Firefly

|Ch. 22|

I walked behind Agent Williams as he silently escorted me towards the bathroom located in the middle of the long hallway. Watching as the guards firmly held onto their weapons while keeping a close eye on my every move, I desperately wanted to run past them and escape from here. But, I knew that with any different inch of movement in my step, I would be shot on site. Every part of me couldn't bear the thought of losing my last breath at this moment. Strategically, I wanted to plan out a way to ruin this place and the way our society was formed.

Agent Williams took a sharp turn as I almost collided with the white wall situated in front of me. Even in this place, I was still the same klutz as always. I guess some things never change. Suddenly, we turned onto a narrow hallway. I looked around at the blacked out rooms wondering what could be hidden behind them and almost bumped into the Agent as he pointed to the restroom labeled in front of us. Why were these bathrooms so far away? I would think that as massive of a complex this place is that they would have a bathroom located every 10 feet.

"Thanks," I muttered.

The door opened to my surprise as I saw multiple stalls situated beside each other. The glittering granite countertop glistened around the room. Staring at the elaborate mirror hung above the counter, I situated myself in front of it and looked at myself. I noticed that my hair was disheveled and I had large bags underneath my eyes. Looking in the corner of the mirror, a red light blinked and I slowly backed away from the mirror. Nonchalantly, I turned around and walked into a stall, sat down on the seat, and breathed out heavily. This was the one moment where there were no cameras. Nothing. I had full privacy at this moment and I felt ultimately heart broken.

"Hey psss.." I heard a girl say from the stall beside me.

I looked down to see no feet planted on the ground as I quickly staggered onto my feet. My breathing heavily increased as my eyes widened trying to focus. The voice silently echoed as it became oddly familiar to me.

"Megan?" I asked.

"Yes, and would you sit back down? I can see your feet wandering around on the ground," she said.

I sat back down casually tapping my foot on the ground to make sure the cameras didn't catch anything suspicious. Turning towards the side of me staring at the black stall wall, I tried to envision her squatting above the toilet seat.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

I was oddly amazed at how she randomly showed up at the times I was alone. How could she sense this? Has she really been here this long and done this enough times to truly know what their routine was? How many other people has she tried to save during this time that didn't make it? I tried to push those questions at the back of my mind as I heard her clear her throat.

"Well this is the only way we can talk during the day time."

I looked up at the ceiling and behind me trying to figure out how she could have possibly gotten in here at the same timing that I did. I hadn't remembered any obvious opening in this bathroom for her to come in.

"How did you even get in here?"

"That's not important. We need to talk tonight, I have some things to teach you," she mentioned.

Teach me? I didn't know if I could learn the full agenda that required us breaking out of this place and wasn't prepared for what laid ahead of me. How could two girls break out of this place that was heavily monitored?

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard a slight splash in the water followed by a, "Crap." I tried to hold back the giggle that wanted to come out of my mouth.

Suddenly, footsteps came into the bathroom as I heard Agent Williams say, "Is everything okay in here?"

"Yeah, just girl problems, you know it's just that time of the month and I don't have anything," I stated holding back the laughter in my mouth.

I could sense the awkwardness eroding as Agent Williams struggled on what to say next. By looking underneath the stall, I could slightly see him pacing the floors muttering something to himself. I quickly jolted back up as he stopped pacing and faced his feet towards me.

"I will talk to Detective Lawson about it, she will help you," he said as I heard his footsteps quickly leave the bathroom.

"Nice one," Megan mentioned slightly giggling.

"So, why are they so focused on me? What is so important about me?" I asked.

The silence was unbearable as Megan struggled on what to say next. What could I possibly not know? What was the reason that I was so important to be studied and examined every waking moment? How could that possibly be?

"You mean you don't know?" she questioned.

I tapped my fingers on my thigh as the confusion entered my brain. What was she talking about? What were they hiding?

"Don't know what?"

Megan sighed as she fumbled on the right words to tell me. I could sense hesitation as she eroded a sense of sadness. My lips quivered as I waited for the next words out her mouth. Each heart beat rapidly increased at every moment of silence that I waited.

"Your parents found out about Alex. They tried to hide it from Mr. Bates and Mrs. Collins for as long as they could. They hid the footage and tried to cover your steps but..." she said trailing off.

"They found out," I declared.

The silence was the answer to my question as I breathed out slightly. Why didn't my parents ever mention this to me? Couldn't they have saved me from all of this? I understand they were just trying to shield me from all this happening, but why not tell me the truth? I just desperately wanted the truth about everything and I didn't know if I could trust anyone.

"How did you know?" I questioned.

I was becoming lenient to trust Megan but what if this was all a trap? What if this was just a part of their game and I never escaped from this?

"I overheard them talking about it while I was venturing through the vent one night," Megan stated.

I didn't know if I could truly believe that answer and was struggling to decide if she was just rehearsed or if she really meant it. I frantically wanted to believe that she was telling the truth as the pang of remorse hit the back of my throat immediately.

"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked.

"You don't. But I know that if something in your gut just tells you to go for it, then do it. I will meet with you again tonight and maybe that will help you make up your mind," she said.

The wide door swung open as Detective Lawson came clunking in with her heels on the glittering marble floor.

"Maddie? Agent Williams told me about your problem and here you go," she said holding a batch of toiletries in her hand underneath the stall door.

I grabbed them and mumbled, "Thanks."

"Alright, just hurry up we have a lot to do today still," she said.

I watched as her heels turned around and clanked out of the door which shut with a thud. Breathing out a sigh of relief, I sat there trying to take in my only moment of pure privacy and let out a slight tear.

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Dang this chapter just got deep. So, is Maddie losing hope in getting out of this place? Do you think she will escape or not? So many questions and so few chapters left to unravel the truth! Get ready for Chapter 23 tomorrow! :)