Shatter You

Chapter One

Elise's Perspective:

We've been locked up here for 264 days. 

I only know that because of McKell, who scratches a new tally onto the wall for every day that's passed. Although, I never check to make sure it's accurate. In a place like this, time slips away, along with all meaning. 

I look around the small room, just big enough for the two of us. Our beds are kept on opposite sides. There's a small desk pressed against the wall, parallel to the wide-open door where the solider stands. McKell is sitting on her bed, watching the wall with the tally like it might suddenly change and she doesn't want to miss it. I sit in the corner, facing the guard, unable to do anything but sit. 

"You're getting another roommate," he says to us. "For good behavior." 

His words sound more like a joke than anything else. What will happen if we protest?  I wonder. How can they tell we're on good behavior when they're never around to observe us? When no one's around to be good to?  I don't want another roommate, and though I can't speak for McKell, I'm certain she doesn't want one either. The space is already too tight with two people; I can't imagine what it will feel like with a third. We've never enjoyed talking to people, even when we were outside of these cold, concrete walls. 

I stand up, tugging on the sleeves of my dark sweater, begging them to keep me warm. I let my body fall onto my hard bed. I curl up, pulling the tattered old blanket over my head, and I fall into a fitful sleep. 

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When I open my eyes, the first thing I notice is McKell, who is already awake. She's always been a lighter sleeper than I. The second thing I notice is the boy, who can't be much older than us, standing in the middle of the tiny room with his tattooed arms folded over his chest. The third thing I notice is that our small desk has been replaced with another barely usable bed. 

"I want the bed," he says, gesturing in my direction. He wants my bed. I sleepily stand up, walking back to the safety of my corner. I sit there, huddling to try and keep warm on these frozen floors. 

"Both beds," he says, this time louder. McKell, who seems a bit more hesitant than me, grabs her pillow and blanket and curls up in the corner opposite mine. Neither of us say a word. Neither of us are willing to speak to this stranger. 

"Mine!" The boy says, snatching the pillow from McKell. He then rips her blanket from her. He grabs my bed and moves it closer to the other. He then grabs his bed, which is between me and McKell, and moves it so it's attached to the other beds. It leaves a tiny walkway on the right side of the room, but it'll still make it difficult to leave. 

"So, you guys are—what? Insane? Is that why you're here?" He asks, slumping down on all three of our beds. When he doesn't get a response, he laughs, saying, "I'm not going to hurt you."

 I look up at McKell whose eyes are glued to the floor. Then I look up at the boy. If they had to make us stay with a boy, he could have at least been cute. 

"Yes. We're insane," I say, my face blank of any emotion.