I almost skip back to the chute room. This has been a successful day's work.
Chapter 21
I am exhausted and once again starving as I plop into bed early that night. My back hurts, my feet hurt, my arms hurt. I thought the laundry room was for wimps. Boy was I wrong.
Avra is in a better mood tonight. She sits on the edge of her bed and looks at me with sympathy. "I missed you in class today."
I smile half-heartedly at her. "Huh, I thought I was just a crazy person."
"You are a crazy person, but you're my crazy person."
A real smile spreads across my face. Yay! We're friends again. "I learned the ways of the laundry room. It was very educational."
"I'm sure it was. Your boy gang seemed distraught not to see you today."
"Really? I'm surprised you noticed that. You are so anti-boy lately."
Avra picks lost hairs off her pillow. "I ate your tray for 12:00 and 5:00 victuals today. Mentor Maxine knew what I was doing and didn't seem to mind."
My hunger pains start to scream out from the inside. I roll on my side and hug my stomach tightly. "I-I'm glad someone enjoyed them." Growl. I didn't get out of the laundry room until 6:00 and all the trays in the glass room were gone by then. I can't believe I didn't get a single full-sized meal today. If I wasn't trying to plan a break-out, I would complain.
"I think you're right about the pink trays, Elira. I wrote back and forth with Scott during exploration time today and he told me how different I've been. I feel better today than I have in a while. I feel awake."
"Good. Don't eat the pink trays again."
Avra climbs into her bed and pulls the covers up to her chin. "How will I hide the medicated food I don't eat from Mentor Roberta?"
"We'll figure it out. We may have to wrap it in napkins and put it in our pockets till we can flush it down the toilet."
"Huh, you have a plan for everything."
Tell that to my stomach. "Yeah, I do."
I hear Avra start to snore softly. I'm glad she can sleep. I'm not so sure my sleep will be restful. My stomach won't quit growling and I have at least a million and one things on my mind right now. I hear someone open the door to our room and walk toward me. I'm too tired to turn around and see who it is.
"Are you okay, Elira?" Mentor Maxine asks. She sets a roll on my pillow.
Oh good, I'm glad it's her. I sit up and dig thankfully into the roll. "Yes. I'm fine. I'm just tired and feel like the world is counting on me to save it."
"I'm sure you do, you poor thing. Did you learn anything helpful in the laundry room?"
I whisper excitedly, "Yes. I know how to get out."
Maxine looks around and lowers her voice. "Good. Remember that your pink trays start in six days. You should leave before then if you can. I've been shielding you from the complex's plans for you, but I can't do much more without being exposed."
I listen to the silence of the room for a minute. "Maxine, why does the complex lie to us? It's almost impossible to escape. Why bother teaching us, feeding us in organized trays? I think it would save time and resources to just throw us all together, different ages, different sexes, and make us work."
"Actually, years ago, when the complex system first started, that is what they did. Every child was sterilized and thrown together. No mentors, no school, no structure, but then it was obvious that there was also no work being done."
I remember the pamphlet on babies and cringe at the thought of sterilization. Maxine continues, "The damaged, as you were called, were angry and spent their days fighting each other and the few employees that ran the complex. That's when the boys were separated from the girls. Both groups still weren't very productive workers. So, they started separating and lying to the new kids coming in. They made them feel grateful for the safety they had from the presumably toxic world. They were thankful that their parents supposedly loved them so much to pay for an expensive place in this glorious facility. A grateful heart is a happy and productive heart."
Maxine smiles humorlessly and shakes her head. "Changing to a bigger, better dorm each year gave you all something to look forward to. Schooling made you all smarter and more careful around the machinery. The glass wall lets us know who will be too distracted to work with the opposite sex or needs to be medicated to do so. This complex supplies millions of goods for the hearty outside the complex for a very low cost. Obviously, you don't get paid to work, so the world gets goods that are tedious to make for cheap and your unfavorable deformities don't get seen or passed on."
