Life is but a Dream

The Plan of Escape and Everything in Between

I had never heard her sound so desperate and sad at the same time. What was I going to say, no? When I got up I felt a rush of light headedness before I felt someone grip the back of my back.
"I gotcha."
I was helped to my table and a couple minutes later food was brought to me. Mere seconds later James was sitting across from me.
"I'm glad Stacey has convinced you to talk to me."
"Just tell me what you want" I said sliding my food over to Stacey.
"I want to know why your getting special treatment?" he asked pointing at the food. "Where there taking you almost everyday and will you help me escape?"
I sat there thinking about how much I wanted to punch the guy. What an arrogant doche.
"Did anyone ever teach you manners you-" I was interrupted when I felt something tug on my sleeves. When I looked at Stacey her eyes were silently pleading to stay calm.
"So" said James.
"None of your business, go to hell and yes. Now I have a few questions for you. How would we even start to escape and I have a feeling your not going to do this alone."
That's when Stacey spoke-up. "Why does it look like an apocalyptic city? Everything is destroyed."
It was one of the most unimportant question, but as time went on it was shown that the question became very valuable. Not my eating description, who was coming with us to escape ,or where they were taking me almost every other day.
"Have you ever heard of the war?"
(Flashback)"The war that happened five years ago. It shattered the world, killed lots of people."(end of flashback)
Stacey shook her head no to the both of us.
"Where in the hell did you people come from?" he mumbled with a look of shock. Only seconds later it was replaced with the smug, cool calmness. Once he started to describe the war his eyes seem to run along the wall and stumbling on something pretty interesting causing him to have a distant look in his eyes.
"The years of the war were a living hell. At any time you could be killed. There were two sides. Some people crossed but very few were brave enough to actual do that. The people with the powers are mostly extinct now-"
Mostly my thought interrupting what he was saying does that mean there's some left.
"And the... regular ones. The war took over the whole entire planet, wiping out thousands or imprisoning any other powers or regulars that were helping them. We were stuffed in the prison and, the ones that were on the other side were given the task to rebuild the city. The war destroyed everything. This place was a hell hole with new bodies piled up everyday piled up on the streets with scattered ruble that was every where. We weren't able to burry them so they rioted in the streets as flies flew around the corpses. I guess the war was bound to happen."
"Whys that?"
"Tensions were starting to build after the powers build up of disappearances became noticeable. No one expected it to be that bad though."
"So everyone that has powers or helped collaborate with them are here?"
"Yes basically."
"Do you have powers?"
"No I'm just a helping hand."
Even though he was making light hearted remarks I could still see a hint of pian, maybe even a little bit of suffering and grief but, soon the smug, cool, calmness was taken over and any hit of pain, suffering or grief was gone.
"I do have a few people with powers who are gonna help break us out" he said with a cocky smile that made me want to slap him in his face and give him some tough wording to.
Any pity I may have had for him disappeared.
Seeing this Stacey spoke up for the both of us. "If they have powers why don't they just break out?"
"PDS."
Me and Stacy looked at him waiting for him to explain more.
"Power Disturbance Serum. It cuts off our power source so they can't use them. It is distributed through the air. If you have powers the air will feel heavy when you first arrive cause it's suppressing your powers, after a couple of days you should get adjusted to it."
We both looked over at each other having a silent conversation about what I had asked her months... years, many many days ago about the air feeling heavy.
That's what I was feeling I thought. It made since now.
After a couple seconds of silence I finally spoke up.
"So who are those people who are going to help us?"
For a moment James looked around until he found what he was looking for with me and Stacey's gaze trailing behind him.
"You see the one who has no hair, glasses, kinda tall, and a bit pale. His name is Alex. He can read peoples minds. He's the first recruitment. The others are usual in the back. We plan to meet up tomorrow. If your in you'll show up if not I guess you'll be stating here."
I rolled my eyes so hard I'm pretty sue I got dizzy.
"Have you always been an asshole?"
I thought I heard him laugh but, he was already walking off by the time I asked the question. I felt Stacey shove my side with her elbow and sigh in frustration and annoyance.
