Dr. Aile sat quietly across the table from Calyx, a sense of nostalgia washing over them both. It was a scene similar to their first meeting eight years ago. Reminiscing only made Dr. Aile wonder how a sweet child like Calyx could now severely beat up people. However, that thought lasted only a fleeting moment as she remembered: he was always an odd child.
"So... Am I going to jail?" Calyx asked, looking at Dr. Aile, a slight nervousness in his words.
"You should be. Assault, battery—it's a long list of charges," Dr. Aile stated.
"Should be?" Calyx asked.
"Yes, should be. Because the Quasar agency is hot on our tails, covering for you and cleaning up your mess. But deep down, you knew that, didn't you? That's why you find it very easy to pull shit like this, after all, we are always there," Dr. Aile snapped, disappointment and anger etched in her tone.
"I didn't know anything. I've never expected or wanted favors from you people," Calyx snapped back.
"You don't need to expect or want it. After all, we have to do it. We need you more than you need us. That's probably what you're thinking, right? If not, what sane person would beat people half dead and not expect consequences?" Dr. Aile exclaimed, her anger not settling.
"Do you know what they did? They deserved worse. They deserved to die even," Calyx justified, standing his ground.
"Oh, stop. What do you know about death?, is it because You've killed one man? , we've taken more lives than you can count. These Quasars you know are knee-deep in the blood of both the innocent and guilty as a necessary measure. You know nothing about who's deserving of death," Dr. Aile said, her gaze piercing into Calyx's. He dared not speak back.
"I really thought you didn't need suppression. I thought you had control," Dr. Aile said, her voice calming as she leaned back further into the chair.
"I can control it," Calyx defended.
"And yet two men and two children are critical in a hospital," Dr. Aile shot back.
"They drugged and assaulted a young girl," Calyx exclaimed.
"And you senselessly beat up a young girl, one who you can't even prove had anything to do with your friend. So, how are you different? You are the very same thing you wish to punish," Dr. Aile's words rang through Calyx's ears like loud drums of realization he could only just hear.
Dr. Aile sighed as she stood up, her dark long brown leather coat fluttering as she turned to face the door.
"Come for the suppression first thing tomorrow morning," Dr. Aile instructed.
"I don't need it," Calyx continued his attempt to bargain.
"I think you still don't understand; you have lost whatever sense of choice you once had. Come tomorrow morning, or I'll have people get you. You don't want the latter," Dr. Aile warned.
"I'll come in the evening. My friends and I are coming for the HQ tour, so I'll just do it then," Calyx suggested, having resigned to the fate of his inevitable suppression.
"Fine, but don't try to pull a fast one," Dr. Aile said as she walked out of the room, the door slamming behind her.
Haze looked at the door close before letting out a loud sigh. He knew it was better not to interrupt their conversation.
"So, are we still detained?" Haze asked, looking around the white room, as if an answer were somewhere in it.
Then, almost on cue, a voice sounded through a speaker, answering Haze's question.
"You are free to go. Your guardian is parked outside," the voice informed.
"Guardian?" Haze said, a hint of fear in his voice.
"Oh crap," Calyx let out.
"I think it's better if we go to jail; my mom is going to kill us for getting into another fight," Haze said.
"Yeah, maybe we shouldn't leave," Calyx agreed.
"Please exit the room and head outside immediately," another instruction came from the voice, prompting Calyx and Haze to stand up and leave the room reluctantly.
They exited the police station into the night, where they could distinguish the familiar silhouette of Irene's car in the darkness. They took hesitant steps towards the car before opening the door and entering.
Without looking back to spare them a glance, Irene started the vehicle and began the drive back to their home. The drive was quiet, with no one uttering a single sound. However, the same thought resonated loudly in both Calyx and Haze's heads.
"She's really mad," they thought.
The car pulled into the underground parking lot of their building. They walked to the elevator, which took them to the lobby. Both boys exchanged nods with the receptionist, not in the mood for their usual greetings.
They then entered the elevator straight to their apartment.
Walking into the penthouse, Irene sat on the living room sofa with a sigh, reclining back.
"Sorry, Mom."
"Sorry, Aunt."
Calyx and Haze said in unison.
"We know we said we wouldn't get into fights..." Calyx began.
"Don't worry, I understand," Irene said, interrupting them.
"You protected me here that day, and now your friend. I know you've lost a lot, Calyx, and you were powerless to do anything about it. You must not want that to be the case again; that's OK. Just be rational sometimes," Irene said with a smile.
"And you," Irene said, turning to Haze.
"Both of you are like brothers now. So just like today, always have his back, just like I know he would always have yours," Irene told Haze, her eyes and smile brimming with love and understanding.