Fan Fiction ❯ Human Alloy ❯ A New Morning ( Chapter 4 )

Funny how some things just turn everything upside down. What were they eating around that glass table but caviar, salmon, crackers, cheese and red wine no less? It was absurd! Outrageous! Mildly entertaining with their polite talk, yes, but nonetheless! <i>And</i> they were eating it without me!

 

“Uh…” I was lost for words. “Hi.” That seemed appropriate when one is speechless. “Heh… I didn't miss anything, did I?”

 

“Come, sit with us,” Yue offered with a pale hand motioning beside him. He was on the floor next to Kane who was on the white plush couch. Both were facing me as I crossed the room; Gin and Root sat to my left, Root's foot perched atop his knee, arms stretched along the top of the couch, an unlit cigar between two fingers, and a glass of wine in one hand. Gin sat forward, stealing a cracker and mounting raw fish on top. Ashamedly I walked around to the only entrance in the circle of couch to plop myself between Kane's knees. He placed one hand on my head, looking knowingly at me.

 

“Glad ya could join us!” Gin chimed as she bit into her hors' d' oeuvres, scattering crumbs.

 

“So,” Root grunted, swilling his glass of wine and licking his lips, “I figure I can trust Kane here, but can I trust you hmm?” He swallowed the rest in one gulp. “You with or without us?”

 

“What do you mean?” I asked, a little unclear of what he was saying. He sighed as if talking to an idiot. Kane pulled his ruffled skirt farther over his knees.

 

“What do you mean?” I repeated when Root didn't answer, looking over his empty wine glass carefully. Gin laughed through her mouthful of cracker.

 

“What I mean,” he said slowly as Yue poured a glass of wine, “is that either you will trust us, or you won't, and if that's the case, then you'll have to be locked up until we know what to do with you. Simple.”

 

Yue handed me the glass, offering me a look to take it, which I did. I'd only had red wine once, since I was a `sophisticated' drinker, at my mother's funeral, and even then it had seemed water down, diluted. This wine was rich and strong and pleasant.

 

“Lock me up? And Kane?”

 

“No no!” Root chuckled. “Only you. Your friend has agreed to help us, so I see no reason—”

 

“Help you?!” I turned to stare, shocked, at Kane. He looked somber; I felt numb. He appeared helpless, almost wise, but when he was nodded, I was horrified by his response. Yue put a hand on my shoulder and say me back against the couch, saying nothing. I sat stiffly between Kane's knees and sipped my wine bitterly. Root seemed amused.

 

“I <i>would</i> say kill you but we aren't that depraved so we won't.” I choked. “Anyway, if you can be useful, what's the point in killing you? I'll tell you the basis of what we're doing, so you can decide if you'll assist us or not. If you're in, you're in. If not, well, then….” The general laughed softly to himself.

 

This is bull! But he said if I could help…. Maybe if I agree and know their plans, then I could figure out a way to get them caught.

 

“Okay, what is it?” I asked blandly. Root smirked.

 

“Well, are you sure we could trust you in a dire situation? Or would you cowardly back out?” he leaned forward to pour another glass of red wine, his arms hanging over his knees. Yue moved his hand from my knee to my hand; I hadn't known it had been but he now held my hand gently. He looked at me, as if waiting for me to speak.

 

“We gonna send vir'ses out, ain't we Root? Corrupted files. Our plan is—”

 

“Don't tell the specifics!” Root interrupted Gin to growl a warning.

 

“Oi! I ain't! Ani-ways, we gonna make a coupl'a robots go screwy! See wot people say then!” She laughed gleefully.

 

“If we make R.A.D.A.R. look bad enough, people won't trust them. Sales will decline until they're out of business. Then we can take over the abandoned corporation, program the robots how we want and, if we can get enough followers, the reign will begin!” Red wine disappeared from the tinted glass and between his lips.

 

“The…`reign?'” This sounded interesting.

 

“Yes, the `reign!' Anyway, we could use you to hack several computers.” What Mercy had told me earlier rang clearly in my mind: “I doubt it, because I couldn't gain any access to the duplicate server of the one that had crashed. For the same reason even you can't!”

 

“I don't know; security's pretty tight—”

 

“Do what you can. Maybe you can just carry the disks.” A cruel smile played on his lips.

 

“Ah ha! `e's pale! Look Root, ya scared `im silly!” Gin chimed, pointing at me. Yue squeezed my hand as Kane stroked my hair. I stiffened, trying to compose myself but I knew my eyes were fearful. Gin clucked, Root raised an eyebrow and Yue laid his head on my shoulder.

 

“So, ah, you won't tell me anything else?” I asked, hopeful that they would tell me everything.

 

“Of course not!” Root scoffed, “I wouldn't provide you with a chance to escape and tell the authorities everything! You know where we live, therefore you're either with us, or you'll have to stay locked up.”

 

“What do you mean by locked up?”

 

“By locked up he means,” Yue started, looking gravely at me.

“In a small dark cell,” Root added.

 

“Underground.”

 

“Bound and gagged.” Kane stopped at this description. Now I was getting shifty, nervous.

 

“Well….”

 

“It's okay Jean, they won't harm you, they're good people,” Kane whispered. I shook my head, not willing to believe him about this statement, but nonetheless, I had to agree with Root.

 

“Alright,” I told him, “I'll do whatever I can.”

 

“Oi! We got a new one! A new partna'” Gin clapped her hands. I took another drink from my glass, but the liquid tasted sour.

 

“Good,” Root praised, sitting back in his seat with an evil glint in his eyes, fingering his long, shimmering hair.

 

“Security guards will be posted everywhere, more at the labs with highly classified information. We'll have to use fake IDs again—”

 

“Leave it ta me!”

 

“—and if we can't wait a few weeks until their guard is let down, then we're going to have to do some…`dressing up' as well.”

 

“Disguising our identities,” Yue explained, his arms and head resting on my knees, gazing at me. I looked back at Root.

 

“Gin will explain what you are to do when the time is needed. We'll find out just what you<i> can</i> do later. But for now,” he stood, putting his wine glass down, “we require a meal.” The general clapped his hands twice at Yue, as if asking a waiter to `get to it.' Yue stood, straightening his skirt and pulling me up by the hand. I looked around not knowing what was expected of me.

