Hear Me

10

10

       

After my crying eventually subsided, I collected the sheets with trembling hands. My body was exhausted but my mind was spinning with brand new thoughts. Images of Beth, Emily, Sam, and Finn circled around me while hope burned bright inside my heart. I need to find them. I need to do something.

My legs quivered under me as a mocking reminder of my weakness. Biting my lip, I pushed away any remaining tears that threatened to fall. I don't care if my body is weak. I will do this. I'll find a way.

I glanced down at the papers as I shuffled into the bedroom. Instant gratitude flooded into me. I can't believe Hudson did this, for me. A small smile found its way to my lips. This must have been hard for him to do, he never breaks the rules. I'll have to find a way to say thank you.

I shifted the mattress and slid the papers under it. My body barely had enough energy to clamber into the bed. The softness of the pillow wrapped around my face and called me to sleep. My arm weakly pulled the blanket up around my chin. Sighing, I let my eyes close. But the comfort of the bed and the quietness of the room wasn't enough to let me fall asleep. My mind was too busy trying to juggle my thoughts and plans. Judging by the mess going on my head, I could guarantee that I wasn't going to be getting much sleep.

*****

I was right.

I wasn't graced with sleep for days. The maximum amount I got was around two broken hours.

       

Rolling over in the bed, I watched Hudson's dark outline slowly go up and down. Asleep. A surge of jealousy trickled through me. The ache in my spine began to spark up again, as it had every night before. I let out a low groan as I sat up to massage it. Maybe a walk would help.

As quietly as possible, I swung my feet free of the blanket and tip-toed out of the room. I glanced back at Hudson but he hadn't moved, his breathing still deep and slow.

I stepped outside our quarters. The air was still and cold. An eerie silence surrounded me as I strolled around randomly. I wiggled my shoulders with some hope that it would release the knotted tension. Slowly, it unravelled and left me relaxed. The atmosphere around me relaxed me. The lack of having a guard watching over my every step was freeing. It was as if I could finally be myself without fear. There was no need to worry about anyone seeing me doing something wrong, everyone around here was asleep.

My footsteps came to a stop as my ears perked up. What was that? My face scrunched in confusion as a sound hit me. A soft hum, quiet chattering voices, and near silent footsteps. My heart grew heavy but I pushed myself onwards.

       

The noise grew louder until it was fully released by me pushing open a door. I had arrived in the loading bay, a place always deserted. Not now. Its doors were pulled open with giant trucks waiting. I could hear people but they were hidden from view so I slinked along the wall, peering around for a glance at what was happening.

People roamed around, carrying various boxes and crates. Despite it being so early in the morning, this group was cheerful and full of energy. Their clothes immediately gave away their sector with their drapey clothes floating around them. The grins on their faces radiated like beams of sunlight. I crept forward as one head caught my attention. A smile briefly passed over my lips before a dark thought formed within me. She won't remember you. She won't know who you are.

I continued to move forward, desperate for a closer look. My body curved behind a pillar while my head craned out. My eyes were trained onto her as she carefully piled the boxes of supplies into a group. Suddenly, her back straightened. While everyone else seemed unaware and continued their jobs, she spun around, her eyes darting from place to place. They fell onto me instantly. My breath caught in my throat as I tried to push myself closer to the wall. Did she see me?

Panic flooded into me. I could get caught. I could get in so much trouble for being out here. If they know I recognise her, they'll send me back to Government, back to that room, those experiments. My body began to quiver as I kept my sight locked on her for any signs.

She froze in place. Her eyes widened. Then, she darted towards me.