I tilted my head to see that person's face clearly but once I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes. "Everett"
The name escaped from my mouth like a whisper. I was in shock. I couldn't believe my eyes .
"this can't be- "
"no this can't be real"
"I am hallucinating"
All these thoughts started to overload my head. So much that I didn't realise that the person was already looking in my direction.
Suddenly, my thoughts got interrupted by a voice. Calling my name ?
I looked around but couldn't find the source of that voice. Just then that person stood up and started walking towards my direction.
I looked closely and …
"Hey Haruto. Long time no see man, where have you been"
He said casually, standing right in front of me
His face carried a worn out and tired expression rather than excited. But it didn't matter to me as I've always considered him one of my close friends but it's not the same for him.
"Everett, is that really you!"
I said, a bit too loudly. I didn't know if it was excitement or I was overreacting. Maybe both.
Everything felt a bit unreal. Reading my surprised face he spoke,
"What a surprise, isn't it?"
A slight smile appeared on his face. I immediately hugged him tightly. We stayed like that for a moment. Every other person in the room was minding their own business and doing their own thing.
"What are you doing here ?"
I asked, concerned.
He sighed and said,
"Don't really know mate. You know the usual arrests."
Kind of a bland and unclear answer but I didn't say anything instead nodded my head.
"I can understand ,don't worry"
I could tell by that expression, he was hiding something or maybe he wasn't comfortable telling me.
"How's Ciara ? "
I asked in an effort to change the subject. He looked at me with a confused expression. Then after a few moments of silence he answered
"she's doing great"
Things were getting strange, the excitement from the reunion just wore off within a few minutes.
Something was definitely wrong.
To be honest, something was always wrong. We both used to work at a restaurant, as waiters. Two years ago before the annual vote.
Day by day we grew closer and closer. Both were fourteen at that time. Used to play chess together. We used to share our dreams and passions with each other.
He told me all the time,
"I really want to open my own restaurant one day just like Samuel's"
It was his dream to become a successful restaurant owner. That dream was evidently shattered into pieces with millions of others after the annual vote.
Eventually I stopped working at that restaurant and we started seeing each other less. We grew distant from each other but I still called him sometimes.
Ciara was his older sister. I met her a few times before. She was known for her glorious art. I vividly remember visiting one of her art exhibitions. All the paintings were mesmerizing and contained a deep meaning.
She was truly talented.
"Are you planning to stand there all day ?"
Everett asked, disturbing me from my thoughts. I nodded and followed him to a spot beside the wall.
We sat there for a while, chatting. A few moments later, the room's door opened and reveled the same nurses holding trays filled with food. I immediately looked for a clock but there were none. The room had no clocks.
'Strange' I thought to myself.
The nurses started serving the food. Little for everyone.
I received my plate, boiled egg with mushrooms. Looking at the food I realized that I hadn't eaten anything in a while. Feeling a bit hungry I slowly started eating.
"i swear they serve the rotten dog food leftovers here"
Everett almost gagged, looking at the food.
I took a few bites and honestly it wasn't that bad at all. Still better than the dog food they served at the academy.
"Is everything alright ?" he said, looking at me.
"Yeah, why?"
I said casually.
"You have become very quiet, not like how you used to be"
He said munching on the food by which he was disgusted by a few moments ago.
"I don't think so"
I said, not getting what he meant.
he sighed, knowing there is nothing that could be done.
I was still eating my meal while he had finished already.
"Oh wait, I heard you joined that rebel army"
At this I almost choked, Everett looked at me confusingly.
No one is supposed to know that.
How the hell did he know !