Ordinarily

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Unedited

Mia

The swirls of the ceiling fan clattered loudly and I watched every movement of it.

The soft susurration of the leaves outside the locked silver window that has been my lullaby every night became a fierce rustling, loud enough to draw out the chorus of the birds. The minute number of trees could be seen swaying from the side to side, the branches whirling in the wind like the arms of a soccer crowd and their chaotic dance. It was hypnotically beautiful.

A whole big round and I'm back, locked up in this filthy room again. The cycle repeats, and will repeat. Or at least I hope it will. It's been a good four hours past my usual lunchtime and I'm starting to doubt if my papa would present himself before the iron door again after that encounter earlier on.

My papa had tarnished his outstanding reputation of himself in my innocent eyes and I couldn't unsee that image before he landed a slap on my face. The fierce monstrous grey eyes, the terrifying large build of his hovering over my petite one and the emotionless chuckle. 

It still stung. Whether the fresh wound in my heart or my swollen cheek.

Time was creeping by, and every second I remained in this room meant that the promise I made to Emily would be a step closer to being broken. I had already broken one promise. I didn't want to break another.

Though I was dead with fatigue, my eyes just can't seem to shut itself out. My heavy eyelids are drooping, telling me I had have enough of today and I should rest, but my brain's telling me to stay awake for something important may occur when I'm out cold. I curled myself up in bed, pulling the thick blanket over my shoulder. My sheets were already wet with sweat but I'm still choosing to ignore the uncomfortable sweltering heat.

I was waiting. For what, I'm not very sure. Perhaps some sort of miracle that could bring me out of this constrained place once again. I'll be really grateful then. Once you've been in the outside world, it's tough not letting your mind run loose and for the curiosity to get the better of you after all the wonderful things you would have seen. I'll do whatever it took to be out there again. Anything.

Attempting to climb out the silver window would be futile for even the best of gloves couldn't stop the burns. I've tried everything but nothing seemed to be working. I groaned in annoyance. Kicking my blanket off my body and launching myself off the bed, I peered outside the window, careful not make any contact with it. Turning my palms faced up, I flinched upon seeing the raw red marks across them from the burns. I didn't want a repeat of that.

My head snapped back as my ears picked up barely audible shuffles.

Someone's coming.

There's a sound at the other side of the door. Light and small footsteps. It was someone I didn't know. Someone whom I wasn't familiar with. I moved away from the silver window and angled myself against the wall.

The clicking of the heavy-duty locks began again and I would be lying to say my heart did not flutter. I knew this would be my chance to escape; to make a run to the outside world so I could meet Emily and to save her mother. I've lost mine but that doesn't mean Emily should deserve to lose hers too. It didn't matter who was behind the door anymore. No time to feel sorry, to feel empathetic. I had to do it.