RETREAT .

H U M A N _ _ _

If I had known dish-washing was so tolling, I wouldn't have waited to eat lunch.
I've already broken 2 plates and a cup. And it's not like we can go out and buy some more.

The fat lunch woman preparing soup glared over at me, her beady eyes made my skin itch. I was soaked. From my chest down was covered in dirty, soapy water from the sprayer. It's prone to spraying everywhere but where it needs to.

I struggle my gloves back on my slippery hands, and keep washing... I hate this. I had to wake up early, even.
I hear the murr of people coming in for breakfast. I take a breath, and clean a bit faster. I'm only halfway through the dishes.
There weren't enough, so every meal you had to clean them again.. To say the least, it was horrid.

I wash and rush, trying to make them at least decent looking. It's cut tight, and a few people almost had to wait for me to finish the dishes. I pull my gloves off, and set them on the counter. I take a deep breath, I was sweaty and wet.

A tall, lanky woman hands me a plate. "Take this to the medical ward." She says, looking down at my short self. I couldn't deny taking food to Theo.

I nod, and take it, skipping a clean pair of clothes and walking straight to the medical ward.
I press the button, and the familiar mechanical "Name" voice plays. I clear my throat like always, "Miles." It hisses open, and my eyes instantly slide to Theo in his bed. He's asleep...

That's right.
They let patients sleep in.

I walk slowly over, and set the plate on his nightstand. There are a few capsule containers there... All empty. The air is squeezed from my lungs, and my heart hurts.

This was my fault...

"Good morning, North." Desto says from behind me. I jump, and look back at him. I open my mouth to ask him- "I looked through your file... Then the real one.. And finally criminal records on that name." His arms cross, but he isn't smirking, or arrogant about his find. He looks like a parent, waiting for their kid to fess up about what they did wrong.

I sit on the bed next to the sleeping Theo and watch Desto. "You're a really smart nurse." I observe, Desto sits in his office chair.

"I try." He shrugs, flashing me a warm smile.. He really wasn't a bad guy at all.

I sigh. "You won't tell anyone about me, right?" I inquire. I stare at his blue eyes. "Not a soul."

"Well, then I'm gunna trust you." I cross my legs Indian style, and sigh.

One of Theo's eyes crack open, and he notices Miles sitting besides him. He smiles a bit, listening to the seriousness in his voice.

"I changed my name. When I was 14, I killed someone. I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. But I hid to save myself. He tried to ...touch me. And I pinned him to the wall with my pitchfork. I ran instead of facing the consequences. I changed my name to Miles, and dyed my hair." I admit. My hands are quivering.

"I know, I was just curious why you killed him. His name was Allenia, right?" (Desto asks,) Theo gasps.

North looks back at the now awake Theo, eyes wide. "Allenia?! Jean Allenia?" He says, Theo's eyes were burning with anger. "YOU killed him?!" He yells at me. I flinch...

"Yes.." Theo's eyes widen with shock, his breath cuts short and a meter spikes he's hooked to. Desto stands. "You need to leave for now, North." He says softly, I stand up, and walk towards the door. "Don't come back, either." Theo says, his voice shaky. "Just, don't."

I leave, feeling more numb than upset. I hated it. It made my stomach feel sick and my head spin.
I walk back to the kitchen, slipping in a clean apron and getting to work...

I couldn't go see Theo, what the hell was I suppose to do?

After lunch, I walked back to the infirmary. I press the button, and it asks my name. I clear my throat, "M-miles."
It beeps, and the door doesn't open. I blink in disbelief.

I press the button again, and say my name loudly and clearly it beeps. "What the fuck?!" I curse aloud, feeling the back of my throat burn and my stomach churn.

I press it again. "Miles!" I say again, and again... The beep continues. I take a shaky breath, and walk back to my room. My eyes on the floor, and my hands trembling against my chest.