 

“Come help me,” Yue asked softly, tugging at me hand, eyes watching mine.

 

“But,” I started to protest.

 

“Come on,” Kane urged, pushing me from the back.

 

“No,” Root commanded us. He looked deviously at Kane, slyly. “You come with me.” He beckoned to Kane. My poor friend looked vaguely at me, then at Root, shrugged and stepped around the table to follow him. The general escorted the blonde to his room, near the doorway on the right side of the room when entering.

 

“Well, if that's all, I'm leavin'!” Gin jumped up, stretching and clambered over the couch, going to her room which was located somewhat in the center of the wall on the same side as the other two bedrooms, but closer to Yue's than Root's.

 

“Come on,” Yue urged quietly as if leading a skittish horse towards water.

 

“But…. Kane….”

 

“Come on.” I staggered into the kitchen.

 

“I can't cook,” I explained hastily as Yue opened the refrigerator. They had an old fashion one that stood against the wall instead of built into the wall.

 

Yue looked at me and shrugged.

 

“Better to stay here than with Root. Knowing him, you much rather be with me at any given moment as opposed to him.”

 

“Why?” I sat myself down at the table.

 

“Stay here.” He left the room, leaving me to wonder what was up. That was rude. He returned carrying five glasses, the wine bottle and the small platter of appetizers.

 

“Why?” I asked again.

 

“That you'd rather stay with me?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“You don't know what Root does.”

 

“I would if you told me.” Ebony hair flowed as Yue shook his head, setting down the glasses and the platter.

 

“I can't tell you.”

 

“Why not?” He put the wine bottle in the fridge and set to washing out the glasses, in a single sink. He never answered me. Instead I watched as he put away the tray, delicately rearranging the hors' d' oeuvres on a small plate, covered it in Saran Wrap and placed it neatly in the fridge.

 

“What would you like for dinner?” he asked, washing his hands. I shrugged.

 

“Food. I don't care what kind.” He nodded, opening an old fashion freezer next to the refrigerator and thought a moment. He pulled out a package of something that dripped of blood when he opened it. I watched as Yue pushed up his blouse sleeves, tied an apron on and set to slicing the pale red meat. It looked like a big chunk of beef, which was probably what it was. He cut it, I noticed, into five pieces, one for everyone I assumed. Rinsing his hands off once more, he turned the oven on and set a plate in there, obviously to warm. Turning to a top cupboard over the counter he produced salt and pepper shakers, and oil. He then took out a stick of butter from the refrigerator and a bottle of dry white wine before searching the cupboard beside the fridge for a cup measurer. Yue grabbed a small skillet, turning the stove top on. Everything was olden day, obsolete machinery. He measured the butter, and oil, mixing them in the skillet before adding two pieces of the meat. It sizzled upon contact with the hot surface. Allowing the meat to sit, the chef quickly grabbed a plastic bowl from under the counter, in a cupboard, a paring knife and a few peaches from a woven basket on the counter that held fruit.

 

The kitchen was a simple, twentieth century type kitchen, unlike our more modern ones.

 

“What was with earlier?” I asked as Yue went to attend the steaks he was cooking. With a meat fork he flipped them over as a hiss resounded from the pan. “What does Root want me to do if I go with you? Gin said you were corrupting robots but I don't completely get it.”

 

“Our plans are basically as she said. If we can corrupt the robots to disobey and destroy things with an inerasable glitch, then people will stop buying them and R.A.D.A.R. will get blamed for it.” Yue tested the meat with his fork, and, after deciding it passed his test, retrieved the hot plate and set the meat on it.

 

“Inerasable? What if they get out of control?” I asked, observing as Yue repeated the process of adding more butter and oil as well as two other servings of steak to the skillet.

 

“They'll be programmed for voice response, identification of us, and only us. Or at least to only respond to whom we choose.”

 

“You think we can do that?”

 

“Well, why not? It's not that hard.” Yue finished the two other steaks, setting them aside on the hot plate to join the other two then finished the last steak in silence. He finished the preparation of the entree by sprinkling salt and pepper over them and separated the fat from the cooked oils, adding the wine and turning up the heat. He found a wooden spoon from the drawer, using it to stir then added a swab of butter several minutes later. Once he had his sauce done, he poured this generously over the steaks, and the smell of it made my mouth water. I was starving! He found a large platter lid to cover it and keep in the steam and heat, and preheated the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. My stomach rumbled incessantly, but all I could do was watch until he was finished getting out a box of corn muffin mix, greased pans, an egg, and milk. He stirred everything in a bowl until it was nice and soupy then poured the mix into the muffin pan. The oven dinged and Yue popped the trays in.

 

He smiled as I gulped. He gave me the shivers, the way he smiled at me. Yue cleaned the fresh peaches he had taken out earlier, skinned them, wrapped up the shavings in a wet napkin and put them in the fridge. He quickly cut the fruit into bite sized pieces. My stomach screamed at him to be fed. He looked at me, slightly puzzled, and I blushed. He laughed.

 

“Come here,” he beckoned with a wide smile. I got up, obediently coming to him. “Open.” I opened my mouth. He placed a bit of peach on my tongue with those perfectly manicured fingers. Whoa, talk about how sweet and juicy it was. I cannot remember a time when I didn't eat food from a box. Man was my mouth happy. Yue smiled pleasantly, picked up the bowl of sliced peaches, ran some water over them and set it in the fridge to cool, adding a few ice cubes as he did so. He withdrew a large carrot, half a head of lettuce, a tomato, and what looked like a cucumber. I stood by his side, waiting for another amazing sample.

 

“Where do you get all this fresh food?” I asked in amazement as he cleaned the vegetables.

 

“I grow them,” he replied simply.

 

“You grow your food???”

 

“Yes.” He laughed softly, amused. His eyes sparkled.

 

“Isn't it a lot of work?”

 

“Well, it can be, but not really. I grow two separate gardens: One that's well kept and one that grows where it wishes.”

 

“You have gardens?!” He laughed a nice clear laugh.

 

“Of course.”

