+Escaping Utopia+

Chapter 2

Okay, so I’ve been sitting here FOREVER. Slowly driving myself crazy. One of these days I might just apply for a restraining order against myself.

Although, according to the window across the room it’s still the same night...but I think the sun is lying. I think it purposely is taking it’s time today, just to make me feel more miserable by the minute.

Yeah. I told you I was going insane...

From the looks of it, everyone else is just like me...bored to death and afraid to move and/or talk. Well, out loud that is, I’ve been talking to myself for quite some time now. Good news, though, I found out what our captor’s name is... Dr. Trevor. No, Taylor? No, that’s not it either. Hmm, Trey maybe? Yeah, I think that’s it. Dr. Trey.

As it turns out, the guy in the restaurant shooting the place up happens to be a doctor. He must have some kind of mental problems...but shh! I didn’t say that. And I only know that piece of information because he told us to call him Dr. Trey. At least he’s being somewhat hospitable, I’ll give him that much credit.

Anyway, when the van finally stopped he had us climb out and follow him into this rather small house/cottage thing. From there he led us to the basement where he locked the door behind him. So we’ve been in the basement all this while. There really aren’t many of us here, only a handful more than a few. Don’t ask me where that expression came from.

And so here I am. Locked in a basement in the dark for hours on end with no visible sign of escape available. What more can life bring me?

Oh, wait. I can think of one...daylight! Bring me d-a-y-l-i-g-h-t, daylight. Haha...I know how to spell. Na na na na...can’t touch this!

I seriously need to look into that restraining order.

Or maybe this is just what everyone is doing, slowly losing their minds after being left alone with themselves. Is this supposed to be torture? If so, it’s working pretty well. I think I officially hate myself now. Not in that emo-ish way, though. More like in that go-away-and-stop-talking-to-me kinda way.

Arg. I really need something to do. Look at me...I’m talking to myself. And even worse, I’m talking to myself about talking to myself! I need a life...

Actually, I had a life before he came along. I need my life back; that’s what I need. And while I’m at it, I need a bathroom, too. You know some food wouldn’t hurt, either. Hmm. I wonder when Dr. Trey plans on coming back...or maybe he doesn’t plan on coming back...

Nah. He doesn’t seem like that kinda guy. In fact, he seems like the kinda guy how would bring you brownies when you’re sick. Not the kinda guy who holds up a restaurant, kidnaps some of the hostages, then locks them in a basement. Maybe he’s just off his rocker at the moment. Yeah, and when he comes to, he’ll apologize and release us all. Yes! That’s it. He just forgot to take his medicine.

Ah, who am I trying to kid?

Hold up a sec...did I hear something? Besides myself, I mean?

Hmm.

Never mind, I must be psyching myself out. Wait...there it is again.

No I’m not! I really did hear something! Bwahaha...I’m getting out!

I jumped up from my seat on the floor and took a leaping bound towards the door of the room. I could hear the jingling of a set of keys and swiftly moving feet on the floor. And murmurs. I heard murmurs! Yes, civilization! I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe now I could stop talking to myself for company.

“Go on up to the front room upstairs and wait for me,” Dr. Trey instructed once the door was open.

So that was it? After being so careful as to lock us into a room for a couple hours, all you have to say for yourself is “go upstairs and wait?” Yeah right! Wishful thinking buddy, I’m outta here!

I zipped my way up the stairs, eager for some kind of reassuring light above ground as well as some means of escape from this crazy guy.

But once again, luck didn’t seem to be on my side. Everyone released before me had congregated in the front room, as instructed and looking as disheartened as ever. Immediately sensing something was wrong I asked without even needing to know the answer, “Everything’s locked, isn’t it?”

A couple nods in reply, but no one spoke and/or even looked at me. They were all just kind of gazing at the floor, deep in thought I suppose. I sighed heavily and plopped down on the floor beside a couch that was already too crowded with other people.

Once again, I’m trapped and left to sit, awaiting my inevitable fate. What joy.

Five minutes or so later, Dr. Trey returned, bringing up the last of the prisoners. “May I have your attention, please,” he started, almost sounding happy.

