I remembered part of my dream last night, so I thought I would write it down. I’m a little fuzzy on what was happening in the story leading up to this but I remember this part pretty clearly. (Well, ok, it’s been embellished a little)
He almost walked past a half-open door, but he caught a glance at the paper posted above the door, and stopped. Like the other rooms, this one had a Statement of Principles which had been signed at the bottom, then flipped around and posted upside-down, with the name written again at the top (now the bottom) but upside-down from the rest of the text, which was now the only part appearing right-side up. Only on this one, the upside-down (now right-side up) name “Astre” was computer-printed instead of written in by hand.
Looking at the upside-down signature, he thought he recognized the writing. Now, looking in the half-open door, he knew it was her. Only her hair was visible, but it was dyed a distinctive fire-engine red.
Quitely, he took a couple steps into the room, and his hand reached for his pocket, where he had managed to take some items out of his wallet before they had taken all the wallets and purses away. He put one hand on her shoulder, and with his other hand, he pressed two of the items into her hand.
She turned quickly, eyes wide, clearly surprised but not afraid. She had most likely been lying there with her eyes closed, listening to the sounds of this new place instead of sleeping. She recognized him immediately, then looked down at the items now in her hand. They were a credit card, and a business card. Puzzled, she looked back up at him, and opened her mouth, about to speak, but he put his finger over his mouth and made the “shh” sign.
“Oh cool, you’re awake,” he said. “I was just going to pull your covers up over your shoulders. I heard you were not feeling well. You remember me, right?”
She turned onto her side and looked back at him. “Oh yeah of course I remember you. We ate lunch together that one time but at the time I thought you were a little creepy.”
“Uh, yeah, sorry about that. I get creepy sometimes, especially when I’m nervous.” He took a half-step back, as if to give her some space. “Hey I saw the Statement over your door, it looks like you got your new name to print out upside-down. Astre is a cool name, it suits you.”
“Thanks. I was there when they were printing them so I just added my name to one and flipped the text over.”
“Hey, can I tell you something I’ve never told anyone else before?” he asked.
She didn’t say anything in response but just raised an eyebrow.
He leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “Hide those. Play it cool for now, but if they get you out in public, you run. Run as far and fast as you can, and find a cop.”
Her eyes grew wide, as if it had not yet occured to her that they could be in danger. She said nothing in response, but drew her hand holding the credit card under the covers.
“Interesting, huh?” he said.
She looked back at him, eyes narrowed now, and simply nodded.
“Anyway, I’ll let you rest some more. Hope you feel better soon!” With that, he turned and left the room.