Untold Deception

by William Staikos

  “Come quickly! The doctor got knocked out from a gas leak!” I shouted.

  I passed out on the floor. When I woke up the leader was there and the doctor was staring at me.

  “What the hell happened here Salan?” Asked the leader.

  “I don’t know it went off on its own. What was that gas?” I asked.

  “Seems odd for it to break suddenly,” The leader gave me a piercing stare. The doctor responded quickly.

  “Salan is too stupid to plan something out leader, it was probably just a faulty smoke delivery system,” said Dr. Mengel.

  When I went back to my room, Tras and my squad were waiting.

  “How did it go?” Tras whispered while hugging me.

  “Well,” I whispered back.

  “Salan I was worried about you, what was that gas?” Cassiella asked.

  “I’m OK Cassiella. The gas just knocked me out that’s all,” I said.

  “It’s just that I don’t get to see you anymore. I have to recruit people so often,” Cassiella kissed me and I embraced her.

  “I knew it!” said Craw.

  “Everyone knew it,” responded Tras.

  After an hour, I got called back from the P.A system. It was the Dr. Mengel.

  “Salan please meet me in my office for P.S.O. treatment.”

  When I walked into the office Dr. Mengel was tapping his foot. His arms were crossed and he leaned on a small black box on wheels. It had a shiny square center that had a picture of the smoke system breaking. He held a remote of some kind in one hand.

  “I took the liberty of putting the cameras on loop for you to see this,” suddenly Dr. Mengel had a mischievous smile.

  11- Strings

  “Manipulation, fueled with good intent, can be a blessing. But when used wickedly, it is the beginning of a magician's karmic calamity.”

  ― T.F. Hodge

  I took a step back.

  “Don’t look so nervous Salan, relax,” said Dr. Mengel.

  He shut the door behind me and locked it. He then pressed a button on the remote. The box showed me a blurry black aura breaking the smoke system. The pictures were presented in 10-second intervals. It was odd to see such a technology.

  “I’m guessing you wanted this?” he questioned. He rolled up his white sleeves and showed the barcode. I stood there frozen because he had figured it all out. What is my punishment going to be? Twenty days in the room?

  “I think we can both benefit from this. I don’t like the new Leader either, and I’ll assist you by deactivating your shocker.”

  I stared at him cautiously.

  “Why are you helping me?”

  “Again, because I think we can both benefit from this. I get to leave, and you gain your freedom.”

  “When can you deactivate these collars?”

  “I need you to wait two years before we can proceed.”

  “Why two years?”

  “My research for Abundan’s has to be developed. This research will make them more powerful, and I’m not leaving empty handed.”

  “Why should I agree to help you?”

  Dr. Mengel motioned towards the pictures. “Should I just bring this footage to the Leader and let him deal with you?” He paused then said, “Tell your associate Tras of what we discussed.”

  “What about the insects? What do you plan to do with them? How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

  “If you persist in asking questions, I will go straight to the Leader,” the doctor smiled.

  Damn him. He had me cornered; if the Leader found out about my plan, then I would be as good as dead. He had no problem with murdering children; he proved that today.

  “What do you want me to do then for two years?” I asked.

  “Survive, you need to stay strong and live through these tests. The cameras must show you are doing them. If you die from P.S.O. treatment, I’ll find someone else who can help me. Speaking of P.S.O. treatments, lie down on the bed.”

  I felt like a pet for this man. My hate would have to wait; I had to help him with his corrupt experiments. I was just a tool for him, nothing more. How was I going to explain it to Cassiella?

  After the treatment, I went back to my room and informed Tras of everything that occurred in our bathroom spot. His eyes widened the more I spoke.

  “So, he has agreed to help us. Why won’t he tell you about those insects?”

  “I don’t know, that’s what scares me.”

  “That cannot be good. We can’t do anything with his eyes on us, and we need those collars disabled,” said Tras.

  Tras and I stood there not knowing what to do. We had to put our faith in an untrustworthy man. We both walked out of the washroom.

  “Bye Salan, we’ll talk later,” said Tras as he left.

  “Ya bye…” I mumbled scratching my head.

  I flopped on the bed and let out a sigh.

  Cassiella’s said, “What’s wrong?” I had not noticed that Cassiella came into my room.

  I wanted to trust her, but another part didn’t want me to get her involved. My mind raced with what to do.

  “Is there something you’re not telling me?” she questioned.

  I grabbed her and took her to the washroom. She was embarrassed thinking my intentions were different. I glanced at the camera. At least this action won’t raise suspicion. There I told her everything that happened.

  “I’m glad you told me. Plus, I don’t see any other way of getting out of here without someone’s help on the inside,” Cassiella paused. “Is it alright if I stay overnight?”

  “You have before; I don’t see why not.”

  Cassiella held onto me. She gripped my chest hard.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “How many more will die? How many will I be responsible for? I bring them in and lock them up with us. Sam died because of me. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have...” Cassiella started crying.

  I hugged her for an extended period. We all suffered here.

  “You can’t blame yourself Cassiella,” I said rubbing her back.

