My Secret, My Bully, My Mates

Warmth.

Softness.

Safety.

That's what I feel right now. I recognize the smells here, even before my brain and body fully wake-up. I'm home, I can feel it in every fiber of my being. A smile creeps across my face as I start to blink my eyes open and take in my surroundings.

"SKYLAR!" A scream from somewhere in the room brings me out of my safe bubble and I am plunged back into that dark dank cell. Was I dreaming? Is my mind starting to play tricks on me to make me feel safe? "SKYLAR! HELP! HELP ME!"

I shot up from where I was laying, looking to my left for Jena. But she's not there, a door is there. No, Jena is chained up to my left. What the f*ck is going on?

SKYLAR! PLEASE, HELP ME!"

I shake my head, I'll figure it out later, Jena needs me first. I swivel my head to the right and see her thrashing in a bed a couple feet from me. A bed. We never had beds. The white comforter is on the floor and she is tangled in the sheets to the point of strangulation. I shut my analyzing brain down and ran to her.

I grab her by the shoulders so she doesn't hit me in her quest to get free of her nightmare.

“Jena, Jena, I'm here. Jena you're safe, open your eyes." More thrashing and whimpering. "JENA, WAKE UP, NOW!" I shout at her.

in surrender until she is able to focus on me. Just then the door bursts open and Doc Sylvia, Osiston and Lillian are there. Jena jumps back more, receding into the spot where her

her eyes turn towards me, wide and unfocused. She's awake, kind of, but still locked in her dream. "We. Are. Safe. Do you hear me? We are safe, you're here with me." I reach

are out of that prison." I don't look behind me, but the question is aimed at

if she can hear me right now." Doc Sylvia says from the door. "Five things that she can see. Four things

soft, but not placating, she has always hated that. "Look at me, we are going to get

finally focuses on my face, I know

five things you

around the room, almost like a trapped bunny. "I see you, right in front of

"Good, what else?"

my legs. I see the people at the door with Doc

maybe and

"Good, tell me four

She smiles for real this time, it's small, but real. "I feel the soft bed

more alive. There is color to

Where are we?