The Parables

Eila - Precinct Six

Eila - Precinct Six

My eyelids begin to batter, and whilst slightly cracking open, I become exposed to an unfamiliar sight. Frowning, it takes me a few moments before I realise where I am and what I'm doing. Breathing a sigh of relief, I haul the duvet off my legs and bring my knees up to my chest, resting my chin on my kneecaps. It must be something like six in the morning; there's little light coming from the windows...

My thoughts trail off as I look around the room and see the walls lacking panes of glass giving me a glimpse of the outside world. Dim beams of sunlight filter through a narrow slit in the doorway, creeping across the carpet like a thief sneaking into a building. Running a hand through my hair, I let out a sigh then swing my legs over the side of the bed and drop onto the ground. Opening the en suite door, I head inside and lock it behind me.

Peeling off my clothes, I slip into the shower and turn the dial, releasing a surge of hot water that hammers down onto my shoulders. Steam rises up into the air, clogging up the glass walls. Letting out a sigh, I feel the tension in me dissipate, and it's quickly replaced with a feeling of calm as I forget all my troubles briefly. Taking a bar of floral-scented soap off a miniature shelf, I scrub my body with it, then wash off the suds.

Leaning against the glass, I slide my back down against it and sit down on the sodden floor. Stroking my hair, I sigh and gaze at the reflection of myself in the opposite glass wall.

Putting the knife down on the table, I I run down the hallway and burst into a bedroom. My twin sister, Emmii, is sat up in her bed, screaming. I move over to her and sit down in front of her. I put my arms around her and hold her tightly against my chest. She buries her face in my shirt.

"Shhh, it's alright," I soothe, stroking her hair. "You're alright. Nobody is going to get you."

"I was...in the...Labyrinth, again," Emmii stammers, sobbing. "There was...a...a monster...and it was...going to....eat me." I hold her tight, feeling her body quivering against my chest.

"There's no monster," I whisper to her. "You're safe."

Gasping, my eyes widen in horror and I thrash my legs out, pressing my back up against the wall as I try to scramble to my feet. Just as quickly as it came to me, my body freezes then I slump back down to the floor, my breathing becoming long, deep gulps of air. I'd do anything to protect Emmii, but now I'm a million miles away from her, I can't help her anymore.

And that feeling of helplessness is tearing me apart.

A single tear slides down my cheek and I smile sadly at my reflection in the glass, the water from the shower raining down upon me like a storm cloud sobbing. Standing up, I cut the water's flow short and climb out of the shower. Seizing a towel, I tie it around my body and head back into my sleeping quarters for a fresh pair of clothes.

As I close the en suite door quietly, a knock at the other door grabs my attention. Frowning, I walk over to the door, my heart rate quickening at every step. Biting my lip, my hand encloses around the brass knob. Taking a deep breath, I plaster a wide smile on my face and pull the door open. Standing before me is Nepeta, dressed in a black blouse and black skirt.

"Morning Emmii." She smiles broadly at me. "How are you this morning?"

"I...I'm good," I reply, cheerfully.

"Good." Nepeta nods her head at me. "Anyway, I just came to tell you that when you get dressed, make sure you wear a light blue dress or a light blue blouse and a black skirt."

"O...okay."

"Breakfast will also be ready soon, " Nepeta adds. "So if you're hungry, you better hurry up."