds, its voice exactly mimicking mine as it mimics a thank you from me,

     "Go. Away." I curl up against the wall, throwing the covers over my head,

     "So you're not going to thank me for getting you out alive?"

     I don't say anything. I don't even know if this is real or the machine or just an escape anymore.

     "The gratitude." it dramatically spits a sarcastic tone at me.

     And with that, it's silent again, giving my mind time to think. How would I know if this was real? What if I'm still in the machine and the bishops are just waiting outside it? What if I'm still in that room? I don't want to go back to that. I can't.

     Throwing the covers off, my hands tremble while immediately reaching for the window latches, and aggressively shoving the window open. Hoisting my leg up and swinging it over the ledge, my other foot plants itself on the ledge, my hands grip the sides of the frame, and I start to lean out. But before my hands let go, the chair the thing is sitting on behind me creaks,

     "That wouldn't do you any good." the shadow states, and I stop. My head turns slightly to see the shadow out the corner of my eye while still leaning out, ready to fall. "The only reason you're still here is my survival." the shadow suddenly turns to face me while now leaning forward, arms resting on its legs, "regrettably, I need a living vessel." it hisses with a tight jaw as it slumps back into my chair, "So jump all you'd like," it leans forwards a small bit, smiling now under the mask, "I'll be there to catch you!" its eyes widen behind the mask as it jerks its head forwards at me, its smile unnaturally wide.

     Turning to face the outside again, my eyes wander and stare down to the pavement below as thoughts race in my mind before ultimately allowing myself to fall back onto my bed where my body lies limply. After a bit of time, I set myself up and throw my legs over the side of my bed,

     "Now what." what else was there? The shadow stares blankly at me, almost confused by the question, "What's your plan for me? Why are you even here? Hu?" the anger rising in my voice is almost concerning now, "IM NOTHING!" the words escape in almost a pleading scream as tears fall from my eyes. Sliding down off my bed and onto the floor, burying my face in my hands, knees pulled tightly to my chest as the tears fall,

     "Yeah, you are nothing," the shadow grins in my head once again, "you're pathetic and weak and it's honestly a miracle you can be my vessel." it hisses, "but this isn't the first time I've saved you from that room," it speaks, and I frown,