Wow, I am learning so much today. "What is the point of the yellow, orange, and red buttons? To make us judge each other?"
"The real reason is so we mentors don't expect anything that is not reasonable from you. Yellows can do any job. Oranges can only do jobs that they have all the necessary body function for, and reds we have to pick jobs very carefully for or they will exhaust themselves and be unprofitable. You residents, as I call you, seem to use the buttons to classify each other. It is mean and hurtful, but it also gives you something to focus on instead of figuring out how to escape."
"I see why I'm on the watch list now."
Maxine chuckles quietly. "You've never been like everyone else. These thoughts and skills you have will help you survive out there, Elira. Be proud of yourself. If you are successful, you will be the first person to successfully escape in the last 40 years."
"That isn't the hard part. I feel responsible for everyone I'm taking with me. What if they can't handle it out there? What if we get caught? What if we starve? I don't want to be responsible for their deaths."
Maxine looks at Avra's sleeping figure. "If you don't leave soon, at least one of them will die anyway." She looks out the guard-less window. "Luckily, you have at least one friend on the outside."
I imagine Rocky's mom sticking her head out of the bush, "I don't want to see her, Maxine. I don't know how to get her son Rocky out of his cell. I want to give her good news, but I can't."
"So that's Rocky's mom. She is known for her hatred of the complex system on the outside. You will need her help when you get out. Keep communicating with her. I did hear that Rocky is taking the medicated food now. He may be released back to his dorm. I will try to encourage that outcome."
I cover my eyes with my hand. "Even if he is released, he won't be his usual cunning self. It'll be a pain to get him to escape if he's anything like Avra on medicine. I'm sure his mom will be thrilled to see her son as a zombie."
"The medicine wears off—that's why it is mixed into every meal. She will be thrilled to see him. I'll leave you now, so you can sign with her. By the way, the school rooms are being painted tomorrow. The light switch plates and vent covers will be taken off after 5:00 victuals and not put on again until the paint is dry the next morning..."
Oh! That is timely news. "Thank you, Mentor Maxine." I couldn't have gotten this far without her. She leaves and I start plotting my escape plan on one of my pilfered pieces of paper. I must get us out before my pink trays start. I don't know how I can keep Avra and myself nourished and sharp enough to escape otherwise. I kneel on the end of my bed and look out the window. The guard is leaning against the wall facing the other direction. I'm pretty sure he's asleep. I see the mysterious woman peeking through the trees. I sign, I am Elira. What is your name?
She signs back, I am Ernestine. How is Rocky?
He's in trouble. We are going to escape in five days. Can you help us?
Yes. I will help. What kind of trouble is Rocky in?
He is being medicated so he won't feel anything. Do you know where the garbage chute is?
Yes.
We will escape through the garbage chute at about 12:00 midnight in five days. Help us.
Vanessa starts screaming in her sleep. I sign, I have to go. Bye. I walk over to Vanessa's be
d and shake her until she wakes up. She is confused and scared. I calm her down and tuck her back in. I go back to my bed and hope that my stomach will quit growling, so I can sleep.
Chapter 22
I've never been so grateful for my morning victuals before. I only eat half my eggs, bacon, and hash browns, but my stomach stops trying to eat itself. I almost tell Avra to eat her own pink tray so I can have all my victuals. But, she's trusting me, so I better keep my word about sharing my food. I don't know if Shasta is feeling sorry for me, or if she really doesn't like hash browns, but she gives me hers. Shasta is one of those people you want in your corner, or at your table. She hasn't told on me for rigging the pink tray system. I wonder if I can count on her help later...
The twins' faces are framed in the glass wall as I walk into the school room. The expressions on their faces go from worry and concern to excitement and relief in the blink of an eye. A smile creeps onto my face. Their reaction gives me a boost that I didn't know I needed. I hope I can keep myself calm until exploration time. Avra bounces over to me and announces that I'm third on the telephone list. Good. I can tell one of my gang to meet me tonight at the grate. We can work through the details of my plan then. The only thing is I signed up to talk to Rocky a couple of days ago... If he is out of his cell, and medicated, that might be an interesting conversation.
