Code: 16B

Chapter Twenty

Twenty

    Violet was right about one thing, being drugged is definitely not fun. When I woke up, I had the most painful headache I’ve ever had. I’ve heard from enough movies and TV shows to know the feeling of being hung over, though I never thought I’d experience it like this. But I quickly realized that I was not where I should be. The room appeared to be too small, tall enough to fit Missy if she were here, but to me it felt claustrophobic. There was only one window, and when I looked out, I could only see some dumpsters and nearby trees, but nothing significant to identify where I am. I tried to recall what had happened, how I somehow wound up in this room, but nothing came up at first.

    I involuntarily moved my hand towards the back of my neck, and I could feel a little bump, and when I stupidly poked it, it stung. I couldn’t hold back my gasp of shock as the memory came back to me.

    I immediately wished that I could go back in time and prevent myself from liking Cyrus. If I haven’t got involved with him, none of this would’ve happened, and I wouldn’t be in this hellhole.

    “Good, you’re awake.” A voice said, and I cringed at how gravely it sounded. A man walked by the prison bars, but he looked more like he should be in a retirement home than working as a prison warden, or whatever it is he’s doing. It was just weird finding a man who could be someone’s grandfather working here.

    “Where am I?” I mumbled, too frightened to speak up in full volume, but I couldn’t keep the panic out of my tone.

    “Young lady, I should be more concerned with your survival if I were you.” The old man said.

    “What do you know?” I spat back, the anger already making itself present.

    I meant my statement as a rhetorical question, but I was more or less surprised when the old man answered my question. “ I may be old, but whenever Victor brings someone down here, their life expectancy is cut short.” His tone sounded sad, almost as if he regrets living down here.

    “Why are you here?” I asked unintentionally.

    “I’ve worked here for more than thirty years, and I’ve seen many things in my time.” The old man said, again the regret was still in his tone. “What’s your name young lady?” he asked, this time his tone was kind as his blue eyes appraised me through his spectacles.

    “Amanda.” I said as I held out my hand through the bars.

    “You can call me Gramps.” The old man said as he shook my hand firmly.

    “Gramps, why do you work here?” I asked after he released my hand, and I couldn’t hide the curiosity in my tone.

    He waved my question away. “Why don’t you tell me how you ended up here, Amanda? It’s would be a lot better than hearing an old man’s stories.” He said as he went and grabbed a near by chair, and placed it by the cell door.

    I hesitated at first, unsure whether if he’s serious, but when he takes a seat and faces me with an open expression, I immediately launched into my story from the beginning.

    “That was interesting?” Gramps said after I basically told him my life story.

    I just shrugged my shoulders, feigning nonchalance.

    “What I meant is that it’s a better story than the last person who was here.” Gramps added with a tentative smile. “She seemed nice, but she never said a word. I don’t know what happened to her, but I’d bet my salary that her life now is not as great is used to be.”

    “She’s alive?” I asked incredulously.

    Gramps’ expression became thoughtful for a moment, and all the while he mumbled. “She might be alive, or she’s dead. Too many people came in here, and sometimes they’re just a blur to me.”

    “Great.” I moaned in defeat as I turned towards the window, not feeling much up to talking to Gramps anymore.

    “Don’t worry, I won’t tell Victor about our conversation.” Gramps said.

    I turned around to face him, and his old crinkled face showed nothing but honesty, but I was still hesitant. For all I knew, he could be a traitor. “Why did you make me tell you that?” I asked, and I made an effort to keep the anger out of my tone.

    Gramps’ only response was when he smiled and said, “Well, in my age, you never know when your time may come. I usually make the most out of each day, and that means striking up conversations with people who come here. Even if they’re going to die.”

    Right now, I felt guilty for even thinking that he could be a traitor. I sat down on the floor, not caring whether if it’s dirty or not, and looked up at him like a child when it’s story time. But my expression didn’t look happy, or expectant.

    “Don’t worry,” Gramps’ voice snapped me out of my reverie. “If that boy loves you, he’ll come for you.”

    “Thanks.” I said with a slight smile that didn’t touch my eyes.

    Then, the sound of a door opening caused Gramps to stand, and place the chair back where he found it. “Pretend to sleep, and don’t say a word.” Gramps whispered urgently.

    I obeyed quickly as I climbed on top of the mattress, and curled up into a ball. I remembered to stay very still as I listened to the two men having their conversation.

    “How is she?” the first voice asked, he sounded concerned, but it there was more anger. I immediately recognized it, and did my best not to cringe.

    “She hasn’t waked up yet Victor. I think you put too much drugs in those darts.” Gramps’ voice said, this time I could hear the worry in his gravely voice.

    I heard a sigh of frustration, and I could tell that it was coming from Victor. “How do I know your not lying old man?” I could hear the anger in his tone.

    “If I’m lying, I’m dying.”

    There was a long pause, and I almost wanted to roll over on the bed to see what’s going on, but I refused to move not one muscle. I just stayed in a fetal position, and listened with all of my concentration, hoping that Victor would leave as soon as possible. I also began wishing that I’d know where Missy is, and wishing I’d know if she’s okay. I also wished I knew some way to escape.  I also wished I knew where I was, that way I’d call for help. At one point, I even wished that Cyrus were here.

    “Fine.” Victor snapped. “Just make sure you let me know when she wakes up. My plan won’t work unless she’s awake.” He added angrily, and I could hear the sound of his footfalls growing fainter. They didn’t fade until I heard the slamming of a door.

    I still didn’t move, even when Gramps said, “He’s gone now.” I felt too frightened to move from my small little ball.

  I didn’t know how long I stayed in my little ball, but it felt like five minutes when my back began to ache and my eyes were already dry. So I hesitantly sat upright, and I look by the cell door, and I see that Gramps is still there, reading an old book.

    When the bed did a little squeak, he looked up. “Thank goodness your alive. I thought you suddenly keeled over on me after he left.”

    I just sighed, still not in the mood to talk. But Gramps didn’t seem like the one to stay quiet. “You say that you’re an actress?” he asked, and his wrinkled face showed true curiosity.

    “Yeah,” I mumbled. “Why do you care?”

    “Like I told you before Amanda, I like to chit chat.” Gramps said with an easy going smile. “But I know one thing, you can’t pretend to be asleep forever.” He added with worry.

    “It doesn’t matter, I think I know what’s going to happen next.” I said, and I could hear the hopelessness in my voice. I knew what would happen, no matter what, Victor would stop at nothing to get that chip, even if it means that if has to kill Missy, and/or me.

    I had a feeling that he would lean toward killing me, and it was a strong feeling.