I watch them through the building’s dimly lit window, even though I can’t see much. I watch until someone blows the candles out for the night. No one leaves the building to go to the other wooden structure. They are all sleeping under the same roof tonight. I don’t want to think about who will be sleeping where.
Suddenly, the hollow between the tree roots isn’t so comfortable, and I feel agitated just like I did before I came to lie in it. James was the one good thing about this place, and now I feel like I’ve lost him. Although, he was never really mine to begin with.
The night seems to take forever to pass. I’ve barely slept as I have been anxiously waiting for the sun to rise so I can meet James at the glass wall to talk. He probably won’t even meet me, since he’s got a gorgeous brunette waiting to be impregnated by him.
I uncurl myself and climb out of the hole that I sought refuge in for the night. My body is sore and rigid, so I stretch before going to the waterfall to fill my pouch. First I reach my arms up high, and then I twist side-to-side. I notice that the sky is clear today like most days, and I admire it for the briefest moment. When I’m done stretching, I sneak past the bamboo huts. Everyone is still asleep, and it seems like Kale took my former sleep space after all, because he is no longer lying outside its door.
The sound of splashing water is audible now as I approach the waterfall. I’m about to push through the foliage when I see Kale bathing. So, he’s not sleeping after all. His skin is bare down to his waist where the water graciously covers the rest of his unclothed body. My cheeks burn from embarrassment. I go to turn away, but stop.
Now I can see the black tattoos on his back that his shirt hid before. The patterns cover most of his back and make a sleeve down his left arm. He turns, and I can see that they even creep over a small portion of his muscular chest. I don’t know what they are. A maze? Tribal art? They are intricate and mesmerizing.
Pulling back into the jungle to give him his privacy, I decide to wait until I hear him leave. After some splashing around, everything quiets. I peek out from behind the dense foliage and see that Kale is no longer in the area. I hurry over to the water, not wanting to waste another precious second.
Perching at the water’s edge, I move my container under the falling water. A stream of cold liquid runs down my arm as I wait for the pouch to fill. It gives me goose bumps, and I wiggle from the chill. Once my pouch is full, I quickly carry it down to the front of the enclosure, sit, and mix up some mud to use on the glass wall. And I wait.
:)
He’s coming this way, and he looks gorgeous.
James walks toward me with a manly swagger. He smiles when he sees that I already have a message written for him on the glass. Are you okay? Where were you?
He pours some water from his canteen onto the ground beside him and begins mixing it with the dirt. He replies, Tried to escape. Got out. Got caught. Blood trail. Glass cut leg open. He washes the message away once he can tell I’ve read it.
R U ok now? I write back, but what I want to write is: How far did you get? What was is like out there? Did anyone try to help you? Why didn’t you come for me?
Yes, he writes. They must have healed him before bringing him back.
Now I want to ask about the girls in his enclosure, but I don’t want to sound desperate. As I try to find the right words, I notice he is writing something else.
He has taken care of the awkward question for me. They sent you mates?
Yes. U 2?
Yes.
We stare at one another. I’m wishing he were here instead of Greg or Kale. I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing.
Is it totally insane that I have a crush on him, and we’ve never been closer than 20 or 30 feet to one another? I’ve never heard his voice or held his hand. I’ve never laughed with him or kissed him. I want to though. James gives me something to focus on while I’m waiting to get out of here. He’s my only source of happiness in hell.
He writes another message, Anymore protests?
Using the slimy mud, I write with my finger, No. been quiet. Where did they take you?
? white room. white bed. no window. people in white suits.
I nod in response. I would have been terrified being alone while I was injured like he was. Sorry, I write.
The public begins to trickle in, but James brings his finger up to the glass and writes one more thing.
BEST DAY EVER . . . ALMOST . . . KIND OF . . .
