After the Aveline War in Hester City, an order was issued by the Japanese Government to build a new Hester City. This city was supposed to be a peaceful environment, but shortly after it's creation another war seemed to slowly creep up on those who lived in New Hester City. To prevent another war from happening, the government issued another order that those who are convicted of a crime and those who are related to the convicted are to be moved to the old city where the previous war accrued. Thus, the city was named Old Hester City. Those who were convicted of kidnap, theft, murder, and rape were to have tracking devices surgically implanted in their chest or arm by law. Those who have a tracker are called Satellites. Secure Security takes care of all Satellites. These days, Satellites are heavily misunderstood. Even children become Satellites.
Sitting in Hester Academy's quiet library after school hours, Norine Hinojo sat at one of the study tables at the far end of the right side of the library. Across from her, was a student who was a bit older than her. Taft was the name he told Norine to call her. Norine wasn't sure if that was his real name, though, she didn't give him her real name either. She didn't exactly like her real name. Her first name was quite long and it seemed her parents was in a big hurry to call her something. When her name was called, it sounded like a sentence was being said.
Norine looked off to the side, realizing it was almost time for the Oscar and Bared to arrive. Norine was told that the two men would be there to pick her up after school. Though, it had been way past the time they were supposed to be there. It wasn't a bother to her. Even if she did say anything to her parents about it, her parents wouldn't care unless an adult reported it to them. Norine always stayed in the dormitory and only went home when the Holidays came around. She wasn't ready to face her parents. Not today.
Taft looked up at Norine after writing something down on the sheet of paper he had on the table in front of him. Taft had been speaking to her for awhile and it seemed Norine had stopped listening at some point in the middle of what he was saying. Taft noticed there was something off about Norine. Taft usually could tell if anybody was upset. He had known Norine for a few months and could tell if she was withdrawing herself from things he's usually engage in.
"If you aren't feeling well, we could continue tomorrow." Taft suggested.
Norine turned her gaze on the table. It took her a moment to reply. She wanted to be careful with how she replied to him. She crossed her arms and kept her gaze down. She shook her head and answered, "No, it's fine. This is helping me get my mind off of..."
As if Taft knew what she was going to say, he let out a huge chunk of air and sat back in his seat. He crossed his arms and looked at her. "Well, since the whole school wants me to be student body president..." He began. It seemed he was smiling a little. He was making a joke. Of course the whole school didn't vote for him. He only meant that there were lots of students who voted for him. "So," He continued, "I wonder if you would be my vice or you could take my place."
Norine considered it at first, but shook her head. "No, I don't think anybody would vote for me.. and I don't think I have what it takes to be Student Body President."
He nodded, understanding how she felt. "Well, the Academy needs somebody who has a brain." He set his pen down at the right side of the sheet of paper on the table. "If not you, then who else?"
There was a short buzz that came from somewhere above and a middle aged woman's voice came through the intercom. "Utsukushisa Hinojono, your car is waiting out front." The voice sounded cheerful as if she were a game show host.
Norine stared down at the table for a long moment before saying, "I'll think about it." She stood up from her seat and pushed in her chair. She watched Taft silently nod before turning to head for the library's double doors.
"Take care," Taft raised his right arm to wave. He didn't care if he was in a library or not, he was still going to raise his voice regardless.
Norine looked over her shoulder at him and waved back before slipping out into the hallway.
Oscar and Bared were already coming down the hallway when Norine raised her head. The men didn't trust her at all and they thought she was the biggest trouble maker in her whole family. She hated being an only child. It was bad enough having two men around who acted like children.
The men in the fancy black suits shot Norine an ice cold stare. This was a look they had always given her every since she was 8. Everyone she knew gave her that look. Did they always think of her as a burden?
She casted her eyes to the floor, avoiding the cold stares. It would be better if this crap went by faster.
"Little miss Utsukushisa," Oscar began in his child like man voice, "We hope you aren't too angry for making you wait for a few hours."
"Don't get any ideas in telling your parents about us being late." Bared began, "Or we'll make you regret it."
Norine practically ignored the men by walking past them as if they weren't even there. She planned on ignoring them the whole ride home. There would be nothing but silence, anyways, but she didn't care.
Oscar and Bared became enraged like a 7 year old. The men quickly turned and both shouted "Don't you turn you're back on us!"
They were like twins. It was no use for them to try to get Norine to focus on them.
"Don't walk away from us!" Oscar and Bard shouted.
Norine didn't dare look back. She continued down the hallway.
After Norine made her way through the long corridors of New Hester Academy, she finally made her way to the front of the school. She quietly popped open the left back door of the black BMW X6 and climbed inside. She scooted over to the middle seat, leaving the door a crack for Oscar and Bared. Normally the men in black suits were supposed to open the door for her, but she knew the men with her wasn't going to do that. She didn't care, to be honest. She also knew that if she tried sitting by the window, she would get screamed at. These men liked sitting by the window and they certainly didn't want her trying any funny business... or whatever. They thought she was going to open the door and jump out while the car was moving.
Oh yeah, Norine never thought about doing that. That would have killed her. She wasn't about to do that, even though sometimes she wanted to.
Oscar and Bared got into the vehicle and Oscar ordered the driver up front to get going.
For the entire ride, Norine stayed silent. There was no trying to make conversation with Oscar and Bared. Norine was okay with that. She didn't even want to speak to them anyways. She just wanted to get home and do whatever it is her parents wanted her to do.
The ride usually took 30 minutes, but in this city it seemed like an hour.
Suddenly Norine felt tired. She let out a low sigh, looking down at her feet. No, she couldn't even possibly try to fall asleep right here. 'Come on, now. You gotta stay awake.' She thought to herself.
She closed her eyes and let out a huge chunk of air 'Ugh...' She wondered how long she was going to have to stay with her family. She didn't even have the chance to pack anything. She probably would have if these two man child's hadn't of taken so long. The house maids would just have to provide her with a kimono, hopefully.
Norine tiredly looked up at the rear view up front. The driver flashed her a quick glance before looking back to watch the road. Now that Norine thought about it, she had never once had a conversation with this man. This man had always been driving Norine around and he always remained silent. She didn't even know his name or anything about him.
Something about the driver had caught her eye. Didn't this man always have a scar on his right cheek under his eye? Norine swore he did, but now she was confused. She looked at Oscar and then Bared. Oscar and Bared were doing their own thing, staring out the window.
She looked back at the driver, staring at his cheek through the rear view. This man definitely had a scar under his eye, but it seemed it somehow had hanished. Did he think to put makeup over the scar because he felt self conscious about it? That was a possibility, but there could have been other reasons than just makeup.
In an instant, light blinded Norine's eyes... then there was an impact.