Jayden

The man was staring into his soul. Jayden thought he was being overdramatic just thinking about it, but it was exactly what was happening. His brown eyes seemed to want to pierce through everything they saw. And he was sitting right across from Jayden. Holken. As they sat in silence for a few seconds he noticed a tall, bleak woman sitting next to him. Her face seemed to be drained of all color. There was also a man who seemed oddly familiar. It was like he had met him a long time ago.

“Mr. Hudson,” Holken boomed. The man on his left flinched - supposably from his loud voice. It was past midnight, yet they all looked perfectly energized.

“Chairman Holken, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Jayden said, sitting up straight and giving a salute. The older man seemed content and nodded at him. If whatever Mrs. Mashima said was true, Jayden didn’t want to give Holken any reasons to kill him. The man was dangerous.

“Yes indeed. You have been called upon here because we felt as if you could be someone bigger. Someone who could rise up into the Overhead. Someone who could help save the world,” he smiled, hiding his teeth. Holken was not as old as Jayden had thought. He had imagined a man with wrinkles and a permanent scowl on his face, but Holken gave off a different aura. He was lean and slim with his redish hair naturally slicked back, but not greasy. His green uniform was tight on his body, outlining his features. Jayden could clearly picture Holken when he was his age, though no one really knew Holken’s past too well.

“How can being a Guarder save the world?” Jayden laughed.

“Guarders can prevent ULTRASONIC from being found and block anyone trying to escape from the Sunken unless they have been given orders. The people of the Commonwealth should not hear about this and we don’t need our kids spreading rumors to the outside world,” he said, emphasizing on the ‘our’. “It is a dangerous place out there and we’re only doing this to protect the Exceptionals. We know when they are ready. We have already sent hundreds of them to places in the Commonwealth trying to help. Our plan has been a success,” he smirked. Bull. “And I know that you don’t want to let us down.”

“No, sir, I wouldn’t.” Jayden knew that Holken was messing with him, he knew it. He searched in his head for a quick moment just to see what he was thinking right now. He knew Holken knew what he was doing. But he also knew that Holken was letting him.

What are you thinking? There was no barrier surrounding Holken’s head, but Jayden still couldn’t understand. He couldn’t grasp Holken’s thoughts at all. Nevertheless, Jayden was taught that there were some people that he could never read. Holken trusted no one, therefore, he had built the tallest, strongest wall in his mind. If Jayden could just have Holken trust him, he could easily get inside his head and understand. After spending so many years with Mateo, Jayden already knew what other ideas Holken had. He wanted to experiment first - let the weaker ones outside the city’s borders to test the waters. His success was that he was right. He was right not to let the stronger ones out. But what is his motive? Exceptionals will keep dying. The only thing that will prevent Holken from murdering more would be to stop the war.

Hundreds of Exceptionals died because of either disease, heat waves, or tsunamis near the coasts. Many more from other circumstances. The government had advised the ordinary to stay in their homes, but many already had none. The Overhead wouldn’t let anyone in their city because of their secret. They were willing to protect it even if everyone else died. They knew that even if the ordinary were gone, the Commonwealth would still win the war. Because they have us.

“Good. Now, armor will be waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. We will be granting you additional powers but you have to have this on at all times,” he reached in his pocket and swifty pulled out a patch. It was small, white, and discrete. However, he quickly noticed that there were small spikes on the back of it.

“Does that have to go on my skin?” he flinched.

“Well, I bet you would want to be able to fly around both cities at all times so yes. It goes right above your heart.”

“Hold on-” he started, but before he could argue anymore Holken had pulled down his chestplate a little and forcefully stabbed the patch into his skin. Jayden winced in pain, but it slowly subsided.

“It’ll be fine in a few minutes,” Holken said, a little annoyed. “Put your hand over the patch to activate it but don’t do it now. You must vow to never let anyone in and out of the borders. The Endless seems to stretch on and on, but it doesn’t. You might think it’s playing tricks on your eyes, but it’s not. It’s tricking your brain,” he explained.

“What if I did? What if I let anyone in or out? What would happen?”

“Well we would target you and that person. Depending on how valuable you are, we would either kill you or put you in the lab,” he paused letting it sink in. “Now say it with me. I vow to-”

“Sir, we are ready for the operation,” a doctor declared as she burst through the side door.

“Thank you Dr. Grazier,” he smiled politely. “Nevermind, Jayden. We all know that you will never break the rules. Your operation is more important right now but you might face the same consequences as Mr. Mateo Queensley if you break any of the rules. Is this clear?” he said sternly

“Crystal,” Jayden replied. He didn’t dare ask what the operation was about because clearly the conversation was over. Also, he already knew. He knew his memory was going to be wiped but they wouldn’t erase all his memories. ULTRASONIC would lose more in the long run if they did that. So what memories would they want to wipe that could be useful for them? The doctor rolled over a bed for Jayden to lay in. As he was strapped in, the answer hit him like a bomb.

Mateo.