  “Whose fault is it then?”

  I understood how she felt. I had those moments too where I questioned whether I had involuntarily murdered my mother. When someone dies that’s important to you, you ask yourself, ‘What could I have done differently.’

  “It’s certainly not yours,” I ran my fingers through her hair.

  Cassiella is beginning to realize how untrustworthy that man was.

  I whispered, “I want you to be my girlfriend.”

  She smiled and wrapped her arm around my shoulders and kissed me. I brushed her hair to the side.

  “I have… always had feelings for you, Salan,” said Cassiella.

  There was a sudden silence, and then a purring noise emanated from my body. When our eyes locked, she told me that she had an idea – one that she seemed nervous about telling me.

  “No one else should suffer this type of lifestyle. No kid should grow up without a loving family or be cared for. They can’t live like us. We have suffered, but we can do the next best thing and make sure others don’t.”

  “What do you propose we do?” I asked.

  “When we get out of here, we will work as free agent Abundans and make a building for those who are less fortunate. For those that need a place to be cared for. A place for those without parents or have abusive parents. Will you help me?”

  The only other person I can say I loved was my mother and Mr. Finch. I did not know what love was like from another person my age. When we were together, it felt natural. We poked fun at each other, but we never meant it.

  “Of course, I will. We are the next generation, and our job is to make the following generations life easier, not harder. What is the point of suffering if we don’t learn,” I said.

  Cassiella began undressing. It took me by surprise. She turned the shower on.

  “Get naked,” she instructed.

  Her wings extended out then down,
caressing her pale white skin. She had an hourglass figure. Almost as if she was sculpted. Then I noticed that there were scars on her back.

  “Who did this?” I asked.

  “I told you the housekeeper wasn’t very kind.”

  I took off all my clothes and turned around.

  “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

  We stepped into the shower and held onto each other. Her wings encircled me, and her body was pressed against my chest. Her bright blue eyes stared into mine, and I swear I could stare at them forever. We spent the entire night together in each other's arms. She made me want to better myself. From that point on, Cassiella always slept in my bed.

  A year and a half passed by in the facility. I was now an 18-year-old boy with six months left to gain my freedom from the doctor. He never tells me the progress of the insects. My squad became closer as more tragic heart attacks ensued. The number of Abundans went kept going down. The lower classes were dying from heart attacks but the three-day P.S.O. treatment did not change. It got to the point where the other twin in Jefora’s squad cried out during the start of practice.

  “Why do you not stop the P.S.O. treatment? Don’t you want more soldiers to fight for you?” asked the twin brother.

  The Leader did not shock him this time. He slowly walked over and began to speak.

  “In life, quality is more important than quantity. In history, 300 strong Human soldiers were trained from birth. All of them trained as a child like you, fought against a massive Cyclops army. Some say it was 100,000 and others fabricate the story. They used their intuition and other allies to win with quality, not quantity, unlike the Cyclops’. They were trained to kill and be the best. I do not care for the weak. I will treat you well but only if you show me results.”

  The remaining twin brother had nothing more to say. He had one foot in the grave. It pained me to think that we became accustomed to death as much as we had become accustomed to life. We kept moving forward with what we could and left the weak behind. These people were the type that would sell a sibling if it meant they would profit from it.

  After practice, Cassiella went with me to my room. We were always together, enjoying everything about each other.

  “So, what did you think of the Leader’s answer to the twin’s question?” Cassiella asked.

  “It made me shiver with fear. Quality is important but so is compassion.”

  “Do you believe he’s wrong?”

  I glanced at the camera and moved closer. “Of course, I do, but they’re always watching.”

  She smiled and nodded in understanding, “I guess he isn’t that bad huh?”

  When I woke up, I hit my foot on the side of my dresser. I cut it, and when I reached down, my aura clung to the blood. That had never happened to me before. The aura had to be attached to one for it to work. I didn’t say anything to Cassiella because it gave me an idea on how to beat her.

  During the next sparing lesson, I went against Cassiella. I cut my finger and used my blood as a bridge for my aura. This allowed me to knock her down. The unexpected side attack took her by surprise. I won the sparring lesson, and some others were impressed. We questioned how it was possible. Aura had to be connected for it to work before.

  The next day, the Leader came out, and I soon regretted how I had won against Cassiella. I shivered because his happiness meant another’s sorrow.

  “Good morning everyone. Salan used an interesting tactic by using his own blood to knockout his opponent. This normally isn’t possible with past tests. However, we believe that the P. S. O. treatment has made your blood cells’ membrane stronger. This has kept your aura from evaporating as it did before. The aura could only stay within blood for a short period. Thanks to his ingenuity, we can store Abundan energy for the first time. If we save that energy, we can increase the P.S.O. treatment for every two days. This will make you all stronger,” said the Leader.

  Everyone stared at me with pure hatred. Enough people were dying already. We didn’t need this at all. I raised my hand.

  “Yes Salan,” said the Leader.

  “I would advise against that as two-day treatments will kill too many Abundans. Three-day treatments are killing off enough as it is.”

