The Runner

CHAPTER TWO

None of us slept a wink that night. The closest I got to sleep was daydreaming. Making up scenarios in my head until someone makes the assumption that it's morning. No windows. No clock. Time simply stands still. It could be midnight, or it could be six in the morning. I don't think anyone really knows when morning is anymore. The lights are still off, which to me does not mean nighttime, it just means not yet. You are not supposed to be awake yet. Maybe it's all starting to make me go a little crazy. And it's only day two.
After roles were assigned yesterday, everything began to feel much more real. Like this will not end anytime soon. Like this was my new life and I just had to accept it. Play my part and follow directions. Maybe it doesn't matter if time doesn't move if we stay here forever. It doesn't matter what day we're on. The only measure of time that matters is when we get out.
The lights finally turn on throughout the prison. I thought that would be a fitting analogy. Either it's really morning- or we're supposed to think it's morning.

"Today you will begin training. Get up, and make the most out of your day."

The voice announces all around us, emerging us in its message. The voice is a woman, but sounds more robotic than real. I also appreciate the nice message at the end that I'm sure I'll get sick of.
"Before we begin, may all hunters gather at the red door."

They're getting out. They're letting them out? I jump out of my thin bed immediately and look over the railing. A red light traces one of the three large concrete doors. I wouldn't even notice it was there if it wasn't suddenly traced in red. It seems the hunters are not as eager as I am. A few of the hunters slowly approach the door, making sure to step with caution as if it is a lion. Last night, after everyone got over the shock of the roles, Carrington assigned the right side of the jail to the hunters while the runners look the left. Now, only one small walkway connects the two sides on the second floor. Without looking, I can see the other runners line up on the rails to watch as well. It's safe to say, everyone wants to know what's behind those doors. Some more than others.
Expectedly, Carrington stands at the front of the group. For a minute, the group of chaos-riders and anarchists stand silent. Their hands shake as their chest falls deeper, and deeper, ultimately creating a crater within their sternums. Right beside their heart.
The concrete door splits in two. Both sides slide apart, revealing a room, but only a glimpse to us. Even Carrington looks afraid as he leads his hunters into the unknown.
The doors shut behind them, and the red light outlining the door, disappears with them.
"Where do you think they went?" A small voice next to me whispers. I turn around to see Olivia peeking over my shoulder at the scene below.
"I'm not sure," I genuinely mean what I say. Who knows if they'll ever come back. I can see from the focused and curious look on her face that her mind hasn't yet gone to where mine has.
"She said, today we begin training," August reminds us as he abruptly intrudes, leaning his forearms on the metal railing.
"What do you think that means?" I say trying to catch a glimpse of his face as he stares at the floor below us.
He thinks for a moment, furrowing his untamed brows. "She separated us into two categories; runners, and hunters, right?"
"Yes..." I say dreading the conclusion I know he's about to come to.
"I think at some point, we're going to be forced to be their prey," August points to where the hunters left.
"-And we have to get stronger and faster in order to stand a chance at surviving," I finish his thought. He confirms my assumption by tucking in his lips as he drops his head to the floor.
Olivia walks back to her cell. I can't imagine hearing this kind of news while also being in the mental state she's in. She's settled down a little bit since yesterday, but she's still so on edge. And now she's prey once again.
"She's not going to survive this.." I mumble as I watch her walk away with her head low.
"She has to. We all have to," he looks at me. Like those last words were meant for me.
The room rattles as the hunter's door opens once again. This time, instead of the clothes they came in with, they're dressed in a full red bodysuit from their necks to their ankles. It's a deeper red, more like blood, and the black detailing makes it look flexible and athletic. The hunters step out from the room, and the doors close once more.
Blue light traces the perimeter of the 2nd door.