Anaphase

Phase XXV

Dragging one foot after the other, I groaned unladylike as I crawled out of the sheets.
The sudden temperature change made my feet curl from the stone cold wood and air.

I immediately regret leaving the window open last night.

I felt the puffiness of my eyes before I looked into my reflection. My eyes were crusty and bulging, a deep blue circle underneath my eyes.

"Great," I grumbled.

Only minutes later, a deep knock sounded through the empty air.

I muttered an unintelligible word before flushing the toilet and walking out.
Sometimes their unison with me waking was so accurate I wonder if they have cameras in my room.

"Yes?"
"Yeah um come eat- said Elouise!" came an abrupt voice I hadn't expected. Mind you I hadn't really been expecting anyone in particular.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts of unnecessary inner-monologue.

Staggering over to the door I opened it slightly, curious as to who it was but cautious from last nights events.
"Wow you look horrible," Maverick said as he took me in.
"Yeah I uhh-" I paused.

Memories of last nights dream didn't seem to want to disappear. Nor the mystery of who changed my bedsheets while I was gone in the pitch black and silent house.

I shivered involuntarily.

Maverick continued to look at me as if I was mad. Damn it.
I'd have to get a story straight before I see Demetri or I'll make a complete fool of myself.
"Hey you guys wouldn't happen to have like, I don't know a maid or something? Dobby?" I asked trying to sound casual and light.

His lips raised in a pout but something was still off about him as he replied.
"No. No we haven't had one in years," he said in a deep monotone as if he wasn't telling me something.
"Oh," was all I said.
"Well thanks for the notice I'll just fix myself up and meet everyone down there," I managed with a smile.

Chuckling, he winked and walked off humming a tune low in his throat. His wink was off from his usual attire. He was suspicious I decided.

I wasn't hungry, but I wasn't going to stay in this room either and wait for...I'm probably just getting ahead of myself. Wouldn't be the first time. A common trait in my family apparently.

I stayed up hours last night just wishing sleep would take me. I was too scared to stay awake but also frightened that the dream would revisit me in my sleep.

It was a restless night.
But I eventually fell asleep by the mercy of my already straining energy.

After cleaning myself up adequately, I took one last look at the room before heading to the door.
Cameras? Stop getting ahead of yourself.
A shiver ran through my body in response.
Oh wait, or was that just my phone?

Flicking my screen on was like a foreign act. How hadn't I been on my phone in days? It was as if I had cut out the outside world as soon as I entered these gates.

Evelyn: Lil I swear I will drag you by the hair if u don't reply soon. I don't care if you get a bald spot!

Crap. I had myriads of missed texts and calls from Evelyn.
I hadn't contacted her in what felt like weeks. It felt like forever since I last spoke to her.

I miss her.

I smiled sheepishly at her erratic messages, each getting more bizarre as they continued.