Breaking out of Area 51

Chapter 17

The next couple of days went exactly the same, Jamie would come by as often as possible and even sometimes during the day. I'd get given breakfast but hadn't got to see the other kids since my last talk about the escape. I was dying to know what was happening but I can be patient, this isn't something to rush.

I'd also noticed the lack of food affecting my body differently than normal. Jamie said I looked skinnier but now I feel it. It's getting more uncomfortable to sleep on the floor, like there's no more fat left to cushion my bones from the hard floor.

This leaves my body covered in bruises, though you can't tell, I'm just a small, purple, anemic sac at this point, but it's easier to forget about it when we're planning the escape.

"I-I had an i-idea", spoke Jamie. "The-the boy in the box. I could a-ask the guard to open it, j-just like we planned. But, if we c-can get another kid to sit in the box in his place, we will h-have longer b-before they notice".

"That's a really good idea, we need all the time we can get to get as many kids out as safe as possible. I can ask Carter if he knows anyone who would be willing to do it. How tall would they have to be, they'll need to look similar?"

He thought for a moment. "I think he prob-probably comes up to your eyes. He's also older so we can't wait t-too long".

I nodded and thought about the plan we'd been making. It was pretty good so far, I just needed to speak to Carter and a few more smaller things would come into place.

"Ok, so if everything goes well on Carters end the plan is that you will replace a kid with the boy in the box whilst everyone is in the cafeteria, but keep it unlocked so they can get out when it's time. Then we wait until all the kids are in the room and the extra guards needed for transport leave. At that point the boy will turn everyone's collars off.... And we fight".

We both thought through the plan a few times in our own heads making sure nothing was left out. Now we were this close, I was feeling the nerves. My stomach did flips and I felt sick, but Jamie reassured me, even though I expect he's feeling even more so. After-all, the plan does kind of depend entirely on him.

"Ok, I-I have to go, the guards are ab-bout to start their midday walk around. B-be careful, and r-remember I won't be here tonight because I'm g-going t-t-to see the b-boy".

I sensed his stuttering right away and held his hand, rubbing my thumb over it in comfort.

"It's ok, you're going to do great. I know you can do it and just remember to breath. If you can't get the words out, take a moment, it's not like he's going anywhere".

He smiled and nodded at my words, relaxing to my touch for as long as he could before slipping away with a small "bye Andy".

God, I'm so glad he couldn't see my anxiety about him going to speak to the boy alone. It's not that I don't think he can do it by himself, I just don't want him to. I want to be there for him so he feels less nervous, or to comfort him when he gets stuck. But I can't, and so I can't stop worrying. But again, I know he can do it.

The sound of old metal scraping against concrete pulls me out of my daydreaming and I realise the door for lunch is actually opening after days.

I get up immediately, it feeling harder than I remember. My muscles seemed to be atrophied from the little movement I can do in the cell and the lack of food I've been given. I wonder what I look like, but as I walk up to my usual table they all drop their mouths open so I'm pretty sure I can take a guess.

"You don't look too good Andy", Carter frowned.

He was really concerned, the worry in his eyes evident. But a child should never have to worry about his friend starving, or suddenly disappearing one day. So, although its probably too late, I'm going to try and keep as much of his youth as possible by replying with a big smile.