The Insiders

Chapter 5*

Chapter 5- Sharlene

This walk to our rooms feels like it is the longest walk of my life. The white tiled and white walled hall with grey doors on either side never seems to end. I walk behind Thomas and Coren who stand side by side with Kim in front. They probably find her attractive. Kim has not stopped talking this whole time. I do not even know what she's going on and on about because I am not listening. Thomas might be. I think Coren is. During this long walk, I have not seen anyone else other than us four. Where is everyone? Still back where we came from? Somewhere else? Dead? We come to a sudden stop, I take that as my cue to listen.

"- is magnificent. Here we are. Sharlene this is your room. Number 56. Go on in ." Kim says quite bubbly.

"Thank you." I say formally as I walk towards the door, but I do not open it, yet.

"Let's carry on; Your room is a fair distance away." Kim begins to lead the boys away. I get this weird feeling in my stomach when she says that. Thomas follows immediately after Kim, but Coren trails behind.

"See you in a few." He says to me in a low voice making it seem like a secret. Then he catches up to Kim and Thomas who are back in a conversation. Wait a few what? Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? I try to get another glance at him, but they've already rounded the corner. I think I'm over reacting, he probably just said it as a normal good-bye. With that in mind, I turn the door handle and enter my room.

As soon as I open the door, I am surprised at what I see. The room is small, smaller than my bedroom at home. It has two closets, one on each side of the bathroom door which is on the right side of the room. There is a bunk bed with grey sheets on the back left side of the room. The entire room is painted grey. It's very dark in here as there are no windows. There is a lamp on at the end of the bed. After seeing that, I shut the door and walk to a mirror on the right closet door. To sum up my appearance, I look like crap. I hardly have any hair left in my sock bun. I have no make up on. I only took one earring out. My clothes are ripped and I have black smudges of dirt and ash. How am I going to get changed or wash up or even live here? All my things are at home. Anything I have ever known is at home. My legs shake and give out from under me. I fall to the floor as me breathing fastens. I stay here and lean against the mirror with my eyes closed.

Home. Does that even exist any more? Do I even have a family? Did my dad ever come home? Did the attack really end after I left? Trying to come up with an answer for any of those questions is impossible. My face is wet. I'm crying. No I can not cry! Crying is for people who have problems. You chose this for yourself Sharlene. People cry when people die. It is a saying my family uses far too often. You are not dead and as far as you know neither is your family. So stop crying. My next thought hits me like a slap. Peter! I left Peter. I never thought of him as I went to the man outside my house, Steve. Is he okay? Is he here? I hope he is not here. This place is scary. It is dark like my future. I do not know if anything good can come from being kidnapped. I decide I have done enough crying, so I look back in the mirror and take out my sock bun. My hair is so knotted, I need a brush. I force myself to stand up and head towards the bathroom. As I grab the handle, I hear something. The sound is sweet and light. It is a constant tune. It is singing and it is coming from behind the door. Without thinking, I open the door and charge in. I am welcomed with a bunch of steam and a girl's scream. I scream in response as I slip and fall. I hit my head on the tile floor.

"Ow." I moan, my confidence disappearing. I close my eyes as I sit back up.
"Oh my goodness," I hear a girl gasp. "I'm so sorry! I thought I was alone." I open my eyes to see a girl who is much taller than I expected. She is skinny, but not weak. She has a white towel on that only covers her thighs to just below her collar bone. Her skin is tan as if she just came from a vacation. Her long blonde hair is wet and slightly messy. She has a very white smile and a perfectly formed face with with pure hazel eyes. She gives me her hand which has perfectly gold painted nails. I take her hand and she helps me stand up. As soon as I stand up I feel dizzy so I lean against the counter.