The living area was a small space. A number of old office spaces combine and refurbished to house the kids living there. The large insets into the walls, where windows used to occupy, had been bricked up and were now covered in various posters. Most were educational in nature but it gave a splash of colour where the creamy white paint dominated.

The only natural light that could enter the space was from above, where skylights had fortunately remained in place. Though only the speckled night sky was visible above at that time of night.

Old flecks of cracked paint told of the rooms age. Faded corporate carpets lined the floor. Tracks of footprints had worn down the colours highlighting where the common foot traffic had walked over the years.

It was behind an alcove hidden away by a set of book shelves that Kai found Alex and Gamma. It was one of the few personal spaces in the living area. But not because it was given to any one person but because a certain girl had adopted it as her own. It was apparent that Alex had once again fallen into the trap of trying to separate girl and book.

“You need to eat Gamma. If you don’t eat you won’t have the fuel your body needs to continue reading…” A tired plea repeats an age old argument. One that Kai could repeat verbatim. After I finish…

“After I finish this chapter I’ll go eat.” Gamma’s monotone reply came as expected.

She was a strange girl. Around the same age as Kai. She was also quite androgynous, but not in the same way as Kai. Where as Kai gave off this awkward feeling. Gamma simply didn’t care, she wore the tomboy look with grace and aplomb and never seemed to get stick for it. Kai couldn’t understand how peoples attitude could differ so much when their circumstance was so similar. Is it because I’m a guy? Or is it because I’m a failure?

Kai’s eyes wandered over the shelves while the two of them argued. Well, Alex pleads, more like it. The various shelves showed the personalities of those who stocked them. Gamma had the most textbooks and factual books, from undergrad topics to reference books. It even spilled onto Kai’s shelf, who had gracefully lent the space they didn’t use to Gamma. Kai had tried to reject any payment for the favour, but Gamma had been unusually adamant at the time.

Which lead to Gamma finding a great selection of space themed books that the both of them shared. One of which was almost new. An encyclopedia of space. There were so many topics in the book that brought a glint of wonder to Kai’s eyes. From the various structures in the universe, like the spiderweb of the local group. To the practically minute, in cosmic terms, neutron stars with a diameter small enough to fit within a city’s borders. But which a table spoons worth would weigh more than a mountain.

How could you not geek out over such awe inspiring facts? But factual stuff could only get you so far. It became tiring after a while. Which is why there were a few fiction books scattered over the shelves. They were hard won prizes fought for by their patchwork family.

But even then. The books they did end up getting their hands on had scuffed covers and missing pages. Reading them was a gamble. Would a crucial page be missing right at the climax or would a satisfying conclusion be achieved? More often than not Kai would find themselves daydreaming about the book’s conclusion because that was the only way to end the story. Only his imagination could bring a satisfying conclusion to the world within the book.

But they had to be careful when requesting fiction books from the staff. If they didn’t specify that they wanted a proper book they would end up with the so called dud. A printed booklet hot from the printer. Stapled with an industrial stapler they had in their office somewhere.

The writing was awful in these duds. Stilted and dry. But at least they tried to appeal to the genre’s that interested the requester. They emphasised ideals like loyalty, tight bonds and principals all too often though. Kai kept some around as they still allowed them to escape into their own imagination just as well. If they were bored enough to try.

Kai’s eyes fell lower. The lowest shelf contained Brian’s small collection of prizes. They weren’t books however. After a good performance in his testing and a continual drive to push himself, the staff had a little bit of a sweat spot for him. They rewarded him with a console. And every so often they would give him a game. Needless to say this cancelled out all the progress he made on his debt though. They almost seemed to want him to request more and more games, but just as the books took ages to get through approval, so did the games. So the collection remained modestly small.

“OK, I give. I can’t do this anymore.” Alex threw up her hands in surrender. “Hey Kai, if you have the energy could you convince this bookworm to get some food? Other than food for thought, that would be preferable. I’m going to go eat myself.”

Sighing she wobbled back to the kitchen, exhausted in defeat. She always did this. Of the two, Gamma often seemed to come off as the more mature even when she didn’t have the best self preservation instincts. Hunger, attire and social skills went out the window as soon as a new book was placed in front of her. She hadn’t only read the books on her shelf, but all the books on everyone else’s shelf.

