"You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."
- John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
They brought another in, he squirmed in the grasp of the white clothed men but to no avail, the reinforced bands clutching his wrists together would prevent anything... "Spontaneous" from occurring. I wonder what's so special about this one.
And just like that, they're out of my sight, passed my large, built-into-the-wall television, if only I could change the channel.
I sit from my bed, stretch each and every one of my limbs before realising I had been sat watching, waiting, for a longer time than I had initially wanted to, I hear minor cracks as I work my wrist, back and ankles. Due to this small realisation of my monotone day I remember that there is very little else I could preoccupy my time with. Once my limbs remove the static feel of white noise I lie back onto my bed, rolling my shoulders in a circular motion as I do so- crack. I raise my arm and with a rehearsed sequence of finger movements I focus on a water bottle and watch the water explode from the nozzle then have the particles dance in the air, as I control this I think about our new neighbour, likely he'll replace the occupant of the cell that had once held a young, healthy bubblegum haired girl. She hadn't lasted long in hindsight. A month, maybe? If that. She been very forthright, demanding, two traits that will not be tolerated in this institution, most of us learned that the hard way. They'd worked her till she no longer awoke from her routine of collapsing. They'd been upset at her demise, with her strong willed attitude they'd assumed she could take more. She couldn't. Unfortunately for the rest of us what this meant was that we'd be worked thrice as hard, just to satisfy their growing thirst for knowledge. It was this reason that had lead to the death of another- the youngest boy currently living here at the time, the glasses wearing boy had been cut too badly during a session, led him to bleed out and they couldn't quite get Joy there quick enough. I heard his sister is stationed here too, that they'd told her the bad news- drove her insane. I can't blame her. It's hard losing the people you love. They didn't understand that here, they'd continued to work her but she found a way to relieve herself of this place and that lead to the third death. This was one of the only times multiple people were murdered within a few days of each other, had all the scientists buzzing, it's the only reason I even know any of this.
Knock, knock. I look to my door, see one of them. He's stood at my window, glancing in like I'm a caged animal at a zoo, and in many ways I am only they have not quite perfected a way to introduce our medium to the world, as some sort of sightseeing tourist attraction. No, we were all still a dirty little secret. I'm not sure if they ever want to reveal us, I do not doubt their ability to hide this closet organisation for at least a further few years. An idea that churns my stomach and I'm not sure if I can hold back my retaliation. I sit up bend over and breathe heavily in hopes the nausea will just pass. It does yet by the time it has my small sanctuary has been invaded. I hear the swipe of ID and the swish of the door open and look up. Two of them, one from outside and one of his friends. They abide by the buddy system here which is rather strange, but it has halted any escapes, at least that I've seen and I've been here for, what, ten years now? I don't fight them as they practically pick me up and launch me against the concrete wall. I don't complain when the metallic taste of blood seeps into my mouth. And I certainly don't fight them as they secure my wrists in the tight metal.
They take me away. I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or a bad but certainly causes an array of anxiety to fill me. We reach two chunks of metal, the doors that will reveal the outcome of my day, but from here, the outside, I am left with no indicators as to this. He takes his ID, shoves it to the camera above and with a few clicks and clangs the doors mechanically sinks into the wall and I can see my day ahead. Good, that's all I think as I breathe a sigh of relief.
Once again I'm shoved inside, as part of my typical schedule and I am taken to my usual table, sat and my handcuffs break apart from one another and respectively each is joined to another string of metal to keep me firmly sat in place but gives me enough leverage to eat. Sat at my table is Brock, he's been here the longest, par Surge who's from what I can tell a mentally unstable body builder no longer allowed to join us in the dinner hall since his last outbreak of craziness. Brock's surprisingly level headed, with an automatic stoic expression he nods his head to me as a fork of hello. I smile back, I like Brock we've always gotten along and he's never failed to look after me while we've been here, or at least to a certain extent: asking how I am and giving me extra food when I've missed dinner hall the day before. He's a good guy. Next to him is a green haired boy, originally he'd sat next to the siblings, or so Brock had informed me, but since the mishap a lot of our section was moved around (to avoid too much psychological damage- the irony) and he'd joined our table. He doesn't talk much, doesn't eat much either. Must have been well connected with the two. Shame. Also at our table is a young blue haired, blue eyed girl named Dawn from someplace called Sinnoh, where's she'd live with her mother for the majority of her life. She was nice, liked to talk. Neither myself nor Brock minded, however it seemed to soothe her and if I'm perfectly honest the fact she was even talking was a miracle so I treasured the seconds. Lastly to complete our table was a red haired boy, I heard he's a third of a triplet and that the trio had been separated in order to see how that would affect their "spontaneity". He didn't speak of personal matters, similar to myself and Brock who'd only shared that type of information with one another. Normally, six habited a table but since the pink girls departure we've been left as an incomplete unit though today that seemed to change as in came the newest member. He whisked from left to right as he struggled against the restraints but lost the battle as everyone does as he was placed in the spare seat next to me. The two researchers shackle him in then move to situate themselves on stand by, all wearing the sickly white with a small red R is the corner to symbolised the lies of the 'Rocket Research Institution for the Mentally Unstable' as they lean against the walls around our eating hall.