 

“Where do you keep them?”

 

“Open.” I opened my mouth. This time, it was a piece of cucumber. I crunched it happily. He giggled at my simple pleasure.

 

“Out back. I'll show them to you sometime.” I nodded. I watched Yue shred the lettuce and carrot, dice the tomato and add the cucumber slices, mixing it all in one big, wooden bowl. He added salad tongs and set the bowl aside.

 

“Almost done,” he told me as I looked pathetically at the fresh garden salad. From another top cabinet the cook pulled out five plates and bowls. He grabbed silverware from a drawer and set the table, each with its own cloth napkin. He then presented the food, the muffins I noticed, in a woven basket. Once he had finished decorating the table, he untied his apron, and I noticed for the first time that it had `Kiss the Cook' printed across it. My friend smiled as I noticed this. I was tempted too, but all I did was smile.

 

“All we need are drinks.” I nodded. “Would you like anything in particular?” I shook my head.

 

“A drink is a drink.” He grabbed two cups, poured water and ice into both and set those beside two bowls on the table. He took out three more cups and filled two more with what looked like sweet iced tea. The last one, apparently for Kane, Yue thought over.

 

“Is there anything in particular your friend would like to drink?” he asked skeptically.

 

“Uh, well, I don't think Kane would really care what it was so…. in other words no.” Yue nodded and decided water would suffice.

 

“Alright,” Yue sighed, “it's time for dinner. Go on and sit, I'll get the others. No you'll sit here, where your cup is.” I waited, the savory smells tempting me. The steaks had been unveiled, the salad was fresh and the peaches, though they looked like giant slugs in a bowl, I knew from taste that they were simply divine. The corn bread muffins were a golden brown and my fingers itched to pluck one from the basket and try it.

 

Bottles of dressing adorned the table for the salad; butter on a small dish awaited the use for the muffins. I whined as my stomach began a new rebellion. After what seemed like ages, Yue finally came back in a flourish, followed closely by Root, Gin, and Kane. My friend looked pale. Yue held Kane's chair as he sat beside me. Root sat at the head of the table, Yue sat opposite of Root, near me, and Gin sat across from both Kane and me.

 

“Oi! Looks delic'!” Gin remarked.

 

“Then, let's eat! Now Kane, Jean, don't be picky, just eat,” Root instructed us. I nodded eagerly. Root started with the salad, I with the muffins and Gin with the steak. Food was served and passed around until our plates and bowls were full. It seemed all I could do was stare at my plate. Wow. I looked to Kane but he avoided my gaze. I wanted to ask him what was wrong, but I was afraid to speak again in front of Root, as much as it hurt my pride not to.

 

“I'm starved!” Gin proclaimed as she began to eat with gusto.

 

Kane ate as if it was no big deal, looking anywhere but in the faces around the table, but I savored every bite. My taste buds nearly went crazy! This, a home cooked meal, is something I will never forget. I watched Yue who ate politely, unspeaking as if in another world, but Root ate and drank as if half distracted.

 

“So Jean, thought any about how you might help us?” the general asked me, taking a drink from his tea, the ice cubes clinking against one another. I swallowed the muffin in my mouth.

 

“Just carry the disks I guess. Not a whole lot really. I suppose it depends on what you want me specifically to do,” I said, taking up my water and nearly spitting it out.

 

“Oi! Watch it!” Gin nearly shouted, offended that I might think of spraying my drink on her. But she laughed, crowing over the look on my face.

 

“What's wrong?” Root asked, obviously thinking he had asked me a question that may have raised my suspicions. I shook my head and swallowed.

 

Kane looked at me but turned away when I caught his eye.

 

“It's the water,” my friend explained quietly. “He's used to the water in his shower being thick with all those cleansers but not when he drinks it. It's pure water. Something he's never had.” Gee thanks for telling them everything as if I were a complete moron.

 

“Oh, yeah, figures,” Root dismissed with a wave as if swatting a fly. “Anyway, I had a long talk with Kane and I think I may be able to trust you.” He grinned, his eyes adopting that malicious glint again.

 

“A talk?” Gin laughed again, choking on her muffin but washed it down with tea and continued to snicker. Yue seemed guilty, but said nothing, watching Root from the corner of his eyes. I wanted to know what seemed to be going on but I didn't have the chance to.

 

“Yes,” Root answered, entertained. “Gin will tell you tomorrow what exactly you need to do.”

 

“Yeah! Not wot we gonna do, you ain't needin' ta know that! Anyway, `ey Root….” Gin trailed off and began to talk to the villainous leader. I was distracted by the distant look in Kane's eyes.

 

I nudged him and raised my eyebrows to ask what was wrong but he faintly shook his head.

 

“I'll say later,” he whispered. I nodded. The dinner carried on with polite conversation dotted with small periods of silence. The entire atmosphere grew so easy going that all the tension and anxiety left. Laughter followed jokes and Gin became so absorbed in her salad that we thought something may have been wrong.

 

“Gin? It's just salad,” Root chuckled.

 

“Oi yeah but….look at it! I swear it's sayin' somthin to me!” We all laughed, Kane even managing a small smile. Whatever premonition she saw in the ranch covered vegetables I have no idea, but she certainly found it engrossing. Several times Root mentioned our mission but never finished his sentences. It seemed as if Kane were ignored the whole while, remaining silent and unseen.

 

Coffee was brought out after the table was cleared and the dishes quickly washed and put away by both Yue and Kane. We sat back, relaxed and continued our talk as the rich, sumptuous liquid was poured and augmented with cream and sugar. It was real, honest-to-God coffee. Root leaned back and lit a cigar, puffing contently as Gin rambled on about some time long ago before she had known Root or Yue. Yue stood near the table, waiting for everyone to finish so he could rinse the rest of the dishes and be done. Kane waited politely at the table, sipping at his coffee. Once the conversations had died and the coffee had ceased being in our cups, Root decided to call it a night and left, Gin skipping on ahead.

 

“Kane, I want to finish talking to you with Gin when you can spare the time. No later than 7:30 though okay?” Root patted the blonde's back. “You hear that?” he shouted after Gin who replied with a, “Yeah Root! I `eard ya!” Root nodded and left, his minty green hair flowing behind like a winding river.

