Where I Belong

The metal bands tapped against my wrists as I climbed out of the caged vehicle. She was staring at me, a grim expression etched into her face. I didn't know her name; I wasn't important enough I suppose.

She was yelling at me, making me angry... so angry

I looked around at my surroundings. Razor wire glinted in the white-hot brightness of midday along the tops of the never-ending flowers. The foreboding scene was litterd with little patchwork plots of colorful flowers. So out of place.

I was furious now, oh yes she had made me angry, angry enough to kill...

I was jerked rudely into the somber grey building by the silent woman; she just wouldn't leave me alone. We were inside now.

Holding the skillet in my hands, onions on the table, have to cook them, everyone's hungry, but its only us home...

She was whispering to the man at the desk now. I wish she wouldn't do that. Wish she would smile. Smile like she had, why didn't she smile anymore? Why wasn't she here, she had been right there, right there I saw her I know I did...

Still screaming, not listening, not hearing, no, no, no... don't make me angry, too late, my hands tighten around the heavy black handle...

The man stepped out from behind the desk warily and grasped my arm. I shrugged it off, whimpering a little. How dare he touch me? What did I do? No one would tell me what this wsa, why was I here?

Screaming louder now, just shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Swinging blindly, all around, frantically, make her stop, make her be quiet, it wasn't my fault, just be quiet...

He just yanked me back harder, dragging me down the hall. I stomped my foot and stopped. He turned around angrily. Now it was him that was angry. I wasn't angry, I hadn't been angry since...

No more screaming, just quiet. So quiet. I didn't want the quiet anymore. But she wouldn't get up... she wouldn't do anything anymore...

"You had better behave," his voice held no compassion, "You belong here you know." He wouldn't smile, no one would ever smile again...

She lay stiffly her eyes open and unseeing. No more voice, no more screams, no more laughter, no more smile... no more her...

I collapsed on the floor helpless with laughter. It was loud and shrill but somehow hollow and dead inside. They stared at me in horror; I remember that look, but now I know why it was being given to me.

It was my fault

I belonged here, but my laughter didn't.

But then... neither did the flowers.