B-2754, Ryker

As soon as Jordan had dismissed dinner, I watched with slight disappointment as Jordan faded to nothing. No doubt disappearing somewhere far away to do whatever Jordan does while not teaching. I let out a sigh, entering the treehouse Ina and I shared almost twenty minutes after she had retired. Staring at her for a few seconds in confusion before entering my private room, not wanting to interrupt whatever Ina was concentrating on.

Letting out a sigh and choosing to step into the shower quickly, washing away the dirt from the day before changing into a new pair of soft pants. The beige fabric feeling nothing like the stift pajamas that were custom in the city. Finally relaxing onto the mattress, I smiled. Happy to finally be able to relax for more than a twenty minute meal break.

Giving a small laugh as I heard a frustrated groan from the opposite end of the house, wondering just how much anger that cube was able to channel.

Just as the smile left my lips, I felt the smallest tickle under my nose. The only sense of warning until a hand was clamped over my mouth with an insane amount of strength from a very lithe body. A small sound of shock left me, though it was almost completely muffled by the hand over my mouth. In alarm, my eyes traced the arm up to its owner, meeting mismatched eyes- one as brown as the earth, and the other as green as the tree tops. Long brown hair was released from its normally tight wave to instead pool around the person’s waist.

“Jordan?” The voice came out muffled. Though pleased with my relative calmness, the person in question released my mouth.

Giving a brief smile in acknowledgment, and reaching to grab my hand. As soon as our skin touched, a somewhat familiar sense of darkness washed over me before the light revealed we were both on the deck that surrounded the rundown treehouse Ina and I were calling home.

“What are you doing? Are you crazy?” My voice was in a rough whisper, knowing that more than likely sound traveled easily in the quietness of the surrounding forest.

“Well, I’m not crazy. You just are not really used to all this.” With a wide gesture of their hands, Jordan offered a small smile. “That is the reason of my visit.”

“You are going to explain everything here?” My eyebrow raised just the slightest bit in interest before Jordan quickly shook his head.

“No, that you will figure out when time comes.” Jordan’s response just as vague and ambiguous as the rest of them. “I wanted to apologize for how rude I was, regarding your extremely invasive question.”

The statement let my jaw drop. Somehow, Jordan had both managed to apologize and offend me at the same time.

“I should have known a few hours of life here wasn’t enough to get you acclimated to life and customs here. The city is rather strict from what I hear.” Jordan continued, absentmindedly braiding a lock of hair. “I know everything is black and white there, but like there is a very large gray area out here. So, you should probably get used to it.”

I stared in awe, listening to each word carefully and gradually becoming more confused. “What do you mean a gray area?” The question leaving my lips before I could even stop it.

“Like, sometimes the answer isn't yes or no. Like more than just two options. Didn’t the city teach you anything useful?” A small laugh left Jordan’s lips.

“I mean they taught us that- but like- um- I just wanted to confirm the definition.” I gave a sharp nod, biting my lip to prevent any more words from stumbling out.

Jordan’s head tilted slight, curiosity flickering across the mismatched eyes. “What is the city like? I was born here, and my parents both refuse to tell me anything about it.”

At the question, I could feel my stomach drop slightly. The last memory of the familiar grey landscape being charged with every negative emotion I have ever had. My mouth went dry, causing me to part my lips slightly with the hope that the fresh air would somehow offer relief. After a brief moment of hesitation, my hand found its way into my hair. Pushing back curls before I slowly began to form a response in my head.

“It's kind of funny. Like, everything there is either wrong or right, no maybe right? But, everything that is there is gray. The buildings, the sidewalks, the streets, the cars, the clothing, the sheets, the paint. Everything. Gray.” Though, a somewhat longing smile pulled at the corner of my lip. “Gray and boring and terribly strict, but also comforting. I knew how each day would go. Everything was predictable. I knew that I would never return home the day I went for my test.”

I gave a slight shrug, hoping the answer was suitable enough for Jordan. Though, by the look in their eyes, I could tell it was no where close to the detail he wanted.

With another sigh, I slowly began to give more details on the City I had called home. Explaining the cramped apartment my caregivers and I shared, the school schedule, the tests, the studying, the way everyone looked the same. Using every adjective I could pull from my memory to give Jordan a picture in their head. The description of food even causing a small crease to appear on their nose.

Slowly, the topic drifted the final benchmark exam. Explaining how people were weeded out slowly, before those who had failed the academic part were dragged away.

For the first time, I put my fear into words- translated raw emotions into something resembling a narrative.

For the first time, someone was actually listening.

“Any other questions?” The realization that I had been rambling quickly causing my chest to fill with embarrassment.

With a shake of their head, that sent the wavy tresses swaying, Jordan announced that all curiosity had been satisfied for the moment. Taking my hand, I opened my eyes to my bedroom once again. A smiling Jordan the first thing to greet me from the brief second of darkness that meet me each time Jordan’s Jinx was used.

“It's almost dawn, so see you in a few hours then.” Jordan grinned, lifting a hand to wave goodbye.

“It was nice talking to you, feel free to come back any-.” Before I could even get the thought fully developed, Jordan had already disappeared into thin air.

Silence surrounding me once I collapsed back onto my bed, and soon after it was filled with my light snoring.

All too soon, my peace was interrupted by a blaring alarm.