 

“I might as well go now. I'll talk to you about everything later ok?” Kane said, smiling and drew me into a hug. He seemed weary. They had already been talking for a few hours already today. What more could they possible say? He stumbled out of the room, following the leader.

 

“As soon as I have these put up, I can show you my gardens if you'd like,” Yue offered as he began to run the coffee cups under the faucet.

 

“Sure,” I smiled in reply. I stood against the counter, watching as he finished washing the cups.

 

“Alright. Come with me.” I followed as he went into his room, finding an old antique key in a pouch in an empty space in his wall. Mist trailed behind us in the dim light as the raven haired young boy unlocked a door inside the shower stall in his bathroom. He pushed open the door and allowed my entrance, pocketing his key. I could see plants, and I could smell fresh, sweet air that felt warm. There was a pale moon light, and when I looked up, I was peering into an endless sky filled with banners of stars. I breathed in awe at the spectacular sight.

 

“It's not real,” Yue whispered. “It's just glass with reflections of light through several different plates. It imitates the weather. It's a computer designed for that sole purpose, so sometimes you have a clear blue sky, sometimes it rains, sometimes it's nothing but sun, but it's all so wonderful.

 

“The plants can live in this?” I asked, amazed.

 

“Yes. Although the sun is artificial, it serves the same purpose as the small one in my room.” To the left was a stone wall with an open arch doorway, ivy and honeysuckle covering the walls. A sakura tree stood in full blossom in the far right corner; an oak in the left and several small willows to my right. Rose bushes and gardenias bloomed happily along opposing walls. A bench sat in the shade of the oak.

 

“What kinds of flowers are these?” I asked, astounded by the beauty of it all. Yue pointed each kind out, taking my hand and walking me around. It was a clear night, the moon full, the stars twinkling. I felt as if I had walked into another world. Grass swished below my feet.

 

“Anthea Yarrow, Shiny Bear's Breeches, Terra Cotta, Blue Stars, there's Compinkie Rock Cress, and Bright Eyes, Ozark Sundrop, and Siskiyou Prim Rose. Those plants are Solomon's Seal, Miss Indigo Sage, Lemon Thyme, and Jacob's Ladder.” I hadn't understood much of a word he had said. They all sounded like silly made up names to me but then, what did I know about flowers?

 

He looked proudly at me.

 

“Come sit,” he said softly, walking me under the sakura tree and sitting himself down, legs folded. I sat next to him in the cool, plush grass. It felt soft, though somewhat prickly. The soft pink petals drifted fragrantly around us, swirling and dancing in the authentic zephyr. I felt sleepy. The air around us was warm, though cooling as the night grew long and as the breeze continued to blow.

 

“Also, if you're curious I have a garden through that arched door, and beyond that an orchard and a forest.

 

“You keep all this underground?! And no one knows about it?”

 

“Yes,” he replied softly as he gently leaned me against his shoulder, stroking my hair. “There I have Male Ferns, Ostrich Ferns, Porcelain Berry, Chinese Trumpet Vines, Mandevilla Vines, Silver Lace, Wild Passionflower, Texas Purple Wisteria, Mayapple, Birdsfoot Violet— countless numbers of wild plants and shrubs. I have just about every fruit tree imaginable as well as patches of berries and grapes, melons, oh I have everything! It's all so wonderful!” He wrapped his arm around my waist, my head on his shoulder and his on mine.

 

“It sounds great. You manage everything by yourself?” I asked sleepily, blinking heavily.

 

“Oh not everything. The bees and birds help pollinate the flowers and plants, and because they're perennials they'll come back year after year. I tend the garden and orchard by myself though, yes.”

 

“Isn't it a lot of work?” Yue laughed softly and kissed my forehead.

 

“It can be, but I have quite a bit of time and I love being out here.” I nodded, now resting against his chest as I had slipped from his shoulder in my lethargy.

 

“You know Root comes here to read quite a bit.” I nodded again, snuggling up closer, comfortably now sitting in his lap. He caressed my cheek.

 

“You should see how it looks in the evening, or early morning,” he whispered in my ear.

 

“Mhmm.” I rested against his chest, warm, happy and the most content I had ever been in my whole life. Life had never been this good.

 

I was sleepy, but not enough to doze off. My cheek was pressed against his bare chest, my nose snuggled against his blouse. He smelled like vanilla spice, cinnamon, fresh air and the delicate sakura that surrounded us.

 

“Your thoughts,” Yue started, “are…..disturbing.” I looked up at him with soft eyes.

 

“My thoughts?” I asked, laying back down, one hand fingering the ruffles on his blouse.

 

“Yes.” Tender hands played with loose strands of hair. “Do you want to tell me about them?”

 

“What do you want to know?” I asked, more awake now, intrigued by what Yue might say.

 

“Why you're thinking these things. About….killing.” I was taken by surprise that Yue had been able to read my thoughts, much less change the subject so suddenly. Looking to him, somewhat alarmed, he appeared nervous; anxious.

 

“How do you know that's what I'm thinking?” I breathed. I thought about what Kane had said earlier, when he had been reading my thoughts. The idea suddenly frightened me.

 

I pushed myself away from him, almost disgusted, but suddenly terrified. I knew those eyes, and that dark hair.

 

“No,” I whispered, paralyzed by fear. Yue looked questioningly at me. I shivered. My father. I remember his eyes were that color. I was too young to remember Mother, but Father had those same Caribbean ocean blue eyes. Whenever I saw them, boring holes into me, I knew I was doomed. It always brought pain. I remember that inky black hair too, falling around his face. He always smelled like alcohol: whiskey and rum. Yue gently held my arm. Father's hands were rough and demanding.

 

“No!” I yelled, jerking away, breathing heavily and looking around for a route of escape.

 

“What on Earth?” the man whispered. No, it was just Yue!

 

`But Father! Those eyes! He's back!' His eyes were wide, fearful.

“It's me, Yue. Jalene, be still, it's Yue!”

 

He had me by my shoulders, I looked away, fighting his grip, but he was strong.

