Damaged

Hitting a Few Snags

Jessica's POV:

        It was a pain to be woken up every two hours. I finally just had it at about eight. I only got a few hours of sleep but this was too much. I woke up on my own at eight in the morning. I look over to see Daniel had passed out at the desk. 

          I got up and grabbed my blanket off my bed and gently placed it over him as to not wake him up. I was tired and really wanted to sleep, but I guess I’ll just have to wait for tonight to come. 

          I grabbed my hoodie and slippers from one of my suitcases. I slipped the hoodie and slippers on and left the room. I however did not realize I forgot to grab my phone.

         I clambered down the three or four flights of stairs. I didn’t see anybody on my way down. Probably still sleeping. 

         Hitting ground floor I realized that I don’t have any idea where the kitchen was. I just walked down the long hallway from the stairs. I got to the end and you hit another hallway. It was longer than than the entrance hallway. The hall was about twelve feet wide. 

           I decided to take a left and I slowly walked down it looking at the wall lamps on the walls. Then there was a door to my left. There was a label and it read “basement” on a gold plaque. I kept walking. Then I see David leaving a room. He caught sight of me and seemed surprised to see me about.

         “What are up to this early in the morning? I figured you’d still be asleep,” he said with a chuckle. 

         I went to reach in my hoodie pocket for my phone. I became frantic. I checked my pj pants pockets for it. I then slumped forward in depression. Can’t believe I forgot my phone. David seemed to be catching on about this. He took out his phone. He handed it to me and I opened it to his notes.

          “I was in search of the kitchen, but I don’t know where it is.i would be asleep but being awakened every two hours just doesn’t sit well with me. So I figured maybe coffee and breakfast might help me.” I handed his phone back to him for him to read it. He nodded and made this strange sucking noise. He was hesitant about something. I could feel it. Something wasn’t right.

           I eyed him suspiciously. He hardened his face not saying a word. I kept giving him that looked. He started to look like he was uncomfortable. Then he sighed.

          “Coffee is one thing, but breakfast…” I gave him this look. I get this look like I was surprised yet maybe surprise wasn’t the word. But David sure is surprised. He handed me his phone and I typed quickly handing it back to him.   

          “Please show me the kitchen please?” I asked him kind of curious as to what he meant by breakfast. Not eating for three days and I ate at like three in the morning. Food is very important for me with coffee. I don’t understand why, but I have to eat something with coffee. If I don’t I get stomach pains.   

          Reluctantly he sighed and lead the way to the kitchen. I followed behind him. Now here’s the kicker. All these guys except for Jeremy are like over six feet tall. I’m not behind the tallest one of them all. 

         If I had to rank them from the first time I met them it would be Johnny at the top, then Charlie, then David and Daniel. Jeremy would rank last because he is not as tall as them, but he is taller than me right now. I’m five feet two inches. So all of these guys literally tower over me. Makes realize that I am really short. 

          So short that literally one of the guys could pretend to be my father and lift me on their shoulders for fun. And this thought makes me wanna try it yet at the same time it would be really weird. So what I’m trying to say is I can’t even see around them. David alone makes a better door than a window. 

         I literally had to run to be able to walk closer to him, but I was literally having to jog so I just ended up walking behind him. I’m still to weak to really exercise. 

         He stopped in front of a door and looked at me waiting for me to get there. These guys are tall with long legs, so his strides are bigger than mine so it would be hard to keep up.   

         I was literally out of breath just getting to that door. David had to give me a moment to catch my breath. It took about three minutes to get my composure back. He just looked at me funny. He’s probably not use to such a short slowpoke. But for some reason I’m not slow he’s just way too fast. It’s too weird honestly.

         He gestured for me to go in like a gentleman. I walk in as he held the door open for me. 

         The kitchen looked huge. I’m guessing because this used to serve big meals for people who stayed here. Now it looks like a kitchen with a lot of space. 

          The kitchen I would say I feel more comfortable in. It’s because I pretty much grew up in the kitchen. I was about seven when I learned to cook. Mom would burn everything she cooked and auntie would always make really weird food. I learned to make sure we have meals on the table daily that isn’t burnt or weird.

