Escaping Reality

Chapter One: Escaping Reality

Chapter one

            The hallway was quiet. Only the florescent lights overhead made a low buzzing while casting dim light into the gloomy area. White paint was fleeing the walls, as if they wanted to escape this awful place as much as I did. At the end of the hall double doors stood guard, intimidating anyone who wished to take refuge in the place beyond. I pushed them open and entered the courtyard. The sky was gray; clouds blocked the sun making the old stone building look less inviting. Dead trees decorated the small area, a bench sat along the old, cracked path between two small oaks. A boy of about sixteen sat on the bench. He had his ankles crossed with his hands laced together, resting on his stomach; eyes closed. As I approached he opened his eyes and a big grin spread across his face. Instantly I knew it was Ten. He was the most common to show.

            The boy’s real name was John, but everyone called him by which personality was currently showing. I doubted there was much of John still in there now. When I first came here I saw him once: that was when Nine was more active and Ten was first showing his appearance He was mostly Ten now, though I suspect another is going to surface soon. Nobody knows anything about his past. Every time you ask it’s a different story. Every time he trails off, looking off in the distance with a sad look in his eyes. Right now his eyes were sparkling as I sat down on the bench beside him.

            “What were you thinking about Ten?” I asked, watching his eyes turn towards the gloomy sky. You could tell he was seeing something far away, and long ago. He had that sad smile on his face. I racked my brain to try and change the subject so I wouldn’t lose him.

            “Everything was so much different when I was growing up; the sky, the grass, the trees. Now it’s all gray and dead. What happened to my beautiful happy world? Why doesn’t the sun smile down from a galaxy blue sky? The trees don’t stretch and dance in the wind anymore. This place isn’t one of healing, it’s of death.” I didn’t know how to respond. He wasn’t usually open and kept up a wall between others. He was always nice though, and understanding, helping us all through hard times. I guess I finally get to return the favor. I put my arm around him and he relaxed a fraction.

            “I promise you I’ll get you out of here. You’ll see your sky again. The tries will dance in the suns brilliant rays. We’ll be away from all this gloom, and misery. One day we’ll all be free from this damned place.” My eyes had unfocused and I was trying my hardest not to cry: To be strong. Someone had to believe in hope, because if no one believed then we were all goners.

            “I just don’t want them to break me. When I leave I want to be me. I’m Ten, not John, not anyone else. Don’t let them change me. I don’t want to go, don’t let them take me away.” He was crying now. I rubbed his back. A tear escaped my eye. How could I promise such things? He was here because they were trying to get John back, and he wasn’t leaving until he let him take over again. I promised to get him out of here but the thought seemed impossible.

            “They won’t take you away Ten. I’ll protect you, Even if we have to break out of this eternal prison.” I hoped I sounded more confident then I felt. He looked up then, his cheeks red from crying, tears still wavered in his eyes.

            “Will you really break us out?” He asked in a shaky but hopeful voice. I opened my mouth to reply, but the sound of pounding feet dragged my attention to the other side of the court yard. Oliver came running up to us with a dark look in his eye.

            “Where’d he go?” He demanded. I had no idea who he was talking about, and if I did I wasn’t going to hand them over to the sociopath when he was in one of his dark moods. I shrugged.

            “Who’re you hunting down this time?” I asked rolling my eyes. Bad idea, he took a step closer.

            “Just remember that I’m a genius and could easily make you disappear.” He said confidently.

            “No you wouldn’t, you’d miss me too much. Who else would break into the kitchen with you at night or jump from roof top to roof top. You’d be bored without me.” He thought this over and gave a small smile.

            “That so?” he asked, but I could tell that his mood had lightened considerably. “Well, even so I’m still looking for that bloody thief!” He looked around as if he’d just walk up to him and give back whatever he stole. Notch liked his games, and even though Oliver wouldn’t ever admit it, he likes solving them. We heard a low creaking sound and we all looked up. Notch was perched on a limb of the tree above us. He was smirking out of the shadows the tree was casting. His black hair was covering his eyes so he looked like a demon ready to attack its pray. “Damn it Notch get down here! Give me my bow back!” Notch laughed and dropped down directly in front of Oliver. He was a full head taller than him, probably a couple inches over six feet. Oliver glared up at him, his curly brown hair blowing in his eyes. Notch held up his bow and gave a mock bow.

            “As you wish.” He dropped it and Oliver caught it before it’d had time to fall an inch. Turning Notch took a seat next to me squishing me between him and Ten. “So did you mean it sweetheart? About breaking us all out of this God forsaken place?” His black eyes had a purplish tint to them, creating a supernatural look. I looked away and saw Oliver was also waiting for my answer. Staring at the cracked cement I made up my mind. I looked up, the wind blowing blonde strands of hair in my face.

            “Yes.” I shocked myself from the confidence and determination that came out in that one word. “I don’t know how, but we’re getting out of here. They will try to break us but they won’t succeed.” Mixtures of emotions were running through my veins; excitement, fear, determination, doubt, and a need to break free.

            “We’ll need a plan. Let’s talk to the others and meet back later.” Sherlock said looking over his shoulder as someone entered the court yard. “And make sure none of this gets out to the orderlies.” We all looked up as one of the grim faced orderlies approached. She had her dirty blonde hair done back in a tight bun and was wearing the white uniforms of the hospital.

            “John you’re late for your therapy season. And the rest of you aren’t supposed to be out here without supervision of a staff member.” None of us moved but we all knew the consequences of not following orders. We had to stay under the radar if our plan was to work. I got up and held my hand out for Ten. He took it, eyes staring off into some unseen place. The lady followed us out of the court yard, another meeting us at the door making sure Notch and Oliver got to a supervised area. We parted at a cross section all making eye contact. An unspoken agreement: we’ll do as we’re told, and meet back later that night. Ten didn’t resist as they took him away, he knew better. We’ve all been here to long; we knew the consequences. I was escorted back to my room where I laid down staring at the ceiling trying to formulate a plan. I soon fell into a deep sleep; I was falling into the darkness.