Mr. Alushin came by semi-regularly now. Sometimes without much of a heads up. It was becoming routine for me to be woken up early for a small breakfast, in which whoever brought to me that day would wait for me to finish it, before dragging me off to the shower. I would exit the shower to find another bright colored dress draped over the pedestal sink. I would dress in it and brush my teeth only to be find an annoyed Melody outside my door. She would rant on and on as we walked the short distance to her room, and then would complain while doing my hair. After the first couple times she told me how to do my makeup myself. I shared my small victory with the voice, the only one keeping my daily time with Melody sane.
Afterwards, I would be led out for medical examinations or back into my own room. If and when Mr. Alushin arrived, I was called out of my room and spent the rest of the day sitting around in silence while the others talked amicably. I tuned out their words. They mostly explained to Mr. Alushin what they all did, the discoveries and progress they have made, et cetera. The only thing that wasn't repeat was when they had claimed I was Timmy's niece. When I looked up, Timmy sent me a nervous smile.
"I can see the family resemblance. You both have the same colored blonde hair," was all Mr. Alushin said after hearing their lie.
The new routine, while different, settled in quickly with everyone. I was used to being able to relax in my room of shadows and boxes, and it was uncomfortable at first being out in the open, under their scrutinous gazes whenever they wanted. Eventually I found myself relaxing. I kept myself from talking but the voice in my head went on with telling lame jokes, singing random tunes, and always making sarcastic comments about the others. It quieted only when he stepped into the room, when he left the voice was back and just as happy as before.
Melody and Donald were giving Mr. Alushin a tour of their other locations. I have not been to any of them before but had the feeling they were a lot like this warehouse. Bobo was out as well, leaving Marcus, Timmy, and I in the main room for the rest of the day. As per usual, Marcus typed away at the glowing screen of his computer and I sat in a stiff chair in a corner. Timmy fidgeted in his seat on old leather couch they brought in not too long ago. The worn, dark brown leather looked inviting, if Twitchy-Mic-Twitch-Twitch wasn't there of course. I rested my head back against the stiff frame of my chair and tried to get comfortable.
Last night's dreams hovered at the edge of my mind. They were nightmares of some kind but I couldn't remember much. Just a couple of nondescript faces sneering at me and cold, the feeling of freezing to death. Remembering it had me shivering in my bright orange hoodie shirt and denim skirt. Least they stopped forcing me to wear those stupid dresses everyday.
"You cold?" Marcus's soft voice cut across the room, causing me to vault from my chair. He hadn't said much to me since the first night Mr. Alushin came to visit. I couldn't read his face from across the room. He didn't normally toy with me like the other, and he gave you that rubber band, remember? the voice in my head intervened. "Well?" he asked again. He wasn't gonna drop it just because of my silence.
I slowly shook my head in a exaggerated sign for a 'no'. I honestly was on the warm side. There was vent in the wall by my feet blowing warm air across my bare toes. Marcus returned to his computer and started typing. I thought he believed me only for him to speak up again. "Timmy, go fetch her a blanket or something."
"Eh?" Timmy looked up from the book in his hands, "Why me? You do it!"
"'Cause I'm doing actual work, you're just reading." Marcus answered without turning away from the monitor. Timmy grumbled but got up, tossing the book back onto the couch. He shot me a look before heading down the hallway leading to stairs up and other rooms. His footsteps faded off and I turned my gaze back to Marcus. He sat there typing away at his computer still. I didn't understand him.
"If you need something speak up, I know you can talk." He spoke without glancing back. I swallowed. With the others I could still pretend but not with him. I made the mistake and had to pay the price. I tucked my feet up on the chair and wrapped my arms around my knees. It will be fine, he doesn't like seeing the others touch us, he won't cause any pain the voice assured me. With little confidence and hardly any volume I replied.
"I'm not cold. I don't need a blanket. I…" I wasn't sure what I was going to say next. I watched as Marcus sat straighter in his chair, and then slowly spin his chair around to face me. I couldn't read his face from the distance but his body was open to me, relaxing my tensed up muscles. We sat like that, facing each other and watching one another from across the room, until Timmy returned with a soft looking blanket in his arms.
"This good enough?" Timmy asked Marcus sarcastically. When Marcus didn't move to face him, he peeked in my direction. My eyes shifted between the two of them uncomfortably. I wasn't sure what was going on anymore. I think Marcus is waiting for us to tell Timmy. Now he's giving us the same silence we gave all of them. I let my gaze drop to my toes. The nails were rough from me tearing away the white part. I spoke into my knees. "I'm not cold Timmy. Sorry" I added the 'sorry' to be polite. Being snarky never got me anywhere with them.
"Holy shit! Did she just talk to me? And say my name?" Timmy dropped the blanket in his surprise. I glanced between Marcus and me once more before striding over to me. He grabbed one of my wrists wrapped around my legs, pulling apart my comforting position. "Say something again. Tell me I'm not imagining things," his eyes were full of excitement and a bit of shock. I tried not to flinch away but his hand seemed to burn around my thin wrist.
"You're not imagining it. Can you please let go of me?" I asked him, without meeting his gaze. My voice went soft at the end.
