I often wonder about death. Does it bring freedom in response to life's inherent suffering—perhaps it exists solely to trap my conscious mind in nothingness, or it could act as a gateway to the next stage. That I will never know; in my position as both an effect and cause, I can only observe.
My hands curl around my pillow, and I yawn and bite it as my eyelids sprout wide open like a flytrap's. The first thing I witnessed was a porcelain-like wall in front of me, shining at the very moment our eyes met. I sank into the bed, the beautiful smell of detergent settling in. There stood a nightstand with a phone and cactus—picking up the phone I realized it was non-functional, so I left it as is before hugging the pillow.
-Kafka- «... I want to go home.»
I turned toward the door to my left and noticed a tall figure staring me down, their gaze lingering like a honey-filled baseball bat hitting the ball that never truly made it soar. Their hair swam down to their waist like a river. They were silently leaning against the doorframe.
-Kafka- «Uh, hello?» no response, «So, you're just gonna stand there like a creep, I take it?»
-???- «Get going,» he said, straightening up and turning around.
-Kafka- «Hey! At least give me your name!» I stuttered.
-Jade- «Jade, Kafka.» he left the room.
Naturally, I hesitantly got up and followed him. He and I wore the same striped pajamas, so I assumed we were stuck here together.
-Kafka- «... Do you, like, know anything about this whole ass situation or something?» I said.
-Jade- «Ten girls, ten boys, our age.»
-Kafka- «(Wow, thanks Mr. Talkative.)»
I did not like that part of me, but I simply could not stop staring at him. His steps never lost their elegant rhythm. His posture stood straight as his delicate hands flew across the air. I averted my gaze from Jade; had I not, I would have grown lost. The surrounding pristine walls encased us like a bright tunnel. A glint in my eyes would dance along the area. It felt like I was on a grand stage, where my life was now at the center of attention.
My mind, albeit racing, grew more open-minded. If I were back home, I would have gotten angry at Jade. I remember how short my temper was with my family—maybe there is something about Jade that drew me in. All around the walls, there were door-less entrances with our name-plates hanging above. Janja, Hanna, Kraig, Dee, and many others. I was lost in my thoughts, my world was all tangled up, and so, in my disarray, I tripped on my foot and fell over Jade.
On the floor, his head turned around and stared me down.
-Kafka- «Ah! Sorry, sorry! I didn't intend to do this, I swear.»
I raised my head slightly over to witness an enormous space. Three white couches stood alongside two tables in the center. Eighteen people were staring at us. Before my mind could catch up, I felt a strong push underneath me.
-Jade- «Up!» is the last thing I heard before I was ejected.
I fell on my butt and gasped for a second while Jade was fixing up his pajamas like a uniform. Moving through the crowd of people, he stood opposite of the central couch, spreading his arms to invite everyone to listen.
-Jade- «The last one has woken up. Twenty of us are here, ten girls, ten boys. Equal ages.»
His attitude remained unchanged, but while I stared around the room, I saw nine women. I am sure he would not confuse his own gender, so taking that into account...
-Kafka- «Uhm... Sorry. I'm a boy, actually.»
…
-Kafka- «Did I say something wrong?» I wondered. I scanned the room once more and noticed a particularly muscular person. That cannot be a woman, can it?
As if they read my mind, they approached me, and my heart reached my throat. Her hand stretched out to me before they spoke.
-???- «Come on, get up.» their voice carried an aura of comfort within, enough to trust them almost immediately.
-Penelope- «Penelope Rose, pleased to make your acquaintance.» interesting name, Not befitting her stature as a Greek God.
Jade, before I had a chance to introduce myself, went on with his speech. Penelope helped me back up and patted me on the back.
-Jade- «Adjacent to the cafeteria are multiple bathrooms. All food is automatically refilled, and the spaces are cleaned once eye contact is broken. No exit around; get along well.»
Having said that, he walked over to the right couch, sat down, opened the TV, and shut us off.
Unmoving, I stood until the series of events caught up to me. Had he informed anybody else of the role he sought to take? Taking a look around, everybody's eyes were as shocked as mine. The echo of the actors' voices moving across the silent room deafened us. Part of me was left wondering, what was the point? Could I trust Jade? Acting as some leader, only to ignore us later. Before my mind rendered this an issue, I put these thoughts to a halt. My heart holds a lot of anger at the moment; therefore, I must control them. I took a deep breath and compromised with him being a 'Pain in the ass,' unfortunately, I was the only one.
I began to hear footsteps across the room, and as I turned my attention towards them, a short man approached Jade, quickly grabbing him by the collar. Like a sailboat his hair soared through the room, an aggressive storm.
-???- «Hey, asshole, what gives?»
-Jade- «… Let go.»
The majority here harbored no malice toward Jade, perhaps we were annoyed but never enough to hurt the man. Sadly, not everyone's mature enough.
It was then when the man socked Jade on the cheek, having him fall over. Some gasped, some grew upset, Penelope decided to take action and headed toward the two. Both saw her and while Jade merely got back up on his feet, the short man took a step back and got into a defensive position. I overheard somebody say: 'That ain't gonna help' so I snickered a bit. Penelope grabbed his forearm, pulling him to her direction and placing him in a headlock.
-Penelope- «Have you gone insane already, chump?»
He struggled, meaninglessly that is. The glint in her eyes told me everything, it was then that Jade placed his hand over Penelope's. Their gazes met and she let go. The second that man could move his head again, he turned away from Penelope and toward Jade, he then again turned away almost immediately and walked away.
-???- «Tch.»
His legs carried him to the hallways.
…
-Penelope- «Why'd you do that for?.» Jade then sighed and softly responded.
-Jade- «Not worth it.» the words flew plainly out of his mouth, as if it were common sense.
-Penelope- «… He could've introduced himself, who does he think he is to act like that?»
-Jade- «… Mart-Jan Derkx.»
-Penelope- «… Pardon?»
-Jade- «Nameplates.» he said, his eyes locked into the television, taking a moment to take it all in, Penelope sighed and walked away.
I was angry at Jade. So as this feeling in my chest tightens, I hoped that nobody could read my mind. I do believe my actions are what define me, so I find it weird how I am seemingly incapable of accepting it within. Penelope closed the distance and snapped me out of my thoughts as shade fell upon me, I thought a tree grew in front of me. She stayed silent temporarily but quickly asked.
-Penelope- «You still haven't told me your name, doll.»
Doll? Well, this is comforting.
-Kafka- «… Right! Right, sorry. My name is Kafka Politis, let's get along!» I said, feeling embarrassed right after.
She smiled and slapped me on the back, resulting in me coughing for a good minute. After that, she would laugh and wait until I relaxed. Then, she stared at me and signalled to me to follow her, I would assume it is to explore the area ourselves. An investigation? It all sounds like a dream, one where I feel at ease around people like her. My muscles loosened and my posture fixed itself. Harmless all around, and for a moment, I felt 'outside.'