--Touch--Away--

Chapter 4

Days had gone by and still not a word was said between the three of them. Both Derek and Collin got up, had food, waited for the next two meals and then slept again. The chief had already forgotten the incident and went on with his life as per usual.

"Umm... you're aloud out Mr Stone. It's free roaming time, you can go socialise and maybe even check out the other facilities." Collin looked up to see a elderly lady who looked like she worked there. She was gentle and kind as she stared up at Collin who was now standing.

"Thank you. I don't believe we have met? I'm..."

"I know who you are Collin."

"You....do...?"

"Well it says it right blomen there doesn't it, on the outside of your cell" she laughed, it was a small, quiet laugh but it made Collin feel warm with comfort.

"Well I'm Doris, and since you have a wonderful sense of humour, I would like to invite you to have lunch with the others and I. If you would like to come, we'll be by the pool ok dear?" As she waddled away towards the large open area.

Collin didn't want to go but he was flattered that an old lady out of all people asked him to sit with her. He told himself that he wasn't going to talk to people because it created attachment and Collin wanted nothing to do with anyone, although it would be nice to have one friend and it was a staff member, it's not like it was someone his age.

He got to about halfway into the room and now was looking for Doris. It was quite a large room so it took a while for him to find her. He soon realised there were two pools and he had even more searching to do now. As he went down the hallway, he tripped over a step and knocked over a tall potted plant to reveal a couple making out behind the once standing plant. No, not just a couple but Derek and his girlfriend furiously making out. Collin searched the floor in a scurry to find his glasses so he could regain his sight again.

"Well. Well. Well. Look who we have here? It's the pretty boy. You seem to be pretty helpless without your glasses, pretty boy. Vanessa, would you care to help the guy out so we can resume our plans?" Derek was now leaning against the wall, waiting for Vanessa to do as she was told.

So she bent down so that she was Collin's level and picked up his glasses. He was still blind on the ground and only able to see the blurry outline of the girl.

"You. Are. Useless. So, do us all a favour, stop wasting air and go kill yourself." She whispered as she snapped his glasses in half and they both walked away.

Time went by and Collin was still wondering the halls to find his way back to his cell somehow until a familiar sweet voice was near by, coming towards him. She lead him to his cell and made him sit on his bed and simply took off her glasses and put them on Collin's face. She said nothing but smiled. The same sweet smile. She waddled away again closing the bars to his cell.

"What the fuck is wrong with you. Do you just like stalking me or something. It's bad enough I have to be around you most of my time and when I can get away you, you follow me? Stay away from me you freak!"

"I tripped it, wasn't my fault."

"Vanessa was right about you. You really are useless. Now go cry yourself to sleep you big baby."

After an hour or so a guard opened the bars to Collin's cell one again and there stood Doris and the guard.

"Mr Stone. This lady has reported that you have been covered in soil from a fallen over plant, you have misplaced your glasses so, you are allowed a single shower. You have 5 minutes Stone." Finally Collin had been thrown a bone as he raced towards the showers. A shower alone. No awkward conversation or awkward accidental touching. A shower alone, what a dream.

"You better watch yourself Stine. You don't know who you're messing with here."

"Oh yes I do Doris. That rat is not going to survive."

"How about a compromise, Mr Stine?"

"What's in it for me...."

Collin watched the dirt rinse off his body as he stood under the warm shower and thought about what he was told today. 'Do us all a favour and go kill yourself'. He got out of the shower and stood in front of the mirror. Was it all worth it in the end?...