In The After Life

Chapter 31

When the door shut I had to admit my nerves kind of kicked in. The room was small with hard flooring. It has a warm light but lacked any real warmth. What did intrigue me was the door on the other end of the room.

"Number two I have been instructed to debrief you on what to expect during this part of the protocol" the solider says and it's annoying that I have to call him that. I turn and face him but he's looking at the wall behind me.

"Ok" he reaches into his pocket and pulls out the marker he used to put a number 2 on a white patch on his uniform. My number. I wonder how long he'll have to stick around.

"In each room you'll be given clear instructions on what actions is needed from you. Before we start I do have to ask whether you'd like to leave the compound or continue the process?" He is void of emotion

I don't have much to loose if I want to leave later I guess I'll have to just ask. "Continue but only if you tell me your name" he could kick me out for saying that as he most likely doesn't care if I stay or go. Yet the small flash of confusion makes me smile.

"We have a set time in each room before I signal the next person to start their process so in this room all you have to do is grab a bag and write your number on it with the marker" he holds it still waiting for me to take it

I look at him a bit longer waiting for the name but he doesn't budge. I look over to the boxes and pull out a bag. It's a plain black rucksack with a white patch where I write the number two on it.

"Happy?" It's a rhetorical question I'm just trying to bug him. He stands taller before radioing in that we've cleared this room. The door I came through opens as I go into the next room.

I look around the new room and there's no one here. Yet I don't shrug off the shower in the middle of the room with a shower curtain hanging around it. There's no way. "N2 for this room all that is required for you is to perform basic hygiene. You have Soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, shaver, deodorant and a bathrobe all provided over there. After use place all necessities into your bag."

I see a bench with all the items he listed. Ten times the amount but they're piled separate I guess for the other women. Wait I'm so confused. Protocol is a shower? Not that I'm complaining but real running water? "You're kidding right?" I say to him but he just stands there

"Your five minutes have begun and I wouldn't waste them" he says and I do just that. I go behind the curtain and shut it so he can't see. I wouldn't of cared just the thought of running water is making me excited.

My dirty bloodied clothes I pull off within seconds. I did go dizzy for a minute as some dried blood that stuck to my clothes ripped the cut back open. I forgot about the fight I had.

I don't hesitate to pull the chain where water flows down onto me. I was expecting cold water but the steam that fills the air amazes me. The contact stings the cut on my arm and hand but I just grit my teeth. I look down at my body to see the numerous bruises that cover certain areas on my body.

I take a deep breath in as I see the blood and dirt wash off me. I grab the soap and rush to clean the stench off me that I've had to endure. I forgot what clean me smelt like. As I scrub shampoo in my hair I cringe at the injuries I forgot about that hide in my hair.

As the shampoo bubbles I put a generous dollop of toothpaste on the toothbrush and go to town. I'm surprised no teeth have fallen out since I haven't grabbed a toothbrush in a while just had mouthwash. It was quick and easy to use.