A Rooted Reality [OSC story]

Chapter 9: Blurry

The past days had gone by quickly. Everyday since that Tuesday I called, I felt like I had something to look forward too. I was scared but thankful.

The past three days have been.. tough. Everyday I would wake up early and be dissected, they got neater with the stitches which was good. I just wish it never happened in the first place. Then they put me in the machine, I would stay there till it was sundown. My time there, USB and Lily helped me come up with plans to escape.

We came up with one that would work, but it was dangerous. Someone had to be the sacrifice to stay on earth; to destroy the machine and the instructions. They wouldn't be able to reach us anymore, and there would be no way someone could enter again. I wanted to be the sacrifice, to protect this planet from whatever Stellar corp. was planning to do with them. The others didn't me too, saying we could find another safer way.
In my mind I knew there wasn't a safer way. This was the only option.

—

I woke up early Saturday morning. Mr. Winn said he wanted me to stay at the other planet over night. He would bring me to the machine around 2 in the afternoon. I didn't mind it, If anything I was happy about it. Being to sleep in an actual bed, around people who didn't want to hurt and use me.

I brushed some dirt off from my pot and stared at the mirror. I was in Ram's bathroom, getting ready for today. The day I've been waiting for, for three long days. I can see my mom for the last time. Say goodbye for the last time.

"You can do this, just sneak up to the front and say hello! It's simple.." I worried.

I stared at the reflection and saw myself. Would she be scared of me? Like Noelle? No! No, let's not think about that. Let's just go, head first. Nothing to worry about!

I hopped down on the ground with a thud and quietly opened the door. I breathed in and out and ran as quick as I could. My feet clacked on the ground as I zipped across the halls. I found the simple glass door that lead to the front and I slowly opened it. I expected alarms or something to go off but nothing happened. It was early and no one was even up yet, no one was controlling anything or even working.

I hid behind a tall pot of plants next to the door. It covered me well, and because of my plant appearance I blended in. I saw at the front desk the lady that welcomed me when I first arrived. It was just like when I entered that day; she was typing away on her Macintosh computer.

I then glanced at the entrance doors, I could escape if I wanted. But there was no point, I was assumed dead. I didn't exist out there. My eyes became dreary and I started worrying; this would be my final goodbye.

I perked up when I heard the slow creaking of the front door opening. It was my mother, her Faded dark brown hair blowing as the wind from the door came in. She was 50 years old but still such a strong woman; I was glad to have her as my mom.

She looked around and then saw the lady at the front.

"Ah, hello Ma'am I'm here to pick up my son's belongings. His name is Oscar Cecil." My mom said with a kind smile, tapping on the desk to get the lady's attention.

"Oh! Yes, of course. I'll be right back, let me go grab their stuff." The lady rushed out of the room.

Her heels clicked on the ground and I waited till she was far enough where I couldn't hear the clacking sounds.

It was quiet and my mom stood there looking around, she was worried.

"Mom?" I mumbled and peaked out of the plant I was behind.

She jumped up at the sound of my voice and turned to my direction.

"Oscar..? Where are you?" She slowly walked toward my direction.

I came out from behind the plant and shivered. I was scared of what she would think. My feet were glued onto the hardwood floors and I just stared in fear, expecting something bad to happen. She instead gasped and looked at me for a second, she was in awe.

"Hi mom, I bet this wasn't what you were expecting." I laughed sheepishly.

She wrapped her hands around me, hugging me. My hands dropped in fear and then I slowly reached them up to hug back.

"Sweetie.. what did they do to you- your a.. well.. cactus" she mumbled.

"We were testing a portal to another planet and I took a form of the life there.. I'm sorry you have to see me like this." I cried gripping her shirt in fear of letting go.

"Hey hey, all I care is that your alive and alright. Don't feel sorry, you didn't know this would happen." My mom let go of me and held onto my much smaller hand.
"You can figure this out, I know you can." She continued.

"I hope so.. I wish I could just leave with you now. But I can't, I'm dead out there! That's why I wanted to say good bye. For one last time, I cant see you anymore.. I'm destroying that damn machine so no one can experience what I've gone through. And before I go.. I love you mom. Thank you for being there for me, and please just don't tell anyone about this." I slowly drifted my hand away from hers and smiled.

I heard the front desk Lady slowly coming back. I went back behind the plant and waved my mom a final goodbye.

My mom looked proud of me, yet scared for me. She nodded slowly and backed up, standing in the original place she walked in.

I looked at her receiving my old belongings and the suitcase I was laying in just days beforehand. A couple minutes passed and I slipped back to the door and walked slowly to the room that held the portal. I waited till 2:00pm; slowly falling asleep in-front of it.