Read R.E.M.: The Hidden World Online
Authors: Corrie Fischer
“Follow me then, we shall take a brief walk.” Miria spoke the words slowly, as though they were chosen with caution. She was clearly in a deep state of thought. Looking across Renee and her current wardrobe seemed to provide a momentary distraction and she shot Sam a questioning glance.
“Sorry.” Sam shrugged his shoulders.
Miria just rolled her eyes, a light smile crossing her face. “We shall get you some fresh, more appropriately sized pants, immediately. Follow me, my dear.” Miria’s words were soft and gentle, as always.
Oh, forget the freaking pants….what the heck is going on here?
Renee desperately wanted to yell the thought out loud but forced it to rest within the boundaries of her own mind.
After several more glasses of wine and multiple
puffs off the hookah, Emily's head spun. “This wine is aweeesoommee…” She smiled at Ethan, tossing her hand on his leg.
“Yes, it realllly is…” He was clearly feeling the effects too. “Can I ask you something?” Ethan was clearly trying to keep a straight face now.
“Of course, anything.” Emily flung her hands into the air. She was definitely past the point of composure.
“Do you know how beautiful you are?” He was looking her directly in the eyes. There might as well have been fireworks going off inside the building.
“That’s very sweet…for you…to say…” She stood up, turning her face from him and walked toward the glass wall, staring at the view of the city. Even under the influence, she could truly appreciate its beauty. Looking further to the left, she noticed an odd facility. It was massive and solid concrete, a wire fence surrounding the place. “What’s that overrr there?” She pointed as she half stumbled, looking back at him. Ethan came up to her side and examined the view.
“Oh, that….it’s basically the prison of Luthania…” He suddenly seemed more sober.
“There’s a prison here? Why? This place is fucking perfect” Emily laughed loudly. Her give a damn level was completely gone.
“Well, we do have some rules here, you know…..but other rules you may have known in the past do not exist here….” He started running his fingertips gently across her arm.
“You mean like an 18 year old drinkin? Ha!” Emily found the thought hilarious. After all, the laws back home never stopped her from having a good time.
“Well that….and moral codes, if you will….” At this, he wrapped his arm around her waist and leaned in closer. Emily pursed her lips blatantly. Ethan ignored them, opting to delicately kiss her neck instead. Goose bumps ran all over Emily's body. She wanted him. She wanted him now.
Seemingly picking up on her desires, Ethan asked, “Would you like to see my room here?”
The hunk then gently took her hand as he walked forward. Her body followed automatically. Her eyes glued to his perfect chest. She barely noticed as they passed a kitchen with marble countertops and cherry wood cabinets. They were quickly approaching an open doorway. The bedroom beyond it was lovely.
Marvelous decorations covered every wall. In the center rested a massive king sized bed with wood engravings all across the headboard. Emily released his hand and headed straight towards the comforting surface. As she fell onto it, she felt she was sinking into a sea of clouds. Ethan sat on the edge beside her, smiling and watching as she waved her arms in a swimming motion. “It’s sooo soft…” Emily smiled brilliantly. She was in paradise; she was sure of it. Ethan just continued to sit beside her, a melancholy look now on his face.
Why isn’t he touching me…
Emily was suddenly agitated. She leaned up and wrapped her arms around his massive shoulders. An undeniable urge arose in her. Giving in, she turned her head and immediately wrapped her lips around a thick chunk of his skin, biting down hard. Sucking on his neck, her tongue simultaneously tickled his skin in one fluid motion. Lightning was going off in her new jeans. Ethan was clearly experiencing a similar sensation. He grabbed the back of her head, pulling her off of him and kissing her passionately. Their tongues seemed entrapped in synchronized dance. She never felt so alive. Ethan’s fingers started to wander down her body, over her chest. In a sweeping motion, he lifted her shirt, and eased his palm over her breast. She leaned back for a second of clarity; then gave in completely, relocking her mouth on his neck. Her own hands began to wander; her fingertips ran down his abs, proceeding to his jeans. She could feel every bit of him through the clothing and he was clearly pleased by the situation. He pushed her back onto the bed. Then proceeded to unbutton her jeans, reaching his hand where no man had gone before. Passion and desire overcame her. She was ready. This was it, the time to lose her virginity.