"Can't you be nice? He might be our only chance out of here."
"There's no way I'm helping that prick."
"Anne I'm going to go insane if I'm here any longer."
"We can find another way out."
That's when I felt her let go of my hand and saw her sink to a chair with her head down.
I hated when she was like this. I hated that I couldn't say no.
I knelt down on my knees an brought her face level to mine only to discover silent tears were streaming down her face.
I hated it even more when she cried. I pulled her into a comforting hug.
"I'll go meet up with."
Ten minutes later we were called back into our cells. As usual the hoard of people made their way to their cells.
"I'll go, I promise" I said wiping the last of her tears off her face before turning in opposite directions and, going in out cells.
For the first time in months I thought about my home and, how much I missed it. How much I missed my parents and if they even knew I was gone. I hated how much Stacey was sad and how much I was sad because of that. I hated that they were prying my memories. I thought about how much I missed my biological family even though I only knew them through my memories along with Arec. I thought about how I was so lost and confused an I didn't know what was going on. For the first time ,in how long I've ever been here, I cried. The whole time I wanted to scream from the soul sucking pain that enveloped me. All I could do was curl up in a ball and shut my eyes hoping the pain would go away soon but, it wasn't as simple as pain. No, it was heartache but, even that word seemed immensely under rated to compare to what I was feeling. My heart was crumpling, breaking and bleeding right before my eyes. It was reforming into what happened. Adapting to the situation. No adapting doesn't fit... transforming like a werewolf. Gut retching and painful.
I went to bed ably because I exhausted myself from cry-
"Anne, Anne!" yelled Stacey running in, looking frantic.
"What's wrong?"
"There fighting again."
"I'm going to kill them" I said getting up and stomping upstairs ready to kill. I was confronted with James and Arec throwing punches with James mumbled "your not the the boss of us."
I looked over at James than over at Arec. I sighed and clenched the bridge of my nose in irritation. I was tempted to let them work it out them selves but, it was bad and I could tell Arec was about use his powers(like always Stacey would get me if things got to bad). If he got angry enough he would lose control. I'm not sure if they realized I was standing there when they were fighting like this. I learned yelling was utterly useless because they wee practically deaf and stepping in the middle could get you practically killed. Stacey learned rant the hard way. They learned that hurting Stacey could intel a punishment worse than death the hard way also.
If Stacey hadn't got me sooner than Arec would have killed James. I felt power ripple through Arec has he ran towards James with the intent on using full blast.
I pointed to the ground whee there feet were going to step next causing them to have a look of shock as they were moved to opposite ends of the room.
"Are you two done? I swear you would kill each other if I wasn't hear."
Then I remember that I wasn't going to be here ,I needed to right that book and I was being interrupted again. Arec knew this and still was doing shit like this. I told him he was going to have to keep the group together but, it was falling apart and Arec wasn't helping.
"Arec. Talk now" I said my voice angry.
Arec didn't say anything just looked down.
We silently walked towards Arecs room and sat down.
I sighed deciding I wasn't angry. "I know it was a lot to put on you. Everything's always been put on you. Even when we were kids. I know it's not fiar that it's all put on you but I know your the only person capable enough. What were you two fighting about anyways?"
"He said something that annoyed me."
"You mean he interrupted you and wouldn't leave you alone?"
"Either way it was annoying."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"He wanted to know what we were hiding. Sometimes I forget that guy is so observant."
"What did you say?"
"That it was none of his business and he needs to stop asking and then to fuck off.
"And knowing James he can't leave anyone alone until he finds out."
"I told him he we find out later. Then he said he'll go in ask you and I told him to leave you alone your busy. He told me I wasn't the leader or the boss of him and neither are you but your more higher then me so what I say doesn't matter. Then I lost it after about the fifth time he tried to disturb you I lost it and told him he was gonna have to take what I said and deal with that. Then a few more words were exchanged and punches were thrown.
"You know you lost control with your powers again. If I hadn't stepped in you would have killed him."
"Yeah well he deserved it."
"Would you still stay that if I hadn't been there to stop you?"
There was a moment of silence before I spoke up again.
