To Flee a Planet

2

I'm locked in.

I suddenly understand why a huge mirror is plastered against the same wall the door is placed in.

It's not a mirror. It's a window. At least, it's a window for the people on the other side. On my side, I perceive my reflection; on the opposite side they're watching me as well.

A million things cross my mind at once, while my claustrophobia sinks its teeth into me and refuses to let go.

How will I get out? When will I get out? Will I get out?

I bury my hands in my hair, as the room begins to spin around me.

Where am I? What do they want from me?

I tug at the long tresses hysterically, backing away from that side of the room. I bump into the bed, but barely notice it.

Savage thoughts embrace my mind, rationalizing violence and deceit, everything and anything so I can get out.

I am going mental, that's the first thing I can take for a fact.

My eyes waver over the room, my eye vision blurry with despair. All of a sudden, I see the standing lamp and an idea strikes me like a match.

I stalk over to it, courage slowly employing me. I grab ahold of it, adrenaline pumping through my veins. When I lift it, its cable is ripped from the socket, and snakes across the tiled floor while I clasp the slightly hefty lamp in my hands and make my way back to the two-way mirror. I'm single-minded, determined, and raise the lamp higher, preparing to strike.

I plant my feet firmly on the ground, and am about to swing with all my might when the door bursts open.

"Inmate, what do you think you're doing?"

Out of surprise, I awkwardly jump in the air and drop the lamp. It crashes to the floor, making both the Watch-keeper and myself wince. My eyes swivel nervously from the broken lamp to the new presence that fills the room. As always, the Watch-keeper, whoever it may be, is wearing a helm. At the moment, it's bothering me more than usual. I am being watched, spied on, and observed, feeling more exposed than ever before, and everyone else has a protective barrier around his or her head.

And so, out of all the things there are to say, all of the questions running through my mind, I state:

"You look ridiculous in that helm."

From his stance, I can tell the Watch-keeper is taken aback. On spur of moment, I wonder if it's the same Watch-keeper from before, the one that carried me. I examine his build, trying to compare it to the memory I have of him, but I can't really tell.

"What?" he stammers.

"You heard me. It's just kind of weird that you're wearing a helmet inside. I mean, I understand that you wear one when you scan the houses, but inside? If you ask me, that overdoes it a tad bit," I ramble.

When I take in the way the Watch-keeper slightly tilts his head out of confusion, I want to crawl into a corner and disappear forever because of my awkwardness.

But then, an unexpected thing happens; a loud, comical laugh echoes throughout the room, the sonance encircling me.

As soon as it stops, I want to hear it again.

I stand there, baffled, with a slight grin tugging at the corners of my mouth, when he says: "You're absolutely right. Not only does it look absurd, it's also astonishingly hot in here," he claims with a chuckle.

I can't mask the grin now, even if I tried my hardest.

"It's you, isn't it? You're the Watch-keeper from before."

He doesn't reply, but I don't need his confirmation; I recognized his voice.

Somehow, this revelation makes me feel more at ease with the unfamiliar situation I'm in.

He tenses suddenly, turning rigid, as if someone chastised him.

"I should go," he falters, "I'm not allowed to talk to the inmates." He takes a step back, and turns away from me.

"No, wait!" I run up to him and pull his arm, so his head is facing me again. "I—where am I? Why am I here? Why can't I leave? Please—don't walk out on me here," I say, agony captivating my voice. "I want answers. Please ..."

It comes out feeble and unconvincing.

He watches me for what feels like an eternity firstly, before shrugging me off and leaving me on my own. Just before the door slams shut, I can hear him say:

"Don't touch the lamp. Someone will come and clean it up in a minute."

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A/N: Hello lovelies!

So? What do you guys think about these new developments in the story? What do you think will happen to Rune? 

Let me know what you think in the comments down below, and/or do me the favor of clicking that 'vote' button!

I love you all for the amount of support I'm already receiving, just a few days after I published the first chapter!

Have a wonderful day!

xx

A