“No!” I thrashed as he tried to control me, lashing out wildly with my arms, trying to free myself.

 

“It's Yue!”

 

“Let me go! Leave me alone! I don't want to, I won't do it! I won't!” I yelled, sounding like a small child who was opposed against taking a bath.

 

“Shhh… it's a friend, it's Yue. Yue. He won't hurt you. Yue loves you,” he murmured in my ear, holding my wrists together. I was breathing heavily, my eyes wild. Black hair trickled around my face, tickling my skin.

 

“Yue,” I breathed.

 

“Yes, Yue. It's okay, Yue won't hurt you. Yue wants to help you.” The voice was calm and soothing, not rough and growling. The touch on my cheek was smooth and reassuring, not painful. I flinched when he first touched me, my heart rate accelerating, beginning to struggle again, but I was pinned down.

 

I strained within his hold but he was relentless and I couldn't throw him off.

“Don't want it,” I cried, breathless, shaking my head vigorously. I was immobilized, still breathing like a laboring rhino. The grip on my hands slowly released itself after a moment, those blue eyes still staring down at me. I had my chance. I began to thrash again, grabbing a fistful of ebony hair and jerking it down. My father let out a cry of pain. I grinned in victory.

 

`No, not Father. Jalene…..'

 

“Jalene….” The voice was soft and begging. My attacker held my wrist over my head, pinned down. There were silver tears shimmering in those crystal blue eyes.

 

“Please, Jalene. I won't hurt you. Trust me. Jalene….” The voice was not Father's. It was too gentle to be his.

 

“Wha?” I was confused, disoriented. It was dark, and though I could see fairly well, I couldn't be sure.

 

“Jalene….” I slowly came to, realizing that I hadn't been struggling with my father. Father has been dead far too long to abuse me ever again.

 

“Yue?” I released my grip on his hair, the silky strands sliding between my fingers. He gave a small sob.

 

“Jalene,” his voice was shaky, “I'm so sorry.” I only stared breathlessly as he raised his face to meet mine, my heart pounding. I tried to speak, but I couldn't form the words. He smiled faintly, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. I stared into the heavens above, looking for something to say. I sat up, watching Yue. He had one hand to his head, one covering his face. He gave me a quick smile before disappearing into darkness, as if not wanting to be seen.

 

“Yue?” I asked softly, crawling over to him. I was on hands and knees as he looked up. I could only stare into his beautiful, tear stained face.

 

“Don't be…. sorry,” I whispered, enthralled by his appearance. I kissed him, sitting up and moving in closer as he sniffed, before kissing his face again, his cheeks, his jawbone, his neck, his chest and his shoulders.

 

“I should be sorry,” I said softly, pangs of guilt and regret tugging at my heart.

 

“I don't blame you,” Yue replied, his arms around my neck. He was on his back, I over him on all fours and he kissed me, pulling me down. He smiled as we rolled over, I wrapping my legs around his, entangling my fingers in his long black hair.

 

“I'm so sorry I hurt you,” I whispered, kissing him over and over. Yue ran his hands through my hair, down my long white braid, holding my shoulders and smiling.

 

“It's alright,” he whispered. I nodded, even though it wasn't. I snuggled against his neck, his sweet smell meeting my nose; he was redolent of the fragrance of the cherry blossoms that had rained down up us in our fussing. I buried my head in his chest, concerned. I was thinking about everything that had happened. Why did I feel so attracted to the young gentleman holding me? What did I think I saw in him? There had been some warning before, but now it didn't seem as if it mattered. Also, what about our mission? What is it that these hackers wanted me to do? Why wouldn't they let us free?

 

Although it was still early, I was beginning to tire after so much.

 

“Do you think…people will wonder about Kane and me when we don't show up for work?” I asked, yawning.

 

“They'll see you soon, don't worry,” Yue reassured, hugging me close.

 

“Soon?”

 

“Mhmm.” Soon Yue began to hum softly and I was swept into dreamland, my thoughts digging a grave for old memories.

 

****************************

 

I awoke to the sound of singing birds and trickling water. A nature CD of a rain forest as well as the fountains that spawned around the room was playing. I was swaddled in blankets, tight and warm. My eyes opened to see the blue aquatic tint of the fish tank bouncing around the room in bubbles. I shifted and the ground below me undulated. Blue beads were drawn around the bed and I pushed them aside to peer around the room. I absorbed the fact that I was in Yue's room; how I had gotten there, I could only imagine. I saw the crow feather hair colored boy sitting close to Kane, talking softly.

 

“Good morning,” Kane said brightly as he noticed me sitting up. “It's still early, only 7:00, but the sun's just coming up.” My close friend approached me, pulling me from my bed as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I yawned, Kane hugging me tightly. I was one of the hardest people to wake up.

 

“Bathe with me?” he asked as I stretched, falling limp in his arms. “Yue's making breakfast and it'll be a while.”

 

“Okay,” I said, still groggy. Yue left silently.

 

“Geez! You're like wet cement! C'mon and wake up already!” I grunted, still mostly asleep, stifling another wide yawn. “At least undress yourself babe!” I blinked to clear my vision.

 

“Hey!” I managed to slightly raise my voice in surprise, sleep still heavy upon me. Kane was already taking off my clothes for me. I stood; the room was temperate, cooler, but not unpleasant.

 

“Oh! I <i>know</i> this will wake you up!” Kane gleefully picked me up, cradling my bare body against his. “I'll wake you up.” This he said playfully, slyly, as if hinting as to what he might do to rouse me. I smiled, imagining what he would do before I was plunged into the cold pool of water. He had dropped me straight in and I came up, choking and sputtering, gasping from the coldness.

 

Kane laughed, sitting on the chilly stone edge and swinging his legs over.

 

“Oh, it <i>is</i> cold!” he exclaimed, withdrawing his feet. I looked at him as if he were crazy, shivering and dripping. I'd wipe that grin of his off his face.

 

“Get your pale, naked ass in here!” I nearly shouted with disbelief as I yanked him in by his wrists. He gave a shriek as he entered the frigid water, floundering before finding his footing and standing quickly up. Green streaks clung to his neck and shoulders like little tendrils.

