Beyond Midnight

|06|

Soleil

I'm staring at the beams of sunlight sneaking in through the numerous blinds blocking the life giving windows. I narrow my eyes at the streams of white light, hating the barriers that keep me from seeing it.

I miss the sun. I miss the grass. I miss my freedom.

"I wish we could go outside." I glance up at Elodie who spoke my exact thoughts, seeing her flip aimlessly through a book about flowers. It's mostly pictures, displaying all the different breeds and species of perennials that her little heart desires.

Elodie is like me, she loves nature. She hates being locked up in this foul place. It's cruel really. I slam my own book shut, hardly able to concentrate on the words displayed on the countless pages. I'm too distracted.

We're in the library, and we're the only ones here. After the whole basketball game thing I needed to go somewhere quiet, and this is one of our favorite places to go when we can't go outside. I feel comfortable here, comfortable to say whatever I want to.

"We should overthrow the Group." I say, only half joking, to which my best friend reacts swiftly. Her green eyes widen, and she gawks at me like I'm insane. She glances around like a member of the Board is right behind us.

I roll my eyes. Elodie is always hyper vigilant about these things. She's paranoid. And most of all, she wants to be on everyone's good side. I wouldn't blame her for that though. I think it's her way of trying to prove her worth. She doesn't need to prove anything to me, I know she has so much more value than anyone gives her credit for.

And through her, I see my own value. She shows me that we both deserve better than this.

"Okay, that was a joke, but still. Why not? What's the worst that could happen? We get rescued by big hot men that stand around almost like they're waiting for us?" I say, knowing how curious we both are of the giant strangers outside.

Me more than anyone. I'm way too excited when I think of the man I saw out there. He was so mysterious, and handsome. And the way he looked at me... well let's just say, it's a wonder that I didn't burst into flames.

"Yeah, but did you see one? I heard they're 7 feet tall. That's scary. They could be dangerous. I'm not so sure." She reasons, and I shrug.

"Well, anyone could be dangerous, that doesn't mean that they are. And think about it, they haven't attacked us. If they're so strong and dangerous then why haven't they broken down the gates, hmm?" I counter, and I watch as Elodie bites the inside of her cheek in thought.

I lean back in my chair, hearing it creak in protest under my weight.

"I think we should give them a chance too. Then maybe someone would want me. Do you think one of them would?" She presses, and empathy bubbles up inside me.

"Of course. They'd be stupid not to. Look at you! You're gorgeous." I'm not making it up either, Elodie is striking.

A little smile appears on her freckled face, but then her shoulders fall a bit and she looks downtrodden.

"I hope you're right. My Dad snapped at me this morning, cursing the fact that I look the way I do. Some of the women have been gossiping about which of my parents is to blame for the mishap that is me. It's so embarrassing." She chokes, true anguish bursting through. I touch a hand to her elbow. I have so much resentment pent up towards all those idiots. I want to hurt every single person that says something bad about my best friend. Anyone that hurts her is on my list for revenge.