"Are you serious?" Levi asked loudly to his construct.
[I am certain]
Robert's face showed irritation as he perceived the question was meant for him. "Do you see that thin'? That title before my name?" he asked, pointing at the nameplate. "It means I don't have to explain myself."
Levi felt defeated with his head down. "But.. I haven't been here for a week."
"Exactly," Robert replied, slamming his palms together. "It's a win-win situation. You all will be there for a while, which will give other academics time to heal from the pandemonium you've caused, and if you don't return, even better."
[Is he that sure you won't make it out alive?]
"I'm not talking you into going, Nine. It's a command. And if you're not willing to take a chance to prove me wrong and showcase what your Perception can do... well, I think we should end your stay right now."
After a long silence, Levi piped up. "Can I at least bring a friend?"
Robert looked at him with surprise. "You have a friend?" He chuckled, "Now that's a stunner. Is it Bee? No, it can never be her."
"Brody."
"Brody?"
"Yes, Brody."
"Who the fuc' is Brody?"
Levi looked up at him with bafflement. No way he doesn't know the real names of his academics. "Sock," Levi finally cleared.
"The telekinesis kid? He's your friend?"
And for some reason, he can never forget anyone by their code names. Ludicrous.
"I guess it would be fun if he raises your maimed body parts across the world back here." Robert gave a swing of his hand. "He could follow you all, that's if you can persuade him. No one would like to get into The Cavern."
Robert got up from his chair with speed. He walked to a coat hanger and unhooked his black suit. "You'll meet Bee, ask her everythin'bout the arrangements, she's part of the crew. Hell, she even volunteered before I had asked," he said as he wore his suit.
"You look like a raccoon. Go take a shower and hop in your uniform. I'm done with you," Robert finished, buttoning up.
---
"Why didn't you tell me there was a bomb in my head that could blow off any second?" Levi bawled when he got out of the shower.
[There was no need. I didn't want to disturb you]
"Kudos! Guess what? I am extremely disturbed right now. So much for your concern," Levi said ironically, dabbing his hair with cream. "I want it out of my head, now."
[I can't do that]
Levi halted with his fingers dug in his hair, "Why not?" He asked calmly but with a hint of panic. "You definitely healed me from my illness didn't you?"
[Yes I did. But the spall is coated with a chemical which I have no knowledge of]
[I have tried but it's reversing my actions]
"So, you are saying it's permanently there?" Levi said, raising his dripping hair to face the mirror.
[Yes]
"Fuc' me!" He threw the cream container at the mirror, causing a slight crack. "What right do they have to do this?"
[I believe it's a way to tame and regulate you all]
[I have detected it in every academic so far. It's also a tracker]
Levi felt his stomach grumble as he realized he had only eaten once since he arrived at this place. He had also been unable to get a good night's sleep. He sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do about it anyway.
"I hate that Director. He doesn't like me and I don't like him either," Levi declared, putting on his lavender.
[Good. That's just the way it should be]
Levi exited his room and bumped into his best friend, who inquired about the meeting. They headed to the cafeteria for lunch, relieved to find it relatively vacant, and settled into their familiar seats from their previous visit.
"Alright." Brody agreed reluctantly after much persuasion from Levi. "But only 'cause nobody else is gonna have your back out there," he said.
"This means a lot, Brod, thanks," Levi appreciated.
"Isn't that Abby?" Brody asked, peering out the window. "You said you two had a tiff. Have you made up yet?" He asked Levi.
[Good question. Have you?]
"Urgh, be quiet," Levi had said simultaneously to the both of them. He turned his gaze towards the window and saw Abby sitting alone on a bench in the field.
Now, he was walking to her about to apologize. Abby caught a glimpse of him from a distance, while he remained several feet away.
He gradually approached her and stood next to her for a long time of silence. She quietly moved to the left, giving him space on the bench to sit on. Levi sat down, placing his gaze across the neatly mowed grass.
Well, how will he do this? He thought. He has never been good with girls not to talk of apologizing to one. Wait, how did he hurt her in the first place?
He started, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier today." He looked at her, but she was still staring afar, with her arms crossed. "I didn't really mean it. And the incident with the maiden too."
Abby didn't reply. They stayed seated for a long time with no word uttered.
[Levi, you're an idiot]
Levi bent his head, facing his chest. "Be quiet," he whispered.
Abby sighed, finally taking another look at him. She crossed her legs, still keeping her arms folded. "Maybe, I had overreacted." She twisted her lips and then her words, "I had overreacted."
They both locked eyes. Abby raised a brow and Levi was the first to pull away. "When I was a little girl," she continued. "My father was a lunatic and he used to beat up my mom a lot. One day, he killed her," she said plainly.
Levi was surprised how comfortable she was blurting it out.
[You see how foolish you were Levi? You reminded her abou-]
"Can you excuse me?" Levi asked calmly with his index finger raised. He walked off the bench to a corner near the building.
"Hey, look. I would appreciate it if you get out of my head when I'm having a conversation. You hear?" He commanded quietly, whispering into his shoulder.
There was no answer. Levi nodded his head in clarity and returned to the bench.
"I'm really sorry to hear about tha-" he tried to say but Abby didn't let him finish.
"It's alright. Everyone has their past." She cocked her head with concern. "Levi, if you have any problem you need to discuss, I'm here. Especially the ones to help your state of mind."
[Wow. Isn't this the first time she's calling you by your name?]
"Be quiet!" Levi didn't realize how loud he had said that. Understanding why Abby had proposed that offer he quickly replied. "No no, I'm okay. Good."
She kept on looking at him. "You must've had a rougher childhood. Chase kept on yelling to everyone you have Lead Syndrome. But you don't look like you do."
[Be careful Levi, say less]
"I did. I don't think I have it anymore," he said. He definitely felt like opening up to her. Perhaps he should, considering she had just done the same.
"I was born with it. I contracted it from my mother through blood. She died when I was six... and I lost contact with my father after that," Levi tried his best to speak as bluntly as she had, but he couldn't quite manage it.
She didn't sympathize anyway. "Last time I knew, it didn't have a cure. And you're certain you're off from it?"
"Yes."
There was another long pause of silence. Levi felt so uneasy. She looked comfortable and strong, while he looked frail and much of a wimp.
He finally had something to say. "About The Cavern...The Director had me in."
"I know."
"He said you volunteered? Why would you do that?" Levi asked.
Abby looked at him again quickly, and Levi would be honest, he wasn't expecting to see her face at that instant. "It's been a year since I saw the outside world. This is a chance."
A year? So, all the academics are just stuffed in here for the rest of their lives? Levi questioned himself.
"How did you get into all this mess? And you're dragging your friend along with you?" She interrupted his thoughts. "It's quite unlikely you make it out alive. Your friend's a blue at least."
"So, it's just usually red academics that go there?"
"Red and golden academics."
"Golden?" Levi asked, a bit surprised.
"Yes," Abby replied like she disdained the word. "And you surely won't like the crew."