Darkling

37. Epilogue

Unzipping the luggage, I sat on top of the bed. The opened luggage beside me, my fingers grazing the fabrics within. Sighing I picked up a black hoodie and slipped it over my head. Frustrated with the nonexistent pull strings. Pushing myself off the bed, I started placing the clothes on the dresser. Looking around the cell the white walls were bare. Also in the cell was an extra dresser and bed. Two pairs of slip-on shoes were by the door frame. The door itself never had been installed.

After placing all my clothes on the dresser. I placed the luggage under the bed. Only to pace around the small cell. The bed I used was hard and had a white pillow and sheets. A light pink quilt covered the sheets. The sound of footsteps walked past the door frame. Shadows of hostages danced quickly among the walls. As I walked over to the metal vent on the floor. Sitting on my knees to work the vent opened. Carefully placing it on the ground so it wouldn't make a sound.

Reaching in the rectangular hole I pulled out a silver compact mirror. Huddled in a corner, bringing my knees to my chest. With one arm draped around them. As the other held the compact open.

Sixteen days.

It had only been sixteen days since I saw an actual mirror. Three days since I found the compact exquisitely hidden in the dresser. Observing how my once shiny blunette hair was dull. My lips were chapped and there were bags under my dimmed eyes. Angling the mirror I saw my naked earlobes. The weight that was once there was gone.

He had taken them away from me.

"It's for the best" he assured on that Christmas day.

Why was he doing this to me? How could he possibly think this is what's best for me. The love of my life had stripped me of the status of creation. Convincing my parents to send me to this hell hole.

It's for the best.

A small sigh escaped my lips as I closed the compact. Placed it back into its hole and covered it. Lifting myself off the ground I looked around the room. Truly took in how empty it was. As empty as how I was feeling. Exiting those four pale walls, down a long hallway. Making my way to the Commons room. looking around the colorful room to see hostages. Sat at tables, and couches as those at the tables were drawing. Or playing board games, while those are on the couch watching TV.

Taking my place in a big red recliner my legs draped over the armrest. Though barely listening to Disney's 'The Lion King.' Scanning the room I noticed a guy with black hair leaning against a wall. All alone as I observed him I could tell that I had yet to meet him. Getting up from the chair I walked over to him. Our eyes locked as a small smile appeared on his face.

"Hello."

"Hey," he said quietly his hair also had blue highlights.

Covered his light blue eyes, as I studied his features. I noticed a thin black snake tattoo on his neck.

"So are you new here?"

"You don't remember me do you?"

"Am I supposed to?" He opened his mouth to answer, then closed it. As if to ponder his answer he gave me another smile. Suddenly a loud, high-pitched alarm spread throughout the room.

What's going on" I yelled my hands covering my ears. Resisting the urge to scream as I bit down on my bottom lip.

"It's either a major fight or we're on lockdown for a suicide!" He yelled back at both of us sitting on the floor. As a staff member ran into the room. Telling us to stay put, as the alarm continued. I watched as others continued to play their board games. Until a guy stepped on top of a table. Pulling out a box cutter from underneath his shirt. Placed the blade to his wrist; his eyes erratic. Yet my own eyes zeroed in on the blade. That shined underneath the yellow fluorescent lights.