SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Three
A clinking sound caught my attention. It echoed through the barren brick tunnels. A shadow had appeared on the walls. The shadow lifted a lantern, illuminating a face. It was the ugly brute who wore the butchers' apron. "Everyone get up!" He shouted. Hostility filled the air as he struck the bars of the cells with a metal pipe. "Everyone will be going for a little walk!" He roared, the pipe still swinging in the air, looking for a victim.
Like cattle, they herded us out from the cages and collected us in the middle of the room. The draft was chilling me to the bones. The dim light from the lantern did nothing to show how many bodies huddled together for warmth.
"Alright! Follow me!" The brute barked at us. Men dressed in prison guard uniforms materialized out of thin air. Their footsteps were silent, as if they were ghosts.
They marched us through the caverns which led to a different staircase.
A familiar voice had attracted everyone's attention as she bellowed out. "You blood-suckers are gonna burn in the sun!" The voice was shouting as she tussled with a guard. My eyes darted in their direction. I wanted to get a look at her.
The voice was a short older woman who wore her untamed hair well. The color hadn't faded to grey just yet. It suited her.
The was glad that I was able to get that glimpse. Before I knew it, the guards had dragged her down, making her disappear.
I wanted to tell her that I was the one next to her cell.
As we were pushed through another doorway a woman in scrubs began shouting, "In-Processing begins here!" She was splitting up the crowd.
The first table gave us hospital bracelets and a bag, then they pushed us forward like an assembly line.
"You. Your job." A person at the next desk pointed at me.
"Me?" I looked around confused. "My job?"
She nodded. "What did you do for a job?"
"Customer service." I answered, questioning myself.
"Good, you'll make a great addition in the kitchens!" Her cheerful attitude startled me. I stared blankly at her, wondering how she could be so happy with all of this. She scribbled away at her clipboard, completely oblivious of my stare.
At the next table was a woman in a lab coat. "Age? Diabetes? Blood Type?" She threw question after question at me.
I couldn't help but to wonder what would happen if I answered her questions? "What are you going to do to us?"
The doctor had stopped what she was doing to give me a quizzical look, "We aren't going to do anything, but take some blood." Her answer sounded more like a question. She pulled a empty vial from her coat pocket and waved them in the air. Like it was concrete proof she wasn't going to hurt me.
As if that would make me feel better.
She politely asked me for my arm, but understood I needed time. Once I had gave in and offered my arm, her eyes caught a glimpse of the bite. "How interesting..." She stared at the bite for longer than needed, making me uncomfortable.
The prick of the needle startled me. Making me feel faint. "I hope you're not a fainter!" The doctor tried to joke. Unfortunately, I was. All blood drained from my face as I felt the needle wiggle inside my skin when she switched to an empty vial. "And....Done!"
Finally, we were shown to the final stage. The Prison. Long winding halls were painted eggshell white. The same painting plastered on every wall. It felt like a never ending maze.
The guards had separated us into even smaller groups of six and split us into different rooms. Our room had six beds covered in white sheets. They ordered us to open the bags. Inside were matching sweats and a pair of slippers. I happily agreed to change into something warmer, not caring if strangers saw me.
"What do you think they'll do to us?" There were murmurs as we dressed in corners. I was happily surprised that everyone gave me space to change.
A guard had showed up at the doors, "You six will be rooming here for the duration of your time on Cutlass." He startled all of us. "This is your Matron. Do as she says." His voice echoed in the empty room.
A woman walked in behind him, wearing a old fashioned nurse's uniform. Her smile seemed fake as she introduced herself.