-Jahmni’s P.O.V.-
“Ynes are you ok?” I looked over at her because with the face she was making it looked like she was in pain, or she could be afraid. She gave me a smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes the way it normally would, which made me even more concerned.
“Sì. I am ok, just worried.” she smiled again but I didn't believe her. I inched closer and took her hand in mine. She gave a gentle squeeze then let go. I was very concerned and gave a nonchalant whistle. Some of them looked at me funny and I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders.
I looked around and stopped when everyone else had stopped. We made it to the ladder but no one wanted to go down first. Morgan spoke up. “I guess I could go first. It doesn't look that bad.”
“Just don’t fall. I can’t bring the dead back to life.” I joked. That earned a few grim chuckles from the others. Morgan looked concerned as he started down the aluminum rungs. One by one they all went down until I was the only one left to go down. The descent wasn't as bad as I thought and I was down with the others fairly quickly.
“Ok quick headcount, I'll start: one.”
“Two.”
“Three.”
Everyone started calling out numbers and we stopped when all of us had said a number.
“So how is everyone doing since we escaped..” Said Melanni while we were walking towards what we thought would be home, for some reason or another.
“It doesn't feel like we escaped though. More like we just walked out.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
We all made our way silently. Suddenly lights flashed all around us and we all cringed and covered our eyes. We looked around and we were in the training room. We heard clapping and looked to see the scientists applauding and Sgt. Mjr. Lawrence, smiling and clapping. He spoke into the Intercom and said:
“Congratulations! As of now you all have officially passed the final exam, and are ready to go out into the real world on real missions.”
We looked around and had a dumbfounded look on our face as we were surrounded by scientists cheering us on.
‘Is this what the real world would be like?’ I looked at my friends, and they were all smiling now,and hugging each other. I searched through the crowd and found my parents smiling and cheering. But there was a stranger with them, but he looked just like my parents.
“What are you looking at?” Jack said. I looked at him, then looked back to where the shadow was, only to be enveloped in a hug by my father, mother and the stranger.
“We are so proud of you, we knew you could do it!” my mother said showering me with kisses and hugs.
“That’s my boy, I couldn’t have asked for better.” my father said, wrapping an arm around me.
“Way to go kid.” the stranger said.
“Who are you?” I said out of curiosity and fear.
“I’m your big brother.”
I stared in disbelief at him. While he did look like my parents, I couldn’t just accept the fact that he just waltzed in here with and changed everything with four simple words. It’s a wonder he didn’t spread my gray matter all over the walls. I heard Melanni laugh at that. But I didn’t care. I was too busy being concerned with the person who claims to be flesh and blood.
This is just too much. I have to get out of here. I break away and run through the lab to the big silver double doors and push my way through. I hear Jack and the others call for me, but I keep pushing forward and race down the halls to my room. I sit against the door and the room stops spinning for a moment, and I burst into tears. Eventually I fall asleep and wake up hours later in my bed.
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"Are you ok?"
"No. I'm not ok! Some stranger came in here with my parents claiming to be my flesh and blood. I thought the Army only took only FIRST BORN not second! How and why did they not take him? And they took me?
"They could have hid him or he could have been adopted.." Jack said.
"I could see the adopted part if he didn't look EXACTLY LIKE MY PARENTS!"
“That is strange. I really don’t know.” Tyler said, then he was quiet. Then his face lit up.
“What if he didn’t react to the serum like you did? Because there were hundreds of us here to begin with and now there's 13 of us, just here at this site, and there’s hundreds of these sites worldwide.”
“That does make sense. And it would explain why you wouldn't know about him, he looked like he was in his late 20’s early 30’s.”
I thought about it, and the more I thought, the more it made sense.
“I don’t know. I will ask my parents tomorrow. Right now I need to get some sleep. I’m super tired from that “exam”. By the way did anyone else know what was going on? Because it certainly felt real…”
“It’s a simulation. It’s supposed to feel as real as possible. As for knowing about the exam, I think it was on the main board in the cafeteria.”
“That’s probably why I didn't know..” I said sheepishly. “I didn’t pay much attention to the board..”
They all laughed as they climbed into their beds.
“Goodnight guys.” I said to the other guys in my room. I laid underneath my blankets and I closed my eyes as soon as I laid down. I didn't have very good dreams though. I couldn't get that stranger out of my head. He just decided to waltz into my life and say ‘hey.’ What the actual hell?
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Morgan
“I don’t really like being here. I just want to live a normal life, and I want to be there for you during the divorce. I don’t want superpowers.” I said to my mom over the HoloChat.
“I know sweetie. I wish you were here too, and since you passed your final exam I wonder if they’ll let you go home for visitations and such?”
“Is fada liom uaim mo bhuachaill binn.” she sighed. I’ve noticed she speaks in her native Irish when she’s sad or emotional. I’ve learned enough to understand that she says she misses me.
