Dark Matter

Chapter Two

The first sense that comes back is my sense of smell. The air smells sour and makes my mouth water with disgust. Reminding me of what happened when I was taking pills, when I was being fed pills.

My eyes feel like they've been sewed shut, or maybe I'm just too scared to look. I wet my lips and open my eyes slowly, expecting the light to blind me but I find none.

A power outage. We never had those at the facility except for when the electricons lashed out.

The facility. The memories of that dreadful place hit me worse than an electricon's shockwave would. I look around, seeing that I'm on top of a bed-like structure.

It takes everything in me not to throw up on the wooden floor. As I feel the urge to vomit go away I slowly shuffle my feet, placing them on the floor securely.

I realize this is the first time I have placed my bare feet somewhere other than the pale tiles of the facility. I spread my feet, trying to feel the warmth of this new place.

None comes, with the floor feeling as cold as stone, but the fact that it's somewhere other than my old home is enough. That place wasn't my home.

But where my home is, I do not know. I try to put weight on my feet, pushing myself off the bed. My feet wobble and I fall to the ground with a thud. I draw in a breath and examine my now bandaged arm. It stings, but it's working.

My eyes snap up as I hear a creak, they land on a figure, standing a couple of feet away from me. I push myself to my feet as my eyes slowly adjust to the darkness.

It's the same girl, my savior. I can feel myself let out a sigh. Her questions will start now. But after all her help? It's the least I can do.

I stumble back to the bed, finally deciding I'm not strong enough yet. I drop on it with a sigh, my eyes moving on the girl's figure.

She stands, shifting on her feet nervously. I draw in a breath as I wait for her to initiate the conversation. What feels like several minutes passes by until I speak up, my voice sounding even more hoarse than I had expected.

"Thank you for your help." I clear my throat as she eyes me warily, probably still deciding if she can trust me.

"I wouldn't have survived without you. I owe you my life." I take a deep breath, waiting for her to continue. She speaks a few moments later.

"You're not red..." She tilts her head, referring to my black blood. I clear my throat one more time just to make sure my voice doesn't sound like a crow.

"Not anymore." I feel like biting my tongue after letting the words escape my lips, how can you be so trusting after  all of that?

The look of curiosity never leaves her eyes, as she glances all over me, trying to find out who, what I am.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Her voice comes off a bit louder than I had expected, her eyes widen and she eyes the place around her.

"Do people live here beside you?" My voice draws her attention as she nods her head. Before she can ask any more questions, I get up from my spot, still wobbling from the blood loss.

Her arms extend to hold me in place, settling on my shoulder.  I can see from this distance how young she truly looks, we could very well be the same age. I shrug off her touch and stand on my own despite feeling the world spin.

"I will leave here right now, I am much grateful for your assistance but I"-- I stumble on my words before drawing in a breath and continuing-- "I won't put you in danger any more." It pains me to move away from her, but I know I have to.