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Chapter 5: The Bell

LEECI'S POV

I woke up and blinked rapidly, blinded by the light. I was already fidgety. Where the heck am I? The place looked completely unfamiliar. I was in a chair in some sort of waiting room. At least they didn't take my memory like in those movies.

The room was pretty small and the only door was behind a counter. Thick glass surrounded it. It was like the counters they had at banks. I noticed that there was a bell on my side. Should I ring it?

I got up off my seat, one of three seats in the room, and approached the bell. I paused, my hand hovering over the bell.

"Just come out and kill me already." I whispered to myself.

"Eh-ehum." a voice interrupted. It was coming from a loud speaker in a corner of the room.

"Hello, Leeci." I glared at the speaker. "Hello, Stranger." I immediately recognized the voice as one of those stupid Strangers.

"Suicidal already?" he asked comically.

"Haha very funny." I joked.

"Ring the bell and you'll be one step closer to getting back home." he said.

I stared at the bell. "Is me getting back home a certainty?"

"Hopefully, from the looks of it you'll be on your way in no time. You have gotten used to talking already. At least to me."

"It's not like I've never talked to people before. I do it all the time on mics. I can communicate perfectly. No idea why I'm here."

"You do realize you've been locked in your house for 5 years."

I stared at the bell again. It was very shine. And approachable. I didn't like it. It was going to determine my whole future. I frowned. "Yes...."

"You're here to be 'repaired'."

"Why should I believe you? You destroyed my life. I'm perfectly fine I don't need you."

"You shouldn't believe me. And, you're not perfectly fine."

There was silence.

"I am..." I whispered.

"You'll be talking the way you are right now when you walk through that door, but not with me. Once you do that, you can prove to me that you're perfectly fine."

Oh no. "I'm not ready." I said nervously. "Who is it? My mom?"

He giggled. "You're reaction is evidence that you're not perfectly fine."

"What no! Everyone gets nervous talking to
someone they don't know!" I exclaimed.

"That is true. We will determine whether your 'nervousness' is on a healthy level."

"What are you? A corporation or something?" I asked.

"I thought you'd never ask. I'm apart of O.O.T.B.P, Online Offline Teen Behavior Program."

(I KNOW ITS A LAME NAME SHUT UP)

"So you're gonna observe me or something?" I asked.

"Yes." He said. "Ring the bell Leeci."

"What'll happen when I do."

"I'll come out and lead you to your destination."

"Ring ring ring ring ringringringringringringring!"

I'm so eager to leave this place. Just gotta make it quick.

The rings went from soft to rapid fire. Ha, rapid fire. Reminds me of the olden days. Mike, Yellow, Tech. Owl. A.K.A yesterday. What if they're the ones I'll be talking too? No, that's too far out right...?

The wooden door behind the counter was opened. It was Stranger #2. The same one I was talking to. He open another door that blended in with the counter.

"Come on in."

I entered the other side of the counter and then walked through the wooden door.

The Stranger shut the door behind me and probably felt me tense up because he put his hands on my shoulders and looked me in eyes.

"Now, Leeci. You've gotta relax, okay? Relax and you'll be okay. I'm not a bad guy so if you need anything, water or whatever, just call me."

I shook my head "Okay." I felt a little more safe and calm.

"Now, look." he said turning my body to face a corner of the room. "There's a speaker up there. I can hear everything you say so just call."

I nodded. He turned me to face another corner. "There's a camera up there. But that's not the only one. I and others will be watching you."

I nodded.

He turned me to another corner and then let go of my shoulders.