A New Life: The Facility

Kellie continues to run through the halls. Once I catch up to her, we’re in front of the Doctor’s office. Right as I stop to catch my breath, we both spot Carter almost to the end of the hallway, about to turn a corner. Kellie calls out for us “Yo! Carter! Perfect timing!”

Carter stops and turns around. Carter’s arm is now in a sling. He stops walking and starts coming towards us. “Oh hey James!” Carter walks up, looking at Kellie and I. Carter turns to Kellie and says, “It’s Kellie, right?”

Kellie smiles, “Yeah! You remembered huh?”

Carter grins, “I’ve just got a knack for remembering names.” Carter looks at me. “Where’s Lyla? I’m sorry I didn’t link up with you guys after the assembly, the doctor wanted to take another look at my arm, I hope my absence didn’t upset you guys.”

“Ouch, that looks like it hurts.” I say.

“Eh, it looks worse than it is.” Carter says. “It’s not that bad.” Carter stops and pulls me to the side. “Give us just a moment Kellie.” Carter walks me away from Kellie, we form a pseudo huddle, and Carter starts talking to me. “I dunno how much Lyla told you, but things aren’t looking so good right now.”

“She told me enough, but things are getting worse. Lyla’s suggesting, we find an opening.” I reply in a hushed voice.

Carter pauses. “Well, I don’t blame you for wanting to, but I dunno how much help I’m going to be.”

“Yeah, I’m aware.” I respond. “What’s more is that I met… Kellie on the way to the assembly, and she’s trying to find out what happened outside yesterday. She… kind of weaseled her way in…”

Carter pauses, and looks back at Kellie, who waves at him.

“Can you get rid of her?” Carter asks. “I… I don’t think that’s a choice, it’ll only give her a reason to snoop, she’s the really, really, nosy type.” I say.

“Jesus James.” Carter says, “You don’t know how to say no do you?”

I look down to the floor. “Apparently not.” I reply.

“Well, I guess now that she’s here, we can turn this into an opportunity. I can help more people, and you guys might have a new ally.” Carter says.

“Can we trust her?” I ask.

“She’s energetic, but she might have a good heart, lets find out.” Carter turns around and walks up to Kellie.

“Can I trust you?” He asks. Kellie smirks. “Depends, you asking me as a friend? Or as someone with a blue polo on?” Carter’s expression becomes more serious than it already was. “I’m not here to play coy with you Kellie. I’m asking you, again, as a friend of James. Can I trust you?”

Kellie’s demeanor sinks, she puts a paw on the back of her neck and sighs. “Y..yeah, you can trust me.”

Carter, still remaining stone faced says, “I hope so, both of you, come on.” Carter then rounds the corner of the hallway where Kellie and I found him. The three of us walk down the hallway until we make it down to a secluded section away from prying eyes. Carter looks around and turns to us. “Ok James, what did Lyla tell you after the assembly?”

“Lyla said that the files you found don’t containing anything about who we were before we changed.” I respond.

“Wait, are you serious?” Kellie asks.

Carter nods. “Yeah, that’s true. As far as anyone in my position is concerned, You’re a chameleon, and you’re a racoon. Nothing more.”

“So, what’s the goal then?” Kellie asks. “If they don’t know anything about who we previously are, then how’re they supposed to help us?”

Carter shrugs. “I’m not sure, As much as I want to believe they’re doing good work, this whole ordeal with Paul, and the content I found in the files is making me think that you’re only here to have an eye kept on you.” Carter pauses. “I’m not even sure we’re helping anyone.”

“Are you the only one that knows this?” I ask.

“Possibly?” Carter says, “My co-workers seem to have the same goal as me, but I don’t think they’re clued in on what’s exactly happening, and with Paul’s escape, the office is now barred to those guys in the swat uniforms, so if anyone knows, it’s most likely just me.”

“So, what else did Lyla tell you then?” Kellie asks, turning to me. “She said that while Carter mentioned that there’s nothing in the files, they’re only tracking a few things about us. One of which being if we have any signs of instinct.” I respond.

