The screeching of the metallic door sounded like music in Will's ears. He did not even know himself why because it could have been another torturer who was about to enter his cell. Yet, he wasn't frightened just the change in the situation already got his hopes up.
A very young and tall man walked in. Will could tell that the young man was in a hurry due to his hastened steps.
His face could not really be described with pretty rather unattractive. His acne was not helping his cause.
He wore oversized black cargo pants in combination with an oversized darkened green hoodie. It looked very stylish and suited the man surprisingly well even though his messy white hair did not fit quite right with the colours of his outfit.
"Hello you, enthralling entity of the void. Are you familiar with the expression that god doesn't play dice?"
"Yes", Will was a bit confused.
"Then let me ask you this. Are you the product of one of these dice games that don't exist?"
"I don't know what that means, can I please have some water." Will would probably understand if not for his severe dehydration.
"Oh, it's not complicated. You see if you consider quantum physics it is possible that matter spontaneously appears in our universe. This can even be a complex matter like a malus domestica, commonly known as the apple. It could even be a human do you understand where I am going with this."
"I think so."
"Yes? So are you the product of a gambling universe?"
"I mean isn't everyone?."
"I am not sure you understood. So, in layman's terms did you exist 8 hours ago on this earth or did the universe create you through sheer odds by adding artificial atom after atom?"
"Yes, I existed 8 hours ago as well, now please no one gave me any water and I don't know how long it's been since I last drank anything."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"That's interesting maybe the universe let you think that."
"What are you talking about? Can I please have some water?"
"Now that you mention it, you are thirsty but why would the universe create a perfectly healthy human without enough water? That doesn't make sense except if you already existed 8 hours ago.
"What do you mean with now that you mention it? I've been mentioning it for a while now. Why do you keep pressing on that universe thing?"
"Really I did not notice that you mentioned it before. Let me get you a glass"
"Thank you so much."
Will sighed in relief while the man with the oversized cargo pants walked out of the containment cell shortly after returning with a big glass of water.
"There you go."
"Thank you again."
Will started to gulp down the entire glass.
"To answer your question. I am asking this because we could not trace your picture back to anyone living in the Eastern Union. So you do not exist in this country."
Will spat out his water.
"That can't be I am living in New Berlin. I swear."
"Nope, no chance. Give me your name and I'll look through the database again. This time with your name."
"Sure, It's Willhelm Vanille."
"How do you write that? Is it, Van-Nille or together like Vanille the ice cream flavor?"
"Yes together just like the ice cream flavor."
"And how do you write Willhelm? I am sorry you see I am terrible with names."
Will explained his name again but it wasn't enough he had to explain it again. Eventually, the man typed his name on a small device, he pulled out of his pocket.
"I have to disappoint you the name does not exist. I am going to have a few more tests but for now, my answer is I don't know what is going on here."
"That can't be the case. The device must have made a mistake. Type in your name to see if it works."
"Fine but only if my prisoner insists."
The man typed his name into the device and he showed the result to Will.
"I have to disappoint you again. There you go I am in the database."
The device appeared to be a small cellphone. It pictured a headshot of the young man, this one with even more messier hair. Next to the picture was the name of the man in red letters. Noah S1. Below his name was a small article about his position as a scientist in the Eden AG.
"See not existing that leaves my theory, your story and the chance that you are a spy."
"I am not a spy. Don't you want to hear my story? That might help you..." Will was cut short.
"No, I don't want to hear it I first want to see what science has to say about it."
Noah left the room to gather a few of his instruments to gather a few more test results. He would be gone for a couple of minutes so Will had some time to think.
'Was my existence erased? At this point, I can't even try to get to terms with my current situation. How could that even happen? Was this the reason why it took the tree some time to teleport me here while it only took an instant to teleport me from the sphere to the place where I could see the whole tree? Did it take longer because it wasn't just teleporting me? It might have to materialise me again. Ah, those are just theories it's probably more useful to think about my current situation.'
'That guy, Noah. Does he not have a last name? Of all the weird things today that is probably the most mundane fact. Yet, it is still awkward. Also from the looks of it, he isn't the man who owns this place. He won't make the decisions of what is going to happen to me but he might advise the guy who does. Can I influence him to help me I mean he was friendly towards me. Wait no, it's more like he is interested in the possibilities I opened to him. Still, he gave me water so he's somewhat nice even if he ignored my thirst for a minute or two.'
The door flung open again. From the looks of it, Noah carried heavy equipment. It should be too heavy for a normal person. So he probably was a Listener.
"Here I am again. Stay still I have to get more data and we are in a hurry. The boss wants to see you. So, he probably figured out what to do with you."
"Can you help me?"
Noah was slowly walking around him with the devices aimed at Will.
"No, I'll just get my data and put a chip in your wrist. So, I can get more data and you can get your status from the chip if you concentrate on it."
"I don't want your chip. I want your help."
"Should have said that sooner."
With that, he stuck a needle in Will's wrist.
"Hey, that clearly was not too late you just put it in after I said it."
"Don't know what you mean. Oh, this data is interesting. How old did you say you were?"
"I did not say anything about my age."
"I can never be too sure about personal information I usually just block it out. So, what is it?"
"I am seventeen years old."
"The device is saying that you are a Listener. A natural one at that. So, no T-crystal. I can even tell you that you have heard the voice roughly when you were born so you might not even know that you are a Listener."
"That can't be."
"Yeah, it can it happened already in another case. Sadly I think our time is about to run out. The next person that is going to visit you probably wants to hear your story. Listen depending on the results of the data and tests I'll find you again so that you can tell me more. I am really interested in your case."
A loud knock interrupted Noah.
"Oh shit, my time is up. You see I wasn't allowed to be here so long. So, I'll have to go goodbye, poor fellow. One last tip, the next guy is something like the boss around here."