This was our only kind of socialisation that was not a form of interrogation. It was nice though never really too deep but it was enough not to drive one insane. I decide to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the raven haired boy besides me. He's very attractive, from what I see even with that pout besmirching his face, he has large coffee coloured eyes, tanned skin and his hair is a wild flourish of black curls and waves that sat in awkward positions. He's wearing a hat, an oddity around here though I remember Dawn too had once had one in her possession until having it fall apart at the seems. He must be attached to it for them to allow him to keep the accessory.
The more I look at the boy the more I wonder and become curious to his story, he had multiple scars although he's only been here a day, it suggests he's had a young time on the outside, or maybe he's just a little careless, upon a second inspection in conclude it to be the latter. I wait for the kitchen staff to drop off our food, Jesse and James were not nearly as brutal as other workers here but I wouldn't put it past them to try and take advantage of anything I say to raise their ranks in the company.
"Hi, I'm Misty." I don't bother to extend my debt of gratitude to the names of our other table companions, I wouldn't want to make them feel obliged or force them out of the comfort zones they've all created for themselves. If they want to introduce themselves they can, though I will not be doing it for them. The newest doesn't seem to mind though, with a sad smile he replies:
"Ash."
"So, Ash, you settled in okay?" To this he stares at me like I have just punched him in the face, I blush because of the intensity of the stare but before I can actually do anything with the information and confront him I hear the wailing sirens of emergency. Most likely scenario a gas leak or fire from an experiment gone wrong, were all so use to this that no one flinches except for the initially abrupt nature of the screeches. Ash on the other hand searches with wide eyes, pulling faces at the flash of red lights. I can tell he's masking a sense of fear so I place my hand on his and squeeze hard like Lorelei had done to me on my first emergency, she was long gone now though so I guess I'd have to do. He looks in my direction so I offer up what I hope is a soothing smile, I haven't had to portray that in a while since there's been a severe decline in newcomers.
The moments short lived as the researchers come back over at their own speed, my heads jammed to the table and hands roughly removed and my wrists thrust together so that the heavy cuffs click back together. They don't mind social interaction but any form of touching is strictly forbidden unless it is of that of the researchers, on second though maybe we're more like museum than a zoo, I push away this reflection as I hear the strained shout from beside me. My eyes jump up to see Ash once again struggling, he's shouting as well.
"Hey, you can't treat her like that." Was he talking about me?
"Leave her alone!" He looks at my captor as he says it, takes a very brave (or stupid) person to do that. I cannot help but feel flattered though, as this boy who I've known for less than an hour has just come to my defence, a real rarity here at the Rocket Institution. Even Brock, who has known me for years now would be hesitant over speaking out so briskly, whether that be because he knows I can handle myself or that the actions would likely get both of us punished, or just plain fear is a mystery although I'd never expect him or anyone else to ever risk themselves like that for me.
I word "I'm okay" in Ash's direction and he stops, looking at me with big, sad eyes. An easy feeling settles in my stomach but I ignore it as I'm hauled away and secured back into my room. Where I fall in and out of sleep thinking about the raven haired boy and his sad eyes.
