When The Clock Strikes Twelve

Chapter 8

Jaye was under the bed again. She tried desperately to suck in a breath, but the darkness was packed too tightly around her. She pressed herself into a tighter ball, trying to block it all out. She imagined herself somewhere else, anywhere else, where the darkness was a distant memory and she could breathe and she was okay. And then... it worked. Her breaths slowly started to level out and she felt the prison around her start to dissolve. Jaye didn't dare open her eyes, terrified that it would all come rushing back. Gradually, Jaye relaxed her balled up body, letting the sleep surround her and take her.

When Jaye woke up, she was surprised to find the blanket still on her bed. In the past week, she had woken to find it in a pile on the floor, discarded. She'd never had a problem with the nightmares at the base, because Zander had managed to procure a medication to keep them away. But they had fled, and left the medication far behind. She was thankful that she was no longer sharing a room, so her night terrors bothered no one but herself.

But maybe... maybe they were receding. She found no tear stains on her pillow either. She pushed down a spark of hope. It was probably just a good night. Jaye pushed off her blanket, making her way to the kitchen. Zaria was already awake, like she was every morning. Jaye wondered if she ever slept.

Jaye forced herself to down her can of beans, pushing away her gag reflex. They had run out of peaches 5 days ago, and beans were starting to taste like sawdust, despite how hungry she felt all the time.

As usual, the morning passed wordlessly, Zaria and Jaye walking down the stairs to the lobby together before she went to join Aram and Dalia. Jaye remained standing alone at the side of the room.

Zander clapped his hands together, turning everyone to him.

"Before we start training for today, I have a special announcement." Looking around, Jaye saw the excitement in the room rise. The monotony of the last week had begun to bring down even the most optimistic of the unit. The morning passed in a grueling blur of physical exercise, whether it be more climbing or jogging, or martial arts. Then came an afternoon of shooting. They ate the same food every day, woke up and went to sleep every day at the same time, filling the time in between with training. Anything to break the tedium of the past week made them all perk up.

"However," he continued "I won't be telling you the special announcement until tonight." Zander smiled wickedly and winked as the energy in the room deflated.

Jaye rolled her eyes at how very typical of Zander this was. Telling them that he had a secret, then dangling it over their heads like that... Jaye doubted it was even anything important.

"Anywho," Zander said, unable to suppress his smile, "We're going back to climbing today, but I think that everyone is capable enough to have only one spotter. Partner up with your roommate, and they can spot you."

Jaye locked her gaze on Zaria, who was looking at her friends, disappointed. Jaye felt an unwarranted sting of hurt in her chest. She knew that she was less than easy to be around, and normally people's dislike of her didn't bother her. So why did her shoulders droop when Zaria looked at her like that?

Jaye pushed it aside, telling herself that these unwanted emotions must have been a side effect of sleeping well for once.

Jaye braided her long white hair hastily as she found Zaria waiting by a portion of the wall that Jaye had not yet tried to climb.

"Hey." said Zaria shyly. Still shyly, even after a week of living in the same apartment. Then again, it wasn't like they talked much. That was probably her fault. Jaye opted for a short nod in greeting, and then motioned at the wall with her hand.

"Why don't you go first." Jaye offered cordially. Zaria blinked at her, surprised, but then nodded.

Her climb was not quite as tedious as it had been the first day, but it could still use some work. Jaye watched critically as she grasped for handholds. Finally, Zaria was back on the ground next to her, gasping and examining her hands.