Broken

5: 'Candy Land'

Quote: I can and I will.

I stumble over another rock. But this time, I don't fall to the ground. I smile another sheepish smile to Tay as I rub the sand off my arms, from the previous times I fell. We have been walking for an hour, in the middle of nowhere. I look around to see if my surroundings have changed. A half hour ago, I would have sighed and continued to walk, but not this time. I suck in a breath as I look at the giant building in front of us.

The old brick building sits in front of us casually. It's tall and wide.
"Jeff," Tay says, "where's the entrance?"
Jeff's mouth curls into a smile and gives us a curt nod, "You'll see."
As we get closer, I notice that seven bricks are coloured different from the other bricks. Blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, pink and brown. Jeff approaches the bricks and taps each brick in a certain order, finishing with a red brick. Suddenly, the bricks move to create a small opening. The next layer is a simple, old wooden door. As Jeff opens the door, it looks like it'll crumble into pieces.
"Ladies first!" Jeff says, waving his hand out mockingly.
Tay and I exchange a quick glance, then I move through the opening, smiling back.

"Sherry!" Jeff calls out.
My eyes wonder around the facility. I stand on a hard, silver metal floor. White walls, with very few windows, surround us. Men and women around, some in white lab coats, suits or casual clothing.
"What now, Jeff?" A middle aged women in a navy blue suit approaches us. She has dark hair wrapped tightly in a firm bun. She wears a tired and indifferent expression; the edges of her lips tugged down, hooked nose and eyes stare far away.
"I got them, why don't you show them around?" Jeff says.
"Why don't you?" Sherry snaps.
"It's your job."
"I have many-"
"I did my job, now it's your turn! I don't understand why-"
"Don't interrupt me! You-"
"I can say whatever I want, whenever I want, your certainly not my boss!"
Sherry opens her mouth, but closes it, scanning him, deciding not to argue.
"Follow me." She says to Tay and I, in a stern voice. I glance at Jeff before I leave, who shrugs.

"Welcome to 'Candy Land!'" Sherry says, in her usual bored voice.
"Candy Land?" I ask.
"I-" Sherry shrugs, "Whatever, you'll get it later."
She leads us down another hallway that looks almost just like the others. Almost. But this time, two boys around the same age as us lean on a wall on our left. Turn left. Turn left. Turn left. Oh, please turn left! And Sherry turns left. Yes! I scan the boys as we get closer. One has has tan skin, short dark hair, and brilliant blue eyes. The other has paler skin, blond hair, and dark, innocent eyes. I stare closely into those dark eyes. Something is tugging me closer, I fall into his arms and-

I meet reality; my face rubs against the ground. I quickly get to my feet, ignoring Tay smirking at me.
"You," Sherry points to Tay, "you are assigned to Aidan."
Tay goes to stand beside the dark haired boy, Aidan. Good, I get the hotter one.
"And you'll be assigned to Toby. But before you get started, go get your wounds fixed up first. Toby will be around." Sherry stares at Tay, then Aidan, Toby, then me. Her stare turns into a glare when it reaches me, then walks away, careless.

***

I walk into a large dark room. Walls, floors and ceiling, all black. In the corner of the room, lays a couple of bins, some have paintball guns, pistols, fold up dummies, bullets, paintballs, targets and boxing gloves.

Toby closes the door behind me. The stitches in my shoulder and thigh, fell new to me. But I have other things to worry about now.
"So your name is... Jordyn?" Toby asks in his clear voice.
"You can call me Jo." I reply flatly.
"Jo?" He nods slowly, "Interesting name."
We say nothing for a few minutes, staring at the ground.
"So... Let's get started. Do you know how to use a gun?" He asks.
"No, never even touched one." I scratch the back of my head.
"That's why I'm here," He smiles, "Grab a pistol."

I think you all know what will come soon; a kiss! Spoilers for the next chapter;) but it won't be with who you think :D Thanks for reading!

Tara <3