        I look to see this island in the center of the kitchen. It was quite long, but not too wide. There was quite the counter space as well. There was a black stove that used actual fire. There wasn’t a fridge, but they had a walk in cooler and freezer. They have a normal sink, and they have a dishwasher.

        David was giving me a funny look. I finally realized why. I looked so joyous to be in the one room he didn’t really want to show me. I didn’t realize the horrors that await me. I see the coffee pot, but then his face went grim. He walked over to an open area. 

       He motioned me to follow him. I walked over slowly seeing why he did. I felt dread just fill by the look on David’s face. He looked ashamed of something. I look around the open area. Shelves lined the walls, but the shelves were empty. Horror started to fill me up. No food? None. 

          I ran to the walk in cooler and freezer. They were working, but there was nothing in either the cooler or freezer. What the f**k do they do for food? I walked back into the kitchen to find their garbage and lifted the lid. It was full of takeout containers. This is totally unhealthy and unacceptable. You need a balanced meal to go about your day. I don’t know how they survived, but I’m not living on take out.

         I walk over to David holding my hand out for his phone. He hesitated just looking at my hand. He sighed and handed his phone to me. I typed really quickly into his notes.

         “Well I can see why you’re hesitant on the matter, but living on just takeout food alone is not the most healthiest to eat for a long period of time. So, I propose that while I’m here I cook the meals. My mom has probably told you that I can cook. First things first someone of your choosing and I need to go food shopping,” he read to himself.   

          “Are you sure you don’t want to rest today? I mean you just got here this morning and maybe you should rest,” he said. 

         “I agree you shouldn’t push yourself today,” Daniel said standing in the doorway. He looked absolutely serious. I just thought I should give up, but I just can’t. Daniel came over and held out my phone for me. 

         “I woke up and noticed you weren’t there. I noticed you also left your phone behind. I got worried about you. You shouldn’t be wandering around by yourself. You’re lucky you ran into David here,” he said purple bruises shadowed underneath his eyes. He looked like crap. Maybe he should go back to sleep. 

         But then again I’m in the same position. I just kept thing about it and thinking about. I really didn’t want to give up, but looking at Daniel and thinking that maybe I should just give up for now. I opened my phone and typed really quickly. I handed my phone to Daniel.

        “Alright, but this isn’t over. We’ll talk about this when I’m well rested. Now I’m going to go back to bed,” David read allowed. He gave me back my phone and Daniel lead me back upstairs. 

        Back in my room Daniel positioned himself back at the desk to do his paperwork. I didn’t like that I was the only one who’s going to be sleeping. I lowered my eyes to the ground. I sighed taking off my sweatshirt and slippers, and putting my phone on my nightstand.  

        I laid down just as Daniel got up and closed my shades. The dark ones that you can just pull down. He came beside my bed and patted my head like he was saying good girl or something of that nature.  

        After I turned to my right I instantly fell asleep. I guess my little adventure tuckered me out. 

Daniel's POV:

        I didn’t think she would make it that easy. I thought she would be rash and put up a fight, but she had to sit there and think about it. Maybe because she saw the shadows under my eyes. I didn’t want that to sway her, but it just seems she’s taking into account that because she has to be woken up every two hours by me who hasn’t slept a wink.

         She seems to be very considerate of me. Though it’s not necessary because I can stay awake for two days before I have to actually sleep. I've been awake for eleven hours. 

          I read through one of the papers and made some notes and signed the bottom. The council is really pushing down on us. They want regular reports of the kids progress. 

         I wish we could do that, but sometimes these kids don’t make progress at all. It’s very frustrating with all the training. They don’t seem to really want to learn and want to fight for the greater good.    

        I looked at one of the greater good just sleeping away. Her breathing was very light, but sometimes her irregular breathing or she sniffles in her sleep. I hope she can heal and move on from what happened to her. It makes me sad that she is hurting. Her pain may be mental, but it’s hurting her in many ways. She’s even frustrated by not being able to speak. 

        I wish there was something I could do to ease her pain. Even though I know she didn't want to sleep anymore because she didn’t want to be woken up every two hours. She probably doesn’t want to sleep to have dreams about what happened to her.