The Twisted Ones(On Hold)

Chapter Three- Stranger

TTO- Stranger

Once Keres leaves, I bring my knees to my chest and rock slowly. 16 years of this is enough to drive one to insanity; That's what I feared.

I start to feel like a jagged rock at a shoreline. I know that once I wasn't so scarred. At one point in my life I wasn't being abused. The thing is though, know one can remember that time because I have been beaten by the cruel waves seemingly forever. The longer I remain stationary with the other rocks around me, the worse and more twisted of a shape I become. I am so heavy though that no one can move me, and if they try then they may get slashed by the other rocks or get pounded by the ocean. So I stay here as a rock and let the waves constantly collided into me in a daily rhythm.

I don't know how long I have been sitting here in fetal position. The only thing I can feel is the pounding of my head; everything else is numb. This is how it is every nighttime though. The only way I can tell it is night is because the air runs still and the lights power off. I stare into the darkness surrounding me like a lifeless corpse, unable of thinking. That is what they think if me though. I am simply a body with no purpose, who's only reason in life is to serve as a punching bag. I do have a soul though. I have a voice. I am capable of thought and have a subconscious. I am not an animal.

After my thoughts subside, my heart starts to hurt. Not in a literal form, but in a spiritual form. The woman I meet and then killed made my mental gears start to turn. Who do these Instructors think they are for treating us like this? I have a 'malfunction' in my DNA, so? Who cares about that? I can't control my genes. Maybe we could embrace our genes. Make use of them. People like me could be the next best athletes or whatever. This is not right. With that, I have decided to let my DNA run loose. It is time to embrace and cherish the inner rebel.

I am now going to refer to myself only as Autumn, not Number 154. I will not even respond to that digit. I will break free of this, I have to.

Then I take note of my physical traits and try to put a face on my name. My skin is pale, paler than it should be I decided. When I tilt my head down, I see matted and bloodstained hair, but through the crimson and tangles it appears a golden color. That's about all I figure out other than my ability to see each bone.

In the morning, I will be a new person. I will not listen to Keres or anyone else. I listen to nobody! I pull myself onto my feet and start pacing the small dimensions of my prison.

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I spent most of the night pacing, until sleep had dragged me down. I woke up to the roaring generator flicking the flickering lights back on. I scrambled to my feet, expecting Keres to meet me at the cell door in a matter of minutes. I wait and wait, but he doesn't arrive. I can't help but feel nervous at his delay. I begin pacing again and bite my lip anxiously. Maybe deciding to start rebelling was a bad idea. I could probably die if I did. I don't think I should anymore. The rebellious state was simply my genes doing the thinking for me, right? I don't know what to think.

A loud slam drives my train of thought off the track. I flinch at the noise and stop my pacing and hang my arms by my sides. The source of the slam goes unseen as I glance around the room with my chin defiantly up.

I turn around in a circle and survey the room. It is completely empty and just as cold as it has been. I feel my heart start to race. This isn't another nightmare is it? I pray to the unknown. Then I hear footsteps.

Oh. Dear. God. No.

These footsteps are different though. They have the same striding, but are softer as if they don't want to be heard. I narrow my eyes and glance around so that I am now facing opposite the cell door.

BANG!

I jumped and fall to the floor in a pile and terrified tears. I can't take this anymore.

"Hey, shhh. It's ok I promise. I'm not going to hurt you."

The soft voice surprises me. I don't dare look up though as I feel Keres is pulling some sick joke. Then I feel two strong hands gently take hold of my arms and try to pull me to my feet, which is easily accomplished.

"You can't say anything ok? I am going to get you out of here." The voice whispers again.

I don't think he realizes I don't speak, or until yesterday that is and even then the woman got killed.

I let myself be limply held as he scoops me into his arms and carries me out of my chamber. I still don't dare look at him. I could never rebel. This place has for-filled its goal. I am too broken.

I feel myself being carried through a hallway. All I can think of is how this man is simply trying to take a rock from the shoreline. He is bound to drown sooner or later. For this reason I can't find myself to open my eyes. The worst is coming and I will get punished for this, probably worst than before.

"Do you have a name?" He asked me quietly.

I can't react. I don't want to see this man be shot. Not because of me at least.

I feel his eyes bore into me. Out of curiosity and pity though, it is a strange feeling. I keep waiting for the Instructors to come running down the halls, but it never comes. We are all alone and he is walking swiftly down a corridor.

I feel him stop suddenly. His weight shifts and another loud bang sounds. He kicked a wall? No a door. He walked through the doorway and continued to carry me through.

That is when I felt the most wonderful thing I have ever been through. He picks up a jog and I feel warmth surround me, though nothing is touching me other than the man. Everything takes on a lighter sense and that is when I bring myself to open my eyes. Bright light painfully blinds so I quickly pick up my arm to cover my face. When everything takes back it's color, I realize that my one and only dream has come true. I am outside.