As the days passed, Ian found himself settling into a monotonous routine at the facility. He would wake up early in the morning, around 6:00 am, and head to the dining hall for breakfast. Classes would start promptly at 7:00 am, and Ian would spend the morning attending six hours of classes. In the afternoon, he would practice controlling gravity at the dome, pushing himself eagerly to get better. Dinner was served at 5:30 pm, and after that, Ian would retire to his room at 7:00 pm.
The facility offered little respite from the daily routine, with only a single-hour break before dinner and another before bed.
One morning, the shrill sound of the alarm clock jolted Ian out of a deep slumber. The clock seemed to have a mind of its own, as it blared at exactly 5:30 am every morning. Annoyed and frustrated, Ian groaned at the clock. Goddamn this clock.
He rubbed his bleary eyes and glanced at the flat digital screen on the wall above his desk. Today's schedule was conspicuously absent, replaced only by a picture of a red circle.
Oh, so it’s today. Ian's heart sank and he let out a heavy sigh, resigned to his fate. He knew what that meant - the day of the medical examinations had arrived. This was his first time facing it, and he had wished with all his might that it would never come. He had heard about how grueling and painful it could be from the others, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle in his stomach.
Maybe I could pretend I’m sick? Ian's gaze darted up to the unblinking camera perched on the ceiling. He knew it was futile - whoever was monitoring his every move would see right through his ruse.
Sighing, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and trudged to the bathroom to freshen up. He changed into a new set of clothes, discarding the old ones into the laundry chute. Ian couldn't help but notice that his closet was always stocked with fresh, clean clothes.
I wonder who has access
to my room? The memory of someone attempting to unlock his door in the dead
of night flashed through his mind, causing him to shudder. However, after that
eerie incident, nothing of the sort had happened again.
After Ian had donned his clothes and shoes, he sauntered towards the door that
had already been unlocked. As he opened the door, he saw Zack, emerging from
his own room too. "Morning, Zack," Ian greeted with a forced smile,
the corners of his lips betraying his lack of enthusiasm. However, Ian couldn't
help but notice the dark circles under Zack's eyes. He looks like he hasn't slept at all.
Together, they walked down the hallway, where other children were beginning to emerge from their rooms. Some were waiting for their friends to join them, while others were already making their way toward the elevator.
Throughout the corridor, gray-uniformed guards stood watch over the children, ensuring a smooth and timely flow. Among them, some guards held higher ranks, their concealed weapons instilling a sense of caution in Ian. Although he couldn't discern the exact nature of the weapons, their presence heightened his wariness.
As they continued walking, Ian caught sight of Saffi standing alongside Adam and Luca. With her signature broad smile, she waved enthusiastically in their direction, hoping to lift their spirits. Saffi's ebullient personality was her way of bringing a sense of reassurance to those around her. "Hey, guys—whoa!" Saffi abruptly halted, her gaze fixed on Zack. "What happened to you? You look like you haven't slept a wink!"
The attention shifted to Zack, his disheveled appearance now the center of concern. Saffi and Adam exchanged worried glances, while Luca wore a surprised expression. Ian's curiosity piqued, eager to hear Zack's response.
Zack, somewhat annoyed by their exaggerated reactions, rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. "It's nothing. I was just engrossed in reading and lost track of time."
Luca leaned in, speaking in a hushed tone. "I'm surprised you managed to sneak books into your room without anyone noticing."
Zack looked at him with a mix of confusion and dismissal. "What are you talking about? I can bring books to my room whenever I want, and no one has said a word or stopped me.”
Saffi and Luca exchanged puzzled glances before turning their attention to Adam. Luca's voice held a note of uncertainty as he asked, "Is that true, Adam?"
"I never really thought about it before. I mean, books are meant to be read in the library, right? at least that what I thought," Adam replied with a casual shrug.
Saffi's frustration was palpable as she exclaimed, "Ugh, why do you guys always get all these luxuries? It's so unfair for the rest of us!"
Lost in his own thoughts, Ian gazed at Saffi and Luca, contemplating their conversation. "Unfair," he whispered softly. They mentioned that going to the library is a rare reward for doing good in their ability training and lessons. And we only get to see them twice a week in the dome. Why all these strict rules?