"You can't do that anymore and Stacey defiantly won't be able to break you up."
"If your goon ago than what does it matter if we stay together?"
I looked down thinking of what to say but came up with nothing.
"What aren't you telling me? It seems like your keeping secrets from all of us."
"You'll find out. You always find me."
"How is this happening. I'm suppose to protect you. I'm suppose to you safe."
"Your suppose to keep everyone you care about safe but suppose times you can't protect everyone. I better go talk to James" I said getting up and walking towards the door.
"I wonder if things would have gone differently if they had never killed your parents" he said with a wistful look in his eyes. "Maybe there wouldn't be any pain."
"There would still be pain just from something else."
"James!" I yelled as I stepped out into the common room of where they were fighting.
James was lying on the couch staring at the ceiling.
"May I speak with you?"
"Are you going to tell me what going on? Ever since you got back from the temple Adrastos something beens off."
I looked aver to see Stacey staring at me apprehensively.
"We're not as dumb as you think we are" said James in an agitated tone like just thinking about it pissed him off.
"For once James can you not. Nothing of importance happened I'm just tired. I can't deal with this right now."
"For once can you just treat us as apart of the group. It's always bee you two teams. You've always kept us out of the loop" he said sitting up.
"You were never patient enough to just wait. You always get the answers in the end so can't you just wait?"
"What and let James get special treatment?"
"I know it sucks but your gonna know the answer soon."
That's when Stacey stepped in.
"Anne what happened there? I know you haven't been yourself lately."
I didn't have anything else to say so I said this "I'm going to go write my story. Please don't disturb me again" I said walking towards my study as James was walking out.
"That's all you acre about is your book not that the team is falling apart" said James.
I heard Stacey mumble something before I entered my study.
I closed the door and closed my eyes to take a breath. I tried not to cry but a few tears fell from my eyes. I wanted to curl up in a ball but I stuffed the rest of my tears down thinking I have to finish my god damn book.
Okay where was I... something about crying. Let's just move on to the next day.
As I woke up I remembered I had to meet up with James and that day some how got ten times more unappealing. I sat in my room and thought about escaping wondering how this planet looked on the other side and how we were going to get back home. Then after what seemed like hours it was finally lunch time.
"Hey Stacey's friend."
"Her name his Anne" Stacey said to James. "I've already told you that like a thousands time."
"Anne!"
I turned around to see James standing next to Stacey calling me over like a dog.
I rolled my eyes thinking of how much I wanted to slowly suffocate him. "Im not a dog" I said stepping in front of him. "and Stacey why were you alone with him his doshbagyness might rub off on you.
That's when Stacey looked at me with a look that mother would use when there silently warning them. I hated when she gave me that look because it always worked.
"Well, ladies if you would follow me we can start with this meeting." In seconds I was greeted with five guys sitting around a table. The only one I recognized was Alex.
They all looked mostly the same. There were two guys who were bald. They had blue grayish eyes and a firm jaw line with scrunched up noses and wrinkles across there foreheads. They carried the names of John and Phil. There was Alex and another man named Neal who had a buzz cut that's seemed out of place for his chubby face and plump cheeks with dark brown eyes and bushy eyebrows. The last one was a bit different though. He was younger with dirty blond hair and sliver eyes, a narrow face with prompt cheeks. All of the other guys looked to be about in there mid-30's except James who looked to be a couple years older than us maybe more. My best guess would be about eighteen but, this kid must have been our age maybe younger. His name was Danny.
"Now that everyone's been properly introduced let's figure out how were going to bust out of here. I already have someone from the outside helping us."
"An informant. Who?"
"The guy says his names was Arec. Said he would help us get out and find a safe house."
I lifted my head at the name remembering the kid from my dream thinking it might have been him but quickly banishing that thought thinking I'm not that lucky.
The plan was fairly simple but, to agree was rather difficult.
"So once James gives the signal were going to sneak out. The doors are going to be already unlocked by James. We sneak out at twelve pm."
"But what if the guards are out?" piped up Danny
"Or what if they never come out?" said Alex.
