That One Night

Chapter 2 Part 2: The Roommate

I woke up to the bright sunlight that leaked into my room through the curtains. I looked to my left to see there was another boy in my room. He was reading a book, apparently. I smiled and said, "Hi! My name is Andy, what's your name?"

"My name is Sam," The boy replied, distracted by his book.

"Oh, that's a nice name."

"I know. Anyway, why are you in my room, Andy?"

I froze up for a second, realizing he had a scar on his face. I then replied, "Oh, I'm your new roommate!"

He nodded slowly and closed his book. "Oh...well...how'd your parents go?" Sam asked.

I teared up and stuttered, "M-My parents were both murdered by a monster..."

Sam seemed confused. He set his book down and walked to me, feeling bad. "My parents ditched me here," He said, not showing any emotion. Sam didn't seem to like his parents very much. I opened my mouth to say something, but he hugged me before I could spit it out. "Poor kid," He said. I slowly hugged back.

"Um....can you get off of me? I'm excited to get breakfast," I said, letting go.

Of course, he let go as soon as I said that. Sam stood up and helped me up as well, going toward the door. I made a new friend today.

As Sam walked down the hall with me, he sighed softly and pat my back. "Were the monsters dark figures...? Almost human-like, but not quite?" I quickly nodded in response, surprised that he knew what they were. Sam sighed again, "Those, my friend, are what we call the Falara. Dark creatures that often manipulate children into thinking it's their fault for anything that happens to them."

I tilted my head, confused. "But I know it wasn't me who did it...it WAS the Falara," I said, kind of scared. Sam turned a corner and I followed. Sam put his hands in his pockets and sighed. "But you have to feel some sorta guilt for their deaths...right?" He asked, looking me in the eyes.

"Well yeah...I never even said 'good night' or 'I love you' before they died. I fell down the stairs too and broke my arm."

"Well, The Falara make you feel guilty."

"Oh...well I still feel that way."

"Yeah, I know. I still feel guilty because my parents hated me."

I nodded and walked into the cafeteria with him, smiling. A girl waved to us and Sam led me over to her. "Hey, Izzy. What's for breakfast?" Sam asked the girl, smiling. Izzy responded quietly, "It's dark hearts....but today I feel funny from eating one." Sam smiled happily and ran into line with me. "Dark hearts are the best!"

I tilted my head, a bit scared. "W-What's a dark h-heart?" I asked, shaking slightly.

"Well it tastes like a weird donut, but it's shaped like a heart and it makes us 'Happier'. Basically, they're drugged heart-shaped donuts covered in black frosting."

"What? That's not legal!"

"It's only illegal if people outside know about it."

I shook my head no and gagged. "Yeah I guess I'm just gonna starve for today...or maybe I'll go eat in the city," I said, holding my stomach in pain.

Sam waved bye to me as he was stuffing his mouth with the drugged donuts. I walked out of the orphanage and walked to the nearby Subway, holding my backpack in my good hand. Of course I hurried, because after breakfast was the time to go back to our rooms, and I wanted to learn more about Sam. I went into the restaurant and ordered a 'BLT without the T', which stands for 'Bacon Lettuce Tomato without the tomato'. I ran back out with my backpack and food, and ran to the orphanage.

When I got back, the cafeteria was very dark, so naturally I tried running to the dorm rooms....