Perfectly Imperfect

A single scream broke the silence of the dark night. I moved the curtain slightly, glancing onto the street. Everything was dark. Not being able to see a single movement, I tried to listen, but after the initial screaming, even the insects ceased their songs. A quiet knock behind me caught my attention, but before I could investigate, strong arms grabbed me. I tried to break free, but the arms holding me were too strong. Someone put a cloth over my mouth, and before long my world went black.

 ~~~ 

After what seemed like days, I finally woke up. My eyes fluttered open, filling with light. I tried to take in my surroundings, but the unfamiliarity of them scared me.

Where am I?

I sat up, realizing I was on a bed, with soft pillows and warm covers - a comfort I haven’t had in years. I looked around the place, and noticed I was in a sun filled room, with sky blue walls, wooden floors and off white furniture. A memory came back to me. The dark street, screaming, and strong arms grabbing me in the black of night. I sighed, mentally face palming myself.

As if I let them get me. Letting my guard down like that. So stupid. After so many years of evading them, believing in what my parents told me, just to escape and become immune to their control. All of that for nothing

A knock sounded on the door, along with shuffling of feet, distracting me from my thoughts.

“Wake up Katarina, breakfast is ready in the hall.” A voice sounded outside.

I got out from underneath the covers, looking for some clothes. I realized with disgust I was wearing fluffy pink pyjamas, and hurried to find a pair of brown cargo pants and a black tank top. Walking out of the room, I didn’t need to ask for directions to find the hall. I’ve been here before. Back when my parents would take me here for our weekend getaways. Back when this was a four star hotel, before it was claimed by Living the Dream, a reality TV show controlled by the government.

I tried my best to blend in with everyone else, not looking at anyone, keeping my head down until I reached the dining hall. Once there, I sat down away from everyone else, staring at my food, trying to think of a way out.

I was shaken out of my thoughts by a tap on the shoulder. I looked up to see a tall blonde girl with a big smile on her face. She looked so pretty now. So perfect. Most probably thanks to the makeover they give you before they put you here.

 I wonder what she looked like before…

“You finally made it to breakfast Katarina! I was waiting for you.” She laughed as I looked at her quizzically. “Oh, I forgot, you just got here… I’m Sarah.” She added, extending her hand.

Blend in. My mind reminded me, so I smiled and shook her hand.

“Why don’t you sit down?” I asked, as she took a seat next to me.

She started chatting aimlessly about all the things about this place, how good it is, how great the people are, and how perfect everything about it is. She was so clueless, blinded by the outer appearance. I looked at her more closely. She was nicely tanned, with no sign of teenage skin problems. Her big eyes blue as the ocean, her hair flawless blonde waves; all thanks to the new state of the art cosmetic technology. 

 ~~~

Breakfast finished and we were allowed to have free time before the midday beauty session. I snuck back to ‘my’ room, trying to think of a way out of this place. Living the Dream was a place no one got out of. It was the government’s way of so called ‘helping’ the poorer people of the society – kidnapping them in the middle of the night, giving them a makeover to make them perfect and sticking them in a big mansion with hundreds of rooms and big gardens to forever live a narcissistic life.