We're Broken People

Chapter Nine

"What?" My eyes bore into the small man in front of me. His eyes, unwavering, stared back, a slightly joyful look to them. The pen he was holding stopped moving in his hand, awaiting a new speech to write down. He was waiting for a better response.

"Miss Parker?" The doctor lightly asked.

My brain started processing again. Words formed in my lips as I excitedly spoke them aloud.

"How would you get me out?" I didn't question why, I just knew I had to get out as fast as I could.

"Those details come later, right now I need your complete trust." He began shuffling the papers. "Your 'friend' Xavier, did you meet him here?"

"Yes," I began even though I saw no relation to the topic, "we met in the break room about 5 months ago. Why?"

"He will come, too." Jones hurriedly answered. No reasoning followed his decision, only a silent nod.

"Do I... Do I tell him? Or will you be meeting with him?"

"Tell him. Tonight if possible." He stood up, the metal chair screeching in the concrete room. "Goodbye, Miss Parker. I will be meeting you again soon." Doctor Jone's footsteps echoed behind him as he left me alone in the cell. My mind raced.

....

Xavier's hand traced small hearts on my arm as I sat next to him. After telling him about the escape, nothing left his lips. He just started drawing shapes into my arm, a method of calming himself down.

"We are leaving, Xavier. You can be home and safe again." I tried meeting his eyes, but that sparkling green abyss was shadowed by bangs. He remained steady and silent.

With all that we went through - the tests, nightmares, and horrors - I would've thought his views had changed on leaving the asylum. He still asked me if it was time to fly away, and now I have my answer. We can fly away together and live out our weird lives in peace if we go with the doctor. I don't have to leave him.

"Gwen," his voice low and rushed, "I want to leave. I want to fall in love with you and live out normal lives. But I -"

My hand hit his with a loud smack. A red mark formed at the spot I connected with him and he stopped.

"Fly away right now. Right now with me. Let's go." I pulled back his hand with ferocity and we bounded towards the edge of the roof. My breath caught.

Five stories up and it was beautiful. A cold concrete slab laid underneath us, haunting the images forming in my brain, but the sky was alight with bursts of color. A fiery red formed around the setting sun, casting purple and blues around the horizon. Clouds gently floated in the sky; birds swept down back to their nests to sleep.

As I stood there, gazing at the portrait perfect night, the beauty slowly crashed down around me like a shattered window. The world was peaceful and unbroken, yet here I was, a sliver under society's fingernail. I am a pestering wound, unfit to the world around me. I am broken.

Xavier held my hand tightly while staring down at our demise. The concrete now looked monstrous. My breaths came short, and my feet began slipping off the roof. Only inches away from death.

"Gwen," Xavier's hand tightened, "What the hell are we doing? We can't just jump like this. We have to wait until the time is right." His eyes pleaded to me as I looked at him. Creases formed around his eyes, his mouth softened, and a single word formed on his lips.

"Don't."

I cautiously step back from the edge, only to stop the saddened look on his face. Immediately, Xavier's smile returns and he begins talking again as if nothing ever happened.

"What tests do you have tomorrow?" He asked.

"Umm... Blood work I think." I softly stated. I attempted to listen to his answer, but my attention was somewhere else. Across the lot, by the gate, a single bird flew. It was a raven, pure black and glistening in the fading sunlight. The bird soared without a care and lifted itself among the few trees. This animal was not caged, it was free.

I am a caged bird who has pain and misery. Why do I need to stay here? Why do I need to be taken care of? Why can't I be free?

The thoughts dwindled in my brain until the stars shone brightly against the midnight sky. Xavier was now silent, but I could tell by his actions we needed to leave. Time passed quickly until I was back in my cell. Awaiting the Shadows to overcome me once more.

....

A young girl sat by a raging fire. Her hair whipped in the wind, and tears streamed down her face. Inside the house she heard screams. Gut-wrenching screams. The girl stared at the cascade of horror, unaware of what to do. Her mind tried to protect her from what see was seeing, but it was no use. Images ripped through her brain, images of hate and fear. Yet, from where she was, she was safe from harm. That was until the darkness came to her.

I watched my nightmare unfold, the corners rounding out and my pain coming loose. I couldn't do anything but gaze in terror.

The girl tried running away from the magnificent beast, but it had overcome her. She sat and waited for the end to come, but her grief continued. Tears were now unstoppable and abundant. Dirt around her slowly turned to mud as her frozen figure stood dying. Her thoughts beat her brain till she was a shriveled shell, alone and afraid. Nothing could stop the sorrow. Nothing could stop the Shadows.