The few weeks continue as normal, I get to know a little about Ash and any dinner hall he is not present becomes one that I dread, I still talk to Brock but lately he's been distant. I assume it's from all the talk of escape, a topic Brock has long given up hope in. Strangely, I too avoided the subject or at least I did, now I listen to the low suggestions and determination from the driven boy situated next to me. For some reason he gives me hope. It sounds crazy but I don't care. Not one bit. We're going to escape. We're going to do it. For weeks we create an elaborate plan and today, today we break out.
It was time for dinner hall, I'd been handled with little care and so I fired it was time for a little rebellion. I squirmed, screamed and kicked, we fought one another but there was no hint of any type of them giving up. They didn't need to. I kept up my squirming until I had worked my hand close to the belt of the left male. I lightly felt for the ID and once I found it I snagged it from its spot before slipping it up my sleeve, unseen. The men were too distracted trying to stop my pumping legs and echoing screams. Gradually I stopped, to show that I was giving up as they continued to take me back to the Hall.
At my table, Ash was the only one sat there. I allowed the men to do their job and waited for them to return to the far end of the hall, close to the doors. I looked over to Ash, he smirks that brilliant smirk and raises his sleeve. I see the pass to freedom there and nod my head to show I too did my part. His grin grew and I nudge him, it was highly conspicuous to be sat smiling so widely in place like this. He stopped, looked at the table then back to me this time a small smile on his face, one of relief. That was better. I smiled back as we ate, the table becoming busier as we did so.
By the time we were back in our own rooms I was ready. I watched the men skulk away through the bulky doors before waking to the bullet proof pane in the wall. Next to it was a small shoot where they would often give a occupant water bottles, in the morning. I gripped the card, glad to see it waterproof, kissed it and then formed a small ball of water, leftover from this mornings drink, around it. I controlled the water and sent the card through the shoot, watching through the large glass that it went through. Next I tried to get the card to the scanner, it took practice but thankfully I'd been tested for this type of precision multiple times since I have been here so after a second go I managed to easily get the card scanned, the whoosh of the door a sudden jolt of relief. Phase one: complete. Down the hall I hear footsteps, the sound causes me to shrink back. What if they know? I stop shaking as the familiar face of a trusty friend runs into my cell.
"You okay?" I nod, not quite trusting my voice yet. "Come on then." He's eager, wants to go. He grabs my hand and I blush, but I've no time to worry about that. We rush to the middle of the hall and to the camera, holding up the pass, at first we hear a noise of rejection but Ash urges me to try again, with hesitation I do, Ash on the other hand places his hand over the control pad and suddenly it accepts the pass. The doors open. We run. Hold up the pass. Hand on pad. Doors open. We run. Hold up the pass. Hand on pad. Doors open. And then, close to the facade reception we see them. A few of them dotted around. Talking. I look to Ash, he's stumped, I can tell. And in a moment of defeat I doubt our escape plan, every little detail, and wish to be back in our cells before they even notice we'd disappeared. I dash the thoughts though as a flash of yellow, black and red catch my eye. I concentrate on the sight to see black and yellow stripes behind a large red button encased in plastic the word above 'emergency'. I tug Ash's hand and he pulls me back probably assuming I'd want to return. I fix his stern glare with one of my own before dragging him to the button. I hit it. Then we hide behind one of the large ferns, it's not the best coverage but we were relying on them being too caught up in the emergency to really notice two escapes. We watched them run right past us. Next was to sneak past the receptionist but it seemed fate was on our side as she trotted into the back room to aid in finding the emergency. We ran. Not stopping until we'd reached a fair distance from the institution. We were free.
We were collapsed on the floor, breathing heavy breathes and clutching one another tight. I looked to him and he to me and then we laughed. Perhaps it was hysterics but it did not matter- we were free and the first time since I was eight years old I felt the sun heat my face and the fresh air whip my shift and I had never felt happier. Tears formed in my eyes, I was so happy. I was free. I was really free. Ash hugged me tight as I cried.
"We're free, Mist, we're free- we did it!" He repeated the words over and over, neither us quite believing. That first night we spent swapping stories, sharing scars and supplying secrets as we walked away from hell. For the first time, we talked about our "spontaneity".
"Why'd you call it that?" I shrugged at his question,
"That's what they called it, I've never really talked to anyone about it before. Besides it's not exactly normal is it? Why, what do you call it." A mischievous look took over his feature;
"A talent." I looked at him. He looks so happy with himself. I guess I've never really seen this as a positive thing. I respond by rolling my eyes but can't quite hold back my smile as I do so.