“I miss you too, mother. And I miss my father and Jaymie.. Have you decided who she’s gonna stay with?”
“We decided that she would go to her father’s whenever she wanted and then she would come back whenever she wanted. So that way we can’t complain when we spend so long here. Holidays are going to be tricky, and we don’t know what we are gonna do for birthdays.”
I sighed with a mixture of defeat and heartbreak. This was fun and all, but I need this career. I need to pass otherwise I’ll have the guilt weighing on me for the rest of my life. Not to mention the disappointment from not only the friends I’ve made here, but my family, and myself. However the only place I wanted to be was at home. Even though I was very soon gonna lose that too.
The timer beeps signaling it was time to go. I said my goodbyes to my mother and ended the call. I sat there for what felt like an eternity before I turned around to see Jack and Sgt. Major Lawrence standing in the doorway. I quickly wiped my eyes and stood up, careful not to knock over the chair.
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“At ease. I’m here to talk, not give orders.” he said.
I eased up slightly and sat back down.
“As you know we’ve had this program running for almost 20 years, and never once had someone say they didn’t want their abilities. As for your family situation, I will allow a one week leave period once a month for you to go home and be with your mother or father and your sister. I myself know all too well what you're going through, as I went through the same with my ex wife, and my son and I will be here to talk whenever you need it.”
I was in shock. I didn’t think that they’d do that for anyone, let alone me.
“I don’t know what to say, Sir. I… just… Thank you.” I struggled to get that out as I was in so much shock. I looked to Jack to see if he heard what I heard. He was just standing there.
“You’re welcome. I know that these are hard times for you, however I know that if you were an Adult, that you would not be allowed said leave times, as they would already be set for you. And they are far and few between, especially with the threat of invasion being so realistic.”
“I understand Sir.”
“Now where do you wish to return home to, your mom or dad?”
“My mother Sir.”
“I’m guessing you are a Momma’s boy?”
“Yes sir.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with that. Some people bond more with their moms, some bond better with their dads.” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “I didn’t bond with either of my parents and I was rebellious. When they finally had enough they sent me away, and now here I am. In command of all you fine cadets; well not quite cadets. You’re soldiers now.” he said standing up and saluting me.
I returned it. I can’t believe it. I get to be with my parents, and still get to be in the Army. I couldn’t wait to tell my parents. As Sgt Mjr walked out of the room, I couldn’t help but notice the hint of sad jealousy in Jack’s eyes. He said he was happy for me, and I know he meant it. I know that everyone wants to go home, and it kind of hurts me to see him so hurt.
“Say hi to your mom and sister for me.” Jack said bluntly as I walked out of the room.
The door slid shut behind me. I felt sorry, and guilty. I walked down the corridor staring at the white tiles. All perfect and square like the ones around it. It was boring. I wanted a change of scenery and pace desperately, but I dreaded leaving my friends behind. I had gotten close to all of them, and they were like brothers and sisters to me. I hated this feeling.
“Then change it.” I looked around only to find that I was the only one in the corridor, but this was all new to me. I couldn’t make heads or tails of where I was, or where I was going.
“Let me guide you. I can get you out of here.” I didn’t trust the voice in my head.
“Haha Melanie, very funny. You can come out now.” I said acting cool. In all reality, I was scared shitless.
I waited a few seconds waiting for Melanie to pop out from around the corner. I waited a few more minutes. I waited for what felt like hours. I really had to use the bathroom, so I turned around and walked back only to see a scientist walking towards me.
“Can you help me? I got lost and now I don’t know how to get back..” I said sheepishly.
“Morgan.” the voice called to me.
The scientist didn’t say anything and kept walking. I decided to go the opposite way of him thinking that he had to have come from the main part of the Campus. I walked for what felt like a few more hours before I found a door. I walked in only to see Jack still standing in the same place and having the same look in his eye. I walked out and kept going forward. I made it to the cafeteria only to find that everything was frozen.
“Morgan.” I heard the voice again.
I didn’t understand. I waved in someone’s face. No reaction. Not even a blink. It was as if time had just stopped. I looked at the clock.
“3:30.” That was about the time that I had gotten off the Holo with my mom.
“Morgan.” I ignored the voice and looked at the clock one more time.
“3:25.” Wait. That isn’t right. I stared at the clock. Nothing moved, like it was a statue. I blinked when my eyes started to burn.
“3:20.”
“Morgan.” The voice sounded desperate.
“Morgan.” I kept hearing it.
“Morgan.” It was everywhere.
“Morgan.” This should not be happening.
No way. This shouldn’t be happening. There is no fucking way that time went back five minutes. The room started to spin. I turned and everything was tilting and I was dizzy, and felt sick to my stomach. I leaned over and spilled the last few meals that I had eaten onto the floor. I stood back up and heard my name and a hand on my shoulder and as I turned to see who it was I shot up drenched in sweat and what smelled like piss and vomit. with everyone standing around me very concerned. I looked around wildly.
