8-3 In a Glass

Date: September 10

Place: Second Headquarters

[Noel]

After we teleported to the city, I scratched the back of my neck to relieve some itchiness as I ran after them.

Now that I think about it, I haven't seen them since we returned. We didn't head straight to the lounge. I didn't see either of the three in the cafeteria even if it was already time for lunch.

I know that they were hiding something from me from the beginning, but I can't just understand why they won't let me in on their secret. Am I not that trustworthy? Was it because they viewed me as a hindrance?

I wish they could also include me in all of their procedures and missions.

From all our travel until we got to the front gates, it felt like they were using codes to talk to each other. But that wouldn't be the case when even the guards could understand them.

"Cedrick?" I tapped his shoulder as we continued following the Supreme Commander.

"AHWT ZI TI?" I couldn't understand him at all but I'm betting it's not the same for him.

"I'm sorry, but I can't seem to understand any word anyone is saying," I whispered to not let anyone worry.

"Is English alright?" he was probably having trouble speaking my language. It shows in his pronunciation.

"You should get your chip checked later," he advised and came beside me, matching my pace as he translated.

"I will," I nodded and listened to every word he said.

"It's very bad news," he thinks for a second and finally gets the words out. "It's about Shawn, Patrick, and Vincent," which I already know. "Bad injuries. Critical," he mutters only the words but I understood without the full sentence. "We're going to see them," he struggles to bring me the news. But then, he finally took out a small holographic phone to translate what he wanted to say.

-----

There seems to be a device that could save their lives here, in this new headquarters that is yet to be publically announced.

-----

Just thinking about how critical their condition is, it's enough to make me crazy.

As soon as the shift door opened, the place reeked of multiple smells; chemicals, blood, and sweat. It didn't take me another explanation from Cedrick to know more about what they were saying. I couldn't care anymore as I dashed, shoving anyone who was blocking my path.

Because what lay in front of us, were multiple human-sized test tubes that can hold and drown people, blue sparkling waters that enable them to float, and wires connected to different parts of their bodies to some technologies I've never seen before. They were unconsciously being treated by every personnel that ran around doing their things.

I stare at the three tubes where they rest.

*****

"Son, don't be surprised," a giggling tone of someone whom I despise most. "Look!" He puts a hand, touching the huge test tube. "She's so beautiful even in that state," he adores the floating body of a woman inside the tube. He turned to me. "Your Mother, we can finally save her," the red sparkling liquid inside the tube glistens to the horror of how I see the man in front of me.

"Do it!" he suddenly raises his voice. "Do the thing that you did earlier!" he began shouting as he shook my whole body with his rage. I can't even push him away, not with my hands tied with some kind of fabric.

He continued shaking me violently, he wasn't even begging me. He was ordering me. My eyes soon began to flood but the shaking didn't stop.

*****

Stop it.

Just stop it.

"Stop!" I shouted and the shaking stopped.

"ORSYR," an apologetic Yui said. "OUYR DIMN AWS WELSEERHE NAD I'M RYSOR FI I OSHOK OTO DHAR," I could tell that she was apologizing from her tone.

"I'm sorry for shouting," my faint response made her more sympathetic as she grabbed my arms and helped me retain my balance. Blinking once, or twice as I realized that it wasn't because my eyesight was blurry but because everything was spinning. I was dizzy and losing my balance. "I need to talk to Cedrick," I gave a forced smile to lessen her worries as I spotted Cedrick standing in a corner with crossed arms. But it didn't work as she didn't let go of me and continued to have a conversation without me understanding any word at all.

After a few more seconds of giving me a sensitive inspection of my complexion, she just sighed and finally decided to let me go.

I pulled myself together, focused on my step as I slowly got an inch closer to him. He was staring into nothingness and got pulled back to reality when I went inside the scope of his vision.

"Are you alright?" he supported me until I managed to lean on the wall.

"I'm a little light-headed," I confessed as I lightly rubbed my forehead to help lessen the tension.

What I saw earlier must've been a memory. The man called me his son. So he must be my Father? And my Mother was the one floating in the same test tube as what's in front of me right now. But it was a red one rather than these blue one.

More questions reveal themselves to me rather than answers. The woman who was supposed to be my Mother, was she...dead? And what did my Father mean that we can save her? It's common knowledge that it's impossible to revive someone. So how, how is he supposed to save her? And what about the thing I did?

And the most conspicuous of all; every time a recollection happens, Yui is always there. Why is that? Was she the one who Vincent told me to find here?

I want answers.

"Here," he presented me with a metallic stool and offered it. "I know you have a lot of questions, but, I" trying to look around to avoid my gazes.

Even though I would like to personally ask them directly about what they're hiding from me, I can't trust them to comply and spit out every truth they know. Is it too hard for them to trust me with things, information, or anything at all?

"I understand," was the only response I could say as I curled my lips up. Controlling every nerve of your facial expressions sure is difficult, acting is indeed complicated work.