Alienated

FIVE

"Aster I need you to come with me! Hurry! Before they see you!" I don't know who's talking to me but the urgency in their voice makes me do what I've been told. I follow this person in a hurry, my legs almost not able to keep up.

"I need you to be faster. Stronger. You can't fall behind!" The voice is different this time but familiar. My sight is still a blur. The feeling is as if I'd just woken up and my eyes haven't adjusted to the light yet.

My legs hardly keep up as I'm running through the darkness. I feel what I believe is grass scratching my legs as I run with my arms out in front of me. I feel almost blindfolded. I don't know why I'm in a hurry or who is begging me to keep moving, but I have a feeling I should do what I'm told.

A third, final voice booms louder than the others "Hurry Aster! They're coming! They know they messed up and they're coming back! Run!" My heart beats out of my chest. Up until now I was confused but not entirely frightened. Terror now fills my whole body.

Suddenly my body is lifted off the ground and I'm being held tightly against someone's bare chest. I look up, relief and confusion flushes through me.

"Hero? Where have you been?"

He continues running, looking behind him as if we're being chased. He picks up his pace. I feel like i should be weighing him down but he holds me with no problem.

"I'm here to protect you. I won't let them get you. Go back to sleep." I don't know who he's talking about but my eyes close and I drift off back to sleep.

6:32 a.m.
January 2nd

The sun wakes me up every morning around seven but this morning, the smell of something sweet wakes me up sooner. I realize it's the smell of my nightgown. It smells familiar but I can't quite place it. A mixture of cherry and... almonds. I don't know why but it instantly turns me on. I grab my pillow and place it over my face, groaning into it.

My dream last night about Hero mixed with the smell of... whatever it is has brought a whole new wave of confusion over me.

I don't remember too much about my dream last night but I do remember it starting out as a nightmare. He saved me from whoever was in that darkness, saved me from my nightmare turning any worse. I wish I could thank him, but I suppose that'd be kind of weird.

I sigh and take the pillow off my face, putting it back under my head. I glance over at Toia. She's still sleeping like a baby, her mouth wide open and slight snores escaping it. It's not quite light out but the sun will definitely be up and shining through our curtains in about an hour.

I decide to get up and shower. I throw on an army green top and a pair of black joggers, my black grandpa slippers completing the outfit. By the time I'm ready it's only six-thirty five so I decide to head down stairs and cook breakfast before everyone else wakes up. I sneak out of our room and make my way down stairs. The kitchen light is already on and I see a shadow moving.

I hear a cough and I stop in my tracks. It's not any of the staff, Mr. Rodent is the only male staff we have and that was definitely not him. He's not here until around noon anyways. I turn the corner and my heart skips a beat.

"Well you're up early." Hero says, mixing something in a bowl, I'm assuming pancake mix.

I sit on a stool at the island, directly in front of him and yawn loudly.

"Wish I wasn't." I rub my eyes and put my head on the counter. "I couldn't sleep. What's your excuse?"

He smiles sheepishly and continues stirring the mixture.