I force my eyes away from the twins and watch the boys' school room door for a minute, hoping that Rocky is okay. A green-clad mentor enters the room with Rocky by his side. He seems... calm and subdued. I miss his contagious smile. I wonder what they put him through.
Mentor Bridget commands us all to turn around because it's time to start class. Avra rolls her eyes at me as we try to switch gears. It is going to be impossible to study today.
Exploration time finally arrives. I turn around and sign to Jefrey that I need to talk to him. He looks at me questioningly. Oh, I guess he hasn't learned sign language like Garth and Rocky. Dang. I grab the scrap paper that Tessa left on her desk and start writing to Jefrey.
It's my turn to use the telephone before I finish my note. Avra pulls me out of my chair and shields me from the other girls as I pick up the telephone and look Rocky straight in the eyes. The medicine is affecting him, but I can still see his intelligent mind looking back at me. I hope the news I'm about to share doesn't send him to a private cell again.
I smile hesitantly at him, "Hi, Rocky. I'm so glad they let you out."
"It's good to be out. I hope you have good news for me."
"Actually, I have two big things to tell you. One is that they are painting the school rooms tonight. I need to talk to the twins about that in a minute." Rocky nods stiffly at me. I take a deep breath. "The other one is rather personal. Do you remember the woman we've seen outside?"
He stares at me emotionlessly. "Yes."
"I know who she is, and why she lingers around the complex every night."
"Who is she? Will she help us escape?"
I'm shocked that he is still on board with the plan. I lower my voice. "Do you still want to escape?"
"Yes, more than anything. These people are cruel. I was right about everything. It's all a lie."
I breathe a sigh of relief. "I thought maybe they had brainwashed you into not wanting to escape."
"Their medicine isn't that good. It just makes girls unappealing to me. I've answered their questions well enough to satisfy them for now." His eyes darken. "I have stories for you that I don't have time to tell right now." Rocky turns around and sees both mentors leaning against the doorframe across the room staring at him. He turns back around. "They are watching me closely. I'll have to keep eating the medicated trays. I'm sorry I won't be much help with the escape. Will the woman help us get away from here? Who is she?"
"I need you to prepare yourself..."
"She knows my mom. Doesn't she?"
"She is your mom, Rocky."
Rocky's eyes are battling back and forth. I think the medicine is telling him not to feel love, yet his inner strength tells him he was right.
Rocky's voice deepens. "I knew it. I knew my parents were alive. She will help us. She wants me back."
"Yes. You were right. I've been communicating with her and she will help us once we're out. I have a plan. Try not to eat much of the medicated food. I know they are watching you, but try. I need your mind focused."
"I know you do. I'll try. I meant to lead out on this escape, but I blew it. Thank you for taking over. You are exactly the person we need right now."
His praise makes me blush. "We aren't out yet. I'm just trying to save Avra's life and uncover the truth. Rocky, your observations have changed everything for us." I nod at Avra, who's flirting with Scott, and the twins standing guard. I notice Bryon sitting at a desk helping a boy with a misshapen head with his homework. "Should we try to get Bryon on board? He used to be part of this gang."
Garth overhears what I say and leans over the telephone receiver. "I wish we could, but the medicated food has changed him too much. He doesn't believe in the cause anymore. His new life goal is to get everyone to do the extra credit problems."
Pity flows through me as I look at Bryon. "Well, that used to be a good goal. I hate to leave him behind."
Rocky nods. "I do too, but we've tried. He doesn't want to leave."
Jefrey glares at Rocky as he hears that. Rocky looks at Jefrey apologetically. He turns back to me. "We can do this. Do you still want to talk to Jefrey? I can give him some time. He doesn't know sign language."
