Where it all Begins - Part 6

" I don't understand," Lieutenant Keyes said, and he started fiddling with the pipe he carried in his pocket.

"I hope that continues, Lieutenant," I in a quiet almost whispering voice. "For your sake, I hope you never understand what we're doing."

I looked one last time at Number 117 - at John. He was having so much fun, running and laughing. For a moment I envied the boy's innocence; mine was long dead. Life or death, lucky or not, I was condemning this boy to a great deal of pain and suffering. But it had to be done.

"Are you sure that it has to be done?" I whip around to see a young girl. I thought her words to be a simple coincidence, at least, before she said her next words.

"Doctor Halsey?"

I rushed out of the alleyway that I had landed in when I arrived in this universe. There were plenty of people walking around on the streets, going on with their everyday lives. Some were looking at me a little strangely. 'Why are they looking at me like that, Eve?'

[Your a lone little girl who just came out of an alleyway while running. Of course, they're looking at you. It's what you call parental instincts]

'Ah. I see.' I stop running and smooth out my dress. I was apparently wearing a cute little one-piece that you would expect a Japanese kindergartner to wear. I looked around at my surroundings before catching site of Doctor Halsey and Lieutenant Keyes walking down the street in civilian clothes. Keyes looked slightly out of place as he was a bit stiff and he was constantly playing with his clothes. 'Military men,' I think.

I follow them to the Primary Education Facility No. 119. They walked into the Facility. I tried to follow them before I was stopped by an adult, presumably some sort of security personnel.

"What are you doing out here little fella?" The man asks. "You should be in school right now."

'Shoot' I think. I rack my head for excuses before settling on one of them. I decided to charm my way through. I mean, I do have that weird curse that Mistress Death gave me. I look at him before saying "I was on my way to class."

"Why are you so late." He asks.

"Ah, I slept in," I say, before looking at the ground and squirming a little.

"I see. Well then, let me take you to class," he replies.

"NO!" I reflexively shout. "Ah, I'm sorry. I meant it's okay. I don't want to take up your time, mister." I say before faking a blush.

The man took a step back in surprise then smiled brightly. "I see. Thank you for your consideration. But next time, don't be late for class." He says before stepping to the side to let me through.

"Thank you, mister," I say with a big smile. "Have a good day!" Then I proceed to rush my way through the building. I swept the area, unable to find where Halsey and Keyes went. Then I catch sight of them near the playground. I silently trail them, with the help of my Unseen trait.

(AN/: Most of the text bellow is repetition with slight adjustments based of the switching of POV. if you want you can skip it without missing much content)

"Relax," I hear Dr. Halsey say. "We're supposed to be parents inspecting the school for our little girl." She slipped her arm through the Lieutenants, causing the already rigid man to stand even straighter.

"Pfff," I let out a little laugh, before muffling it with my mouth. Keyes jerks up and sweeps his head at the surroundings. I quickly hide behind a column keeping up the canvas awning.

"What is it?" I hear Halsey ask.

"I swear I heard some laughter," explains Keyes. "It sounded like a little girl."

"Relax, Keyes. You're too alert and you look like a bodyguard instead of a father," she replies. "Besides, there's a group of kids in front of us, so nothing out of place."

Keyes lets out an 'Ahh' before looking away in embarrassment.

Halsey sighed, opened her purse, and retrieved a palm-sized pad. She adjusted the brim of her wide straw hat to shade the pad from the noon glare. With a tap of her finger, she accessed and scanned the file she had assembled of their subject.

After she studied the files for a minute, I hear her say, "Our subject," as she angled the pad towards Keyes so he could see the boy.

"Is that him?" He whispered, causing Dr. Halsey to look up. Keyes nodded towards the grassy hill at the end of the playground. The crest of that hill was bare dirt, scuffed clean of all vegetation. A dozen boys pushed and shoved one another - grabbed, tackled, rolled down the slope, and then got up, ran back, and started the process over.

"King of the hill," Dr. Halsey remarked. One boy stood on the crest. He blocked, pushed, and strong-armed all the other children. Halsey pointed her datapad at him before pressing a few buttons.

"That's our boy"

The kid was taller than the other children by a full head, and - if his performance in the game was any indicator - stronger as well. Another boy grabbed him from behind in a headlock. Number 117 peeled the boy off, and - with a laugh - tossed him down the hillside like a toy.

Three boys ganged up on him. Two grabbed his legs and one threw his arms around his chest. They all tumbled down the hill. Number 117 kicked and punched and bit his attackers until they let go and ran away to a safe distance. He rose and tore back up the hill, bumping another boy and shouting that he was king.

"He seems," Keyes started "Um, very animated."

"Yes," Dr. Halsey said. "We may be able to use this one."

She glanced up and down the playground, before saying, "Stay here and watch me, Lieutenant." Halsey passed the datapad to Keyes. "I'm going to have a closer look."