Kyle.
“No.” The thought and word came out as a whisper, one in her mind and the other externally. Ethan seemed to not hear her as he proceeded, growing more passionate with every second.
“Stop!” Emily raised her voice now and pushed him back. Ethan looked flabbergasted, agitated.
“Why?” His tone was obviously one of anger and, for the first time since being released from that cage, Emily felt terror flowing through her. She did not wait to explain. Something told her he would not respond well. She grabbed her shirt and rushed toward the door. She was fast, but Ethan was faster. He blocked her path; his massive form previously so sexy was now nothing more than an intimidating wall. “How could you not want this?” He dropped his pants as he spoke the words, evidently proud of what laid beneath.
Emily closed her eyes for a split second.
Think Emily, think….how can you get out of this…
Her mind reverted back to a self defense class. At the time, she was mainly interested in flirting with the instructor, but one key principle remained vividly in her mind. She hesitated no longer. With her right arm she swung toward Ethan’s left jaw. Time seemed to slow. His hand appeared to move at the pace of a snail; yet he beat her to the punch and blocked it easily. This was her chance. Her arm still mid air, now captured by his, she gathered up every bit of force in her. She then raised her knee directly into the location of his pride. It was a solid hit. Ethan immediately released his grip and cowered over in pain, a scream of horror pouring through his lips. There was no time to wait. Emily rushed past him, easily pushing the vulnerable Ethan out of her way. She flew through the lounge and to its exit door. Before she could process what was happening, she was making her way down the mall’s ramp, flying through the crowd as if they were non-existent. Her movements were sloppy. Her body still influenced by the alcohol. Nevertheless, she pressed onward. She shoved past shoppers on every side and finally made it to the bottom of the ramp. Faces turned toward her in disgust and outrage. Emily did not even notice. She needed freedom from this place. She needed it now.
A yell of fury echoed down from the balcony. “GET HER!!” It was Ethan’s voice. Emily’s time clock was now shortening. Several citizens approached her. Their movements were almost zombie-like in nature. They all slowly reached toward her, seemingly without a will of their own. It was in this moment, for the first time, Emily noticed something very odd about every person here. None of them, not one single person, was smiling. They all appeared to have the world in their hands, yet blank stares of pain and misery crossed their expressions.
Oh God, what have I gotten myself into?
Terror filled Emily, but her feet did not stop, her determination would not fail. She managed to make it to the mall’s doors. She could hear the clamoring running of Ethan behind her. His movements were swift, as though unaffected by the liquid poison.
Reaching for the door, Emily felt a tinge of hope. She pulled it open, prepared for ultimate freedom.
Neveah….their rival town….perhaps they can help me…..wait, Neveah….that sounds so familiar...
As she opened the mall door, her hopes of freedom were crushed. There, surrounding the entrance was a half circle of men, if one could call them that. Every single one was beastly in nature and many of them looked like giants, even compared to Ethan. Standing in the center of the half moon was Lucy. “Well hello, Emily.” A chivying, evil smile crossed her face.
Shit. I knew it…
Emily wished she trusted her gut about these people long ago. One would have thought the initial greeting in a cage would have ensured that. How had she been so easily persuaded to let down her walls?
I have been a fool…
Without letting another second pass, Emily spun around and returned within the walls of the mall. She rushed forward, grabbing a ball cap off a passerby. Then she slowed momentarily. She identified a sunglasses shop up ahead.
Perhaps if I can just slow down and blend in…but then what?
Emily could not answer her own question, but at this point, it was her only available option. She continued forward at a half walk, half jog pace. She kept her head down, using the ball cap to shield the top of her face. She attempted to shuffle along as quickly as possible without drawing attention. Ethan rushed past her on the other side of the corridor towards the door. He was clearly unaware she already re-entered the mall.
