One Bright Spot

Chapter 15

Teddy:

I ransack my room quickly, grabbing this and that. I stuff the random articles of clothing (that I'm pretty sure don't go together) into a duffel bag that I had discovered on the shelf in my closet. I make sure to put the photos of my parents and my best friend and dog in between some of the shirts, to protect them. I also put my Bible and devotions book on the top; both of which I have neglected since my first night here. I feel bad because of my neglect, but I'm sure God understands.

I zip up the duffel and slip my phone into my back pocket. Then I walk over to the window and inspect it. It is a sheet of glass with moving images such as what you would expect to see being five floors up and looking down upon everything. Small cars drive by and people sit at the outdoor cafe across the road, chatting and laughing with friends while others bustle by with dogs or small children or shopping bags. Very clever. One would never think to try and open the window, because, really, when have you ever seen an open window on a skyscraper? The building is so comfortably air conditioned, it would not cross your mind to try.

Anger surges through me and before I know what I'm doing, I punch the window. The glass shatters and falls down the narrow space in between the building and the shaft. My eyes widen in disbelief. There is a small tunnel that leads from my window back into the dark. Every fiber of my being wants to follow it; see where it leads and possibly get out of here, but Ethan calls through the door, "Christal, is everything all right in there?"

I freeze, afraid to make a sound. My breath is caught in my throat.

"Christal?" Ethan calls again, his voice filled with concern.

I snap out of it, thinking quickly, "Yeah, I'm fine! Don't come in! I knocked over a lamp and there's glass everywhere." I quickly, but quietly shut the curtains to hide the hole I had just created. I go over to my night stand and pick up the lamp. I lay it on the floor, and take a few pieces of glass that had landed on the window seat and scatter them around it, hoping no one looks too closely at the scene.

I pick up my duffel and, casting one last glance over at the curtained window, I go to my door. I open it just enough to slip out, but not enough for Ethan to get a good look inside. I silently promise myself that I will come back later to explore the tunnel.

Ethan is standing outside the door, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah! I just bumped it with my elbow. I can be a bit of a klutz", I laugh what I hope is a convincing laugh. "Let me just get a few things for Carmila, though I have no idea what she would need." Stop it or your going to make him suspicious, I tell myself.

I go into Carmila's room, but leave the door open so I can hear if Ethan goes into my room. There is a similar duffel bag in Carmila's closet. I pull a few things from each of her dresser drawers and some random things off of hangers and shove them into it. I look through her night stand for anything that might look like a treasured possession. I find her phone and a single photograph of a younger Carmila smiling in between two older faces; her grandparents, maybe? The side pocket is just big enough for it, so I put it in there to keep it from getting bent up. I am about to close the drawer when something catches my eye. It is a ring. A simple band with a small diamond attached att the top. Inside the band is engraved "Love Mom and Daddy" and "Happy Sweet 16, Baby Girl." This is definitely a treasured item; it is in pristine condition. I slip it in with the picture and zip the pocket.

I carry both duffels back out to the living room. Ethan is sitting on the couch arm rest. He stands when I enter, "Got everything you need?"

"I think so", I reply.

He offers to carry one of the duffels, so I hand him Carmila's. I follow him out and back to the elevator in silence.

Ethan:

We get off on my floor. "I apologize ahead of time for the mess", I say.

Christal shrugs, "Nothing I'm not used to. My best friend's room always looks like it exploded." She lets out a quiet laugh.

"Let me make sure my roommate's decent." I open up the door and poke my head in. Teddy is sprawled on the couch, snoring in his sweat pants. "Teddy", I hiss. "Wake up. We have company."

"Who?" he mumbles.

"A girl from my class. Would you mind putting on a shirt?"

"Why? You afraid she'll take one look at me and forget about you?" he jokes.

"No, I'm afraid she'll take one look at you and run away screaming", I joke back. I hear Christal chuckle softly behind me.

"Your words hurt, man", but he sits up and pulls a shirt over his head anyway.

I open the door fully and let her past me. Teddy is fully awake now as his eyes land on her. "Hello", he says dragging out the 'o'. I roll my eyes. Teddy is a real ladies' man.

"Hi", she replies noncommittally.

"I'm Teddy", he says as he takes her hand and leans down to kiss the back of it.

"So I heard", she says, her cheeks turning slightly crimson. She flicks her eyes over to me in a silent question, but I can't quite read them.

"Teddy, cut it out. She's only here for a few minutes while I pack some of my things", I tug her back towards me and out of his grasp.

"I'm not that bad of a roommate, am I?"

"No", I hesitate. "They're just moving me." I feel bad for lying to him, but I don't know what I should reveal to him.

"Why is she here then?"

I have no answer. Christal puts her hand on my arm, "Ethan, it's okay. You can tell him."

"Tell him what?" Teddy asks curiously.

Christal takes a deep breath, "Long story short, everyone in this building are prisoners and Ethan and I are part of the group that's going to rescue them."

"I want in", he says automatically.

"What? No way! Someone could get killed!" I protest.

"Then why are you going?"

"Because, um, well", my eyes flick over to Christal.

"Uh - huh. Well, if you're going, then I'm definitely going."

I huff, "Fine. You can come and meet the guy in charge, but it's up to him whether or not you go as part of the team."

"Deal. There's no way I'm letting you have all of the fun", he throws a playful wink at Christal. She rolls her eyes.

"Go throw a few things together and meet me back out here in five", I tell him.

"Make it less than that. We're pushing out hour time limit. Kota's going to go berserk", Christal pipes. up.

Teddy and I bump fists as we go off to our rooms. "Right. Have a seat, if you can find a place", I tell her. I close my door and make quick work of the task at hand.