Room 537

Chapter 4

Elijah

I haven't said a word to him since I walked back into the room. He's had his nose buried in a book for the past two hours while I've been drawing.

I haven't had a roommate in four years. My last roommate died. All because of a mistake. A stupid mistake we made when we were fifteen years old. I'll never forgive myself for what ended up happening that day. It haunts me to this day.

I look at my new roommate. Charlie. The name suits him. I don't know how but it does. He's tall- though he's shorter than me – with beautiful curly hair. I personally don't think I've ever seen someone who embodies puppy dog eyes more than he does.

I wonder what's going on inside his head.

Does he miss his family?

Does he regret doing whatever it was he did that landed him here?

Is he thinking about the future?

Or is he so deep into the fictional world of his book that he is oblivious to the world around him?

I look at him and then down at my book then back at him again and then at my book. One thing leads to another, and I end up drawing him. It wasn't intentional I swear. He was just on my mind. I never plan exactly what I'm going to draw. I kind of just take out a pencil and open to a blank page and then I start.

We've been sitting like this for the past 3 hours now. This is ridiculous I should get to know my roommate.

"Where are you from?"

"Marianna." He nods pressing his lips together. No shit. We're in Tampa right now.

"Right." I shake my head. Back to silence it is.

I glance back at him to catch him already staring with a timid smile.

"How long have you been here for?"

"Since the beginning." I sigh.

"When's your sentence over?"

"I don't know. My dad runs the place. I moved here when I was twelve right after my parents' divorce. This is my 7th year here. I don't think my dad is ever going to let me go."

"What's it like here?" He asks nervously.

"You scared?"

"Kind of." He smiles ever so slightly. Cue my heart melting at the sight. I personally don't think it's fair that everything about him is absolutely adorable. He comes off as reserved. Keeps to himself. Wants to scare people away before they get too close.

"You should be. This place is absolute hell Charlie. Just keep your head down and do as they tell you to. Always do as they tell you. No matter what. Don't try to be different. This is not a place to make your mark or stand out. Blend in and be forgotten."

"Why?"

"That's the only way you'll make it out alive." I say. Charlie hides his emotions well but I catch the second his mask slips and his face is covered in fear. I meant every word of what I said. I'm not exaggerating. I gave Charlie the best advice I could. I only hope he takes it.