“So if we’re acting like the animals we look like, they’re keeping a record of that?” Kellie asks.

Carter nods again. “Yeah, I know you weren’t outside, but Paul mentioned that he was about to leave before they kept him in here, because he damaged a wall during a nightmare. The fact that in his sleep, he managed to lash out, they ruled it as him not being fully human anymore. Which kept him for longer.”

“So, they’re just looking for reasons to keep us here then?” Kellie asks.

“Yeah, that’s what it seems like.” Carter responds. “I want to help you guys, genuinely. But, it seems like this place isn’t going to do that.”

“Well, you could help us break out of here!” Kellie exclaims. Carter shakes his head. “It’s not that simple. Right now, I’m tied to Lyla and James for being a part of the fight with Paul. If I spend too much time around you guys, people are going to get suspicious, especially since Paul managed to escape.”

“Wait wait… So you were involved?” Kellie says, turning to me. “I had a hunch you knew something!”

“I just met you. How am I supposed to know that you’re not going to talk to someone else and tell them how I was involved.” I reply.

“Still, it doesn’t make sense, you guys are planning an escape. You should be telling other people anyways.” Kellie says.

“You’re not going to be able to help everyone.” Carter replies. “Paul didn’t come back for you guys did he?”

“No, I guess he didn’t.” Kellie responds.

“You guys are still people, and people are selfish. That’s kind of how the world works. You put the people you care about first over strangers.” Carter responds. “I’ve known James since I started here. He’s a friend, and I want to help him and his friends. But, I know I can’t help everyone. It’s selfish, I know. But, that’s life.”

Kellie sighs. I use the small moment of silence to continue the conversation. “Carter, Lyla mentioned that her phone was taken, do you think that could be of any use to us?”

Carter pauses. “It could, I have an idea of where they keep the phones, but we’re not allowed in there. But, maybe there’s a way in.”

“Elaborate, please.” I ask.

“Okay.” Carter responds. “There’s a back room down the west hall. The door’s labeled band room, It’s the biggest room in the facility. It’s where those guys in the swat uniform stash their stuff. The door’s always locked, they use regular keys compared to the swipe cards we normally use for your doors. There’s a chance that you could find a way in, and grab the phones. I remember handing someone’s phone off to one of the guys in the uniforms at the end of their first night.”

“Okay, so we might know where the phones are.” Kellie says. “I can always get my phone from where they keep it.”

“You should try to grab everyone’s phones. You brought your phone here right James?” Carter asks me. “I didn’t, I left it at home before I came here.” I respond. “But Lyla’s phone should be there, so Kellie should grab them both.”

“Okay, so what do we do when we get the phones?” Kellie asks. “Do we call someone?”

“That’s not a good idea, With Paul’s escape, they’ll expect someone to attempt contact with the outside. Any attention to the facility isn’t going to help, they’re going to go back into lockdown and find the person who called. At least, that’s what I think is going to happen, I wouldn’t risk it.”

“So once we get outside, and away from the facility, it’ll be a lot easier to contact someone.” I say, “It makes sense, there’s really no cars around either.”

“Yeah, they brought us in on buses when we got to the pick up spot. You think our cars are still there?” Kellie says.

“I walked, but if your car is there, we might be able to use it to go somewhere.” I reply.

“I’ve got a spare set of keys on my car, I used to lock myself out all the time, so I have a hiding spot on the outside of the car where I keep my keys. We should be able to use it.” Kellie says.

“Now, one step at a time.” Carter says. “First things first, the phones, you’re going to want to get into contact with your families and friends first. Once you’re outside.”

“So that just means the only phones we need to get are Lyla’s and yours.” I say to Kellie.

“We just have to find Lyla now.” Kellie responds.

“You guys know where she is?” Carter asks.

I reply, “One of your colleagues has her with Dr. Thorn. They’re doing a mandatory session.”