We're Broken People

Chapter Four

Xavier sat across from me shuffling through his cards. His green eyes dashed between the numbers and pictures, trying to determine his next move. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak.

"Do you have any threes?" He looked at me questionably.

I reluctantly handed him my three of hearts, and he took it happily.

"Do I get to go again? Is that how this game works?" I shook my head yes. Xavier sometimes acted like a child, not understanding simple concepts to things I tell him. Apparently, he's never played 'Go Fish', even though he's around 17 and has only been here for a few months.

He brushed the brown hair out of his eyes, "Are you gonna answer me? Please don't do that thing were you never talk. I want to have a conversation today."

I sighed. "No, it won't be a day like that, don't worry. I'm just concerned about the test results." A moment of silence passed before I spoke again, "C'mon, let's keep playing." 

We went on for a few minutes before he interrupted. "So... What do you have to be so worried about? I mean, technically you're already insane, what could be worse than that?" Xavier held up his hands as if to say, 'Calm down.'

"Do you remember when you arrived? Do you remember the feeling you had when you stepped in this place?" I laid down my cards and brought my full attention to him.

"Um," he looked around, at the door, at the cold floor, then went back to me. "I remember being scared, but in a way that... that made you believe you were starting something, uh, better? I guess?"

"Do you want to know how I felt?" I stared at him.

"Please don't go into another one of your ridiculous stories, I really don't-" He began, but I interjected.

"I felt hopeless. Here I was, a little four year old girl who wasn't even old enough to go to kindergarten, but my parents felt the need to leave me here alone. They decided to abandon me here with crazy scientists and the Shadows. I don't know how you can feel any different. You were left here too, without anyone, and I happened to find you. Imagine if you weren't with me. Could you picture these cold, dead hallways lurking with creatures made of nightmares and you all alone to face them? I lived here for twelve years facing them, and you are very lucky that I am here with you. Don't feel like this is something better than a normal life. Feel like you need to create a spark and let this place burn." My breathing was heavy, and Xavier simply gazed at me with a smirk.

He ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, Gwen. You really need to take your meds and chill down." A laugh escaped him. "How the hell could you feel that way? These people are trying to get you back out into the real world." He stood up quickly and reached out his hand. "Come with me, I want to show you something."

"No. How do expect to insult me and then make me go with you?" I stayed rooted in place on the floor.

"Fine," he let out a breath, "I'm sorry. Are you happy? Let's go."

Only to make him shut up, and for me to not lose him, I grabbed his hand. We rushed through the doorway and ran around the hallways. Our footsteps echoed around us, and I was sure a guard would find us, but no one attempted to catch us.

Of course I was curious, but Xavier was running too fast for me to say anything. I couldn't just stop him and wait to be noticed. Besides, this was the most entertaining thing I'd done in months. What could go wrong with me having fun?

Just as we skidded around a corner, I saw her. Her outrageous outfit and too strong perfume. Her heels clicking and voice soaring, she had her back to me. But I could hear everything she was saying.