"A talent?" He nodded and I decided to drop the subject, after all I wouldn't want to spoil his positive outlook. Sometimes I forgot that he was never in the institution for that long, it feels like I've known him for so much longer. "So, what is your talent then?" To this his smirk grew.
He lifted his hand, and I watched with anticipation. At first nothing happened so I look to the floor in remembrance of Brock's talent of controlling the earth beneath us, or the green haired boy's talent of growing and manipulating plants but I was in for no such look here as the ground beneath us stayed exactly the way it was. I was then thrown back by a yellow spark, the suddenness terrified me and when I gained the courage to look up fully I saw Ash, laughing so hard he was gripping his body in fear that his ribs will break. I glared at the boy,
"Ash!" He placed his hands in a stop sign before replying between laboured breathes,
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Under my breath I whispered a threatening "you will be" but he was still chuckling to himself and wiping the streams of tears from his eyes. As I waited for the calm to settle in I glared.
Finally he controlled himself and showed me what the yellow sparks were, he reached his hand out and I see electricity jump from his hand, yellow sparks flying then fading as they get further away from him. I watched in amazement, he had great control and even managed to create a ball of electricity to float above the surface of his palm.
"So that's how you got the doors to open." He nods,
"They needed a little prodding, they accepted the IDs but not us, so I just assisted it a little." Pride radiates from him, but he deserves to feel proud, he's freed us.
"So come on." I take my turn and we spend the night showing our different talents and to the extent we could take it.
It was fun, it was real. We slept with one last vow: "to get everyone else out". I couldn't wait to sees Brock's face when he's free. With that last thought I slept the whole night through.
I woke up, arms around my waist, Ash's face rubbing against the back of my shoulder and smiled. While waiting for him to wake I traced my scars, the ones around my wrists from the daily shackles to the one just visible on my stomach where they were using me as a hamster for Joy and lastly the one on my jaw from disobeying an order. The old memories haunted me so I allowed my finger to trace the outline of the scars from Ash's bare arms: the one he said to have gotten in a fight with an old rival named Paul then to the burn he'd gotten experimenting with his talent to another he'd gotten at his first night at Rocket from a firm beating because of his act of defiance, defending me. It made me cringe to know it is my fault but in one sudden movement Ash's hands pulled me closer, tighter as though he was trying to subconsciously reassure me. I sighed in content. I could live like this forever.
Blackness clouded my view as I fell back into bliss.
I'm jolted awake, rough winds breaking skin, my eyes open in urgency to see helicopters, and researchers around us. Everywhere. They're holding tranquillisers. As I begin to panic I notice something at my foot. One of them stood right there. I look to Ash but he was gone and in wild panic I searched, finding him lying on his front with a mans foot digging him into the ground. A tranquilliser aimed at him as one was aimed at me. It's over. The freedom is over. And as I look at Ash, his face black and blue, I see him take a gulp and look at me with those big, sad eyes.
"I'm okay." I smiled.
I woke it a hot sweat. Looking around I see my similar room, the same one from my dream, the same dream I'd been having for weeks now. Brock has told me to forget about it, but he looks so disappointed when he says it. He didn't seem to understand though, the dream didn't make me sad or scared. I pull the thin sheet to my chin and smile. It gave me hope. If only I could figure out who this 'Ash' is, or what he means…
[A/N]: So this is a much longer one to make up for the tiny one beforehand, originally I was going to post this yesterday but my mum had a lot of birthday surprises, I just had no time to fit it in.
So this stories in a different AU as you will have noticed, I figured it would be nice to get a story in here that is not just based in the Pokemon world or based a real life realm. So here it is. I'm aware that there are a lot of tense mistakes but after staring at my ipad for so long it's killing my eyes. So, I'll try to sort that out at a later date.
Still any decisions on poems? They count, yay or nay?
Lastly, haven't read this book? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Go do it. Now. Before the film comes out.
Ready to Fly- Thank you! And that definitely Ash's character, I originally struggled on whether it would be Gary or Ash, seeming as both are quite similar in these aspects, but I have a Gary one half written up so that sort of pushed me to chose Ash. I'm glad you liked and you're so passionate about the series, THANKS AGAIN! :D
