Sector 21

Chapter Three

Octavia's feet carried her across the corridor and over to the hatch, she slowly knelt down by it and pressed her ear to it.

Nothing

Was exactly what she heard, apart from her heart thumping in her chest, it was as silent as she had expected it to be. Something seemed wrong in her heart, why was there a Sector 21 and why hadn't she been told about it. Something compelled her to pull back the hatch door, as she did she held her breath. It slid back half way and then jammed, as if there was something caught in it.

The hatch was open just enough for Octavia to get a look in the room. All she could see was multiple sets of chains going from the wall to beyond where she could see. She tried to climb through the hatch but the gap was quite simply so small for her to fit- she was only 5 ft 5 and a petite build so it was tiny. Using her shoulder, she opened the hatch just enough to slip into the room.

Carefully, she sat in front of the hatch and put her leg though first- testing how much of a drop there was. The drop was higher than she had expected so it was below where her feet would touch. Still debating if it was a good idea or not, she bit the bullet and dropped into the sunken room. Surprisingly, she made contact with the concrete floor almost instantly and took a look around the room.

If it wasn't being concealed behind a wall and such, she wouldn't think it was any different to the other Sectors. There was just once difference- apart from the chains- was the sever lack of paperwork, files and such. The floor was completely clear and there were no shelves against the wall or anything hanging from the ceiling.

Six pairs of chains suspended a person in the air. The torte chains kept the person in the air almost effortlessly. She stepped forward, ducking under a set of chains and walked slowly up to them. He looked absolutely spectacular, his tall body hung in the air, ghostly pale and long hair hung forward. She walked behind him and noticed countless amounts of scars conflicting his back they stood from his ribs and spine making them more conspicuous. He was suspended by chains on his wrists, ankles and around his torso and neck that had rubbed his skin raw. Her failed attempt to get his attention left her assuming he was unconscious. Absentmindedly she reached into her shirt and pulled out her lanyard with multiple keys attached to it. On one of the rings of keys was two keys, one larger than the other.

"Surely this is the one." She whispered to herself as she selected the largest of the two keys.

She didn't even think about the consequences of unlocking the man. She didn't think about why it was even locked in the room to start with. She didn't think about why she wasn't told about the room to begin with. She didn't think what would happen when he fell to the floor. She didn't think about why he was here in this room kn the first place. She didn't think about any of these things when she turned the key in the first of the six locks. He could have been there for any reason, he could have been a murderer or some one conspiring against the government but no one, no matter their crimes should be locked up like an animal.

At every turn of the key, he dropped closer and closer to the ground. He never hit the floor just bounced on the chains it was still attached to. Octavia held her breath when she turned the key of the last lock. All of the chains slowly slid from the wall and he was gently placed in the middle of the room on the floor.

To avoid tripping, Octavia stepped highly over the chains on the floor and walked to where he was now lying. When she came to the man she knelt down in front of him, his eyes shut right and emitting a cold air. The key hole of the locks on each of the shackles were simple, just like the ones at the chains. The key for the shackles should be smaller that the others, she glanced at the smaller key on the ring and slipped the lanyard from around her neck. She did this so if the key did get stuck she would be able to run if anything happened. Knowing her luck, it would.

Octavia's hand shook as she slid the key into the key holes. Her hand only shook more when she turned it. After turning it 180˚ the click of the lock echoed in the room. Carefully, she removed the key from the lock and carefully undid the remaining locks then placed the lanyard back around her neck. The sweat beaded on her forehead and dripped silently onto the concrete floor in front of the person.

Was he even a person?

He had vaguely pointed ears, like an elf. Elves didn't exist though.

Before freeing the man she noted that she only had 3 hours of her shift left, so if she wanted to move the person or what ever he was. She would have to do it now. She placed her hand on his shoulder but then quickly removed it. She did this a few times, waiting roughly 10 minutes between each time. She was fully aware she would have to wake him sooner or later before either someone found her or her shift ended and the next patrol started.

"Now or never Oc." She breathed out, caught her breath and gently shook his shoulder.

He began to stir and his eyes opened.