"So what happens of one of us gets caught?" asked Phil.
"We haven't got caught yet. All we have to do is get past security to get to the elevators. Once that happens Danny is going to use his electrical powers to turn off the lights but keep the elevators running. John will use his fire powers for light and Alex will use his mind powers to see what's going on upstairs. Once we reach the top Danny will turn the lights back on after Arec gives us the signal while me Neal, Phil ,Stacey and Anne back you guys up. If we don't get caught then everything should go smoothly. We'll leave an hour after lights out. As I said before at twelve."
"How do we know he won't betray us?" said John followed with a chorus of agreement.
"Trust me."
"Meaning you have no idea" I mumbled.
"Listen you guys this is going to be are only chance to get out for a long time. Do you wang to stay here?"
They all looked down, there eyes agreeing even if they didn't want to.
"Alright it's a plan" said James.
Not even a second later two guards were standing right beside me. I grimaced at another memory search but, went willingly anyways.
Stacey looked at me with sad worried ayes and, I nodded my head trying to convey everything's alright in that small gesture.
When I went in everyone was lined up against the wall.
Strange I thought.
Even Mrs.Saston looked scared for me.
"Why were you talking to James?" said Charles closing the door behind me.
When I turned around his eyes were flowing with evil intent. Two sinister snakes hissing at me. When I turned around to see that evil glint I had never felt more helpless or terrified. I had never thought the guy was intimidating but at that moment he was the devil himself.
"We were... discussing the weather." I knew it sounded sarcastic but I hyped the guy so much and I couldn't help it.
That's when I felt him grab my wrist and pull me towards the chair and then punch me in the face. Not just a tiny punch but one that caused my face to sting and tears to form in my eyes.
"He was going to get it out of you one way or another so you might as well tell him" said Mrs.Saston.
"I'm going to ask you again. What were you planning?"
"We weren't planing anything at all."
That's when he turned to The Memory Finder. "Pull out her memories until it hurts. If she still doesn't say anything after that than keep taking them."
"Mom."
"Yes, dear."
"I want you to come play with me."
"Honey we need to leave now. We're needed over at the company."
"But mommy said she was going to play with me."
"Not now sweet heart we need to leave."
My mom gave me an apologetic look before getting up to follow my father out.
I slumped down in my seat feeling disappointment muddle it's way into my heart. The next thing I knew I was being scooped up by Arec.
"What are you doing here?" I asked brighting up a little bit.
"I was sent here to watch you. I was told you wanted to play."
"Yeah bit my mom can't" I said slumping in his arms.
Then the memory switched to me seeing my parents death. Along with five other different memories that came all at once.
I couldn't tell if I was screaming was coming from me or a memory or both. That's when I felt burning turn into thick heaviness like it was slowly being filled with concrete smothering the coals. I didn't notice my nose and ears were bleeding till afterwards. That's when I felt a stinging pain on my arm causing me to flinch half-heartedly at best. Than muffled shouts followed.
"What do you mean you can't?!"
"Any more of that and I'll fry her brain" he said calmly.
"But she hasn't admitted anything."
"Ask her again and if she doesn't admit to anything than use other means of torture."
That was when I felt another sting on my arm but this time it gripped my arm and held firmly in its place. I couldn't help but scrunch up my nose in pain. "Tell me what you were doing talking with those people?"
There was no way in hell I would give them up.
"I... told you... we were... talking... about the wea..ther" I said trying to catch my breath.
That's when I felt the stinging pain grow stronger. I couldn't help let out a pathetic whimper(not having enough energy to scream).
"I know your lying so you might as well tell the truth" he said with an array of smug and cockiness.
"I'm not lying."
That's when I felt the same pain on my other wrist than it started to increase. I couldn't help but squirm. Suddenly the searing pain stopped only to travel up to my chest. That made my eyes water. It gripped harder around my heart causing air to stop flowing in. All I could muster out was a few groans of pain before I was struggling not to black out. Thats when I felt air rush back up to me causing me to cough up blood. My head felt like it was about to burst and my wrists were killing me along with my throat. It seemed like an eternity of silence and pain before I blacked out.