Faded Encounters

by Elsy Green

  Garret tightens the last strap around the boy’s waist and crosses his arms over his chest. “Why not just start over? Leave them in and rebuild it? You have the resources.”

  Nora scoffs. “It took me an entire year to build it with some of the smartest minds on the planet. It would take me centuries to build it with the idiots that are left. I can’t exactly force the originals either. They would figure it out way before she did.” She shakes her head and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Why am I even telling you this?”

  Garret shrugs. “Because I’m the smartest guy you have and it helps you think.”

  “You’re right, unfortunately you are only a figment of my imagination.” She sighs and stands up straight. “Come on, we need to get the other two.”

  They head for the doors, but I’m frozen in place again. I need to move, but I’m in shock. The boy’s face has come into view and I finally understand why I was drawn to him. It’s Ethan, Nora and Garret have dragged Ethan Miller into this. I cover my mouth with both hands as I try to keep myself from screaming. I need to run. I need to hide. If the find me out here they might tie me up too.

  Frantically searching for an escape, I race to the first door I see. I slip inside seconds before the lab door opens and Nora and Garret exit without any idea I saw them. I lean up against the door catching my breath as I watch them walk away like they didn’t just kidnap a boy and strap him to a table.

  Once they are out of view, I let out a terrified sob and slid down to the ground, tears racing down my face as I realize this is all my fault. I told her about Ethan, I told her he saw my dreams. She’s doing this because of me and I have no idea why.

  C.17

  “What are you doing in my room?” The voice coming from a dark corner has me on my feet in seconds and ready to run. “Hey, wait, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” I stop tugging on the door my interest slightly piqued as I turn to face the voice. I recognize that voice. It’s vague, but I think I know him somehow.

  The boy flips on a lamp and sits up in bed giving me a timid wave. I tilt my head to the side as I examine him. I’m sure I know him, but I can’t pinpoint how. He’s handsome, about my age, with chocolate brown hair and big chocolate brown eyes. He’s got long dark eyelashes, perfect olive skin and looks like he belongs on the football field not in the looney bin.

  “I’m Daniel.”

  “Allie. Do we know each other?”

  “I don’t think so, unless you’ve somehow seen me in here.”

  “I thought I was alone back here.”

  “Nope, I’m here. This is home sweet home.”

  I let out a long exhale and lean up against the door. I won’t be leaving any time soon, for some reason I trust Daniel and part of me needs to figure out where I know him from.

  “Me too, I’m a couple doors down.”

  “How long have you been in?”

  “A day.”

  “Woah, already trying to escape?”

  “You could say that, how about you?”

  He shrugs. “I’m not sure. I kind of lost track of the days and nights. I came here when I was a kid, been here ever since.”

  “Oh. I’m…sorry.”

  He shrugs. “I’m used to it. So, what brings you to my room in the middle of the night?”

  “Um…I’m not sure. I was in my room and then I had this weird sensation like I need to come down here.” I leave out the parts about Nora, Garret, and Ethan strapped to the table next door. I don’t distrust this Daniel guy, I’m just not sure how much I can tell him at this point. I’m still working on that. Since Nora is turning out to be a psycho I can’t really trust my instincts right now.

  “I get that. Sometimes you just have to follow an urge.”

  “Yeah.” I nod and slid to the floor crossing one leg over the other. “Can I ask why you’re here?”

  “Beats me, the boss says I’m crazy, but I don’t feel crazy. She says I got voices in my head and I’m schizophrenic or something. How about you?”

  “Same.”

  “Huh. Imagine that, you get the weird dreams too?”

  My eyes cut to his sure I heard him wrong. “What did you just say?”

  “The dreams, you get them too?” I stare baffled at him, this can’t be real, this can’t be happening. I bring my hands to my face and examine each and every line, counting and recounting as I touch each fingertip, cuticle and nail bed.

  “What are you doing?” Daniel cocks his head to the side as he watches me.

