Never The End

Chapter 34 - The Room

"Morning, beautiful." Jason's voice was comforting in comparison to the rush and noise of the train. "We're here."

I was dazed so could hardly contemplate responding. The light of the train made me squint. I had a throbbing headache and I felt sick to my stomach. The previous sense of security and safety than I’d experienced were no longer present. I tried to stand but my legs buckled. A sharp, stabbing pain shot up my thigh, making me sit back down quickly. I shook my head at Jason, indicating that I couldn't move on my own.

“You can do it. Just let me help you. Lift you arm up.”

I did as I was told. I didn’t have the strength to argue.Jason held me under my armpit and lifted me gently, smiling at me. "You're doing really well." 

Leaning on Jason supplied me with enough support to hobble towards the train door. It hadn’t quite stopped moving so I still felt completely exposed and unstable. As I grinded to a sharp halt; I fell slightly as the motion stopped. Jason held me tight so I couldn’t fall. There were a few people also waiting to exit the train – everyone else was waiting in their seats until the crowd had died down. The man at the front pressed the button to open the door. Suddenly the crowd dispersed. I hopped gently off the train and onto steady ground. I winced as I was forced to jump slightly off the train. It felt good to have my feet on solid ground. Despite that moment of relief, I was very aware that we needed to get going - we were still wanted criminals. The concrete crunched under my feet as they scraped along it.

Looking around, I recognised nothing. It was pretty ordinary, sky high apartments towering above us, hundreds of bodies each on a personal mission to get somewhere; rubbish lining the grey pavement. Despite the fact it was identical to anywhere I'd ever been, it was so contrasting to everywhere I'd ever been. The physicality of the town was normal but the atmosphere wasn't.

Jason and I were both walking in silence, the tension was unbearable. He kept smiling at me but it was obviously forced. I stopped abruptly. “Jason where are we going?”

Jason wrapped his arm around me, partly for warmth, partly for support. He stayed slightly in front of me - he knew where we were going. “Wait and see.”

“Jason!”

"Close your eyes."

"Jason, I'm not in the mood, can we ju-"

He put his hand over my mouth and wiped my eyelids closed. "Just do it... I have a surprise for you."

I sighed hesitantly but did as I was instructed. It was disorientating as the uneven paving made me stumble. Sounds flooded all around me as my body was dragged softly away. I fumbled around with my hands, trying to grab onto something sturdy.

He put his arm in front of me. “We’re crossing a road so be quick. Wait... one second. Go!” He dragged me quickly. I could hear the sound of rushing traffic on either side of me. I winced each time a car honked their horn. “Get out of the road!” A voice yelled just behind me.

"Nearly there, just a few more steps! Ok, step up onto the pavement.”

My legs wobbled as I balanced on one leg long enough for me to step up to the pavement.

I giggled as he made a drum roll with his hands on my shoulders. "Ok... here we are. Wait! Don't open yet!" He made me take one more step forward.

"Open."