Split

New Room

I was sat on my bed, thinking over what had happened with Dennis the day before, when the door clattered open. I jumped and my head snapped in the direction of the sound, seeing Patricia smirking at me.
"Jumpy today, aren't we?"

"I was miles away," I replied flatly, "I thought you'd be back later than this."

"I'm sorry, did you want me to leave?"

"No, I-"

"Then hurry up and follow me. I have something to show you."

I got up from the bed and left the room with her, frowning as she lead me into Hedwig's room.
She sat me down on the sofa-his bed-and gestured to a small television sitting on a table opposite.
"A TV?"

"Yes, I thought you'd like something to do while you're here. We need your room for other girls, but I thought we could give you Hedwig's room for now. The only problem is the bathroom... but we can figure that out. What do you think?"

"Does Hedwig mind?"

"Does it matter if he did? He seemed excited that I'm letting you 'sleep over', I don't think he will mind sharing."

"Okay. Thank you," I smiled up at her, showing that I was grateful, "how do you turn it on?"

She pulled out a small remote control from the pocket of her Cardigan and held it out to me, "I won't bore you with instructions, I'm sure you can work it out-you're a smart girl. I'll be in the kitchen."
She left the room and i fumbled with the remote, trying to find something interesting to watch.
It seemed like such a long time since I'd seen a television and I was quite excited to be able to have a home comfort.

I'd been watching the TV for a while when Patricia came to get me, "how is it?"

"It's good, thank you."

"Would you like something to eat before I take you back to your room? I have to make sure that the next girls are chosen. Dennis will be around later to make some alterations to this room for you, so you will get a chance to eat then if you don't want anything now."

"Could I get a sandwich or something?" I asked, not wanting to eat in front of anyone.

"Yes, I'll make you one now. Sit tight."
She wandered back to the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with a plate and handed it to me, "I'll take you back now."

I followed her back to my old room and put the food on the bed, "how long until Dennis is coming back?"

"A few hours at least, why?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, I was just wondering."

She smiled and squinted at me, "what are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything," I tried to act nonchalant, "I was just curious."

"I don't believe you."

"What, I can't ask questions anymore?"

Her smile vanished, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't speak to me in that tone."

"I didn't mean anything by it," I lied, wanting nothing more than to hit her square in the face.

She nodded in a condescending way, "good. Dennis will be back later and I hope you don't plan on giving him a hard time too, or maybe you won't get your free time while we are around. Remember, if you don't treat us with respect then we won't show you the same courtesy. Goodnight."
She left and locked the door, letting me eat my sandwich in peace.

Dennis came to see me later that night, later than I was expecting, and smiled at me. It was the first time I'd seen him smile when he walked in and I couldn't help smirk back. He stepped up to me and and stood up, draping my arms around his neck and kissing him passionately.
"I thought you weren't coming," I said when I let him go.

"You think I'd miss a chance to see you?" He half smiled, "I don't think so."

I had a lot of questions swirling around my head but I stuck to the most important one, "Patricia said you're putting a toilet in Hedwig's room... so that more girls can stay in here?"

He sighed, his face dropping noticeably, "I know. I'm going to fix a toilet in there tonight, as for the girls... I don't know what to tell you, she's been checking out more of them in the last few days but I've stepped back. I told her I didn't want to find them for her so she's doing it on her own."

"You haven't told her that you're not helping completely?"

"Not yet. I'm scared that she'll take you away from me."

"I wouldn't let her do that."

"You underestimate her, she's a lot stronger than you think, and once she has something in her head you'll be damned if you can stop her."
I sat back on the bed and looked away, not wanting to sulk but not able to help myself.
"Hey," he sat next to me and put his hand on my arm, "we can figure this out though, right? Didn't you say that?"

"Yeah, I did. But you need to be making an effort too."

"I will, but now isn't the right time. She isn't collecting anymore girls until Tuesday, it's Wednesday now, that means we have almost a week to sort this out. I will tell her, don't worry."

I faced him again, "okay, just promise me you will before she finds anyone else."

"I promise," he took my hand and squeezed it, "I won't let her make me do something I don't want to do. Listen, I need to go fix the room for you, but I'll be back before I leave," he kissed me before standing up again, "I'll see you later."
He went to leave, "you can always come out too? I wouldn't mind the company... but if you'd rather stay in here then that's fine."

"I'll come out for a while," I got up and went to the door, following him out and to my new room.