Timmy let go with a mumbled 'sorry', and fumbled back a step, fidgeting with elation. He let his blue-grey eyes trail over me, like he was seeing me for the first time again. Marcus, who had gotten up without me noticing, stood to Timmy's side. "I told you she could talk still," he said to Timmy, elbowing him in the side, "and just yesterday you were calling me a liar."
"It's not my fault! She hasn't been talking for so long we just assumed she went mute as a side effect from one of those stupid medications" Timmy replied, a little indignant. He turned back to me, bending slightly to be more on eye level with me. I sat back as far as I could in the chair, creating as much space between us as possible. " Who knew?" he asked himself.
Marcus cleared his throat. "Actually, only we know. I haven't told the others yet. I'm not sure if we should." I was shocked to hear he kept this secret and my eyes swerved to watch his gaze drop to his shoes.
"You didn't? They would love to know. They'll be furious to know you've kept quiet for this long." Timmy replied miffed. Oh no! If Marcus or Timmy does tell them then… then… then who knows what might happen to us?! The fear in it's words scared me. It was right. They couldn't tell them.
Before I could second guess my actions, I let my hands grab hold of both of them. I held the edge up Marcus's gray, cotton, polo shirt and the right sleeve to Timmy's white button up dress shirt. "You can't tell!" My voice cracked from the sudden rush of words across my tongue. I swallowed nervously, glancing between their surprised expressions. "Please don't tell them… please." I begged. They looked to each other and I watched both of them weigh the cons to my request. "I'm scared. I don't want them to know," I felt my lip start to quiver in remembrance of how it used to be with my captors. I had done everything to escape back then.
I was 13 again. I had stolen cleaners from the upstairs closet. I wasn't exactly sure my plan was going to work, it was a last ditch effort. I poured the bleach first down the hardwood stairs, watching with a sense of glee. Everyone went around barefoot or in fancy-pansy shoes. They wouldn't want to step in this. I double checked the window was open, and unscrewed the top of the next chemical product. With a toss, the liquid sloshed everywhere, mixing. The smell was intoxicating. I quickly unscrewed the rest and spilled them out as well. The fumes were overwhelming and I felt myself rock a little from dizziness. the sound of voices froze me for a second of pure panic. I had to hurry. I ditched the window cleaner in hand and turned tail. With a huff, I pulled my top half through the window I had made sure was unlocked before I began dumping chemicals. They were shouting from the base of the stairs. Angry. I was done for if I was caught. Maybe they would just kill me this time.
With a strain, I pulled a leg through and I nearly lost balance. My knuckles turned white from the weight of holding myself stable and my arms shook. I was weak. Oh so weak. Carefully I stood up and looked around. It was a small jump to the roof hanging over a lower floor to the abandoned apartments. I heard him shout now. Take a deep breath. You can make it, I know you can, the voice comforted me.
With a deep inhale, I held my breath and counted to three. I exhaled a little more sure of myself. I had read people were able to do impossible things when they have to. It was an adrenaline thing. I hope the science book didn't lie.
"Get back here you little bitch!" someone screeched. I didn't care to think of whom.
I jumped forward, arms outstretched to grab hold. And I did. My chest slammed into the wall just before the roof and the breath was knocked out of me, but I held on for dear life. I couldn't feel much strength left, but I mustered what I still had to pull myself up. Panting hard, I crawled on my hands and knees to the other side, the small roof's shingles biting into my dry skin. This side of the roof had a window beneath it, one rather large enough to offer the room below it a pleasant view of pine forests.
With acrobatic skills I didn't possess, I managed to get myself on the window's ledge without falling the painful distance that may or may not be fatal, but surely would be painful. The window was cracked open at the bottom in hopes that a small breeze of the summer air would find its way in. Carefully I shimmied it open further and slide in. I was so much closer to freedom then the last time I tried. A small bud of hope pushed against my ribs to bloom. I felt a rare smile stretch my face as I looked around me.
I was in a room I didn't recognize. It was empty except for the several filing cabinets shoved into one corner on my left, and a beat up desk shoved in the right corner. A tilted wheely chair sat abandoned in the center of the room. I crept forward, around the chair and to the door, pausing to listen for the signs of life on the other side. If I could just make it to the second floor I may just be able to get out and still avoid the dogs out front. There was a strong and old maple tree by a window on the second story. With a bit of luck I could use that to get myself out of the rest of building. Again I inhaled and held, counting to three before releasing. You're good, now go! They won't stay gone for long! With the voice's words I turned the brass knob and pushed forward….
"Fine." Marcus spoke, drawing me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him with a sort of giddiness building in my gut. A nostalgic feeling. Hope. You're hopeful, the voice put a name to it. Oh how long has it been since I let myself be hopeful for anything.
I turned to Timmy, trying to hold still as I watched him nod to himself. He glanced between us before accenting his agreement "I'll keep silent". I let the first real smile in years split my lips. Maybe since that last attempt for freedom. The corners of my mouth tugged so far that they physically ached. Timmy raised his hand and patted me awkwardly on the top of my head, it was awkward but soothing at the same time. For once I didn't flinch at a hand approaching me. These two might not free me, but they surely wouldn't hurt me anymore if they could avoid it.