The Anomalies

Chapter 8

A collective gasp is heard around the room as I stand frozen to my spot. I've never enjoyed being the center of attention, and I certainly did not enjoy it now.

"I expect you all to treat her with the utmost respect, just as you would to me," Elijah continued.

I glanced up to meet his gaze and glared at him. All I receive back is a smirk, but I don't plan on letting this go so quickly. Frustrated, I remove myself from his side and storm outside. I find a nearby tree with a bench when the sound of ripping fills my senses and brings me back down to earth. As I sit down, I inspect and realize my beautiful red dress now has a large rip in the hem. Just a few hours ago, I would've been devastated by this, but now, I could care less. The tears begin to slowly fall down my face as I reflect on all that I've lost. I've lost my family and my home. Every sense of purpose I thought I'd had before, gone.  Even worse, everything I had been told before about this world was wrong.

"It's a bit of a shock, isn't it?"

I look up to find the owner of this unfamiliar voice standing in front of me. An Anomaly like me except she had long platinum blonde hair and eyes a deep shade of emerald. She was by far the most beautiful person I had ever seen.

"It's a little scary not going to lie," I say quietly, staring at my hands placed in my lap. 

"I know what you mean. I was the new one just a few weeks ago. I'm Zarha, by the way."

"Well, I guess there's no need to reintroduce myself thanks to Elijah," I grumbled, still avoiding eye contact.

Zarha sits next to me a places her hand over mine in my lap, " He means well, you know, he didn't want to upset you."

How could she be so kind and understanding without hardly knowing me? Was everyone like this here, or was Zarha just overly friendly? I had a feeling I'd soon find out the answer to that question.

I turn to her and ask, "Does he do that to everyone new here?"

"No, I can't say he does. It isn't my place to tell, but I'm sure when you ask him, he'll tell you why it was different for you. Don't fret over it though, trust me, things will get better. Questions will be answered, just give it some time."

"I don't want to wait. I want to know why I'm here, wherever here is. I can't do this."

The last few words come out as a sob as I begin to break down. I need to pull myself together. I can't risk being vulnerable in a strange place. Zarha places her arm around me helping me to my feet,

"Here, let me show you to your room. It will give you some space and time to process all of this."

I follow her to another large building, not that far from where I first arrived. Except this has a homier appearance from the outside, almost like a hotel. It has a wrap-around porch with several benches and chairs, some already occupied. 

"This is it, home sweet home. These are the barracks, well one of them at least. There are several others here that have rooms, so you will get to know the people fairly quickly."

We walk up the steps up onto the porch and open the door. The foyer of the barracks is breathtaking. The dark cedar wood that covers the entire space and makes up the stairs leaves me with an unfamiliar feeling. Its warmth and comfort all at once, and before I can stop myself self, I begin to think about how I never want to leave.

Zahra continues walking and begins climbing the steps, and after about four flights of steps I ask, panting,

"Why so many stairs, and how far up am I?"

She chuckles and turns to look at me, " Just one more, you've got the top floor."

We continue up the last flight of stairs until we finally reach a door with a sign reading "PRIVATE."

"This isn't like the other floors," I grumble, shooting Zahra a look.

"You're right; it isn't, the whole floor is yours. Well, yours and your roommate."

"My roommate?"

Just as those words leave my mouth, the door opens up with a loud creak.

"I believe she was referring to me," rumbled the voice that was becoming oh so familiar.

Blue Eyes.