Missed you. That’s what I keep reading over and over again on the glass dome. I can’t believe it. My heart stops and I start to sweat. Did James “miss me, miss me” or did he just miss having someone to talk to? A goofy smile finds its way to my shocked lips. I force myself to look at the man across from me who has his own sly smile waiting. I can’t get over how handsome he is. I wonder if he knows how good-looking he is.
The monumental moment is interrupted by Betsy’s mooing from behind me, and it causes me to turn around. Kale is standing next to her watching me. His face is in a state of melancholy. He wears the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up to his elbows, and I can see his tattoos on his tense left arm.
How dare he spy on me and invade my privacy. Jumping up from my spot next to the glass, I hurl my water pouch at him and yell, “You are such a stalker! Every time I turn around, you’re there.” I advance toward him and continue, “I hate to tell you this, but you and I are never going to happen. You can stop being so charming, because I can’t do want they want. I don’t care what the Keepers have planned for me. I’m sorry that you are at risk because of my decision, but I can’t.” Perhaps that’s why I’m focusing on a guy I can’t touch. There’s no risk of being hurt.
Kale smiles, his full lips twitching up at the sides. Why is this so funny?
“Wouldn’t have dreamed of it, Princess,” he says mischievously. “Besides, it looks like lover boy over there has a pretty good shot. Don’t want to get in the way of true love. How’s it going, by the way, with him stuck in that enclosure and you being stuck in here with me?” He pauses, but quickly adds, “So, you think I’m charming?”
Standing face-to-face with him now, only inches apart, I’m close enough to stomp on his foot. And I do just that. I slam my heel down hard on his bare toes. He would have fallen over if Betsy had not been there for him to lean on.
“Screw you!” I say through gritted teeth. I push my limp hair out of my face, puff my chest out, and storm off into the jungle to be alone. He’s messing everything up. He’s confusing me.
I can hear his laughter until I reach the waterfall. The calming sound of the rushing water tumbling over the edge of the rock wall dissolves some of my anger, but only slightly. I sit on the side of the pool and dangle my legs in the cool water. Peeking around, I decide it’s safe to go ahead and take a shower. I desperately need to wash away some of the negative feelings that have been plaguing me.
I’m not used to being around people 24/7. Growing up as an only child left me to my own company most of the time. I’m having a hard time dealing with being stuck in a small space with three other people. That’s not including the fact that I’m supposed to mate with one of them. I’m not equipped to deal with this situation. Or Kale. Actually, I don’t think anyone is equipped to deal with this situation. I really do feel bad for Kale. But my decision won’t change. I can’t mate with someone, whether I like them or not—whether they are James or Kale.
I shed my clothes as I try to shed away my bad mood. My skin screams joyfully to be free of the itchy fabric of the sack dress. I toss it on the ground and slip into the waist-high water. Goose bumps spring up all over my body, and I yearn for a hot shower one more time. I shut my eyes and try to pretend it’s warm, but who am I kidding, freezing cold water is always going to be freezing cold water.
Once again, I think about escaping. I need to get my enclosure-mates and James out of here. I feel motivated after my nice moment with James. The anger is starting to fall away, and it’s being replaced by hope and renewed courag
e. I smile to myself as I silently chant, I think I can, I think I can.
And just like that a light bulb goes off or the stars align—or something. I know what to do!
THE NEW PLAN
I can write on the glass!
Tomorrow is Sunday, the Keeper’s check day. I’ll have to wait until Monday to go ahead with my new plan. I’ll wait until the park is heavily trafficked, and then I’ll use the mud to write on the glass. It’s a better idea than just screaming at the public. They’ll think I’m some kind of crazy animal. But this way, maybe they’ll realize that we’re real, living, breathing, intelligent people like they are. Perhaps they’ll get over whatever disconnect they’re having that makes them think this is okay. The power of the pen or muddy finger can be huge, right? Plus, yelling around here has never gotten anyone anywhere.