"Yes. Thank you, Rocky." Rocky hands the telephone to Jefrey and takes a few steps away to give us privacy. Garth, on the other hand, takes a step closer to his brother.
Jefrey hides his annoyance when he gets on and flashes me a stunning smile. "Hey, beautiful. What's up?"
I blush and smile at him; I could look into those eyes all day. Unfortunately, we need to talk business. "They are painting the school rooms tonight after we leave for victuals. Meet me at 10:00 by the cold air return."
Jefrey's head droops. "I don't think they'll let me. The mentors will be guarding the door." The loud, annoying timer goes off.
I hurriedly spout off, "Use your ingenuity. Create a distraction. See you tonight!"
"Uh, I don't know, I'll try." I smile encouragingly at him as bossy Mara flips her white blonde hair at me and gets in my face. "Get off the telephone, Elira. My turn!"
•
My mind is going a million miles a minute the whole time I'm eating my victuals. Avra doesn't say anything, but her eyes say that she is concerned about me. How do I make sure people stay out of the school room while I'm inside? Mentor Maxine and the loud shriek we all despise comes to my rescue. Announcement time.
Everyone gathers in the common room to hear what the announcement is. Maxine clears her throat and says, "The school room walls are being painted as we speak. The complex chief ordered it to be done as soon as possible. The wet paint will ruin clothing and is slightly toxic to breathe in. The workers will be wearing masks. If you value your health, you will stay out of there this evening. You are not allowed to enter that room until the paint is dry and the area has been cleaned up. It will be ready for morning classes tomorrow."
Perfect! I don't care about toxins, but everyone else does. I try not to look overly interested as the workers in white jump suits march into the dorm with ladders and paint cans.
"Elira, are my bald spots noticeable? I don't want Scott to see them," Avra says as she mournfully runs her fingers through her hair.
Mmm, I don't want to hurt her feelings, but her bald spots are getting worse. "Actually, I have an idea on how to hide them better."
I have Avra sit on the ground in front of me as I sit on a white sofa. I braid her hair. It will hide her bald spots much better than when all of her hair is down. I keep one eye on Avra's head and
one eye on the school room door. The workers haven't left the school room by the time I finish the braid. I encourage Avra to practice sign language with me. I know quite a few basic words now. It's so much faster than spelling out each word. Rocky's mom has known my signs so far. I keep checking the school room door to see if they are done painting yet. Nope. They are probably close, but not done yet.
Avra wants to go to bed early, so as she gets ready, I write a letter to Garth detailing my plan. I tell him I'm sorry I couldn't meet with him on inspection day. I tell him to meet me in the school room at 10:00 pm the next day. I'll get to talk to Jefrey tonight, and I'm afraid Rocky is being watched too closely to risk giving him my plans. I feel like I have to keep things fair between the twins.
Almost everyone goes to bed half an hour before the painters leave. I bite all my fingernails off while waiting. Once the painters are done, they haul out all the equipment that they can carry in one trip.
The head painter addresses Maxine as they walk. "Maxine, we'll haul the rest of the equipment out in the morning."
"That's fine. Thank you. Have a good night."
I'm about to tell Mentor Maxine that I'm going in the school room when Mentor Roberta walks through the dormitory door. She approaches us, whispers a few words to Mentor Maxine, then sits down on a white sofa in the common room and starts writing on her clipboard.
Maxine winks at me as she leaves. "I'll see you later, Elira. Get a good night's sleep." Oh no, Mentor Roberta's on the night shift tonight. Now what do I do? I hurriedly leave the room to change into my pajama jumpsuit and brush my teeth.
I hear someone coughing hard in the room with all the sick reds, like from the toenails up style coughing. Hmm. I wait a full three minutes, walk into the common room and approach Mentor Roberta. Her head jerks up and she glares at me. "What are you doing up?"
"Someone is coughing really hard in the sick red room by the bathroom. I really can't sleep with all that racket. Is there any medicine that can help her?"
The Complex Life (The Complex Trilogy Book 1) Page 12
