Chapter Text
“Elesdror!” a deep, echoing voice bellowed. My mind snapped into a state of alert as I found myself floating in an emptiness that seemed to stretch on forever, filled with the commanding voice, the void flashing a deep, oppressive purple as he spoke, emphasising every syllable.
The voice continued, “We will hunt you down. One day, you will no longer be able to run and we will make an example of you like we did your father.”
It was then that I noticed, far away, another figure, a small blot in the vast emptiness. The figure seemed to be surrounded in a thin layer if the same purple light.
“NO!” I heard a young male scream. The light then exploded outwards like a wave slowly quickly approaching. “What you did to my father was unspeakable and, although you promise this fate for me, know I won't run any longer, you will regret ever setting foot on Earth and threatening me or my family.”
And with that, the light engulfed me and I woke up sprawled across the bed in a cold sweat.
“What a weird dream. It felt so real.” I thought, confused. I looked over at the small digital clock on the wall above the entrance, casting a dull blue glow over the room. It read 2:14. “Well, there's no way in getting back to sleep after that. Another shower might be a good idea though.” I decided, looking over at the slightly ajar door.
Still half asleep, I wandered over to the bathroom door, banging my knee on the low coffee table on the way with a stifled squeal. I slowly pried the bathroom door open and darted in, pulling the door shut gently once I was through.
Wide awake after the incident with the coffee table, I grabbed the same bottles from last night, the coconut set, as if it were already routine and turned on the shower, setting it to a comfortable temperature, hot enough to feel it but not enough to hurt. The shower, as it had last night, felt amazing; the soft pitter-patter of the droplets on my skin, the sweet, aromatic smell of the shampoo, the warm feeling that comes with being clean.
After the shower, I dried myself and snuck through the main room again and silently opened the wardrobe. From amidst the colourful array of clothes, I picked out a simple, lilac long-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of slim denim jeans. As a chill crept up my arm, I decided to also pick out a pale red jumper that was very slightly too big but allowed me to hide my hands in my sleeves, keeping them warm.
After getting changed and putting my dirty clothes in one of the cupboards in the side room, I began reading the labels, curious as to why there were so many. One particular label caught my eye, it read “Books”. It was a fairly big cupboard and I eagerly opened in, despite expecting non-fiction. I found several types of books: non-fiction, classics, sci-fi, historical fiction and even Harry Potter.
As soon as I saw Harry Potter, I grabbed the first book and rushed to curl up on one of the armchairs and turn on a small reading light I'd found in the cupboard.
After around 2 hours, I checked the clock again and it was 4:30.
“Time for the hard part.” I sighed. I kept turning my gaze between the lying figures, formulating the least awkward me to wake them up, while not making much noise so that it didn't travel into different rooms. I spent a good 5 minutes tossing around ideas including just speaking them, throwing pillows and a complicated arrangement of mirrors from the bathroom to wake them all up.
That was until I was interrupted by three loud, hollow knocks on the door. The others sleepily began to wake up while I walked to the door and opened it. Jack was already walking back to his room, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and just said “Good morning, Alice.“ before closing the door without letting me reply.
I closed the door, confused but smiling, and adopted my cosy reading position once again. As I read, I was vaguely aware of others around me as I absorbed myself in the story and I must have dozed off as I next remember being jogged awake by Kat so we could leave.
Not wanting to be late on the first day, I left the book on the chair and all but ran out of the room I accidentally bumped into a surprised Charlotte who was caught by Adam before she could fall over. I quickly apologised, embarrassed, before Jack came out of his room in some worn jeans and a red t-shirt.
“Nice to you all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!” Jack started, “If you ask a question, I’ll answer truthfully and to the best of my knowledge. Now, stick close, follow me and don’t wander off. This place can be like a maze.” With that, he turned on his heels and started down the hallway. We, surprised at how...animated...he was, ran to catch up.
As we walked, I, almost rhetorically, asked “Is this place supposed to be a maze?”
“Yes,” Jack answered “This base was specifically designed to confuse any attackers in the event this base is compromised.” Then, before I could ask my follow-up question, he continued with a chuckle at my expression “Yes, we give you a map to start.”
I had a want, a need, to ask more questions, to understand more and make everything seem more real. Everything felt so wrong. I was just normal, never anything extraordinary or different. However, I had too many questions. I was paralysed with choice, walking in silence beside Jack. I was unable to voice my thoughts, trapped inside my mind.
I was stopped by Jack’s arm outstretched in front of me as I almost crashed into a set of metallic grey double doors. “Try not to zone out during training, Alice. I’d hate to have to explain to the Commander why one of my charges was killed one the first day.” Jack said while he turned to me with a warm, joking smile. He then opened the heavy doors with the swipe of a card, holding them open whilst motioning for us to enter the surprisingly still room. “Ah, yes. No one’s here yet. Gives us more privacy,”Jack commented. “Anyway, now we eat. I’m sure you’re hungry.”