Obscurity

Chapter 22: Deals

Sierra

I don't know how long I've slept. There are no clocks in here, and I'm tired of counting. I stay curled under my blanket to stay warm. Time has to be almost up. I can't wait to get out of here, back into my own clothes and on the regular unit.

I hear a key at the lock of my Solitary door. It turns and the door opens in. A white-clothed flunky enters my room. She only takes a few steps inside.

"Sierra?"

I sit up and look at her.

"It's recreation time. It's your one hour outside of your isolation cell. Follow me." She says as she turns.

I quickly get up and pad over to the door behind her. She leads me into a large brightly lit room. This is the central day room type room that all the Solitary cells open into.

She motions towards the picnic-style tables. "You can sit here for your hour or walk around if you like." She offers.

I weigh my options. Walk in a circle around the round room or sit. "I'll walk around." I tell her. She nods and walks over to an observation desk at the far side of the room.

I take my time walking around the circular room. Short slow steps are the key to prolonging the stroll. Everything looks the same here. White tables. White walls. White on white. I let my imagination take flight as I walk.

I pretend I'm in the mall walking past stores and looking in the storefronts. Hats of all colors line the display window of a women's hat store. I like the robin's egg blue one. It's the prettiest. I'd totally wear that one.

I imagine smelling the foods being cooked in the restaurants in the food court. Greasy hamburgers and Chinese food. My mouth waters at the thought. One day I'll get out of here and I will eat myself right into a coma in a food court in some mall somewhere.

I hear a door lock engage and turn to see Chris coming through the main security door. I stop walking and stand there looking at him.

He's carrying a folder under his arm, and he walks over to a table and sits.

"Hello Sierra." He says.

I cross my arms and stand there. He's the reason I'm here. How dare he come in here like we're old friends.

"Would you mind talking to me during your recreation time?"

"I'd rather walk around. Six by eight cells aren't exactly roomy." I scoff.

"Fair enough." He goes to get up to leave.

"Wait." I say. He isn't my first choice for conversation, but he is another person to talk to. I haven't talked to anyone in so long.

I walk over to the table and take a seat. "I'll talk to you."

"I thought you might." He says as he sets his folder on the table and opens it. "Solitary is mind-bending and humans are social creatures."

I nod in agreement even though I think he's full of shit. He's smug. They say I'm a calculated person, but he's worse than I am. He came here with every intention of talking to me because he knew I wouldn't pass up the chance at conversation. No matter how pissed off I am.

"I've been reading the notes left by your supervision. And I have to say, well done. So far."

What is he talking about?

"It says here you've only had one break-down. One incident where you had to be warned to calm down. That's very good for you." He smiles, but I think it's fake.