But Alex would try to set her on the right track. Arguing with her until she was blue in the face. Yet Alex couldn’t articulate exactly why Gamma should care so much about anything outside of the pages of the book. So it always ended up with the same conclusion.

Alex was simply filling the role she believed was that of a parental figure. Contrasted with Jessica, her childishness was on full display even when she was the oldest of the group. Things had to be just so for Alex to relent. Perhaps Gamma is trying to be a life lesson for Alex? Nah, I think she just likes reading.

“What’s up? Got something on you mind Kai?” Gamma unexpectedly prods without looking up from the page.

“Wha! Ah, sorry, umm…”

“It’s OK. Take your time.” She says, flipping a page leisurely. Not an ounce of impatience enters her voice. Conversations with Gamma could be a test of patience, but she was always inciteful. So the wait was often worth it.

“Jessica said… something weird.” Kai began not knowing why they brought it up. It had been lingering in the back of their mind the whole time.

“Oh?” Comes the disinterested but encouraging prompt.

“Somethings going on outside. She told us to stay inside.” Kai answered while fingering the spine of a book on the shelf. They don’t notice when Gamma pauses while turning a page.

“Huh. Did she say anything else?” Gamma’s voice is level but the eyes scanning the page slow.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Just to stay inside. But I can’t do that. If a staff member asks for me, shouldn’t I go with them? I have my debt to pay…”

“No. Just this once. Stay here. I don’t care if you feel you owe the company.” Gamma looks up from her book, but Kai can’t meet her eyes. He can’t face those honest feelings towards himself. What worth do I have if I can’t repay my debts.

Gamma sighed turning back to their book. Kai’s stubbornness can’t be redirected in a day. “We will fight for you Kai. Remember that. If they come and you don’t wish to go. We’ll stand by your side.”

Kai idly tapped along the book shelf, counting out the books. “That’s… I don’t deserve that. I owe them so much…”

“You don’t owe anything!” The book Gamma was reading snapped shut. She huffs but thought better then pushing further. “Just… think better of yourself. Don’t buy into their lies so much…”

The room goes silent. Kai plucks a book off the shelf that they’ve read cover to cover many times. While their heart swirls in turmoil their eyes are soothed by the majestic pictures of nebula and galaxies.

He doesn’t know how else to act. Gamma always makes him question his place in this world. What else can they do but repay Dilmont’s kindness? It’s just comfortable maintaining the status quo. Don’t make me question truths I’ve known all my life.

“…if this continues, our freedom may come at the cost of our lives…” Gamma mutters.

“What?”

“It’s nothing, don’t mind it.” Gamma stands cradling her book under her arm. “It’s late. I’m going to bed.” Weren’t you going to eat?

Gamma shuffles off towards her room. Shared with Alex it doesn’t afford much privacy. Kai’s heart squeezes as they realise they may have pushed her out of her personal corner. Why did I argue? Why can’t I just shut up sometimes…

The images in the book lost a little colour. Placing back on the shelf Kai felt lost. A pensive frown formed on their lips. They didn’t like being unbalanced like this. It was much better when they had a path to follow, instructions to abide by. Nothing bad happens when I comply…

Fortunately they didn’t have to wallow in their own self doubts for long. The kitchen door clunked open. In walked a bulky figure. Tiger like stripes of dark and light skin crawled up his arms. A jovial smile hung loose off of his face. A small stain stew the remaining proof of his dinner. Found his portion then…

“Kai! This is where your at!” He waved happily like a ecstatic puppy, rubbing off the stain with his sleeve.

“When am I gonna convince you to join me. I had a great workout today.” Throwing an arm around Kai’s shoulder their usual ritual began again. “Gah, look at these flimsy arms. If your not careful you’ll end up delicate like the girls. A guys gotta have guns man, big bulging guns! Hahaha.”

“Uu~, not possible for me. I can’t do what you do Brian. I can’t even lift one of those small dumbells…”

“Well, whatever, wanna play a game?” Changing subject so quickly you could get whiplash Brian pulled out one of his favourite games from the bottom shelf. A rather strange game about plumbers racing in go carts. Kai could never understand how the games companies came up with these ideas.

“Sure.” A smile grew on Kai’s lips. Exactly the sort of thing he needed to get his mind off of recent events.

