Ordinaries

Chapter 11

I woke with a start, sitting bolt upright. My heart was beating faster than the speed of light, my breathing uneven and raspy. I struggled to balance myself out. I became acutely aware of sweat rolling down my skin, cold to the touch. I got up, thinking I would go to the bathroom and dry myself off. I stumbled to the door, feeling much weaker than usual. Eyes still half-open from sleep, I put my hand out to grab the handle, just as I did every morning.

Except, it wasn't there; I fished through the air for a few seconds before shooting my eyes fully open in frustration. What I saw made my mind quit working: there was no handle. There was only a clean, white door. I stared blankly at it, trying to make sense of the situation.

Then it hit me.

I remembered everything at once. The destruction of Ether; running away from the Watchers, traipsing through endless fields and woods. I caught my breath as my mind reached the last memories it had stored: the 'new' Ether, Garrett's curious hospitality, Lindsey's warm personality, the party. And finally, the betrayal; I winced as I remembered the pain I'd felt as Garrett struck me in the back with his baton, skinning me with scathing words before inserting the needle into my arm. I remembered all of my friends' limp forms being carried away from me as I faded out of consciousness.

I snapped back to the room I was in and observed it. It was tiny and basic, filled the absolute bare minimum for a person to live. The bed I'd woken up in stood against the back wall, bleach white from the sheets to the mattress. The only things in the room were a toilet and a sink, both dirtier than some of the ones I'd seen in club bathrooms. Nevertheless, I breathed a sigh of relief and turned the sink on, splashing water into my face. If I was honest with myself, I was surprised I was even alive. The Necrose hadn't been afraid to kill us before. Not that I was complaining.

I didn't need to wonder where I was. I could put two and two together. My last memories and the weird handle-less door were enough to tell me it wasn't any place friendly.

I plopped back down onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. A small black object in the corner of the room caught my eye—a security camera, glowering at me from its perch on the ceiling. I got closer and inspected it, looking for the usual Necrose insignia, but there was none. I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion. That was weird.

Footsteps sounded outside my door. I stepped back from the camera and backed up to my bed. The door slid into the wall, exposing a man in a bulletproof vest and all black clothing. He had short, finely clipped red hair and a large scar on his left temple. A man and a woman stood behind him, wearing the same uniform but looking much less threatening. He stepped into the room and held up a pair of handcuffs, scowling severely. "Turn around," he commanded.

I scoffed and gave him a withering look. I hated being told what to do. "Why?"

He narrowed his eyes, stretching his scar out. I suddenly found myself questioning my decision to be brave.

"You'll see. Now do it," he barked. "Turn around and put your hands in the air. Don't make me ask again."

I did as he asked, turning to face my bed and raising my hands above my head. I winced as rough hands yanked my arms down behind my back and cold metal cuffs cut into my wrists. My heart thumped faster in my chest as I was wheeled around and led out of the room. I feigned apathy, putting a bored expression on my face.

Scar Guy laughed derisively. "It's okay to be scared. You should be. No need to put on a front for us."

Despite the fear in my chest, I rolled my eyes. A silver badge on his vest caught the light as we walked. It sported the name 'Lt. Harmon'. I avoided his gaze and stared straight ahead. "Whatever you say, Harmon."