Punishment will be an absolute consequence to my bold actions, but I accept that. This is the best plan I’ve had that may actually work. I wonder if they still have youtube. My hope is that some kid will film it and post it online. I want to provoke the protesters so they’ll come again. We now know that the glass can be broken. Surely they can do it again. They have to.
Then, I’ll find a way to break James out.
Satisfied with the only plan I’ve come up with since our attempt to attack the Keepers, I climb out of the pool and re-dress. There are no towels here so I have to drip-dry. With my itchy dress back on, I set off with a spring in my step. I tiptoe around, trying to avoid patches of earth where there is no grass. There’s nothing more aggravating than taking a shower and immediately getting muddy feet.
I pass Janice and Greg on my way to the garden for some lunch. They are fishing and laughing. I am happy for her, even though I think she’s crazy for accepting her fate as a prisoner. She looks up from the pond and waves to me. “Hey, Emma!” she calls.
“Hey!” I answer in return with a genuine smile.
“You okay with fish for dinner? I’m cooking.” Janice has turned into Betty Homemaker since Greg arrived. She’s completely transformed herself into a 1950’s housewife, the typical woman of Greg’s era. I can’t imagine changing myself that much for someone. She seems happy though. Maybe this is her way of distancing herself from the girl she used to be. Maybe Greg is good for her after all.
Deciding fish sounds good, and fish that someone else cooks sounds even better, I agree to join them. “Yeah, sure. I’ll be there. Thanks!”
I uproot a couple of carrots and pick a cucumber. I rinse them off with my water pouch and climb into my hollow under the apple tree to eat. Thankfully, I get to relax and enjoy the day alone. Auntie Josephine is even quiet today. Once my belly if full, I fall asleep. I wake just before dinner. I’m surprised to find that I’m once again hungry.
Glancing over to James’ enclosure before I head to the fire pit, I see that he is riding his horse, Sue, and the girls are rocking in chairs on the porch. The other man must be inside somewhere because I don’t see him. They all look relatively happy.
I wonder if I should tell James about my plan. No, I’d have to write it and then the Keepers could find out. Best to keep him out of it. I don’t want him to get punished along with me.
However, I decide that before I head off to sleep, I’m going to give my enclosure-mates a heads up. I want them to know that we might get an opportunity to get out of here. But I’m not going to tell them how I’m going to achieve that. I don’t want them getting reprimanded along with me either. No sense in more than one of us taking the fall.
As I approach the small group sitting around the fire pit, I think, let’s see how they take the news. I hope they’ll be as excited as I am.
NOT SO MUCH
The meal Janice prepared for us is so fabulous that I eat every last bite. While I stuff my face, I notice she hasn’t eaten a thing on her plate. She’s just been pushing her food around with her fingers. Instead of eating, she’s been talking about having Greg build a bigger hut for them to live in—one that they can actually stand up in.
“Not hungry, Janice?” I ask her.
“Hmm?” She glances down at the oversized leaf that holds her food. A full piece of fish and most of her vegetables are remaining. “Oh, yeah. I haven’t been feeling well the past couple of days.”
Greg pats her hand, and she gives him a waning smile in return. Kale looks back and forth between the three of us, as he helps himself to seconds.
Now’s as good a time as any, I guess. “Well, I have some news that might make you feel better. Remember the protest and how they broke James’ dome?” Janice nods. Greg and Kale weren’t there so they patiently wait for me to continue with my story. “Well, I might have a way to get the protestors to do that again, but on our dome. If the glass breaks, we could escape. We’d blend right in with all the random people that come here. You’ve seen how they all dress. They’d never know us from each other . . . ” Janice is shaking her head and my words die on my tongue.
“What? What’s wrong?” I ask her. I’m worried she knows something that I don’t.
Janice starts to cry. Greg wipes away the tears that slide down her cheeks. In between sobs, Janice says, “I don’t want to escape. I can’t.”
I’m flabbergasted. “What? Why not?”
“I want to be here. I want to be with Greg.”
“Janice, Greg can come with us, you know?”
