The Other Side

15 | imbroglio

I land on the hard ground with a thud. I glance around to get my bearings. I see dreary plain black walls. I continue to look around and find the mirror that I had first used to teleport. Just as I look at the mirror all my memoriesy come flooding back. I suddenly remember that Everly is in trouble and I need to get back to her as soon as I can. My eyes automatically go to the chronometer on my wrist. The big black numbers flash on the thin piece of metal.

I had been gone for three days. Which makes me wonder has anyone really noticed that I was gone? I wasn't close with very many people. People just didn't seem to like me. Everly was the first person who actually became a close friend of mine. I had never really cared because I had never known what it felt like to actually have a friend. Now that I have experienced what it's like I sort of wish I had someone who would worry about me.

I shake myself out of my reverie. I look down at my clothing and realize that I need to change. No one here wears clothing that isn't state issued. And the clothing is always white never black or grey. I walk out of the wretched room and walk down the hallway to a closet that I know stores old clothing. Even though the clothing was supposed to be for the patients who used to stay here and would look strange to anyone who saw me it would have to do. Although nothing would be as weird as me walking in town in a black jacket and navy blue pants. Plus no one should be out at this time of night. Unless one of the caretakers are coming home from a night shift.

I put on the clothing and exit the old building. I walk down the street and watch to make sure that I don't see anyone. When I finally get back to my apartment I quietly sneak back into my apartment. Hoping not to wake up my assigned roommate. Everyone has at least one roommate we can choose ourselves and if we don't choose then one is assigned.

I lie down in bed without bothering to change. I stare up at the plain white ceiling as the moon filters in through the window lighting part of the room. I can't seem to fall asleep. My brain just continues to attempt to process what had just happened. To make myself feel better I start thinking of a plan that I will initiate as soon as I wake up.

The first step would be packing a bag of some sort with all the supplies we will need. For example water and food since I don't really know when the next time someone will offer us food is going to be, if we are on the run from the government. I will also bring a sweater so I am prepared for the severe weather changes. And to keep myself safe I will bring one of the kitchen knifes. It won't help protect me as much as I want it too but it will help. These things among others will be brought with me to the other world.

The next step would be to get back to my sanctuary and get through that portal. Although first I must change into those clothes that Everly allowed me to borrow, not that she's going to be getting them back. As soon as I make the jump I need to find Orion. He's the only one who's going to know what happened with Everly after I left. After this thought my mind starts to drift and when I finally fall asleep I sleep heavily and dreamlessly.

❋❋❋❋

The next morning I get up and pack my bag for the long journey I'm about to go on. I enter the kitchen in a new set of clothing and make myself a filling breakfast. With a sandwich with peanut butter as well as orange juice and cereal. While I am gorging on my food my roommate, Lizzie comes into the room.

"Oh your back. I didn't think you'd come back. I thought you had finally had enough with our system and had finally left." Lizzie was the closest person I had to a friend, not that I would tell her that. I had never been very nice to her, I'm rarely ever nice to anyone. She was the only person I could let my frustrations out on. She didn't judge me she just listened to what I had to say.

"No I just needed some time to myself. And I won't be staying for long I still have to deal with some important things." I know I can't tell Lizzie the reason and I also know she won't ask anymore questions. That's what I love about Lizzie she knows when not to ask questions and that she wouldn't get the answers either way.

"Where your going is it cold?" Lizzie asks teasingly. I know she doesn't really expect an answer and I don't give one. I look down at the sweater that I'm wearing and then at Lizzie's short sleeve and thin pants. Her hair is tied up in a ponytail to keep her cool. I now realize that my plan to wear my sweater during my walk through the city wouldn't be smart and would attract a lot of attention.

"Haha very funny Lizzie." I reply.

"Anyways I'm going to go to school now. Am I going to see you there?" Schools supposed to be important but with Everly in trouble nothing seems more important than saving her. And I'm going to save her.

"No not today. I dont think Ill be back until next week. Don't miss me to much." Her ivory eyes twinkle as she laughs before grabbing her stuff and heading for the door. I sit in silence and go over the next part of my plan. Suddenly I hear a loud knock on the door. Lizzie must have forgotten something. I walk over to the door and pull it open, revealing Orion standing proudly on the other side. "What are you doing here you're not supposed to be here." I usher him inside for the fear of someone seeing him.

"Yeah I had to find you before you came up with some big plan to go save Everly. Because it's not going to happen, it's dangerous and you can get hurt or worse killed." Why was he suddenly so caring?

"Well it's too late now because I already have a plan and you're just in time to help me." I still need Orion he may know about the same amount of information but he still knows more about his own world. The only thing stopping me now was Orion who I still had to convince to come with me.

"Ambria you may think that you are helping Everly by going back, but you're not. She'll be better off if you stay away. They won't find enough proof she will serve a small time instead of the worse alternative and life will be back to the way it should be."

"Orion you don't understand she is my only friend-" I grumble, not believing that Orion expects me to just sit around and allow Everly to take the fall for me. "I will not continue to live my life as if none of this happened, as if I had never met her, as if Id never met you!" I exclaim my voice getting louder with each word that comes out of my mouth.

"Ambria I understand how you feel, more than you think. You don't seem to understand the trouble your in." Orion runs his hand through his hair in anxiety. "Ambria I just want to protect you. Please let me protect you." I watch the look of pain that covers his face.

"I'm sorry Orion I understand that you want to protect me-" I'm not yet sure why, but it doesn't matter much now. "-and it's nice to know that you care. But you need to allow me to protect and care about my friends." I honestly don't understand how my voice comes out so calm, while my mind rages within.

"Fine I can clearly see when my fight is over. The only way Ill be able to to protect you know is if I help you. So you said you had a plan?" Well that was a lot easier then I thought it would be. Problem is I dont have much of a plan after that.

"I didnt actually think I was going to get this far."