I glared up at him, probably what everyone else was doing, too. No one wanted to be here...we all just wanted to be through with it and be back home.

“As I told you last night, my name is Dr. Trey. I’d like to take this time to apologize for any harm caused to any of you from the long trip over here, and for the sadly unprepared room downstairs. I really mean no harm...”

Shut. Up. Now. I muttered under my breath, purposely twitching one of my eyes like they do in the movies. I cannot believe what kinda nerves this guy has, apologizing for something like this and thinking it would help in any way. I should jump you now, rip your throat out.

“Anyway, I suppose you guys would like to know why you are here.” Okay, maybe I’ll let him live for a couple more minutes. I’d like to hear this first. “First of all, I’m no normal doctor.” No kidding. “In fact, I’m more of a scientist than a doctor.

“Let me go back in time a little. Twenty years ago today, I had what would prove to be the biggest, craziest dream ever dreamed by a scientist. In fact, it was so big of a dream, all my buddies thought I was crazy. And the more I thought about it, and got to liking it, the crazier they thought I was. Needless to say, I was kicked out of my previous position, working on...well, that’s irrelevant. What’s important is that I was left alone to my dream, with no one to help me reach that point. Which is why it has taken twenty years...” he mumbled, momentarily losing himself in thought. He looked up at us, as if seeing us for the first time today before continuing.

“Anyway, this dream of mine...this big, crazy dream...was to create a perfect place. Perfect in every way! A utopia if you would!” He paused here, dramatically proud of himself for some reason beyond our comprehension. He got a bunch of blank stares in return.

“Um,” he faltered, caught off guard by our looks. “So...after twenty long years, I’ve accomplished it. I have created a utopia. How, you may ask? Very carefully.” He looked away for a moment, lost in himself once again. “In fact, there is only one thing this utopia needs.” He stated, looking at his audience pointedly.

“Us?” someone volunteered.

“Yes! Well, no... I mean, kind of, yes...” he said, stumbling over his own thoughts. “What I mean to say is, it was missing people in general. So, I went and got people. You guys.”

A moment of silence ensued as all eyes were on him, each processing the thought in their head.

“So I, I mean we, get to be the test subjects of this utopia...” someone stated slowly, putting the thoughts together in their head. The voice sounded oddly familiar and I looked up. It was the guy at the register, the one who took my order earlier...well, yesterday I suppose it was now.

“Exactly.” Dr. Trey nodded, pointing his finger at us with a quirky smile. “You guys are some of the luckiest people in the world. In fact, you aren’t just some of the luckiest, you are the luckiest!”

“Cool,” another voice said after a short pause. It was a girl’s voice, sounding like she was about my age. I didn’t recognize her, though. “So, uh...” she continued flatly, almost sounding like she was bored. “Where is this ‘utopia’ and when do we go there?”

Dr. Trey was obviously taken aback by our lack of enthusiasm. But what did he expect? Were we supposed to actually believe him? This isn’t a fairy tale you know. Things like this don’t just happen. And more so, they don’t just happen to people like me. It just doesn’t. I’d have to be crazy to believe him. There is no such thing as a utopia. He’s crazy!

“We shall leave promptly,” Dr. Trey said, clapping his hands.

Okay, so promptly meant within the next twenty minutes. Before we could go, he had to go and blindfold us all. Not because we were his prisoners, though, but rather because he wanted us to be surprised. Although I have the feeling that we’d have to wear the blindfold regardless of whether or not we’ve seen the place before. But oh well, there’s really nothing any of us could do about it. Might as well be optimistic, right?

After each of us were successfully blindfolded, we were led one by one out to an awaiting bus. Notice I said bus, and not van. A nice, big, comfy bus. Why he didn’t take us in that to begin with is beyond me. I’m not questioning him.

The ride was short. Thank goodness, because my blindfold was getting sweaty and annoying. He had us file off the bus and then he placed us in a line before dramatically telling us to “Remove your blindfolds!”

My eyes immediately fell on a building in front of me. Ever so slowly, though, I began to look upwards at it. And even more upwards, still going, haven’t reached the top yet, almost there (I think). Aha...I found it. With my head at a practically 90 degree angle, I can see the top!

Ouch. Headache...

