Breaking the Chains

Chapter 2

Saturday July, 1st 2035

    Things around here are relatively calm on Saturdays.  Phoenix is officially my new roommate since Taryn is “missing”. Phoenix is relatively friendly and as expected nervous and scared. I talk to her and for once in my life feel like an actual girl. The other two arrivals Quest and Jax are roommates across the hall from me. I walk out of my room and head to lunch. Phoenix follows behind. Quest opens the door and he as well as Jax leaves as well. “I’m Quest Talon and this is my roommate Jax Vertigo, and you are….” Quest says extending a hand. “I’m Silver Dervile and this is Phoenix Marigal” I respond shaking his hand. Quest and Phoenix exchange hands as well. Jax just stands there looking at me puzzled.

   “Well shake her Jax” Quest tells him. “Ehh…. Pleased to make your acquaintance” He says awkwardly shaking my hand. As our hands touched I felt (and as cliché as this sounds) sparks. He pulled his hand away very fast and made his way to the cafeteria. “Good guy… but mysterious” Quest tells us and catches up to Jax. Phoenix and I exchange a quizzical look and follow. I push all thoughts of Jax out of my head. He was a distraction I couldn’t afford. Lunch at the institution was typical food filled with extreme flavors of… blandness. I stood on line and waited to get my food. The person in front of me turned around and then I saw it was Jax.

    My 5’4 frame had to look up at his 6’2 silhouette. I didn’t know his exact height but, I think my estimate was a good guess. “Any of the food good?” He asks me, run his hands through his hair. “Everything’s pretty tasteless” I tell him, feeling strangely shy. “Are you a vegetarian?” Jax inquires. “No” I say plainly feeling conscious of my medium build and bony body. “Ok… then, what you in here for?” He says. “What’s with all your questions?” I snap and he just turns around and grabs a ham sandwich. I grab my grill cheese and stomp to meet Phoenix at the table. Who did think he was asking me all those questions? A detective?

      I sit across from Phoenix and pick at my sandwich. I never met someone who got under my skin so fast. “You okay?” She asked me. “Just peachy” I muttered and finally ate since someone thinks I’m so skinny. I look up and across the room sits Quest and Jax. I stare at Jax longer than I should but, for some reason he stares back at me. I blink fast and look at Phoenix instead. The guards take everyone outside for some air. I could really use it, I think to myself. I sit on a bench looking at the ocean. Water is my favorite thing and makes me feel at home. Home, which is a place I’ve never known. I dream of the world behind the water, the chain fence and this damn place.

    Jax is leaning against a tree reading Shakespeare. Seriously, who is this guy? I muster enough courage to walk across to him. “Interesting choice…” I say, as he closes the book. “It was the only book in my room” He said looking bored. “What are you in here for? Where are you from?” I inquire. “Now whose asking all the questions” He says smirking and then walks away. Dinner approaches fast and I don’t know why food is all I think about. I as I walk into the dining hall I can tell something is off, and usually being off here is a good thing but not on a Saturday.

   I smell something cheesy and not made by the chef. I see an array of pizza boxes. Madame Kripke walks up to a brought in podium. “Patients, I present you with a special treat… PIZZA!” She bellows, beaming like she deserves a medal. The “patients” cheer and line up to be fed. What is going on I think? Phoenix grabs my hand and pulls me on line disturbing my thoughts. Quest and Jax are in front of us. “Pizza… the greatest invention ever” Quest says and Phoenix agrees high fiving him. As we all grab a mushroom slice, Phoenix makes a suggestion. “Come sit with us guys” She says cheerfully. Damn I think why is she so friendly? The boys follow and sit across from us. Jax plops down across from me.

      “So ladies… single or not?” Quest says between bites. Jax rolls his eyes and Phoenix nearly chokes. I remain unplaced. She looks at me and I look at her. “You tell first” I remark to him. I see Jax twitch his lips into a smile, though I wasn’t looking at his lips. “Single and ready to mingle” Quest says playfully. “Single” Phoenix and I both remark. We all look at Jax, who mutters single as well. “Four single people can have a lot of fun” Quest says smiling. Phoenix looks embarrassed by this talk; I’m rather annoyed by it though. “How old is everyone?” I ask trying to break the mounting silence.

  “17” Quest says, eating his slice. “16” Phoenix says and I say the same. “16, soon to be 17” Jax says. I didn’t realize he was that young as he seemed more like 20. The boys walk us to our room and Quest and Phoenix talk in a corner. Are they a thing? I wonder. Jax and I stand in silence until I almost trip on the rug. I expect him to laugh but instead he catches me before I fall. His hands are around my hips and for once I’m perplexed by a feeling I get. “Good night, Sil” He says to me and waves to Phoenix as he enters the room. Quest bids us ado and leaves as well. I open the door to room and I jump into bed. “What do you think of Quest?”She asks. “He’s a nice guy, I guess” Is my response, as I turn getting comfortable.

   “Yea he is…” She remarks. “You know you don’t have to feel bad about being attracted to Jax. Almost every girl is” She says next and turns to sleep. “I’m no-“I begin to say but I just sleep instead.  The thought of what Phoenix said festers in my mind all night. Its morning when I finally sleep.

Sunday July 2, 2035    I dress in a black tank top and a pair of very worn jeans. Phoenix dresses very girly, in a pink top with khakis. We head to breakfast where we find the guys sitting at our table. I grab a glass of cranberry juice and a muffin and join them. The guard comes by and drops off our medicine. I fold it into my napkin when no one’s looking. Maddox struts over and stands behind me. He leans in so close that I can feel his breathe on my ear. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jax staring at us with a look…. I won’t own to.  “They found a body, could be Taryns” He whispers into my ears and walks away. I shiver at the thought, and play with my food. The gang gets up and throws out their plates; I see their medicine tucked in their napkin too. Maybe these guys can help me after all, and then Quest looks at me and says “Single huh?” He chuckles as Jax looks somewhat angry. “Who’s Taryn?” I hear Phoenix say and I sit back down.