Just A Number

Fears and Tears

The day started to pass by, though I couldn’t tell what time it actually was. My room had no windows, and I didn’t have enough energy to look at the clock.

I was shivering. Not from the cold, but from fear.

Nightmares floated around in my head of what they might do to me once I was caught.

Would Nathan protect me? If he truly loved me, he wouldn’t let anyone touch me.

The door creaked slowly open. Pink stood in the doorway.

“Are you ready, Hayley? I told every girl here, they all agreed.” She whispered, though we were the only ones in my room.

Dr. Collins hadn’t been back even once to check on me.

“I guess so.” I gulped.

Pink crouched down to where I sat and wrapped her pale arms around me.

“I wish we could have known each other longer. You really are inspiring, you know.” She spoke softly. I could tell she was holding back tears.

“I’ll miss you Pink.” A single tear ran down my face. I quickly wiped it away. This was no time to be losing control of my emotions.

As we headed outside of the room, Pink spoke one last time. “I’ll see you again someday. Hopefully soon.”

I didn’t respond. I wasn’t as optimistic as Pink. I feel that my days are numbered.

We walked to the cafeteria where all of the girls were having a late night dinner. It was 8:00 exactly, just dark enough so that nobody could see far away.

Every girl wore a determined look on her face.

When they noticed Pink and I walking in, they started whispering to each other.

This may be the last meal I ever have.

I scooped up some potatoes, grabbed a piece of chicken, and poured a glass of tea. Sighing, I looked around the lunchroom. All eyes were on me.

Pink and I sat alone at first, but soon we had girls asking us a thousand questions.

Some of them got answered, while others did not.

Hey, I had to eat!

After finishing our satisfying meals, we all began walking down the long hallway.

Pink, at the beginning of the line, peeked out into the hallway. No man was there. She signaled that the coast was clear.

Finally, we stood in a pile at the door that I had opened before.

Now, Pink stood next to me, patting my back and reassuring, “It’ll be fine. I promise.”

A tall girl held the handle of the door and counted with her fingers.

I thought my heart would explode before she got to three.

One… She held a single finger up.

Two…My hand went to my chest as it fluttered uncontrollably.

Three…! The handle flew open, along with the door and the crowd of girls rushed to the outside.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t hear the alarm. I knew it was going off because the women were holding their ears.

Pink, now the last in line, fled to the door.

We both turned our heads just as a man shouted, “Hey!”

Pink tried to run, but stumbled on a step. She tried to catch herself as she was falling, but failed to.

I ran to help her up.