The next day was wash day, the name itself was demeaning and the fact that it only came around once a month served to make us feel worse. We were not given any prior warning, presumably so we couldn't hatch and escape plan, and for the same reason we only travelled in threes, plus one guard.
Needless to say my friends were still not talking to me, Victoria and James continued what I now realise was a well thought out plan to alienate me. So imagine my horror when I discovered my group was made up of them. It was embarrassing enough having to strip off in front of the guards to immerse myself in the cold water of the pool, yet alone in front of them.
Victoria had seemed stunningly beautiful from the day she arrived with her, startling red hair and piecing grey eyes the colour of an overcast sky. Needless to say James was also unusually good looking with short brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. I felt inadequate next to them as we lined up to be taken outside of the cage.
Normally I would have revelled in the chance to escape, however briefly but something about James put me on edge, the secrets, the lies, the cold glint to his eyes and sometimes the way he looked at me, like he knew something I didn't.
We arrived at the pool, which as normal seemed freezing on my bare skin. James and Victoria pulled away from me as soon as we entered the icy water, whispering as usual. I tried my best to wash myself but as I dunked my head underwater trying to wash the grime from it. I felt two sets of hands reach towards me pushing me down.
I panicked thrashing and kicking trying to draw the attention of the guards, but as I screamed I let out the last of my air increasing the pressure in my lungs. I was terrified, of death, that I might not see Edward again, that the last face I would see would be the laughing face of Victoria or the twisted features of James.
I knew they had been annoyed that I was chosen above them, but surely it was nt reason enough to kill me. Though being enclosed your whole life can do strange things to your mind.
Still struggling I could feel clouds begin to cross me vision and I could feel the acid building up in my lungs making it feel like there was a tonne of bricks in my chest. James's and Victoria's hands continued to shake me holding my head under. But deep down I did not believe they would actually kill me, that they would be that heartless.
I realised my mistake as I reached breaking point, I stopped struggling as took in a huge mouthful of water, allowing it to flood my lungs. A scientist once described it by jabbing a chicken breast with a knife, when the feeling in your lungs becomes too much and you are forced to choke on water.
They say after that moment there is only calm, but though my body remained unresponsive my mind raced. I hated Victoria and James in that moment, not for taking my life away, but for pulling me away from Edward.
They say sometimes that in the moment before you die your whole life flashes before your eyes. And I guess in a way it did because all I saw was Edward
Then I felt two strong arms pulling me to the surface, and I took in the sweetest breath of my entire life, I passed out before I could see me saviour.