Luca let out a sigh of agreement with Saffi’s frustration before noticing one of the guards signaling for the group to move towards the elevator. "Anyway, we can discuss this later in the dining hall," Luca interjected, gently nudging them forward to keep the group in motion. As they made their way to the first floor and entered the dining hall, they joined the line at the buffet, each selecting their desired food before settling down at their usual table.
Ian couldn't help but notice the subdued atmosphere in the
hall. The tension in the faces of the other kids was more pronounced than any
other day, and even his friends looked apprehensive. I guess everyone is concerned about the medical examination.
Still lost in his own thoughts, Ian gazed down at his plate. "Ten
days," he murmured quietly, his voice barely audible. It’s been ten days now, and I still have more questions than answers.
He glanced at the other children seated at the same table, his eyes filled with
frustration. I’ve been spending most of
my time with Adam and Zack, not like we have a choice who we spend our day with
anyway. He let out a sigh. Even
though Adam has been here the longest, his knowledge is limited to what Dr.
Cain has shared with all of us. His thoughts weighed heavily on him, and he
couldn't help but let out another sigh.
Adam, seated beside Ian, noticed Ian’s repeated sighs and leaned in closer, his voice lowered to a hushed tone intended only for Ian's ears. "Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his eyes.
Ian's face turned toward Adam. As Adam's face came close to Ian's, his heart raced, and a warm blush spread across Ian's cheeks. Ian quickly averted his gaze, hoping to conceal his flushed face before Adam could notice. His mind raced with unfamiliar sensations. "I... I'm okay," he stammered. He almost gave me a heart attack. Why is he… so beautiful? Ian shook his head. No this is wrong what am I thinking?
"Are you certain? I've noticed your multiple sighs, and you haven't even touched your food," Adam whispered.
Ian took a couple of deep, calming breaths to collect himself, then turned to face Adam with a gentle smile. He nodded affirmatively. “Yeah, I am. I was just lost in my own thoughts.”
Adam's concerned expression softened, replaced by a gentle smile. "I'm glad to hear that but you should finish your meal. Today will be quite tiring.”
Ian gazed at Adam, puzzled by the lack of worry or concern displayed by Adam. His demeanor struck Ian as odd amidst the unease permeating the rest of the group. "Are you not worried about today, Adam?"
Adam took a bite from his plate. "Hmm? The medical examination, you mean?”
“Yeah…”
Adam paused briefly, his gaze shifting to his plate. "I am, to some extent," he admitted, his tone carrying a sense of acceptance. "But there's not much I can do about it except face it head-on and deal with it."
“How do you deal with it?” Ian asked with curiosity
Adam's pause lingered a little longer this time, his expression clouded with a hint of darkness. "Whenever I find myself forced to do something I don't want to, I go to another place in my mind," he began, his voice tinged with melancholy. "It's a peaceful and comforting place.” As he turned his face to Ian with a smile, Ian caught a fleeting glimpse of emptiness in Adam's eyes. The genuine smile seemed to fade, replaced by a facade that masked his true emotions.
Ian couldn't find the words to respond; his worried gaze remained fixed on Adam.
Sensing Ian's concern, Adam quickly changed the subject. "Anyways, don't worry about it too much, Ian," Adam reassured, his tone gentle. "Not every examination is painful. Sometimes, they just perform routine blood work and check brain waves. It can be over before you know it." He shifted his attention to his plate, then gestured towards Ian's untouched food. "You should finish eating."
Ian nodded in response, his focus shifting to Zack who was seated next to Adam. Their eyes briefly met, but Zack swiftly averted his gaze and turned his attention to his plate, remaining silent. Again, he’s been doing that a lot. Why does he keep staring at me when I’m not looking? Shaking off the thought, Ian redirected his attention back to his meal, resuming his eating.
Meanwhile, Luca continued his usual habit of indulging in larger portions, relishing his love for food. Saffi, on the other hand, seemed quieter than usual, her focus solely on her plate as she appeared lost in her own thoughts.
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