Room 93 (FIRST DRAFT)

Day 9

I sit up wearily and look around. I am surprised when I realise that my body is once again following my brains commands. I'm no longer under the control of the black entity.

My stomach growls crazily and claws at my tender skin. I prod it viciously and will it to calm down. I haven't eaten for 2 days now and the hunger is driving me mad. It's like an animal inside of me that is willing to eat itself to satisfy its own need. I shiver at my thoughts but I know they could be true. What if I was eating myself?

I jump out of my skin as a cold, lifeless hand grips my shoulder and I imagine the dark entity from yesterday clinging onto me like a bad omen. Although I am little I clench my fist and slam it into the hand on my shoulder. The thing grabbing onto me releases it hold on me and moans in pain. I wince at the pain flowing through my knuckles from the contact and - even though it burn like fire - it feels oddly satisfying. I twist round, ready to keep attacking the entity, when I see Darren clutching his hand weakly, tears forming in his eyes. It hadn't been the entity holding me, it was Darren. I gasp as I realise that I hurt him and wrap my arms around his waist tightly. He slowly puts his hand on my head, hoping I am not still the rabid beast from yesterday. I give him my best apologetic puppy eyes and it seems to calm him.

'Sorry, Darren.' I murmur, angry that I had lashed out because I was scared. It had been stupid to assume it was the entity. It hadn't been able to tough me yesterday so what made today different?
'It's okay, Liz. I was really worried you were still that insane monster-like animal from yesterday.' He speaks slowly and cautiously but he doesn't sound scared - well not anymore...
'I can understand why you would think I was still a monster. I'm not though, I'm human.' I pause briefly, 'What did you come to talk about?' I ask, ending our embrace.
'I wanted to give you an update on Alexia. She's been dodgy since the day where we were outside, but she is better that Jason.' He states, not showing any emotions. I sigh. Alexia isn't mental yet. I have to admit that I really like Alexia, in fact I like everyone. I don't want anyone else to die. I watch Darren. His face is contorted, as if remembering some foul memory.
'What's wrong?' I ask my voice trembling.
'Jason. I was with him when we arrived. During the second day he had this fit. He was shaking uncontrollably. Once it finished three hours later he told me that he had drowned in the sea. It had felt so real na dye could still taste the salty water in his mouth. He had had a dream similar on the first night but that was just an image. The funny thing is that it came back again and after the second time he died. I just can't shake off the feeling of déjà vu. Do you understand?' I understand. I understand perfectly.

I keep getting the tingly feeling of déjà vu surrounding me and enveloping me in its worry and tension. It is a puzzle with two pieces missing, I can faintly see the pieces but not quiet and nothing is clear enough without them.

Darren is feeling this too, I can tell from the way he hangs his head and creases his brow. I have never had a in-depth conversation with Darren before and he is probably the last person I'd expect to be talking about this with. Even so being around him is making the image clearer in my mind, slotting another piece of the puzzle into its rightful place in the jigsaw. This has happened before with Jason and that didn't end well. God knows what'll happen to Alexia if this carries on. She could be next...

***

After my talk with Darren people began waking and we end our conversation abruptly. We don't want to alarm Alexia and the others. There still isn't any food but we will have to make do with our empty and impatient stomach for a while.

I sit beside Samantha and look to her for comfort. She allows me to rest my sore head on her shoulder. She takes my weight and carefully soothes my head and strokes my ragged and knotted hair. I can tell that if I look in a mirror right now then I wouldn't be able to tell that I had brown hair, it would just be grease, dirt and a big knot. The others look similar, although our brief drowning helped clean us a little, not enough though. Astra is by far the cleanest. Her beautiful golden curls cleaner than ours because she was wet but clean when she arrived where as the rest of us were basically dirty.

I try to ignore the state we are all in and focus on Alexia. I see Darren watching her too but the others are oblivious. They're lost in their thoughts and small talk. I have never really made small talk although I must be that kinda kid, I just don't remember anything. Alexia is running her finger through her hair and teasing its knots apart. I can tell she is trying to distract herself from something but I can't be bothered to ask. I get up and walk away from Samantha. Maggie is sitting in the corner talking to Eric. I hadn't noticed Eric at first but I can't turn around now just because Eric was there. I sit beside them and listen to their conversation.
'How do you know Laya?' Eric asks, curious as usual.
'I don't know, but when I am with her I feel this connection and this need. I think she might be my big sister but I dunno. She could be related to me in any number of ways.' She replies. She keeps her answer decisive and to the point. I wish I could answer questions like her.

Their conversation drags on and I wonder why I am still sitting with them. They're like a pair of single mums chatting before the daily school rounds. I wonder if my mother was like that. Was she the kind that were soft and spoilt me or was she strict and firm? Did she spoil me or hit me? Or was she in between? I can't recall any memories of my mum (or dad) just a few of a dark place before the room where we were waiting till the darkness was ready for us to enter.

Someone screams behind me but I can't tell who. The scream rings in my ear. It is high pitched and pains my ears. I put my hands over my ears and Maggie and Eric follow suit. Astra runs up to us and beckons us to where they were sitting but I'm not sure if I want to go. Last time something like this happened I watch Jason drown from the inside out, like the water was starting from inside him rather than outside. I shudder at the memory but I know I must go. I must be strong and protect Alexia or whoever it is. I don't know why I feel this way but I do.

Alexia is sprawled across the floor hyperventilating and squeezing Samantha's hand like a vice. Sweat breaks out from her brow and Eric wipes it away with his sleeve. Alexia's already knotted hair becomes an impossible knot as she squirms and shakes her head. I self-consciously run my hands through my hair like I had seen Alexia do. It makes me shiver though so I stop and rest my hand on Alexia's shoulder. She opens her eyes for a few seconds then they roll back in her head and she passes out. I sigh in relief. Alexia isn't going to die. Not today. Not yet...