  “I’m making sure I’m awake,” I tell him. Usually I don’t talk to my dream characters, but I need him to stop asking questions so I can concentrate. I need to wake up.

  “You think this is a dream?”

  I look up at him stunned. “How do you know about the dreams? Did Nora tell you?”

  “Nora? Dr. Melden? Nah.” He shakes his head. “I get them too. Besides, I wouldn’t tell her a thing even if it meant I could walk out of here a free man?”

  “Why?”

  “When I first came, I told her everything, but then all these weird things kept happening. She kept taking me to her lab asking me cryptic questions and trying to like hypnotize me or something. I guess I just felt like that was a sign I shouldn’t trust her anymore. So I don’t. I play along and live out my sentence here, all alone until you came.”

  I blink absently at him. This has to be a dream. He can’t possibly be suffering from the same things as me. And he can’t not have gotten help after years of being here. That can’t be happening. This is the cure, this is supposed to be a safe place, this is supposed to be how I get home.

  “No. This isn’t real.”

  He shrugs and lays back on his bed placing his hands behind his back. “Sorry sweetheart, looks like we are in this for the long haul. You, me and those crazy dreams we obviously have in common.”

  I drop my head in my hands and think. This can’t be real; this can’t be it. I have to be dreaming. I have to be asleep.

  “You aren’t.” I shake my head ignoring her. “Just think about it would you? Nora brought in the boy, not Ryss. It was Nora and Garret. Which means that is Ethan, not Jaxon. You pushed me away and trusted Nora, I told you not to. You tried to cower behind the door, I brought you out. And now you are trying to push away Daniel when I’m telling you to trust him. I can guide you; I can help you see the truth. I can help you get out.”

  “No. No. No.” I get to my feet and pace the floor. She just wants to take over, she just wants in. I can’t let her in.

  “Stop it! If this is real, then Nora is rounding up people are somehow connected to you. Who is next? She said they needed to get the other two. Who could she possibly be talking about. You mentioned Ethan in in your chat and now look where he is. You aren’t safe here. You have to leave; all of you have to leave now!”

  “Sophie!” I stop pacing and my stomach drops at the realization. I told Nora about Sophie. She knows about my dreams. Nora’s going after Sophie. I have to warn her; I have to get out!

  “Um…are you okay?” Daniel looks over at me with a furrowed brow.

  “No. And neither are you.”

  “You know something I don’t?” He sits up intrigued.

  “No, but maybe we could work together?”

  “I’m listening.”

  I take in a deep breath and turn to face him. I know what I’m about to do is crazy, but hey I might possibly be crazy I might as well embrace it. “My friend is in the lab across the way. I’m going to break him out and then get us out of here, you in?”

  Daniel looks taken aback, a half-amused smile on his lips as he studies me. He’s silent for what feels like forever and I’m about to just leave him when he stands up and shrugs.

  “Alright, I’m in.”

  I scoff. “Took you long enough. You ever see any employees at night?”

  “Nah. I only ever see Garret.”

  “What about other patients?
”

  “Not a soul. I thought I was the only one until you came along.”

  “Me too. A lot of empty beds in this side of the building.”

  “Makes sense if Garret is the only staff.”

  “Well in that case, we’re in luck. Nora and Garret left about a half an hour ago. I don’t think they’ll be back for a while.” I tug open the door and look over my shoulder to make sure he’s coming.

  He doesn’t even hesitate as he follows me out into the hall not asking a single question about how or why I know that. He simply follows behind, surveying the dark halls like a pro as we make our way to the lab. The lights are off and the room is quiet as we enter. I can’t even hear Ethan breathing. The thought startles me into a panicked frenzy as I feel my way to his body not even worrying about a light switch. Daniel on the other hand finds them and bright lights flicker on above our heads as I stumble to Ethan’s body.

  His skin is covered in sweat, his bottom lip bruised and bloodied like someone punched him in the face. His hair is disheveled and messy, his clothes torn and dirty. Whatever mind trick Nora was referring to did not exclude a physical struggle.

