Difference

Chapter 5

 I open my eyes. All I can see is gray. Gray above me. Gray on my right. Gray on my left.

I try to sit up, but something holds me down tightly. Then I become aware of a rough strap across my stomach. There's also a strap digging into my shoulders, and a strap on my right and left wrist. More restraints.

Everything gradually comes into focus. The ceiling is a dark, dull gray with three lights in a row going straight down the middle. Their glow is weak, but they produce enough light to allow me to see the rest of the room.

I'm lying in a bed with no sheets and one flat pillow propping my head up. To the right of me is a gray door. To the left of me, there's one window with gray curtains pulled over it. This sure feels like a prison.

I whip my head to the right when the door suddenly opens. A man walks in. He looks like he's in his thirties, with bright blue eyes and dark brown hair. He smiles at me, a kind smile that reaches his eyes.

"You're finally awake! That dart knocked you out for quite awhile!" He grins and walks over to the bed like we're old friends getting together for the weekend. 

"You shot me.. With a tranquilizer dart?" I whisper. The words scratch the inside of my throat. I wince and hope he doesn't notice. Although this man appears to be friendly, I don't want to give these people any more satisfaction of causing me pain.

"Well, technically, I didn't shoot you. Peter did," He says matter-of-factly. Peter. Of course it was Peter. It seems like he's had it out for me ever since they found me in the woods. He just seems to hate me, even though I should be hating him.

So they've found me. It really wasn't that hard of a search, now that I think about it. I stopped to eat a hot dog. A hot dog. How could I have been so stupid? I actually stopped running from these people to eat a hot dog, have a nice walk along the shore, and take a short nap. I should've kept running until I was back to Ohio. Now that I think about it, though, I'm sure they would've looked there. They would've looked everywhere.

"Where am I?" I'm trying to limit my words, because each one feels like a thousand thorns tumbling down my throat.

"You're at your new home. For now, anyways. Would you like a drink of water?" I'm glad he asked, no matter how much I don't trust him. I nod my head. He smiles and walks out of the room, then returns a few seconds later with a cup of water. He sets it down and swiftly unclasps all of the restraints, then picks up the cup of water. He hands it to me and sits down in a chair next to my bed. I raise the cup to my lips and down the whole thing in three gulps. When I'm finished, I start questioning for the answers I so desperately need. I just got my whole life torn away from me in less than a day, and the least they can give me is the truth.

"What do you mean, my new home?" I ask him.

"You'll be living here for the time being," He responds.

"What if I don't want to stay here? What if I run away?" I know I sound like a child, but I can't help it. I want answers.

"Then that wouldn't be a very smart decision on your part," He warns.

"How would you stop me?" I challenge. He sighs.

"We wouldn't. We'd let you go. We'd wait for you to come crawling back after you've killed someone."

"Enough with the killing people! Why do you people think I'm going to murder someone?" I shout.

"Because everyone who has tried to leave with their difference still with them has killed a person, or multiple people. They just can't take it anymore, and they let it have control," He informs me.

"So what are you going to do to me?" I ask hesitantly.

"It's a simple process. All we do is put you in a room. You'll stay there for two days. Don't worry, there will be a bed and food and everything. You won't feel it, but the room will take your difference out. Then you'll just be a normal girl!" He replied happily, grinning. His smile didn't reach his eyes this time.

"It's really that easy?" I ask uncertainly. There's no way I'd go with this plan even if it was simple.

"Sure is!" He replies.

"Why do you need to wait until I'm eighteen?"

"Your brain isn't fully developed when you're young. It's not fully developed when you're eighteen, either, but it can handle the process better. Everyone we've fixed has been eighteen or over, and they're all completely normal," He explains to me, then as an afterthought adds, "I'm Evan, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Evan," I say, even though I don't want to be here, and I don't want to meet anyone else who wants to keep me here. Evan stands up.

"I've got to get going now. I'll be back in an hour or so. I can take you to meet some of the others later, if you want."

"I'd like that," I say. Time to figure out how crazy this whole thing really is.

"Good. Betty will bring in some food for you," I don't bother asking who Betty is. I just get as comfortable in the squeaky bed as I can, and I'm asleep before I even realize I'm exhausted.

I wake up when I hear a loud crash. I look over at the door and see a plump woman picking dishes up. She's probably around her 50's or 60's. I'm guessing this is Betty.

She glances over and sees me staring at her. She looks so apologetic that my heart breaks a little.

"Oh, honey, I am so sorry! I didn't mean to wake you! I was just bringing you some food," She exclaims in a sweet, grandmotherly tone.

"No, you're fine. I didn't mean to fall asleep anyways," I smile kindly at her. She smiles back, a really warm smile. It's hard to hate this woman, and I find myself already liking her against my will.

"Well then, what would you like? I know it's closer to dinner, but you seem like a breakfast kind of girl. You can have whatever suits you. You can have everything if you want," She says with a hearty laugh, "I've got eggs, bacon, pancakes, oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, you name it. Unless you want something more dinner-like, of course."

She's so sweet. I can't imagine why she works in this crazy place.

"Could I have some eggs and bacon?" I ask. I want to keep it light in case there's any chance to make a break for it.

"Sure thing, hon. Would you like anything to drink? There's orange juice, milk, water, apple juice, and grape juice. I've got coffee, too, but I couldn't tell if you'd like coffee or not."

I grin, "Orange juice is fine."

Betty gives me my food and starts to leave.

"Thank you!" I call to her. She turns around with a smile on her face.

"You're very welcome. You know, I don't get thanked a lot these days. The other kids just tell me what they want and I leave. You're special. I think we'll get along well," Betty winks.

"Are there a lot of other kids?" I ask her. She seems like someone I could get helpful information out of. I don't want to use her, but I have no choice. I need to know anything that could help me get out, or get other kids out too.

"A lot? There are tons of kids! I'm losing track of all of them!" She laughs, "In fact, I almost forgot I've got to bring Jakob and Sam their dinner," I must look confused, because she explains a bit more, "Everyone eats in the same room. Yesterday Sam and Jakob were walking down the stairs and Sam tripped and Jakob fell on top of him. They both sprained their ankle pretty badly."

I nod, but I'm not thinking about the food situation. The dart must have caused some memory loss, but something is tickling the back of my brain. I've heard the name Jakob before. I just can't remember where.