She responds with conviction, “No, Emma. I realize now that this new life has saved me. I want to be here. I can’t go back to who I was before. I won’t. I have someone else to think about now.”
“I’m sure Greg will love you no matter where you live.”
Janice blurts out, “Emma, I think I’m pregnant. I can’t run away with you.”
“Pregnant?” I’m at a loss for words. Of course, if they are having sex, she’s eventually going to get pregnant. I know about the birds and the bees, and there aren’t condoms growing on the trees here or anything. But wow, I didn’t expect it so soon.
Greg says, “We aren’t 100% sure, but the timing is right, and Janice has gotten sick a couple of times. Sorry, Emma.”
“Janice, I can’t stay here. I have to keep trying. I hope you’ll understand.” I look over to Kale. He hasn’t said a word thus far, but he’s stopped eating and is staring at us like we all have two heads. “And what about you? Are you pregnant too? Or are you going to keep trying to get out of here like me?”
Kale rubs his hands back and forth over his short hair as he snaps out of his stupor and considers how to answer. “I’ll go if you go. Nothing to stay here for,” he says.
I nod in approval. Good. At least someone here has his head screwed on straight. That is, when he’s not being a stalker.
I turn back to Janice. “I can’t believe it. I never expected you’d want to stay.” I’m truly going to miss her. Janice has become a vital person in my life, but one I knew I’d leave one day. If everything goes as planned, that is. Maybe that’s why it’s been so easy to keep my distance since Greg got here. I’m already subconsciously trying to dissolve the friendship that we made while we were alone.
She says, “Things change, Emma. And for me, it’s been for the better. I have a chance to be somebody other than . . . ” she considers her words before she continues with, “who I used to be. I have a second chance at life to do things the right way. I have hope now.”
“I know, Janice. I’m happy for you. It’s just a path that I can’t take,” I say. When she smiles, I know we understand each other.
And there’s that word again. Hope.
I have hope too. Hope for my freedom.
SUNDAY
I wake up in my shallow hollow under the apple tree. It’s dark when I feel like the sun should have been up for hours, and there’s a musty smell that is familiar. That’s odd. I reach my hand out to pull myself out of the hole. It smacks into something hard. Then I notice little specks of light filtering in through tiny holes that are randomly spaced around me. I recognize this now.
I’m in my hut. Someone moved my hut over me while I was sleeping.
Janice probably felt bad and had Greg move it for me. That was nice of her, but Kale won’t be happy since he’s been sleeping in it.
Outside, the sun is, in fact, directly overhead. I am pleased that I missed the Keepers’ inspection. I reach my arms up to the sky and stretch away the stiffness from my long rest. It’s only when Kale whistles that I realize my dress rose up along with my reach. I hurriedly push it back down as I spin around to see him sitting along the rock wall enjoying the view—of my ass.
“Why are you always hovering behind me? Knock it off!” I scold him.
“Just wanted to see how you enjoyed your night, Princess.” Kale responds.
“My night?”
“Well, I see that your hut is here now, instead of by the love birds.”
I glance back toward my shabby hut and admit I am grateful for not having to sleep near them anymore. “They’re probably as happy as I am to have some privacy. Well, as much as one can in this place. Sorry to take it back from you. I guess I need to go thank Greg for moving it. Do you know where I can find him?”
“Um. Well, they’re obviously not out here. So my guess would be that he’s probably back in the jungle,” he answers a little rudely. Then, he turns his attention to his apple and takes an angry bite out of it. Juice runs down his chin.
“Thanks,” I mumble. I guess he really is mad that they moved it over here for me.
After grabbing my own apple, I fill my pouch with water and then push my way through the jungle’s plant life. I call out ahead of me, “Knock, knock! Incoming!”
“We’re over here!” Janice shouts.
They are sitting with their backs against a log eating breakfast. Both of them smile at me when I break through the thick jungle. “What’s with the cheesy grins?” I ask them. They’re happier than I’ve ever seen them.
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