 

“Damn it's cold!” he complained, holding his arms for warmth.

 

“I told you!” I retorted, splashing him. Kane grinned wolfishly.

 

“Well, now that you're awake—”

 

“And about to freeze to death…”

 

“You can pay attention to what I have to tell you.” Kane took me by my shoulders; I now submerged in the freezing water.

 

“You still have your braid?” he asked, playfully giving it a tug.

 

“Yes.” I fell into his arms, the cold water pounding and churning near us from the small waterfall, spraying us with icy droplets.

 

I felt blank. I was happy to see my friend and spend time with him again, but I had no real feelings for him. It felt, disappointing that he couldn't satisfy me the way Yue had.

 

“What do you have to tell me? Did you learn of what we're to do?” I asked, turning around in his arms and finding the switch for warm water.

 

“Well, a lot that we talked about was plans and development for R.A.D.A.R.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yeah, about the robots we programmed and what we were planning.” Warmer water quickly took over the cold.

 

“What exactly were you discussing? Like, specifically.”

 

“Well, I told him about the project we most recently started,” Kane said, finding a bottle of liquid bath soap, “with the humanistic robots.”

 

“What did he say?”

 

“He said R.A.D.A.R. was going way too far. If anything, it was a good chance to sabotage the company by selling duds.” He began to lather himself with the soap, watching as I played with ripples of water.”

 

“Sabotage? Like, program them to ignore commands or something?” I said this as I glanced up, getting a nice profile of his body. He was covered in white suds that smelled faintly of roses.

 

“Yeah. Basically to corrupt the data, add a few things that shouldn't be there, eradicate a few that should. It would cost R.A.D.A.R. millions to fix then later.”

 

“Wouldn't we get blamed for it? I mean, they'd know it was us, because we, ad the people in our departments are the main developers.” Yue rinsed off his body under the waterfall, splashing me in doing so.

 

“Probably. But not unless we can make it really complicated and discreet.”

 

“Even if we did follow through with all this, do you think we could?” I asked with raised brows, skepticism tracing my voice.

 

“Most likely. Gin's a wonder at hacking and technology. Root's good with mechanics and Yue's top in biology, so with that combination I doubt if there's anything they couldn't do.”

 

Kane waded over to me, his sky blue eyes intent on my steel grey ones. He sat before me in the warm water, looking at me sideways as if her were trying to figure me out. He placed a hand on my chest, lowering his head, his eyes trained on mine.

 

“I'm so glad I get to be with you again,” he whispered, leaning closer to me. I put a hand on his shoulder.

 

“Is something wrong?” He didn't reply at first then shook his head twice.

 

“No. Just….I was worried about you.” He smiled. “Come here.” He found my hand and pulled me over to him. “Sit.” He poured soap on me and rubbing it, lathering it up on my wet body.

 

“Hey! I can wash myself.”

 

“I know,” Kane replied softly. “I just want to…feel…you.” I blushed, his hands caressing my body. He closed his eyes, slowly running one hand along the side of my leg, the other stroking me in rhythm.

 

“Kane?” I breathed, flushing an even deeper shade of red. I felt somewhat uncomfortable in his grasp.

 

“So good,” he murmured, giving a small smile. A moment later, he opened his eyes, his smiled widening.

 

“Anyway,” he dismissed his actions and soaped up my back. “What did you and Yue talk about with all that time together?”

 

“Oh well….not really anything. He showed me his garden last night.” Kane nodded in acknowledgement. Obviously that didn't seem to surprise him. “He won't tell me about whatever it is Root `does.'” Kane blanched, obviously thinking of a reoccurring thought.

 

“I don't blame him,” he said quietly, turning away from me.

 

“Why? What is it? You said you'd tell me,” I pressed, taking Kane by the shoulders and looking over his head down into his sullen face.

 

“Well, Yue told me about last night.”

 

“Don't change the subject,” I commented dryly, ashamed that the young angel would even mention it to my best friend.

 

“Well, he did. You know those dreams you sometimes have? About when you were young….when you lived with your father?” He looked to me, expectantly, concerned.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I always wake up to those, even though you don't. They're so violent. I think you're beginning to get in touch with your past. I know you can't forget about it forever but, it worries me because your dreams are so frequent.”

 

“How do you know what I dream?” I was fascinated, and scared that my best friend could read my dreams as well as my thoughts. He smiled, though it was bitter.

 

“You hadn't figured it out yet? Who do you think always comes into your room in the middle of the night just to calm you down while you sleep?” I blinked. I hadn't thought of that, in fact. My nightmares had never woken me, but at the end they always seemed to fade and I felt peaceful, as if I had been violently tortured, then died.

 

“What does that have to do with anything?” The gravity of the predicament we were in suddenly sank into me displeasingly.

 

“In your dreams,” Kane began to construe, rubbing Strawberry Fields Forever into my scalp, releasing my braid and untangling in, combing his fingers through my wet, limp hair, “you see odd things right? Things that don't belong with your memories. Most of it you don't remember, unless you can subconsciously tap into them, which I doubt you can do.”

 

I sat, transfixed, numb by his explanation, but I knew he was right.

“It doesn't take a whole lot for it to be out of place either. A mismatched color, birds that fly without wings, people that come out of nowhere, shadows that point the wrong way.” I thought most dreams were strange and didn't make sense. “I'll explain, as best I can. You see, you're not the only one. It's because of the mixed chemicals and pollutants, the lack of live, fresh things that cause this. I know it sounds odd, and hard to believe, but it is the truth.” He threw blonde bangs from his face, washing the rest of my hair with strong, tender fingers. My face was wreathed with powder white hair and foam.

 

“The reason isn't so hard, but the reactions are unanswerable. We don't know what chemicals cause it or why, or how, but we know they do. It gets absorbed in your bloodstream and acts like a lethal drugs. Too much exposure to it has led to death. It's a long, slow process, unless you work around heavy amounts of the toxins, but because we don't usually, it doesn't affect us so quickly. Citizens do feel it, with symptoms like the flu, but they don't see any reason to bother with it. They just take cold medicine and forget about it.

 

“Which is why we <i>should</i> worry about it.”

