Dark shades lining the windows opened to let the Incandescent morning light ruthlessly pierce the darkness of the bedroom and illuminate the three people peacefully sleeping.
Slowly, the trio laying on the bed opened their groggy eyes. Each one yawned and stretched but laid there not wanting to get up just yet.
Although Awakeners like Alex didn't really need to sleep everyday, the multitude of emotions he felt yesterday had drained his body. From Zalan's screams to being threatened by a cohort of Vermont men, Alex felt that if he didn't rest in someway, brain failure wouldn't be so far-fetched.
Despite having strangers sleeping under the same roof—namely the 4 goons who made themselves comfortable in the living room, Alex finally got to rest he needed and indulged in the ever relaxing art of cuddling with his family.
Amanda shuffled and rubbed her eyes before habitually reaching over to grab the glass of water on her nightstand. She would always bring it up from the kitchen right before going to bed to quench her thirst first thing in the morning or in between waking moments during the night. No matter when it was needed, the cup was always there.
But to her dismay this time, Amanda sensed that something was terribly amiss when all she managed to grab was a handful of air.
"Where is—" Amanda mumbled softly but abruptly stopped.
In addition to the missing cup, which was very much ingrained into her routine, something small and warm shuffled right beside her.
Zalan slept in a separate room to Alex and Amanda, and so it took her a few seconds to recognize that the small bundle of warmth was indeed Zalan sleeping in the same bed.
Knowing Zalan's behaviour, either he decided to hop into her bed in the middle of the night or simply got forced into it. Neither of which would be likely because Zalan seemed to hate sleeping with them and both Alex and Amanda didn't force Zalan to do anything. Aside from Amanda forcing him to stay at that mental aslyum known as 'daycare' of course.
Amanda could only raise her eyebrows and scratch her head at such a strange occurrence. Was it a special occasion? Or did Zalan have a change of heart?
Amanda contemplated for a bit before looking up to see Alex.
"What—" Amanda began but her memory reignited akin a match.
Staring wide-eyed at the duo, Amanda suddenly recalled the reason and almost let out a scream.
"Alex! Those horrid people are still here!"
Amanda spoke out in a hurried manner. Temporarily startling both Alex and Zalan, she looked around frantically before leaping up from the bed.
From her open white blouse to her flawless face and messy-shoulder length brown hair, Alex couldn't help but be put in a daze rather than be alarmed.
Oblivious to Alex's star-struck look, Amanda fumbled with her slippers before wearing the wrong ones on each foot, but didn't care and immediately dashed towards the bathroom.
Zalan was taken aback from her abnormal behaviour but soon had a panick stricken face when he realized the reason he was in their bed. Alex's gaze lingered for an extra second before his expression matched Zalan's as he registered what Amanda was getting at. After all, It was only last night, or rather, this morning, that Zalan broke the machine and earned himself a one way ticket to be within the company of the great Vermont clan!
Zalan suppressed a groan fearing that they men were right outside and ready to pounce on whoever was bad mouthing, but Alex was a bit more vocal.
"Scar face is still here." Alex groaned and face palmed. This time, voicing it out loud because he knew he wouldn't get a chance to do so later.
***
"Morning gang!" the leader said raising his arm in acknowledgement.
The couch was arranged in a square pattern surrounding a holographic screen that displays the same content on both sides. The leader happened to be seated with his back against the stairs and legs raise against the chestnut leather.
Although he seemed all joyful, Zalan couldn't help notice the other three men sitting across from him. Each one of their beady eyes stared down at the ground with their fedora's snuggled tightly on top of their head. The smallest one on the very left even had a shaking hand. Not the cold type, but the severely shaken, traumatized type.
Upon noticing Zalan staring right at it, he swiftly grabbed it to forcefully stop the shaking. Although it was subtle, Zalan didn't miss his eyes that darted around the ground like ping-pong balls.
'What happened to these folks?'
Zalan couldn't help but shiver. Feeling an ominous presence from scar-face, he couldn't even stand being in the same room as him, let alone take orders and be punished. So how could these men survive being his subordinates?
Zalan didn't know nor did he dwell on it. After all, he was on his way to the home of an existence that could wipe out the entire city if they wanted to.
The cohort stood up, carried their brief-case and face Alex, Amanda, and Zalan. Upon seeing them dressed and refreshed, the leader smiled and made a lasso gesture indicating it was time.
They were ready to depart.
The station was shaped like a giant leaf with various openings that allowed the hover-trains to pass through. The green building laid on its side as various throngs of people passed through eager to get to places.
Inside, a large display hung over their heads as the group walked in through the terminal.
'Where are we going?'
The leader led the group pass the passenger terminal to another more refined building on the right side. To describe it, it would be like the stem of the leaf. Soon, Zalan found out that the Vermont clan had their own line in the station for emergencies, or when a high ranking officer was impatient. Even if they could easily fly, who had the guts to tell them the train is late if they wanted to ride it? Someone who didn't value their life? Maybe.
The group boarded the train directed to the Clan headquarters. As they got comfortable, the sleek green train silently left the station and headed towards their destination.
"Hey don't be afraid little one. Boss is a very nice guy" the leader said, breaking the silence.
"He's only interested and especially kind to special individuals, like you".
Chuckling, the leader turned to the three men seated right beside him.
Turns out the train only had private compartments that could seat up to 8 people with 4 on either side facing reach other. And obviously Zalan and his family had to sit together with the Vermont crew.
"Ain't that right fellas?"
The three men could only nodded not once taking their eyes off the floor or lifting their head.
'These people are either extremely shy or trained to be obedient through torturous methods' Zalan thought as he studied them closer. Thinking it's more likely to be the latter, Zalan could only sigh.
'God I hope it's only scar-face that's this messed up in the clan'.
The leader only whistled cheerfully in his reclined chair and munched on peanuts that popped out the side of the seat.
On the horizon, Zalan could make out the Clan head quarters, or rather, the highest points of it. Six emerald green towers poked above the clouds positioned in a pentagonal formation around a central tower. Each one displaying the Vermont Clan crest visible to people hundreds of kilometres away.
Beneath its mighty display, there was a pyramid made of green glass in the center of the plaza with a road leading to the central tower. Known famously as Vermont's path, it connected the pyramid and tower 1, where the Clan leader lived and worked.
The headquarters represented more of a small town rather than a building complex. Residents living around the area flooded the streets and minded their own business. A constant buzz from the throngs of people made the place vibrant as well as the countless advertisements plastered everywhere disturbing the people carrying out their daily task like usual.
The hover train pulled into the station located right beneath tower 4 and the group of 7 hopped off the train.
"Welcome to the one and only Vermont guild headquarters!" the speakers above head blared.
Zalan only sighed
'This is going to be a long day.'