Conspiracies

11. Running to stand still.

Someone woke me up. I opened one eye and saw Ben's chubby face. Seeing me wake up made him smile like a little boy. I got up and stood next to him. I was still asleep, but I still gave him a smile.

Agnes and Jens were sleeping together on one of the beds. I didn't know how long it had been. There was no clock nearby.

Ben was standing in front of me, smiling as if he was waiting to be rewarded for something he had done well.

"Everything is ready for you to see Brita, ma'am," he told me with a victorious tone.

I don't know what he did to get me to see her, but I was very grateful to him for it.

"Thanks a lot, Ben. I'll go to the bathroom for a second and come back."

"You're welcome, ma'am. Then you will have to make the announcement, remember that."

"Before that, I would like to stop by my house, to get clothes and some things."

"Okay, but don't be too long. Tian will take you home, and you can take whatever you need."

"Thank you very much." I thanked him again with a smile.

He nodded and looked at the papers in his hand. I went into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair is messy. I washed my face with cold water and combed my hair as best I could. She was starting to get nervous. I tried to relax by taking deep breaths, but it didn't help much.

I came out of the bathroom, and Ben was still in the same position as before. He stopped looking at the papers as soon as he realized I was ready.

"Follow me please." he said in a cheerful tone.

We left the room and began to walk through the endless corridors. I had tried to learn some paths by heart, but it was impossible. It was a real labyrinth. Ben was ahead of me at a slightly fast pace that was hard for me to follow since I wasn't one hundred percent awake.

Ben was wearing his typical white coat and dark green jumpsuit. The shoes made an irritating sound. I didn't know where he was taking me. I was glad to think that, for a while, I would be able to get out of here. I needed to see the Sun again.

We turned left and found a corridor identical to the previous one. We turned again, and I spotted a door. Ben quickened his pace, and I struggled to keep up with him. We arrived at the door that seemed like it was miles away.

Ben stood to one side and stared at me. I was surprised to see that his smile had faded, and his expression was quite serious.

"You have exactly ten minutes to talk to her. There will be two guards outside the room if there is any trouble. Ten minutes, Mrs. Madson." His stern tone managed to intimidate me.

I nodded and felt my heart pounding frantically in my chest, my blood racing rapidly, and I began to tremble. Nerves were beginning to take over.

We stood at the door until the two guards came. They were almost identical. Tall, muscular, and with shoulders that occupied almost the entire corridor.

One of the guards took his time opening the door. When he was done, he motioned for me to come in. His commanding face stared at me, and I looked away. My stomach jumped into my throat as I started to walk into the room. A chill ran down my spine. My breath hitched. I managed to enter the room, and the guard closed the door.

It was dark, with a single fluorescent lamp that provided very little light. Enough to see a table and two chairs. In one of them, I saw someone sitting, but I couldn't make out her face.

I sat in the chair and looked at her. She remained silent with her hands on the table that was handcuffed. I could hear her breathing, slow and calm.

"Why?" I asked. My voice trembled.