Playing With Fire : Andy Strucker

REstartiNg

I woke up. It felt like the best sleep in a long time. I blinked my eyes to adjust to my new surroundings. My hands moved up and down the silky comforter and I turned to see a panel window on left radiating the warm morning sun.

That's right.... I got out of the institution. I walked up the window and took in the surroundings of the outside. Sky, clouds, trees, buildings, people.... After I was done looking, I went to the bathroom to freshen up. It was the first time I looked at myself properly in the mirror in a long while. I've forgotten that I have aged in the past two years. My hair grew down nearly to my waist and my eyes were sunken. I stared at my ring in the mirror.

I can't believe they just left. Are they safe? I must have brought danger upon them that's why they moved. My stomach started growling and I realised I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon. I left the bathroom and explored the closet. I saw some new clothes being placed inside and decided to take a pastel purple hoodie and blue jeans. I went into the bathroom to take my first warm shower in a really long time.

How I missed civilization.

After I changed, I made my way carefully out the door. I was met with a clean hallway. There was a room opposite of mine just a little further down nearing the end. I decided to walk the opposite direction out into the main hall.

As I ventured out and passed the main hall, I bumped into someone. I fell backwards but my arm was caught to pull me back on my feet. I looked up to see the boy with the platinum blonde hair from yesterday- Andrew.

"Sorry." We both said at the same time. We both exchanged awkward glances and did not know what to say.

"Where were you heading?" He asked.

"I-I-I was..." My response was at the tip of my tongue, but I did not know why I could say it out. I was nervous and wary of everything here, and everyone I guessed. Suddenly, a growl echoed in the hallway. What impeccable timing.

The boy bit his lips like he was holding back a smile.  I was annoyed but slightly embarrassed.

"It's not funny." I said out with more gusto than intended.

"Sorry. Let me show you the way." He led me to dining area. There is a big table, and the sides were stocked with shelves filled with food and drinks. There is also an open kitchen where I could see a chef inside cooking up something.

"You can request anything you like, and the chef will prepare it."

"Pizza..." I muttered to myself. It was the first thing that came to mind as I thought of what I want to eat.

"Pizza right... not really a breakfast item but hey I won't judge." He said with a smile before heading over to the chef.

When I reached to the open kitchen, I could see the chef nodding at his request like it is the most normal thing in the world. The chef asked for the flavour. The boy looked at me again.

"Barbecue." The chef nodded once more before heading back in to the kitchen. I turned to look at the surroundings of the dining room. I walked to a counter where the coffee machine was and then looked at the selection of tea bags. Something else caught my eye. I grabbed a cup from the tray and opened the tin of chocolate powder. I then added the hot water, stirring and mixing the two ingredients. I blew at the cup and continued stirring, hoping it could cool faster.

I took a sip when I thought it was enough but the first thing I felt was a burning sensation on my tongue, I made a pained expression. I could hear snickering and turned to glare at the source. He looked almost ashamed. Almost.

I ignored him before walking over to a table to place my hot chocolate down. I focused on letting time pass for it to cool. I could hear him clearing his throat.