What Sweet Dreams are Made of

Chapter 3

     "Dahlia Oakley please report to the office." Mr.Yuji spoke out. Dahlia got her things together and left the classroom. Ethan joined her in the hall, "Let me guess you also got called to the office." Ethan grabbed ahold of his sisters' hand, "Yes, yes I did. We've never broke any rules let alone have standing remarks so why now?" Dahlia whispered to him "I noticed that a lot of others have been called to the office this school year, whatever it is let's hurry up." They nodded in agreement and entered the office. Mark stood in the office. "Dad?!" Both Dahlia and Ethan looked in shock. The Principal came over and addressed the three of them. "Apparently your father has racked up multiple violations. You two will witness what happens to those who don't listen to the rules. Go head outside, you will be escorted shortly. As for both you two youngsters your time here at Keystone Education has come to an abrupt end. Goodbye!" Once outside a couple Officials grabbed Mark and escorted him to the vehicle, Mark glanced at his two children and spoke to them one last time. "I apologize for not being the father you two deserve. I am ashamed of myself." Once loaded in the vehicle Mark and the two Officials left. A couple moments later a van pulled up and four Officials came out and loaded Dahlia and Ethan into the van. 

     The van pulled up to a Facility heavily guarded. The two Officials brought Ethan out, closing the van doors behind them. Dahlia spoke out, "What's going on?" One of the Officials replied "Ethan has behavioral troubles, therefore he is getting treatment before it's too late. As for you you will just have to wait." Twenty minutes go by and the two Officials transfer Dahlia into the building. "Dr. Bronze requested us." The front desk clerk glanced quickly then buzzed them in, "Stairwell 187." The stairwell appeared to have been unkept and used very rarely, one of Officials missed a step and slipped a few feet. "GAHH" The other Official went to help him back up, "I told them about this stairwell, Dan, but they still haven't updated it." Dan shook his head in dissappointment, "Let's get this done, I have to get home and cook supper." After going down the stairs in what seemed like hours Dahlia and the two Officials came to a heavy secured safe door. After entering a passkey the door groaned open and Dahlia was harshly grabbed by the arm and guided forward, the door banged shut.

   Bright lights reflected off the white walls, floor and ceiling. Another heavy secured door was straight back about 16 yards. The first section was a lab and a few select offices with about half a dozen lab techs scattered about working on whatever project that has consumed them. They entered through the secondary door and a wave of stench like sewer wafted through their noises, only Dahlia winced as the two officials were already used to it. Cold, brown stone encased this section. It went on continuosly that it would take days to figure out where the exit was. Cages lined each side and for the first five minutes all the cages were occupied, with all the kids that disappeared from school. One stood facing the far corner with cuts all over. Another crouched with what appeared to have burns. The one that terrified Dahlia was one that layed on the cold stone floor, skin grey and sunken red eyes. Something about them seemed familiar but she couldn't quite pinpoint it. They were towards the end of the section when a man and woman stepped out from a door. The man grabbed Dahlias' arm and pulled her away from the other's who were already deep in conversation. The next section was more relaxed, like the waiting room of a doctors' office. The man had a badge clipped to the pocket on his dress shirt, Dennis was in black lettering. "What's going on? Where's my brother, Ethan?" Dahlia stopped and shook the mans' hand off her. Dennis appeared slightly shocked, "Ethan is none of your concern anymore." Dennis went to grab her arm when she took a big step back and Dennis fell flat on his face. Before they could both react a lab tech came up to Dahlia and injected her with a tranqulizer. Dahlia fell into the lab techs' arms, passed out. 

I was transversed to a dream of sorts. A voice hollered out to me, "Dahlia!" I turned and Ethan ran up to me embracing me in a hug. "Ethan!" We embraced for a moment before stepping back. "What's going on Ethan?" Ethan seemed panicky but still managed to place his hands on my shoulder and look me sternly in the eyes. "Find a way out. Where we thought was home and safe isn't. It's not Wonderland like we were told when we were growing up. I'm waking up now so I'll be able to escape before you. I'm higher up but you're down below so they made it difficult for you. Trust yourself." Ethan disappeared infront of me. I looked around but all I saw was a bright white as I was waking up.