I woke with a gasp, sweat running down my brow and the thin, grey blankets twisted around me. I fought free, sitting on the edge of the hard bed.
I looked around the small, cement room. I had lived here as long as I can remember. The small rectangular window I couldn't reach. The hard bed, with the thin, lumpy mattress. My skin was pale from years without sunlight. My hair was knotted because I didn't have a brush. Was I crazy? Was that why I was imprisoned here, alone?
I paced around the small room; four steps, stop, turn around, repeat. This was my routine. I would do this until someone came with my breakfast, then, when I was finished eating, I would lie on the bed until lunch. After that I would pace again until dinner. I guess I did it to keep fit, because there was definitely no other reason for it.
Sometimes a lady would look through the slot on the door – a lady with shoulder length black hair. I'm not sure if the lady was a friend or family member, or a doctor, or the person who put me here. But every time she looked through, she smiled, as though laughing at a joke only she got.
There was a bang as the slot on the door opened. I walked over and took the tray that was pushed through. The same thing there always was, watery soup with green bits and half a stale roll. I ate quickly, and then banged on the door. When the slot was opened again I slipped the tray into it.
Two days later, everything changed. A few hours after lunch, there was a jangle of keys and the door to my 'Prison' opened. A man in a white nurse uniform walked in. He must have been a few inches taller then me, with brown hair and brown eyes. He held his hand out to me as I sat up.
"Come with me." He said, and I took his hand, standing up.
"What - Who are you? Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice hoarse with disuse. He held my shoulders and replied;
"My name is Jefferson, and I need your help to do something that I can't. There's a man, his name is Mr. Gold. Find him. All you have to do is tell him where you've been and that Regina locked you up." I nodded through this.
"Wai – Wait - What?" I said, confused.
"It's very important. Mr. Gold's going to protect you, but you have to tell him Regina locked you up. He's going to know what to do. You understand?" He added, and I nodded.
"Yes, I-I have to find Mr. Gold." Jefferson nodded, then stood aside, his hand on my shoulder. He pushed me out the door, gently.
"Go!" I walked out, glancing back at Jefferson, standing there.
"Go!" He said, more insistently. I walked out into the empty corridor. I was finally free.