Outside, beyond the distance of Emily’s hearing, Ethan was disappointedly met by Lucy and her gathering. There was no sign of Emily though. “Where did she go?!” Ethan was outraged. He did not understand how she could have gotten past them, past him.
“Calm down, my dear. She has re-entered the mall. It is only a matter of time now.” Lucy smiled at the words. This was obviously a victory in her book. Just at that moment, an alarm began sounding loudly. “See?” Again Lucy smiled.
With her morning coffee completely devoured, Ms. Morrison prepared herself for what would come next. It was time to greet the children in the classroom before their procession to the school bus. She wanted to disappear. Nothing about this field trip seemed like a good idea to her. However, she knew her students would likely be extremely excited for an escape from the classroom. She would have to put on a good show, for their sakes, if nothing else.
Before she knew it, Ms. Morrison was standing in front of her classroom door. The journey from the break room often seemed like a long one, on days when she rushed to arrive in the classroom an appropriate fifteen minutes early. Today, it went by in the blink of an eye. The inevitable was approaching. She would have to finally again face the place that haunted her dreams for years. Some nights she would sleep like a baby, others she was plagued by memories of the events that took place so many years prior. The nightmares that filled her world consumed her, driving her to never compromise in life.
“Good morning Ms. Morrison.” The sound of another voice startled Ms. Morrison and she nearly jumped out of her skin. “Oh I’m so sorry. I did not mean to frighten you.” It was the voice of her docile assistant, Ms. Wilkins.
“You are fine. I simply have the morning jitters, probably had too much coffee.” Ms. Morrison managed a smile that almost felt genuine.
Well done…..now just replay that ten thousand times and you’ll make it through the day…
The thought was certainly not a reassuring one. Slowly, one by one, her students arrived.
Before she knew it, it was on the hour, time for roll call and Danny Whitfield was the only child not present. The day was flying by thus far. Ms. Morrison proceeded with the roll call, placing an “X” by Danny’s name. Upon finishing, she gathered up her nerve and addressed the class. “Now, class, we will review the specific rules of the field trip while on the bus ride. In the mean time, I expect you all to behave respectfully. If any of you dishonor me, Ms. Wilkins, or any of the adult volunteers, you will be forced to wait with a volunteer on the bus while the rest of us conduct the field trip. Am I understood?”
A multitude of voices chimed. “Yes, Ms. Morrison.” They had this part down. Ms. Morrison could not help but feel proud and a genuine smile crossed her face. It faded quickly as she realized the time to approach the bus was upon them. Soon, too soon, she would be back in the terrible forest she avoided for so many years.
“Line up.” As the words crossed her lips, the children rushed toward the door. Just at that moment, Danny arrived, rushing into the classroom and attempting to sneak into line. “Danny? What do you think you are doing?” Ms. Morrison was not happy about this at all. Of all the days, her annoyance with Danny’s shenanigans could not be tolerated today. She would not allow him to put her class in danger.
“I have a note.” Danny stretched out the piece of paper desperately, clearly eager to join them on the field trip. Ms. Morrison reached for the note. Then she proceeded to read it silently to herself.
Ms. Morrison,
I apologize that my son will likely be late to class today. I have received an emergency call from the police department. Despite my previous request, I must go in and will be unable to go along on the school field trip. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Sincerely,
Officer Whitfield
The thoughts running through her head were suddenly unpleasant ones. The concept of having an officer along on the trip was one of the only reassuring factors. Now, he would not even be present. Instead, she would have to handle Danny alone. Of course she had the volunteers, but none of them held the proper sternness to handle such a rebellious child. Ms. Morrison felt sick.
Compose yourself….you’re a professional…
The thought was easier said than done. For several seconds, she simply stood there rereading the note, thoroughly absorbing the daunting news. At last, she spoke. “Very well then, line up.” The words were certainly not those she wanted to speak, but they were the appropriate response in this situation.