Playing With Fire : Andy Strucker

REscue

I woke up with a nagging feeling. Something was happening. I could feel it.

I opened my eyes and stretched myself in bed. I could hear the sounds of my bones cracking and stretched a little more to adjust myself to waking up to a new morning.

I looked up to my left and see the marks left on the wall. I went over to pick up a rock off my table to scratch another line. I looked up to see the collective tally marks that decorated my walls. I counted them again as I have done every morning.

597.

That has been the number of days I have stayed here. I placed a finger on the ring that strung on my necklace. A solace for me. One that reminded me of hope. One day, I could see my family again. Even if it could never happen again, it was something to remind me of them before I lose my sanity in this hellhole.

It was returned to me when I had faked exemplary good behaviour here. I realised instead of resisting, I should just give in. At least pretend to be. It was no use showing resistance to the people here. I will end up at the losing end. Apparently, I was at the worst end as I could not call upon my powers. I started to think that it returned to being dormant and I did not have the resolution to use it anymore.

I saw the bare tray at the bottom of the floor in front of my door. A cup of water, a small loaf of bread, an apple and a bowl of soup. It was not appetizing, but I had to eat it. I needed strength to survive. To return to my family one day. But how? How could I break these walls when I do not have any powers anymore?

I went on to eat my lunch and then laid in my bed after, waiting to be let out for one hour of outdoor time soon. The nurse never came. I started to wonder what was going on. 

My attention was caught by a red light emitting through the small window of my door. There was a stir outside. Before I knew it, my door was ripped open from the outside. I had my hand over my face to shield myself from the impact.

When I removed my arm, I saw a boy with platinum blonde hair and a woman with long dark green hair. They stood smiling, looking satisfied. My senses were on high alert as I backed to the walls. If only I can call my powers on now.... I tried to focus on a feeling to gather the energy in my hands. I knew it could be futile since my powers have never resurfaced since I was ever captured.

"Hey, don't be afraid. We're here to help." The woman spoke first.  "Trust me."

My gut feeling told me she was right, and my brain told me that this was my chance to get out of the institution. I reached out for her extended hand and she led the way. As I made my way out, I could see the other rooms still being locked up. Was I the only one being rescued?

Then again, I do not remember any of the other patients being mutants. As far as I knew, I was the only one in the institution. As my powers did not resurface ever since that time, I was treated like an inactive threat. I even faked compliance and remorse to fool the staff that I was repenting for my actions. It was the only way to get them to stop experimenting on me.

I looked to the boy on my left and he turned his head at the same moment, our eyes made contact. I was not sure of what to think of him at that moment and focused on making my way out.

When I reached the entrance, I was greeted by the warm and welcoming sunlight. I took a moment to adjust and the light was bright but soon the warm surroundings and fresh air called out to me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

When I opened my eyes again, I was met with the sight of a black van. There stood three women who looked exactly alike. Triplets?

"We've been expecting you." They spoke in unison. It took me aback not because they were in sync but there was a chilling and crisp tone that reminded me of the doctors and nurses in the institution.