 

“So what are the effects of it?” I asked, half in my own world of worry, half in reality.

“I feel it stronger in the people I'm closer to, like you. So far, you seem to have irregular sleeping patterns, jumping from stage to stage, but it's nothing too terrible. For example, last night, a little past midnight you started dreaming again, about your father…” Kane splashed warm water on me, lowering me gently by my shoulders back into the water and washing out the shampoo, staring down into my face; I avoided his gaze. “It was restless, and it seemed as if you couldn't see some things clearly, like the trees, and the knife was like a fractal image, all broken up. Your blood was grey and black.” He paused, tentative to continue.

 

“Go on,” I urged, ignoring the pain it may have caused me in his somber attitude. The blonde took a breath, blowing bubbles in the water, a look of concern taking over his face.

 

“We, that is, Root, Yue, and I, hypothesize that these chemicals are confusing the brain waves and memories, mixing fantasy with reality. You know that different parts of the brain stores different parts of memory, but when they're disrupted, cut short or even completely forgotten, the brain feels it needs to make up for the loss, so it sticks the next best thing in place, whether it feels comfortable with it or not. The subconscious mind can say it's right to have fuzzy trees and black blood, but the conscious mind doesn't. While you sleep, your consciousness is at rest, shut down, so it can't say no to these images.” Kane swallowed. “When your subconscious mind allows this re-imaging, it becomes imprinted. The news tries to cover up the weird stories, but it explains a lot of things that are amiss.”

 

“People can't just forget completely? Like, do they have to replace memories?” I asked as he tugged at my hair, still rinsing it. He sighed.

 

“Well, we want to figure that out, but we'd have to run a lot of research on it, and we'd need human lab rats. None of us can figure out why, other than it's just a reaction. I suppose it's like smoking cigarettes. The brain tells you when it craves nicotine, even if it doesn't need it. If you can't get any of the drug in your system, you get a stronger craving as a sort of compensation. You get it so bad you feel like you're already smoking when you aren't.” I nodded.

 

“Is that all it does? Replaces memories?”

 

“Well, the thing is, when it gets so bad, it can cause people to hallucinate, and some think that fictional things are real, things they thought up or read about that's just fancy imagination, they see it as real. That's why so many people are being shunned from society. That's part of the reason of the downfall of many communities.” He stopped rinsing to hug me, kissing my shoulder.

 

“I worry so much about you,” he trembled. “I don't want anything bad to happen.”

I was crouched down in the water, Kane hugging me from behind.

 

“So our mission is to stop R.A.D.A.R. any way that we can?” I asked, bitterly hopeful. As much as I didn't want to, I knew Kane was the only one who could convince me to.

 

“Yes.”

 

“But what will we do if we destroy the basis of our lives? How will we live without technology?” I sounded like a small whining child.

 

“People have before. It's much better to live with nature than against it. You see how much humans have destroyed. It's time to gain back what we lost.” He bit my shoulder gently.

 

“But, even if we could make room for more trees and stuff, where would the rest of the people live? There wouldn't be room!” I was starting to get upset over the idea.

 

“You know in the news they've been announcing the project of the base that was set up on Mars. Scientists have slowly been establishing a man made atmosphere with some of their high-tech machinery, engineering, and technology.

 

“Actually I don't pay attention to that stuff,” I admitted, but I was, nevertheless, interested.

 

“Well, years and years ago NASA was able to charge people to go out and visit space with some risk involved, however they were successful and since then, thousands have flocked to outer space. Since then, Scientists were able to get the funding necessary to create a small, stable base on Mars. The idea was to create a suitable living surface for people to inhabit. They accomplished that mission several decades ago. Now that they've created the perfect atmosphere for the planet, since they've been studying it since the dawn of time, it seems, the scientists are creating a pre-world to which humans can soon move into.” Kane pulled me to sit under the waterfall with him. The warm water pounded our backs like a never ending massage.

 

“How far have they gotten with it? Like, how long have they been working on this pre-world, what have they done and all that? I mean, the last things I saw about Mars was that it was mostly rock,” I said, watching my friend and hugging my knees. He sighed, allowing the water to wash over his head.

 

“They've gotten far enough to produce enough rainfall to sustain a decent sized colony of people. It's drinkable water too. Has a few extra chemicals, but you can live with it. They've introduced different chemicals and objects to the atmosphere to see how it will hold up. Only about five years ago, the first man was able to live in a small house on Mars, just as he would here on Earth.

 

“Now they have several hundred people living there, and they're moving in even more soon enough.”

 

“They've progressed far enough to build houses?” I asked, stunned that all this had taken place while I was asleep. I didn't sleep much or often either.

 

“Yes. Everything's stable and in good condition.”

 

“How did they create an atmosphere though?”

 

“I'm not sure. All I can say is that at certain intervals they have a station up that supports the magnetic poles. They're hoping to regenerate the inner core so that the planet can sustain the atmosphere without the aid of humans, but so far it's going by slowly.”

 

“What kind of energy is it taking to sustain the atmosphere?” I asked, playing with the water, moving out from under the waterfall.

 

“Enormous amounts of solar energy and radiation. They're using a lot of the chemicals wastes and converting it to usable matter to energize the stations that keep the magnetic fields moving to generate the atmosphere.”

 

“So, people have finally dominated another planet. Smart, now we can—”

 

“Destroy another planet.” Kane looked at me, almost as if daring me to push the subject.

 

“But we conquered another planet! We've taken a very crucial step towards farther space travel and expanding! Why don't you like it? Just because it's industrialized?” I countered, folding my arms and biting my bottom lip, a bit disappointed with my friend's displeased reaction.

 

“We can't live healthy lives with all this pollution! It's just not possible. Besides, we've only had to live on another planet because we've destroyed this one! Once Earth falls, it's going to be devastating! Millions will die because of the collapse. Scientists know it; the president and government know it—”

 

“And yet they're still carrying it out because….?”

 

“Because the people in the world are too ignorant to accept the truth. All they see is that the world is not big enough for the human population and that they need to do something about it or die. Their only option is to flee to a different planet and hope that two planets can support the immense population!”

 

“How can all of us think that?”