Brian made himself busy connecting the console. Worn and scuffed from years of use, even before it reached its current home, it was practically his most prized possession. Electrical tape patched up the fraying wires, superglue plugged small fractures in the plastic casing.

With a clunk the cartridge slotted into the top of the console. As Kai sat down he almost squashed the cereal bar in the back of his pocket. Oh yeah…

Feeling a little peckish by this point Kai was just about to peel the wrapper off when a piecing gaze stopped him in his tracks. Almost drooling Brian had stopped preparing the game to watch. “…”

How can I ignore those puppy dog eyes? Kai sometime wondered whether Brian knew he acted cuter than Emily at points. They could almost see a tail hanging low in disappointment behind them. Are you really 18 Brian, sometimes you don’t act like it.

With a sigh he gestured to the bar. “Want this?” With a vigorous nod Brian’s eyes never left the bar. Another sacrifice to Brian’s stomach it is… As soon as they handed over the bar the imaginary tail began wagging furiously…

That night Kai managed to lose themselves in a couple of games of heated racing. The other kids turned up at some point, turning the gaming session into a impromptu tournament. The only one missing was Gamma. She’s probably off reading somewhere anyway.

Only two controllers existed so it became a trade off between players. Yet the warmth Kai felt welling up inside them, at this cosy atmosphere, almost offset the hunger that was gnawing at their stomach.

If life could continue as it was Kai had no complaints. Through the boredom, through the fear and pain, this little moment of bliss would be the light that kept them walking forward.

But all good things come to an end. Eventually it neared midnight. Emily had long been tucked in bed. Alex began mothering the others.

“Come on, time we all went to bed.” Her gleeful eyes revealed the pleasure she gleaned from filling her role as big sister… eh, mother I suppose? “Without our beauty sleep, how could we face tomorrow bright and early!” Your smile is too dazzling Alex!

Before long Kai was laying back in bed, eyes yet again glued to the sky light above. Brian’s snores audible from across the room. How do I sleep with that noise a constant drone in the background? Well, not that it matters, I’d much rather gaze at the stars…

— ~ —

Kai’s climb back to consciousness was not accompanied by the usual drone of the city outside. The rhythmic chants of a large crowd were almost alien to his ears. Muddled and deformed to his waking mind he couldn’t make sense of what he was hearing.

“Hng~. Hmm?” Cracking open an eye the harsh morning light assaulted him. After a moment of readjustment he spotted a bleary eyed Brian rubbing his eyes while listening to the voices outside. “Wha?”

“Dunno. Never heard… phwa… anything like it before.” Brian replied between yawns.

Breakfast became quite a subdued affair. Between munching of cereal the group’s eyes would wander to the ceiling where the sound permeated the easiest. The chanting felt like it was coming down from the sky through the thin glass panes above.

“I don’t like this…” Alex muttered. Something unusual had invaded her warm daily family life.

Gamma, quiet as usual, gave Kai a meaningful glance. “I think we should stay inside the flat today…”

Frowning Alex gives her a look. “You say that like we have a choice.”

“If we band together and complain, at least we’ll buy some time. They wouldn’t dare drag us away then.”

Alex’s frown deepens. Going against the staff didn’t sit right with her. Kai couldn’t agree more. How could I go against staff like that. A flash of a memory leaves a shudder travelling down his spine. Resistance wasn’t an option. No matter what he didn’t want to experience those type of events ever again…

A silent staring contest continued between Gamma and Alex. Brian simply kept glancing upwards, as if he could catch a glimpse of the activity outside. Meanwhile Emily kept fidgeting in her seat, she didn’t like the growing atmosphere between the group.

“Don’t worry Emily. I’m sure it’ll pass over soon. You should think of how Hoppity feels if you frown like that.” A small smile bloomed on her face, while Kai cringed a little at his corny lines. Well, at least it comforts her. “That’s it. I’m sure Hoppity will feel better in…”

Click clack. The front door swung open. The group froze in place. “Oh, having breakfast are we?” A voice dripping with contempt, a smile that left you feeling dirty. The arrogant bulk of Kai’s least favourite staff member enters the space like he owns it.

Reach out he grabs a slice of toast from Emily’s plate stuffing it into his mouth in one shove. Emily’s face goes white. Hushed whispers stop her from complaining. Not that she would.

“Gai.” He scatters crumbs while addressing Kai. Thumb pointed back at the door he spoke again. “You’ve been called.”