Polar Opposites

Lana

My head pounds as if a thousand elephants are dancing over it, like some sort of deranged circus. I force myself to open my eyes, though even that small action tightens the pain like a tourniquet wrapped around my skull. I'm in some sort of stone prison, my arms chained behind my back and linked up to a metal loop in the wall. I have no sense of time of day, as no window filters light through the stone walls, only a small lamp providing me any solace in the darkness. No matter how hard I strain my memory, I have no idea how I ended up here. Or who took me here. For all I know, I'm dreaming this whole scenario.

I'm tired now. I let my eyes close as I fall into the abyss.

-------------------------

I'm awoken by the sound of a metal key scraping in the lock on the door. Light floods into the room, and I wince as it burns holes in my retinas. A figure begins to descend the stairs, and pauses at the bottom as they reach the bars that separate me from freedom.

My eyes begin to adjust and I squint at the boy that stands before me. He glares at me, and the fogginess in my brain clears as I realise he is probably not here to save me.

Slowly, I shuffle back from the bars and push myself up against the wall. I take in the captor standing in front of me. He's tall, lanky, hair short, but curly, with dark brown eyes that look almost black. His lip is curled with distaste, his face showing no sign of empathy, and in fact looks almost barbaric, as if he would lunge at me at any point. I tremble in my helplessness, unable to run to safety.

I decide to try and speak to him. Just as I'm opening my mouth he flings open the separator and strides towards me. Now he's closer I can see the sinewy muscles beneath his skinny exterior, and don't doubt that he could kill me in a second.

He pulls out something shiny and metallic and strides towards me. I can't see what it is, so I poise myself, ready to kick out. As if expecting my move, he sidesteps around my legs and pins them to the ground.

' Don't you dare do anything' he snarls. 'One move and I will knock you out till you can see the stars.'

I gulp and close my eyes, ready for him to do his worst.

But strangely, nothing happens. Instead I feel a small prick on my forehead and the metallic tang of a needle passing through my skin. I sit tentatively underneath him and wait for him to finish. After a few minutes have passed, he steps back and releases my head.

He begins to walk away, but I'm burning with curiosity.

'Who are you?' I blurt out, 'Why did you help me?'

He turns back towards me, his face still lacking any ounce of human compassion.

'I will never help people like you. You and your family deserve none of my help. You're not special, you're not valued, and once you outlive your use, I can promise that I will kill you myself. Personally.'

He storms out the cell and slams the bars behind him, before trudging up the steps and thumping the door shut. I hear the scraping noise of the key turning in the lock, before the overwhelming silence of the cellar comes back in full force.

I'm thankful I'm alive, and yet, for how much longer?