 

“Not all of us. But most of us do. That's what the media gives us sweetheart… nothing but lies.” Kane said this softly, lifting my chin to meet his gaze. I was pouting, but I understood what he was trying to tell me. I didn't grasp the full meaning of everything, but it was what he wanted. There wasn't anything I could really do anyway.

 

“Now let's get out before we turn into prunes okay?”

 

“Is Gin going to fill me in with what I have to do?” I asked, standing up out of the water, wringing-wet.

 

“I can't say for sure, but I would guess so. If not today, then fairly soon. I think Root can trust us both.” Kane had two towels sitting by the tub for use, and he wrapped himself in one, helping me down and offering me the other. I wrapped it around my shoulders, my hair plastered to my back.

 

“Here,” Kane said, gathering my long white hair and squeezing out what water he could. “There. Now you don't have to soak a towel.”

 

My mind lingered on the dreams I was having and by the sheer fact that two people in this house could read my mind.

 

“Kane? How is it you can read my dreams and my mind?” I looked up to him, rubbing my arms with the peachy colored cloth. He watched me, as if searching for an overlooked detail.

 

“Well, I'm sure <i>how</i> I can, or even <i>why</i>, just that I can.” He shrugged. “Don't worry; I try not to invade other people's thoughts and privacy.” With that said, Kane quickly dried himself off with his own towel, I watching him as he tied it in a small knot at his side. He smiled and grabbed my towel.

 

“Hey! You have your own towel, use it!” I protested.

 

“I'm only helping,” he grinned, throwing the dampened cloth over my head and rubbing vigorously.

 

Unable to see, I walked backwards until I tripped and landed on the floor, Kane still pulling at the towel.

 

“Umph…. HEY!” I shouted in an outburst. My friend stopped a moment. “I can dry myself off, I'm a big boy.” Kane giggled, sitting in my lap.

 

“Yes you <i>are</i>,” he crooned softly, drying between my legs. I blushed faintly and pushed him off, grabbing my towel as I did so. My hair was a wet mess.

 

“Aww, you spoiled the fun!” the blonde teased, observing me as I stood to finish drying myself off.

 

“Oh hey, Yue left clothes for you to wear since you're about his size, maybe a size bigger, but it shouldn't be a problem,” Kane told me, indicating a tidy pile of clothes awaiting me. I nodded.

 

“What about you?”

 

“Oh I plan on walking around naked the rest of the day,” he replied, grinning. I rolled my eyes. “No really, I do.”

 

“Sure,” I snorted, walking over and picking up my clothes, sitting down on the side of the bed and drawing back the curtain of beads so that they wouldn't be in my way.

 

Kane stood, adjusted his towel some, and gave me a salute; his soaking hair looked nice since it appeared to be ragged and thick, falling around his shoulders.

 

“I'll see you in a few minutes at the breakfast table,” he said, grinning even wider and left before I could respond. I guess he hadn't been kidding. I noticed for the first time since I had been in this house that my bracelets were missing.

 

“What the?” I looked around me, as if expecting them to turn up, but found my search fruitless.

 

`But when did I lose them?' I wondered to myself.

 

`Oh! It must have been when Yue was cleaning my wrist….' I rubbed the bandages. I had forgotten they were still there. I shrugged, deciding I would ask Yue about it when I saw him at breakfast. Dropping my towel on the floor, I picked up the first garment. I have to say that I believe Yue had fun deciding in what he would dress me in. A maroon body hugging high V-necked shirt with flaring wrists and lace at the neck and cuffs is the first thing I had. I prayed things would get better from there. A pair of white leather bell-bottom pants complimented the shirt along with a pair of black, heeled boots.

 

No boxers, no underwear, no nothing for undergarments. I half decided to follow Kane out there, dressed in nothing but a towel. I judged against it and instead did with what I was required to wear. Yue had also put out a short, thin, black jacket adorned with a red rose and green leaves on the back. The shirt pulled up to show some of my stomach, and the jacket was nearly the same length, but it wouldn't stay buttoned if my life had depended on it. No socks, no underwear; just the pants, shirt, boots, and over shirt. Reluctantly, I left the room behind me, self-consciously looking around the empty living room as I closed the door. The overhead lights shone white to imitate an early morning day above ground with a partially cloudy sky. I heard talk coming from the kitchen. Running a hand through my hair, completely forgetting to look for a comb or hair brush, I could hope that my aspect didn't seem as if I had just jumped out of bed and hurriedly dressed, despite the fact that my hair was still damp.

 

Steadily covering the living room floor, I apprehensively peeked through the kitchen door, a wave of desirable smells meeting me. The room was warm, and the voice that welcomed me was even warmer.

 

“Glad to see you're finally up and about,” Yue greeted me, touching my cheek and giving me a small smile. I watched his intense blue eyes as he pulled me into the kitchen by my hand.

 

“Come sit and eat, Kane will be here in a moment.”

 

“ `ey Jean! Good ev'nin'! We been waitin' all day just ta see ya mate!” Gin flamboyantly added. Root laughed at my confused look.

 

“No, it's still early morning, but we have been waiting a good half hour.”

 

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know,” I apologized.

 

“It's okay. Sit down already and tell me what you'd like,” Yue said gently, steering me towards the table.

 

“What I'd like?”

 

“To eat my boy!” Root interjected before Yue could respond.

 

“Yes, what for breakfast? Just name what you'd like and I'll prepare it if I don't have it already cooked up.”

 

“Oi, I'd say try ev'rythin'!”

 

“Oh um…. I don't know…” I was overwhelmed with the guests and the early noise and decisions. “How about—”

 

“Just surprise him so we can get to it!” Root growled. I paled at his remark. Yue nodded and gingerly left my side to tend the stove.

 

“Sorry I'm late!” Kane flounced into the room and my jaw nearly dropped.

 

“Kane,” I asked, unsure, “what are you wearing?”

 

“Oh, do you like it?” He twirled around, modeling it for me. Root just chuckled his barking laugh and Gin grinned sheepishly.

 

“Yea' well, it was the only thin' I could find that'd fit `im!” she explained, rubbing the back of her red head. Well that explained a lot.