  “Yikes, what did they do to him?” Daniel cringes.

  “I’m not sure, but I don’t think it’s good. Undo his legs,” I direct him as I work on his arms.

  “Got it.” He unlatches his feet faster than my shaking fingers can undo his arms and then moves to his torso. Once we’ve got him untied, Daniel pushes his legs off the table as I try to sit him up.

  “So, do you have a plan.” Daniel hurries to Ethan’s other side and places Ethan’s arm around his neck. “Because, no offense or anything, but I don’t think we are going to get very far carrying him in circles around the facility.”

  “Um…” I blow out a breath as I tighten Ethan’s other limp arm around my shoulder lifting him off the table with Daniel. Nora wasn’t kidding, he is heavy. “Not really. I’m just kind of following my gut at this point.” Or her gut, but I don’t want to think about it. I might be making a deal with the devil, I don’t care, I have to get out of here.

  Daniel looks over at me with an uneasy scowl. He blows out a breath and shakes his head. “Alright, lead the way then.”

  I nod and move towards the hallway with conviction. I have no idea where I’m going, but something inside of me is telling me I have to keep going. I have to keep moving and I’m not about to ignore it, she’s holding up her end of the deal. Now I have to hold up mine.

  Slowly, we make our way into the hall, Ethan’s head bobbing and weaving with every move we make. I know what Daniel is thinking and he’s right, this is a terrible plan we are going to get caught and then what? Is Nora going to do what she did to Ethan to us?

  I swallow down the growing lump in my throat and lead us towards the lobby, I don’t know why I’m going there. It’s a stupid plan, that’s probably the best way to get caught, but for some reason I know I have to get there. Daniel doesn’t question me as we weave in and out of the hallways, all the while dragging Ethan’s lifeless body towards our anticipated escape.

  “Set him down here.” Daniel points to a spot against the wall. We are right around the corner from the doors that lead to the lobby, our escape only a few feet away. “I’ll go check the perimeter, make sure there isn’t any one in there.”

  I nod, and hunch down to check on Ethan. I’m glad I brought Daniel along. I might not know him, but he’s already been a huge asset. I wouldn’t have thought to check the lobby first. I would have just barged through the doors and ran for the outside world. He must have experience.

  “Ri?” Ethan starts to stir next to me.

  “Ethan?” He’s looking around and groaning his body heavy as he leans into me.

  “Ri?” His turquoise eyes find mine and I see the panic growing inside them.

  “Shh. We are almost there, can you walk?”

  “Ri, we have to wake up.” His head droops back down and just like that, he’s gone again.

  “I thought you said your name was Allie.” Daniel looks over at me with a quirked brow, having returned from his scout.

  “It is.”

  “Huh. Are you sure he’s not crazy too?”

  “I’m not sure of anything at this point.” I pull Ethan’s arm back over my shoulder and take in a big breath as I lead us into the lobby that Daniel has assured me is empty. The lights are off, just like the rest of the place and not a soul is to be found. Everyone must go home at five, which seems weird since this a 24/7 medical facility. I ignore the facts and move quickly towards the front door. It can’t be this easy, yet there it is, in all its glory, right in front of us leading us to the outside world.

  I almost stumble as I speed walk towards my exit running face first into the metal door. It’s locked! Every other door has been wide open practically begging me to go through it and now freedom is a few feet away and it’s locked. I let out a muffled shriek suddenly realizing we are doomed. Turning frantically towards the room I search for another exit.

  “It’s locked?” Daniel moves with me in a circle trying to keep Ethan upright.

  “Yep,” I squeak.

  “Here, put him in this chair. I can help.” I obey, gliding Ethan down into a chair as Daniel hurries to the locked door. He studies the door for a minute before pulling out what looks like a bobby pin and starts jiggling it into the lock. He’s trying to pick it. I heave a sigh of relief as I watch him restlessly.

