The Darkness of The Light

Changing

I reluctantly pull myself out of the warm embrace of sleep, blinking to adjust to waking up in the light. The clock beside the bed reads eight o' clock in bright lights. I take in my surroundings, anxiety overtaking me when I can't find Thomas anywhere in the room. I glance back at the clock, spotting a paper folded next to it. I pull myself to sit up on the edge of the bed, stretching my arms and filling my lungs with the air surrounding me, before releasing a loud, content yawn. My hand finds itself on the note, unfolding it, "Sarah- saw your name on a computer screen in the house! Ran out real quick, be back around eight fifteen." I twiddle my thumbs as I wait for him to return. I'm not quite sure what else to do. At exactly eight fifteen, Thomas walks back through the door.

"Glad to see that you're well rested." He smiles. For the first time since seeing him, he looks relaxed. He crosses the room, plopping down a few feet away from me on the bed, "I got you something." He hands me a plastic bag, and I look inside, excitement nearly making my hands shake. Inside is a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush, some clothes and some shoes. A feeling of sheer joy fills me and without thinking, I find myself hugging Thomas with all my might. This action results in a moment of uncomfortable silence, broken only when I awkwardly shuffle off to the bathroom to use all of these new goodies.

For the first time in years, I can feel bristles untangling my long, unruly hair, and the minty taste of toothpaste chilling my taste buds. It's a miracle my teeth are still white. I rummage around, finding some deodorant in the drawer of the bathroom, and roll it on. I can vaguely remember my mother discussing the importance of this product with me as a child. Only now, after spending my entire life in the dark, do I appreciate it. I slip on an outfit I put together from the clothes I was given, consisting of a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans, which I find to be unbelievably comfortable. I strut out of the bathroom, confidence skyrocketing as I pull on the sneakers, "How'd you know what sizes I wear?"

He chuckles as he sees me, "I'm a really good guesser. Just let me go get ready, and we'll go."