  “Do you remember the talk about the 300 Humans, Salan?” recited the Leader.

  “I do, and the Human army would have fallen if these tests were done.”

  “I think you missed the point. The point is that quality is–”

  How could he look at people’s lives as statistics? I interrupted his speech because it got on my nerves.

  “Leader if only 150 Humans were on the battlefield they would have died.”

  “Don’t interrupt me! The Humans died anyway, but they did their job so that the navy could take over.”

  “Wouldn’t it have been better to have a moderation of quantity and quality – a balance to get results and the strength in numbers?” I asked.

  “Nonsense, quality is more important. It’s been proven throughout history.”

  “But you said the Human’s all died so how can that be true?”

  The Leaders face went red as with anger, “If I say the P.S.O. treatment is two days; then it will be two days. If you keep arguing it, then it will be one day! Is that what you want? Now you made me angry, Salan. You obviously need to be taught a lesson! Three days in the room for you.”

  I had never gone into the room before. Cassiella’s jaw dropped, her mouth stayed partially open. I smiled to comfort her. I felt proud that I didn’t hold my tongue. Men in suits picked me up and escorted me to the room. We walked down to Section B. There was a door made of steel. A flap was on the outside for food delivery. They opened the door and threw me in. I heard the metal door shut when they shoved me in. Ha, three days how hard could this be? A timeout? What a joke!

  There were large digital clocks on each wall. A countdown had begun my three-day punishment. Cameras were placed around the room. A ticking noise followed each second. Time seemed non-existent here. It seemed like an eternity; the clock was a cruel reminder of how long I still had in here. I closed my eyes and crossed my legs. Eventually, a tray came through the door slot. Just a pill and some water.

  As I sat there, I thought about my mother and replayed the scene of what happened in my head. What could I have done differently? I should have been stronger to catch her body at the last second. I should have just picked her up and left when he undid my handcuffs. Maybe I shouldn’t have sold that Macrovinae pelt.

  Tears began to fall down my face. My mother was important to me, and I felt that I failed her. Life doesn’t go the way you want it too. It’s not like the fairytales my mom used to read me as a kid. There’s no happily ever after for some – there are only struggles and hardships throughout life. Whether it’s your class or race, if you’re different in any way people will mock you for it. I hated the law for condemning her. Officers will even say things like, ‘Justice, keeping the peace, and to serve and protect.’ All of it is untrue. It’s a separate kind of brainwashing that preys on the weak minded. Just because something is a law doesn’t mean it's right. Laws are made by people, so they are faulty. Just like people, rules needed to change for the better and be improved on. Sometimes, I wished there wasn’t any need for laws. No guidelines on how to be kind and respect one another.

  The clock seemed to move slower the closer it got for me to leave. Eventually, one day had passed, and I could already feel my sanity drifting away. Suddenly the door flap opened.

  “Salan, thanks for allowing my research to continue and perform more P.S.O. treatments. I’ve brought you some actual food. That camera is running past pictures, for now, so eat it quickly,” whispered the doctor.

  Then he put the tray through and shut it. The plate of food had a note on it. I skimmed it while eating.

  ‘I know about your talk with Cassiella. I never told you this but don’t go telling people again of our plans. Actions have consequences.

  T
here was always a catch. I devoured the steak dinner and drank the rest of the water. I never told her not to talk to anyone else. What if she told a bunch of people? She could be in danger. I’m such an idiot. Then, I realized that she wouldn’t do that. She was too smart. I let myself fall asleep, trying not to worry.

  When I awoke, it was the third day. I tried to sleep as much as I could. The clocks were everywhere, ten minutes felt like an hour. Trying not to stare at the clock was difficult. I started to do laps, pushups, and sit-ups. If I could tire myself out, then I could go back to sleep. My mind drifted to dark thoughts of not being able to protect my mom. Another was what had happened to Haiba, Seraculus, Mr. Finch, and Kiongozi during the riot. If only I killed the king. I started to hear voices that weren’t there, some were my mother’s, and others were past friends.

  “Shut up!” I yelled into the abyss.

  The voices died down. I saw flashes of people I knew out of the corner of my eyes. I started to mutter to myself and just when I thought my sanity was gone, the door opened. It came to me as a surprise because I had stopped glancing at the clock. I had my freedom. As soon as I left, the doctor escorted me to practice. I walked into the training room.

  “After this, you need to go back for a P.S.O. treatment. Understand?”

  “Yes, I understand.”

  When I arrived at the training room, Cassiella ran up and hugged me in front of everyone. The others still seemed pissed off at me. The new P.S.O. schedule must have made everyone e.

  “Aren’t you young to be a cat lady Cassiella,” mocked Jefora.

  Before she could respond, I kissed her in front of everyone. I was not ashamed of who I was. My mother taught me that well.

  “You’re gonna make me sick,” said Jefora.

  “When you get older Jefora, maybe you’ll understand,” I said.

  After practice, I went back to my room and got my squad to follow me. I took Cassiella into the washroom to talk.