Chapter 4
Naatalia is the first to wake up.
The first thing she noticed was how Everything hurt. Covered in dry sweat, she probably smelled like she smelled like a dead body.
She laid there for a minute before getting out of bed and, sleepily reached under her bed for her change of clothes and towel. She got up and walked in the little bath room attached to the room.
She hopped in the shower and turned on the dingy little faucet. jumping at the cold water before getting used to it and finishing up her shower.
She finished and dried off. She went through the usual routine of putting on her gray sweatpants and sweater, before putting her long red hair in a ponytail, the ends still that bluish green.
When she opened the door Yelena was standing there waiting for her to get out, “hey, bathroom’s open.”
“Thanks, do you know where the asset is?” She asked, a thorough between her eyebrows.
Nudging Yelena to the side, Natalia looked into the little room and she saw that Yelena was right. The bed was perfectly made, gray sheets and blanket were made to perfection along with the white little pillow that was starting to yellow, but no one in it.
“Maybe he was sent to see the guards, or maybe on a mission?” The last one was scary, they didn’t know much about the missions that the older girls were sent on, but what they were told was terrifying.
The room seemed to feel empty without the slightly menacing presents of the soldier. Yes he had only been there for a day, not including the time they first met, but he still was a comforting presence, “it’s ok just get changed. I’m sure that he is going to come back soon.” Trying to convince herself just as much as Yelena.
“Okay.” She smiled and walked past Natalia into the bathroom.
-
He didn’t come back when Yelena was in the bathroom nor did he come back when they were called to ballet practice.
This time they were picked up by a different guard. A woman. And Natalia was almost sure she was a couple of inches taller, however that didn’t make her look less scary with her blonde hair pulled lowe into a bun, and that face stuck in a permanent scowl.
—-
Walking hurt.
Natalia and Yelena were both trying to hide their limping. Which was only made worse by the fact that they were forced to walk just behind the blond haired woman. Who remain nameless.
It felt like she was walking as fast as she could without it looking like running, and knowing the red room it was likely.
They weren’t sure if they were going to be working with the other girls. Maybe that was why they didn’t see the soldier that morning. Was he not allowed to be seen by anyone else, Is that why they were the only ones allowed to live the first time they all met. Natalia pondered, as they walked to their training room.
They were with the other girls. They stood near the end of the bar next to the peeling tan paint and mirror.
Their teacher, Lady Maria, walked in and the guards moved to the end of the rooms, “girls, today the older girls will be practicing the dance for the recital, and all you younger girls will be practicing your end of the year dance.”
They all broke up into their predetermined groups, Yelena with the younger group of girls and Natalia in the older graduating group.
-
They were in the middle of practicing their dance when two guards Brought the soldier into the room. He Looked dazed. This was the first time that Natalia had seen him so much as falter and his steps.
“Yes, you can practice with the oldest girl.” Lady Maria said dismissively.
“But lady Maria, he is a man,” a girl in the Yelena group said, “He isn’t supposed to dance like us.”
“Listen young lady, if you ever talk back to me again then I’ll cut out your tongue.” Lady Maria said quickly, walking to her as she spoke and slapped her across the face.
“Yes ma’am , sorry ma’am.” She quickly snapped out, Practice when’s the same as every other after that, Practicing their recital peace, then they go to their partners and start doing partner work.
-
Yelena loved to dance. It was probably the only activity they made her do that wasn’t mind numbingly boarding or made her achy. It was an escape from the usual anxiety of life in the red room. Yes there were still rules and they were strict, but the story of dance was intoxicating. The spins and Leaps always looked so elegant.
The only downside was the rules, which weren't that much but still seemed ridiculous. Like that you only had three practices before you had to memorize an entire dance, yes you would get punished for that, But the biggest rule was you don’t question the people in charge. Well that was more like a rule for every thing in the red room, but still it was a very important rule.
When the girl spoke up about the soldier being there everyone was shocked. Lady Maria looked furious, "Listen young lady, if you ever talk back to me again then I’ll cut out your tongue.” Lady Maria snapped, quickly walking towards her from the other side of the room, now next to her she slapped her across the face.
“Yes ma’am , sorry ma’am.” She said, looking sad. Practice when’s the same as every other after that.
-
They were sitting on Yelena's bed reading the rest of the fellowship of the ring this time with Natalia. It was great the three of them sitting there together Yelena resting her head on Natalia well the soldier was reading. Natalia was sitting next to him looking down at the book, it was scary how fast it all came crashing down.
All she did was rest her head on his shoulders. In an instant she was pushed from him. He was off the bed, he was breaking heavily. He looked almost scared, like the touch was scary.
“I- i'm sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She was pleading, scared that he was going to leave. She was scared. She didn’t want to ruin what they had going, this little piece that they got in between the harshness of the red room.
She was too scared to move. His face looked pand. A deep sadness was hanging over him, he looked older. The bags under his eyes looked darker, he was still breathing heavily. Still standing next to the bed holding the book tight in his right hand.
Then he seems to flip a switch and suddenly he looks fine, “sorry, I’m fine. Let’s get back to the book!!” He said in a voice that was not his own.