A Fresh Start

Chapter 27

Gorman was nowhere in sight. The feeling of nausea lifted at finding this out. Dawn went over and picked up two trays. One for her and one for me. I ended up getting the soup and a bit of vegetables. Not wanting to owe much.

"You sure you'll be okay with just that?" Dawn asked eyeing my tray.

"I don't need much to fill me up," I said.

We made our way to one of the tables. I started eating the vegetables before Dawn could get too comfortable. I really didn't want to have another pointless conversation with her.

"So. I was right wasn't I?" she asked just as I finished my last bit of broccoli.

"About what?" I asked with my mouth full.

"You being hungry," she replied.

"It's been awhile since I've had vegetables," I said.

"By all means, get some more. We have plenty," she said.

She wanted me to owe more. Well that was not happening. I swallowed what I still had in my mouth before saying anything.

"No. I'm good thanks," I said.

I started on the soup next. Chicken noodle I found out. Dawn was eyeing me the entire time. I didn't look up at her.

"Just received word that Shepherd is on her way," she said.

"How are you all able to communicate?" I asked.

"The walkies," she replied pointing to the walkie-talkie clipped on her left shoulder.

"And they still work? Signal is still visible or operational?" I asked.

"The walkies are battery operated. So, any walkie can be used so long as the battery is still good," she said.

"Oh. Batteries. Right. Must be hard to come by these days I'm assuming?" I asked sipping on my last bit of soup.

"It is. But so far we've managed. Only using them when we go on runs," she said.

"Ah. That's smart," I said.

"Yes. Gives us a chance to look for the essentials out there," she said.

I'd finished my soup. I was ready to leave.

"Right. Well. I think I'm gonna go and get started on my work. If that's okay," I said.

She nodded. I got up placed the dishes back where they belonged and without another word, I left the cafeteria. I made my way down the hall. There were some other people in scrubs as well. Maybe they were like me. Forced into accepting this as living now. Well this isn't how I wanted to live. I looked down at my ankle. It wasn't until then that I noticed how easy I was able to walk with the cast brace on. There was hardly any pain. If I kept this on, escaping would be easier than I thought. I wasn't sure what to start with. I just wanted to get away from Dawn as quickly as I could. I walked further down the hall until I ended up in front of a door that read 'storage'. Mopping the floors would be a good way to start right? I went ahead and opened it. There was a mop and a bucket that I got out. As soon as I turned around, I bumped into Gorman. He had scared me which made me drop the bucket, making a huge crashing noise.

"The hell do you want?" I asked him already disgusted by the look he was giving me.

"You were very rude to me back in the cafeteria...I'm sorry. I didn't get your name," he said coming closer.

"Well maybe I don't want to give it you," I said backing away from him.

He grabbed a hold of my arm tightly.

"I'm an officer. So you'll show me some respect," he said leaning in.

I looked away and I could feel his nose trace down my neck.

"I only show respect to people who deserve it. Let me go right now, you pig," I said a little louder.

He shoved me against the wall.

"You're a feisty one aren't you? To be honest, that's kind of a turn on," he whispered seductively.

"Get the hell away from me," I said shoving him away.

"What's going on here, Gorman?" Dawn asked out of nowhere.

Did she seriously have to ask? Was it not obvious? Gorman turned and looked at her.

"Nothing. Just, friendly chatter," he said looking back at me.

"You stay the hell away from me or next time, I'll kill you," I threatened.

"Did you just threaten an officer?" Gorman asked smiling.

"Damn right that's a threat. And you shouldn't underestimate me. People have made that mistake before and it didn't end well for them. Just like it won't end well for you if you keep your shit up," I said glaring at him.

He suddenly turned to Dawn.

"You gonna stand there and let her speak to me that way?" he asked.

"Enough. Amelia, come with me. Shepherd just arrived," Dawn said.

"So she's gonna be Shepherd's ward? Why not give her to me?" Gorman called out.

"You already have Joan, Gorman. That's enough," Dawn called back.

Once we were away from the hallway Gorman was in, Dawn stopped me.

"You shouldn't have threatened him like that," she said.

I looked at her.

"You're kidding me, right?" I asked annoyed.

"No. I'm not. The officers need to be kept happy," she replied.

"So rape is okay here? That what you're saying?" I asked crossing my arms.

"No. It's just...look. Like I said when you got here, we have a system here. The wards keep the officers happy. And with the officers happy, things are smooth sailing," she said.

"Okay. And just so you know what kind of person I am, I am not going to let some creep of an asshole put his filthy hands on me. Does he do that with the ward he has? Joan?" I said sternly.

"Amelia. This place isn't going to be here for much longer. As soon as they find us, everything will get put back to normal. But in the meantime, we have to keep things the way they were. We can't lose sight of that. The minute we do, this place will come crumbling down," she said.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean, 'as soon as they find us'? Who's 'they'?" I asked suddenly thinking she had gone off her rocker.

"The other people like us. The ones who still want the world to be as it was. When they come, we'll all work together to rebuild the world again," she said.

"You honestly think that there are people like you out there?" I asked.

"There's got to be. We aren't the only people still breathing," she replied.

"I've been out there, Dawn. And let me tell you, the people who are still alive in this world, aren't the good ones. People now, would kill you to get what you have here. Shelter, food, meds. Those things nowadays are considered gold. I wouldn't hold out hope for someone coming. That's not how it works anymore," I said.

She looked at me for a moment. Then she suddenly whacked me across the face. I knew it was only a matter of time before I saw her true self.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"If this is what I have to do to keep you in line, then so be it. I'm in charge, Amelia. Got that? You're strong. I can see that. But if I were you, I wouldn't test me," she said.

I looked at her. Suddenly knowing exactly what I needed to do.

"All right, Dawn. You're right. I'm sorry. Just know that I meant the threat about Gorman," I said.

She simply nodded and continued. I was quick to follow her. It was time for me to get out of here. I just needed to come up with a plan on how to do that.