“What time is it?” I exclaimed between breaths.
“It’s 2AM. You were having a super wild dream. We could all hear you screaming and yelling and you vomited all over yourself and when we went to turn you over so you wouldn’t choke you shot up.” Tyler said a little scared. I looked down at myself.
My sheets were completely soaked. I had sweat dripping from every pore, my pajama bottoms were completely drenched in piss and sweat. My top was covered in vomit and sweat on the front, and I can only imagine what the back looked like.
I looked at my now stained sheets and around everyone making no eye contact but looking at them all the same. I just couldn’t believe it.
“How long have I been asleep?” I asked, scared out of my wits.
“A day and a half. You fainted at the ceremony after your parents said they were separating.” Josè said sympathetically.
“So it is true..” I said. I felt sick. The same feeling of my world crashing down.
My parents were separating. I couldn’t feel it. I just got up and headed to the showers. I stripped and let the water run down my skin. It was hot and I could see the steam. I just couldn’t feel the heat. After a while the hot water turned lukewarm, then chilly, then cold. Josè knocked and came in after a second. He turned off the water and wrapped a towel around me. The towel was warm and so was he. I just stood there. I didn’t care what anyone thought. I just stood there and he held me.
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Josè
I held Morgan, he shuddered and collapsed. I grabbed under his shoulders and sat him on the bench. He looked at me with his sad ocean blue eyes. His lips blue and teeth chattering. I took the towel and clicked my tongue.
“You’re gonna make yourself seriously ill if you stay in there too long. You’ve already used up the hot water,and now we have to wait for an hour.” I said sarcastically, dragging out the words trying to at least make him smile.
He just sat there shivering. I wrapped the towel around him and grabbed one of the jump suits I had in my locker. It was red and soft and warm. I slipped his feet through the legs, and helped him stand. I adjusted the waistband to fit around him, he looked almost anorexic, but once I had the jumpsuit on him he didn’t look as bad. He was still shivering but his hair was wet and dripping. I gently dried his hair so it was no longer dripping. I grabbed my comb and brushed it into his normal part. His sandy blonde hair was starting to dry and I sat there with him. It was quiet but it was ok.
It was just us. I just wanted to hold him, but I didn’t want to push myself on him.
“Do you want a hug, mi amigo?” he looked at me and nodded.
I sat next to him and wrapped him in a hug, the way my mother did. I knew what he was going through.
“Can I tell you a story?” I got a nod.
“When my mother was pregnant with me, my father left. They weren’t married, and he didn’t want the responsibilities of fatherhood, so he said ‘adios’ and left. My mother would try to get a hold of him to try to convince him to help her get through this, as she was pregnant with HIS child. He said no, time after time. Eventually she went into labor while she was at her abuelitas, that means ‘grandmother’ in Spanish; They were too far from the city to walk so they had every able bodied man get a tub full of water, lots of towels, food, and candles.” I looked at Morgan and saw the confusion in his eyes.
“My great grandmother is very particular on religion. She thought the candles would keep the evil spirits away while my mother was giving birth.” he nodded.
“My mother was in labor for 6 hours. And it seems like a long time, but I’ve been told that there have been longer. And while she was getting ready to give the first push a strong breeze blew out all the candles. My great grandmother yelled for the workers to keep the candles lit. ‘¡Mantén las velas encendidas! ¡No los dejes salir!’." Two workers kept lighting candles, and two more held my mother’s hand. After a few more pushes, my grandmother pulled me out of the water. She blessed me and my mother.” I said with a small smile.
“That’s crazy.” Morgan said almost robotically.
“Yeah. I miss my abuelita so much, even though I didn’t really know her. She passed away a year after I was born. I didn’t really get to meet her.”
We sat there in silence for a while. Both of us were staring at the floor. I got up and offered him a hand. He looked at it, then looked up at me.
“Are you coming with me?”
“Yeah.. I guess.”
He reached for my hand and I gently pulled him up. He stood up and kinda stumbled, then quickly regained his balance. I walked with him out of the bathroom. The rest of the boys were sitting there waiting for us.
“How are you feeling?” Jack asked.
“I don’t know.. Kinda dull.” Morgan replied sitting on his stripped mattress
“You’ve got an assignment at the end of the week. I think it’s you, Tyler, José, Jack, Angel, Melanni,and Ellie.” Jahmni said.
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Morgan shrugged his shoulders, he didn’t really seem to care about the mission, at least on the outside. On the inside he would love to go on a mission to distract himself; he hated feeling like this. Like his life was collapsing. He hated it. He had to get his shit together before the end of the week. He just had to distract himself until then. There were EC classes he could take in between PT and his regular classes.