  “Have you ever done this before?”

  “Uh…” he moves the pin around, and jostles the handle, “only in my dreams.”

  “Ah, great.” I take in a sharp breath. “We’re doomed. This was a stupid idea; you shouldn’t have let me do this.”

  “Me? I just met you, you’re the one who came into my room.” He grunts as he struggles with the lock.

  “Yeah, but I mean look where we are. You shouldn’t have trusted me!”

  He shakes his head and mumbles something under his breath just before I hear a pop and the door magically glides open. I let out a shocked laugh and give Daniel a quick, celebratory hug before racing back to Ethan to grab him.

  “I guess it worked, despite your doubts.” He smirks as he follows me.

  “Yes, good job. I’ll praise you later. Hurry we need to go.” We situate Ethan back on our shoulders and rush through the doors, taking long hurried strides towards the parking lot. Once there I look frantically out onto the almost empty parking lot not sure what to do next. Honestly, I didn’t think we’d make it this far.

  “Did you ever hot wire a car in any of your dreams?”

  “Unfortunately, no. You?”

  “No. Nothing like that.”

  “Okay.” He blows out a breath. “Which way then? What is Allie’s gut saying?”

  I look up and down both sides of the side walk and out into the parking lot, my mind going a million miles a minute as I try to come up with a plan. But my mind is blank and my gut is empty. I’m all out of ideas. She’s left me, she’s guided me out here and left me here to get caught. She’s betrayed, I knew it. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted her.

  “Allie?” Daniel sounds panicked. “Which way?”

  “I don’t know.” I push the annoying lump in my throat further down as it tries to resurface. I messed up bad, I messed up and now we are all going to pay.

  He lets out a frustrated growl and pulls us to the left, mumbling under his breath as he walks at an unfathomable speed, or maybe that’s just because my entire body has gone ice cold with fear. I can’t tell at this point. I’m panicking, my breath hitching with each inhale I take, my lung threatening to stop on me.

  The sound of an engine roaring loudly pulls me from my panic attack. There’s a car speeding down the street ahead of us, heading straight for the center. Lights turn in our direction and speed through the parking lot. Daniel and I both turn to each other in horror having no idea what to do. We can’t exactly run, not with Ethan at
our mercy.

  Tires screech to a halt in front of us, bright, blaring lights blinding us as we stand stunned on the sidewalk. Someone hurries from the driver’s side running out towards us in a maniac frenzy.

  “What are you doing? Get in!” Sophie rushes over to me and pulls me towards the back seat.

  “Sophie? What? How?”

  “Not now, get him in the back and let’s go.” We quickly obey, pushing Ethan into the back of her sedan.

  “Who’s this?” She points to Daniel.

  “A friend.”

  “Good, we are going to need them. Get in.” She points to the back and he jumps in without a word. I hurry to the passenger seat buckling myself in as Sophie dives behind the wheel and peels out of the parking lot.

  “How did you know? How did you know to come?”

  “This really pretty blonde chick came to my house. She told my parents I needed to be institutionalized. I got one look at her and knew those features anywhere. The blonde hair, the red lips, the gorgeous long legs. She’s the lady from your dreams. I don’t know why, but I instantly knew I needed to come get you. So, I snuck out my window and drove as fast I could. I didn’t expect you to be out, I thought I was going to have to break in.”

  “Yeah, I know. It was weird, I woke up from a dream and just knew I had to get out. After I found Ethan and Daniel of course.”

  Sophie swallows down and shakes her head. “I don’t think this has anything to do with fate anymore, Allie.”

  I let out shaky breath and stare ahead as we speed away from Greenville. She’s absolutely right, this isn’t fate, this is something much worse.

  C.18

  “So, what now?” I stare out at the dark road ahead of us. I’m not sure where we are headed. And I’m pretty sure no one else is either. Especially Sophie, who is currently speeding down the empty highway with her fingers clutching the steering wheel so tight her knuckles have turned a permeant white.