I looked over to Dr. Trey. He was beaming proudly at what he’d created, watching our faces to catch our reaction. After a couple moments he clapped his hands again. “Now! Will everyone please make your way inside. That is where the real fun begins!” His voice faltered then, sounding something more dark than he was before.

“We’ve been kidnapped,” I muttered under my breathe. “How is that fun?” I looked at the man once more then gave in and followed the slow-moving crowd to the large building.

Alright, I’ll admit, I was surprised. Upon entering my eyes grew obscenely large and I had this dorky, star-struck look on my face. It’s not fair...I shouldn’t be able to be won over so easily. Sometimes I hate myself...

I can’t even begin to describe the grandeur of the room we entered in. My inadequate words wouldn’t do it justice. But for your sake, I suppose I’ll give it a shot.

The ceiling was about as high as a ceiling could get and the doors were large, shiny, and intricately designed; a very marvelous sight to behold. But even better than that is what those doors contained.

The room itself was very large. Towards a far wall was a couch; a nice, big, fluffy, pretty, couch that looked very inviting. But despite it’s royalty look, it had a homey feeling to it. Kinda like a stuffed animal that you carry around as a child. It makes you want to go snuggle up on it and take a nice, long nap.

A great big chandelier hung from the ceiling with faintly glowing lights that reflected in it’s small, thoughtfully placed jewels. The chandelier helped draw attention towards a single wooden table in the center of the room. Even the table seemed as much royalty as everything else in the room, if it were able for a table to be so!

The table seated a beautiful plant. And not just any old plant, but rather a flowery plant. From just a quick glance at it, there were a very wide range of colors contained in the pot. Reds, blues, purples, pinks, whites, yellows, and I’m pretty sure there are some other colors mixed in there that I didn’t take time to look at.

The walls were covered in large paintings and murals, each significantly greater than the one before it. There were also some other various furniture strategically placed around the room, each much like the couch I described earlier.

Overall, the room just gave off this golden, happy, I-know-I’m-stunning look. I could live out all my dreams in this room, alone. And this was just the lobby!

The entire group easily fit inside this first room and we all were scattered around, looking at various things. Most had their mouths gaped open, looking like a child in a candy shop. I, however, am proud to say that I had my mouth closed. Hmph.

“What’s wrong? You don’t like it?” A voice behind me asked.

I spun around to face the inquirer. It was Dr. Trey. Ew...I thought. He’s talking to me... I decided to think for a moment before answering, just to play it safe. “No, it’s really quite wonderful,” I answered finally, giving my best attempt at a polite smile. How could I tell him that even though it was great, I still didn’t want to be here. Would he take offense to that?

He looked at me skeptically, and for every second he held eye contact with me I started sweating more. I should brush up on lying. “If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them...” he said in a quiet tone of voice, becoming suddenly serious.

He scared me when he said that like he did. It almost sounded like a challenge and/or threat. I gulped and shook my head quickly, suddenly matching his seriousness and getting out of my usual light-hearted point of view.

He seemed satisfied by this reaction and after a moment nodded his head. “You seem like a bright girl. I’d hate for you to dislike it here...” he said over his shoulder as he started to walk off.

I stared after him. I hate it here. I hate it here, already. This place couldn’t replace my home. Even a utopia couldn’t replace my home...ever! How dare he even think for a second it could! And if this place was so great, why couldn’t he just go find some volunteers to stay here? Huh? I’d like that question to be answered, Mr. Smart Guy!

Great. Now I’m mad. Which will lead to depression in a couple minutes and my day will be ruined. I just want to leave here!

Then I had an optimistic thought; everyone else, or at least someone else must feel the same way I do. Surely I’m not alone in my thoughts. All I have to do now I just find a time to talk to everyone else in private when the lunatic isn’t around and scheme a way to leave. Yeah...that sounds simple enough. We’ll be outta here in no time at all!

I glanced up again, as I had been staring down at the floor in my thoughts, and caught Dr. Trey watching me from across the room. He turned away quickly with a thought clearly on his face. I couldn’t tell you what that thought was, but he was definitely thinking something! And turning away just proved his guilt. I’ll have to be more careful. He has his eye on me now.