Uniques

Chapter 3

I look at his hand and, I stand there. I just stand there! What was I doing! I need to make a move, I need to run, I need to run! I start heading for the door on the other side of the large room. As I start to open it the lock snaps in.... By itself.

I now have my back to the door. I look around for any possible escapes but there wasn't any. No windows and no other doors. I'm trapped. I feel so... Terrified in this moment. I drop to the ground. My hands and knees feeling the chill metal floor. Tears start to well up as I loose all hope.

A laugh comes from across the room. it's not maniacal laugh but more of an actual laugh. Like when you are sitting with your friends and just start laughing for no reason. This laugh grabs my attention and it certainly grabs Eric's attention. He starts to blush at his very child like laughing. But not long after that he regains his composure. He starts walking towards me.

He reaches his hand out again, and I just look at it dumbfounded. He realizes my uncomfortableness. "You can take me hand you know?" He says. His voice has a childlike wonder too it. Not quite mature but still. It's full of...hope. hope for what? I don't know. There's not a lot to be hopefull for in these days. 

He stands there for what seems to be decades, but he still has his hand out. I look up into his blue eyes and without thinking I take his hand. His hand was calloused but not exactly rough or dry. He pulls me up, but with that much force I loose my balance and fall right on my butt.  

"OUCH!!" I exclaimed.

"Ahhhh, you ok?!" He quickly pulls me back up and examines me which it too close for comfort. I shove him away.

"Excuse me but can you not?" I practically yell at him.

"Oh.. sorry." He says as he looks down at his feet. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable." The sincerity in his voice clogs my throat. 

Now I'm the one who feels sheepish. My cheeks start to turn red. I look around me and realize I have no clue what's going on. My mind wanders to a bad place.

"Where are we?" I ask so quietly I'm surprised he even heard me.

"Some old toy factory, I think. If I'm being honest I'm not entirely sure my self." He shrugs

I look up at him. "Who are you?" I ask, "and how did you know me?"

He puts one arm behind his head and scratches it, "umm, well I said I was Eric a while ago right?" He looks and me and smiles, "and that's a long story, but if you must know I'll give you a shortened version. There's a rebellion. A growing one. And someone there said they know you and they need you. That's all the information I got... in the condensed version." He chuckles.

I look down trying to process this. There's a rebellion? they want me? Me of all people? How do they even know me? Why did they hunt me down and attack me to tell me this? What has my life become? 

I exhale sharply, "Ughhhhh I just want a normal life. A life where I can live in peace without being bothered by weird people I don't know."

"Weird?" Eric questions, and looks down at himself. Looking to see if there was something wrong with him.

"I just want to be left alone. I don't want to be hunted down. I don't want to fight....... I don't want people to get hurt because of me."  My expression changes from rage to worry. Tears well up yet again.

Eric notices and his expression goes soft. "I know," he says in almost a whisper. His expression then darkens and his eyes glass over as he looks towards nothing. "It's hard living a life like us. It's only going to get harder if we don't do something." He looks up and gives a sad smile. "But hopefully we can change that right?" His child like hope starts to creep in.  He looks at me, his eyes starting to lift form their erie state. They start to glisten with new hope.

I don't know what to do. "Um i-i need fresh air." I stammer.

I walk out the door and into the main part of the factory, looking for the exit sign. I finally find it. I open the door to see the sun rising. I sit on an open patch of grass and watch it. This is worth living for. This beauty. This is what makes life bearable at some points. 

A door closes behind me. I'm too lost in thought to notice. Eric sits by me and watches the sunrise. It's so peaceful. Just as it should be. I look over at him and I see tears welling up. I leave him be in his thoughts and I go back to mine. We sit there for what seems like 5 minutes.

"Are you scared?" I ask, and imediatly regret. I don't know him, or if I can trust him. I look down at my lap and quietly slap my face. I leave my hand on my face for a bit.

"Always." He says.

I look up at him, but he's still looking towards the sunrise. A neutral expression on his face.

"Are you?" He retaliates

"What me? Never." I joke. Surprised by what I just did, I look over at him and he gives me a sincere grin. I smile back.

Maybe I should do something. I look at the world around me. This place is worth saving. I look at Eric who is looking out in the distance with peace all over his face. These misunderstood kind of people are worth saving. I drift off into the possibilities of a new life Eric's hope has given me.