Shatter You

Chapter Eleven

Elise's Perspective:

I prepare for the worst imaginable possibilities I can. Being chained to a wall, dreaming of the next time they'll take me outside. Being tortured, no longer having the opportunity to shower, eating my can of mush cold and no longer having a window. But the reality was something I couldn't have imagined. 

Grander than anything I've ever seen. The manor is beautiful with its marble floors, fancy furniture and Persian rugs that look so soft I want to roll around on them. I feel the warm embrace of the heater right away, flowing in from the vents. The smell of actual food welcomes me at the entrance. I look up at the crystal chandeliers and wonder if I've ever seen anything so beautiful in my life. Suddenly I can't move, afraid that if I keep walking it'll all disappear and I'll be back in my cramped room, dreaming of a place better than just the outside world. 

"McKell," Alex says, snapping my thoughts back to reality. I look at Alex whose eyes are fixated on McKell and her reaction to this whole place. She looks just as amazed as I feel. 

"What is this!?" She says, angry. Her eyes narrow in on Alex, who takes in a steady breath. "You just brought us here for what!? To mock us? To show us what we're missing out on!? To punish us further!? To break us so thoroughly, we have no choice but to be your weapon of mass destruction!?" 

"McKell, please." Alex says, placing a hand on her cheek that she slaps away. 

"No!" McKell backs away, putting as much space between her and Alex as she can. We're standing just past the front door, definitely not alone. There are solders placed strategically around the room, eyes fixated on me, McKell, and Alex. He sighs, then picks up McKell effortlessly. 

"Put me down!" She shouts, but he ignores her, walking away. I'm quick to follow, trying my best to keep up with Alex and pry McKell out of his arms. 

Soon we reach a door and he scans a card that allows him to enter. He finally puts McKell down and shuts the door behind us. I look around in amazement. It's a bedroom, a wonderful bedroom with two actual beds. They're both big and look soft and luxurious and comfortable. 

"You'll be staying here for a while, I think." He thinks? I look to McKell who looks around like this has to be some sort of dream, but we both know it's not. If it were, Alex would be far away from the both of us.

"We'd like to be left alone," I say, walking past Alex so I'm standing in between him and McKell. 

"That's not an option." 

"What do you mean it's not an option?" I ask, crossing my arms. 

"I mean I have to watch you both. Warden wants you to understand what he's offering you but you're both still considered. . . dangerous. He made you my assignment. I can't leave." Dangerous. He's right about that. 

"You're staying here, with us?" I ask, starting to feel very uncomfortable. 

"Yes. I'll be moving in." 

"There's only two beds," McKell points out, not looking amused. 

"They're big beds. We can share," he says to McKell. 

"Absolutely not." She responds, disgust written all over her face. 

"I hope for your sake you have a blanket and a pillow because you'll be sleeping outside next to the door," I say. 

"But-" 

"Or you can stay in here and we can show you exactly what we're capable of." 

"Fine," he grumbles. "But you have to get dressed. There's a bathroom through that door." He points, "You can change and shower there. It's the only place with no cameras. You can find clean clothes in there." He points to an armoire. 

"Fine. You can leave now," McKell says. 

"I have to make sure you get ready. Warden's expecting us for dinner-" 

"Well, we're not getting ready with you in here, so you can either wait in the hall or face the consequences when Warden sees you show up to dinner with us looking like this." 

"Fine, fine." He throws his hands up in defeat. 

Only after he leaves do his words sink in. 

"He is expecting us... for dinner?" McKell whispers.

"He's going to give us food," I say, astonished. Real food. I look at McKell and we both quickly run to the armoire. There are so many dresses and pants and shirts. We both pick out something nice to change into, then take turns showering. The warm water and fresh soap are like none other. It makes me wonder why I was ever grateful for the showers at the insane asylum.