Five's Fate

Watched Wherever You Walk

I'm out of my cell and I have an actual thing to do. But are they really trusting me if I'm chained up? My ankles get cold from the metal and I even try to activate my Externa. I received a failure. Marina turns on the TV and starts scrolling through the channels. I watch and read the titles as they fly by.

The basket is just full of some sheets and towels and I finish it quickly. They're not very well done, but I never have folded Landry before so I'm unsure of what it's supposed to look like. Everything is folded into an assortment of sizes in squares or rectangles. And I pile them back up into the basket. I then push the basket to the side and it makes a noise against the floor telling marina I'm done. I expect her to yell at me to be quiet or throw more chores at me. But she said nothing. Just watching the TV.

I sit back up in the chair. And glance onwards to the TV. I'm not familiar with what's she's watching. She laughs occasionally. I smirk when I hear a few things too. But I try to be quiet about it and try not to directly watch Marina's show. In the end it leaves off on a cliff hanger and she speaks sarcastically to the TV.

"Yes! Don't confirm or deny that the kid survives or not" rolling her eyes. I smirk and then she directs her words at me. "I get it, come back for next week's episode... but I got a lot of shit to do next week." I join in the conversation.

"What's it even about?" Having tried to make sense of it the whole time. Part of me is actually asking but fearful she'll stick an icicle in my face. The other is just hoping to remind her I'm here. But I get a legitimate answer

"It's called the three kings. The little boy just got really sick and he's in competition with a bunch of other boys for the crown." I nod yet still confused.

"Whatever." She said as she stands up and stretches. "Johns coming round in a bit. I'm gonna go do something. Here's more laundry if you get bored." She starts heading up the stairs and another basket comes towards me. "What? Marina wait?" I stand up and call out but she either didn't hear or ignores me.

I sit back down. Once I see she's out of range I lift my ankle up and pull at the chain. It's tight around my leg and I can't get my fingers in between it. I pull at it here and there and set my foot back down tired. It's a hopeless attempt. I stare blankly at the floor. I pick up a piece of laundry. I fold it and toss it on the floor. It isn't long and I'm pushing the basket of folded clothes out of my reach.

I sit and closely observe the room. It's large and there aren't any windows but it's plenty bright with the lights. I glance for a clock and there isn't one. However, there are elaborate paintings of sea creatures hanging on the wall.

I think twenty minutes pass and I hear someone coming down the stairs. It's Nine. "Sweet my TV time!" He yells as he enters the room and notices I'm there. "Five of those wimpy kids are so annoying. Almost as much as your ass."

I smirk grimly and say "Enjoying teaching?" He replies "Their all complaining brats. But some of them are actually good...so I don't know. And others are all mixed up in the head. I like them the best they remind me of us bunch not knowing what the hell we were doing! Those were some fun FUCKING terrifying times." With glee, I roll my eyes at.

Then he actually notices me..like realizes I'm real I guess. I don't know how his brain works. "Who put you down here?" He asks. Seemly genuinely curious. I almost get confused. "I'm not 100% sure. I was with John one minute but then Marina started yelling at him and I've been here since.." I say with a shrugged showing I haven't a clue and that it really doesn't matter to me. He nods and glances at the laundry.

"Ha! Been doing housework Mary Poppins!" He yells teasingly. I want to smack him across the face but instead, I stare at him and say

"Whatever you want to call it. Wasn't given much else to do. Just hope no one wanted it done well." I say the last part almost jokingly even though it isn't a joke. If someone wanted it done right then I was the last person they should have asked. Nine shrugs expressing his last concern is the laundry.

He flicks in the TV and right away puts on a driving derby with cars crashing everywhere. He screams and cheers erotically. I smile and gaze on. Eventually, I'm actually enjoying the show.

Apparently hours past and the crashing ends. Nine turns off the show before the announcer can go on with his finishing words.

"Now that's a show," Nine said casually.

"It says where it was too?" I ask.

"Lord I don't know?" He said. Not caring. "Well better get you back. Oh ya, John sent me hours ago but I got distracted." He smiles and approaches.

"No kidding," I say referencing the TV.

"Come on admit it-you thought that was awesome too!" I smirk and answer.

"Of course it was awesome," I say honestly. Nines concentrating. I follow his stare and realize he's at the locks with his telekinesis.

Suddenly they unlock. And I'm surprised.

"What the FUCK?" I ask.

"Don't ask me. I just follow freaking directions this is John's thingy-ma-bob..." He said defiantly.

I follow him through hallways and soon I see the familiar one. The doors open and I walk right in. Not arguing against it. The doors shut again.

It's dark so it's after ten. It's been hours. Even in the dark I use the toilet and eat what at one point was food. But there were now some disgusting reminants of it. The room is actually tidier and the sheets are changed.

I lay down and expected to think for a while but before I get the chance sleep takes me over.

Day 22. I feel glued to the bed. I'm tired but the lights turned on an hour ago and a bowl was pushed through the door already. I get up and manage to eat some oatmeal. Then I wake up for the day. I lean on the wall and think about the day before. It had been a taste of freedom, of trust. Or just the fulfillment of some law or the need to have laundry folded. I laugh with myself and tell myself not to dwell on it. Or else I might get mixed up in what was nothing.

Throughout the day time goes by somewhat slowly. I start from the beginning of the textbook and read. Taking my time trying to make sense of what it's talking about. No one comes around today. Not that I expected anything else. But I'm alone again. I get through a dozen pages of the book.

Part of the day is spent observing the room. It was clearly cleaned and sterilized. I smirk at the stupidity of myself. Locked in a clean room with a physics textbook. Like some fancy snob.

Night comes and lights shut off at ten as always.