The Cold

Chapter 2

The Cold is in my chest today. I can think clearly, but I wish I couldn't. It would be easier. I prefer it when I can't think, because when I can, I think of them. And there isn't anything in this world I wouldn't give to forget. I don't feel violent, just tired and sad. The staff saw no purpose in restraining me today, so they have taken off the straitjacket. It may have felt nice, if the Cold wasn't restraining my breathing anyway. But anyhow, there I am, in the semi-dark room, rocking back and forth in the corner. Julee. That was my name, wasn't it? Yeah, Julee with silver hair, I was six. How old am I now, I wonder...?

Almost as if in answer of my unspoken question, the door swings open to reveal the woman in charge of me. "Eileen?" I croak. I had no idea what time of day, or night, it was, but she usually only showed up when I got hungry. She seemed flustered and tired, as if she had just woken up. "It's Rosanna, actually. Come on Julee. It's your uncle, you see, your uncle Jasper. He's come to take you away."

I sat up, confused and alarmed. Out? As in, out of the asylum? And Jasper, who was he? I didn't know any uncle of mine, maybe I've forgotten. It was too much to handle, I couldn't comprehend out, what did that mean.

And then I realised.

I'm getting out. No more windowless rooms. No more eerie yellow light. No more loneliness. I would see the sky again. No matter who Jasper was. I leapt up, and for the first time, the Cold was not the most potent thing inside me. I felt alive for the first time that I had since I left the world behind. There was hope and light. It was suffocating. Rosanna looked me up and down. "Hmmm... You're a little dusty, but your uncle will no doubt clean you up once he gets you home. My eyes widened even more. Home? I would have a home, a bedroom? My mind was swelling, letting in all the things it deserved and didn't have room for. My dark, dark world was getting bigger. I smiled, a big, powerful, hungry smile that seemed to fill the whole, dark room in which I had resided for so long.

Rosanna led me through the door and out into the hallway. I gasped. My eyes, bored and uninterested in their surroundings for all the time in that small, undecorated room, suddenly exploded. There was so much to look at. Colourful paintings lined the walls. The carpet was a rich, creamy brown that made me warm inside. Mahogany side tables were positioned every few metres along the wall. I did not look back into my room. I had no interest in it. Rosanna's usually stiff and emotionless expression softened slightly when she saw my face in response to the beautiful hallway. Never the less, she tugged me along with her usual impatience. I was not resistant. Every turn we made brought tears to my eyes. Then we came into the lobby.

Gold, black and white were the colours, and sharp corners made up the design. It was smooth and cool; I couldn't help it. I stopped and stared. Rosanna seemed to lose patience with me. "Julee!" she hissed, and I was shocked into movement. I hurried forward, trying to ignore the enchanting and mesmerising world around me. The Cold was all but forgotten. All but non-existent. We made our way toward a desk.

Waiting there was a man. A man that looked nothing like me. I was tan, with silver hair and green eyes. This man was as pale as the walls of my room. His clothes and wavy, shoulder-length hair were as black as darkness. His hands were slim and gentle, with neat nails, like a woman's. He wore a bowler hat that shielded his eyes. He heard our approach, and lifted his hat from his head, revealing two bright, icy blue eyes that seemed to probe the air itself. His eyes made their way to me and Rosanna, and his pink lips parted to reveal two rows of white, even teeth. He spoke, much slower and more careful than Rosanna. "Hello Julee.

Happy Birthday."