I hear footsteps off in the distance, echoing off the dark, cracked walls of this place. I stay seated, the gloom sitting like a heavy weight on my shoulders. The footsteps get closer. Soon, a man is standing in front of the cell door, his mouth curled into a permanent smile.
"Come with me!" He says brightly. He's too bright. Doesn't he know where he is? Doesn't he know what place he's in? How come I'm the only one who sees? The real, dark world. The world stripped away of all color, all happiness.
I stand up and drag my feet over to the rusty door, shoving my hands through the open slot. The man places handcuffs on me, and opens the door, a loud creak following its movements.
The hallway is pitch black, except for a few dim lights. Water drips through cracks in the ceiling, dust particles drifting in the air. I notice knocked over file cabinets, the contents strewn across the floor. I notice knocked over chairs and desks, and rotting fruit in a gift basket on a stool near one of the desks. The man takes me through many corridors, until we eventually reach a heavy iron door. The man opens it, and inside is a white room, besides the gray floor. I squint my eyes and I step inside, the fluorescent light shining. It was the first time I'd seen such light in ages.
"Take a seat!" The man says, once again, all too brightly. I do as he says and he chains me to the table before leaving. And there I wait.
Eventually, an older man comes in, his glasses reflecting the light. I notice right away that he's different. He didn't wear that smile, nor did he have the bright aura about him. He just seemed... Bland. He sits down across from me, his trench coat falling loosely over the sides of the chair.
"It doesn't matter who I am, it only matters who you are..." He starts, "Who are you?"
"I'm... I'm Ender."
"Well Ender, it's nice to meet you." I could tell he could care less who I was. He certainly didn't sound as cheerful as anyone else would. In fact he didn't sound cheerful at all; he sounded bored.
"So... Ender. I've heard about your case from the staff. Tell me, what is it that you what?"
I don't respond. A million responses are running through my head, I just can't decide which to voice.
"Well? What is it you what?"
I open my mouth, and the words roll off my tongue without any thought.
"I just want to be happy again."
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A/N
Hey everyone! It's Syd here. I kinda wrote this in my notes at one in the morning, and thought it was actually kinda good so... Here's a short story! I might make another chapter explaining it, or you can just theorize yourself. Either way, hope you liked it!
