C2 - False Alarm?

[Sixteen years ago. Undisclosed location.]

The office was dimly lit. Stacks of classified documents piled up on the desk. A man sat behind it, staring at the scientist before him.

"You took something that belongs to us."

The standing man, dressed in a worn-out lab coat. "Stop objectifying people. You don't own humans."

The seated man smirked. "Don't tell me you actually think it's human."

The scientist didn't hesitate. "The answer is not subjective. It is not up for debate, sir."

A pause.

"You know what happens when you break protocol, don't you?"

"No need to remind me." The scientist placed a resignation letter on the desk.

"I'm leaving."

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

[Present day. Stenian Central Academy, Island 6.]

Mike barely kept his eyes open, staring blankly at the board as the teacher went on about "The Stenian Archipelago's History and Significance." His notes were empty, except for a few random scribbles.

Noah, sitting beside him, leaned over. "So, uh… do we talk about yesterday?"

Mike sighed. "Would you not if I said no?"

"I mean, we almost died, and dying is like an old people thing. Well young peo-"

"Shut up, Noah. The teacher is looking at us."

Mike looked away and was about to ignore him, but Noah kept whispering.

"Oh, by the way, I got my yesterday's test results back," he said, sounding way too proud.

"Did you pass?"

"Better. I confused the teacher."

Mike had a confused look on his face. "How the hell do you confuse a teacher?"

Noah smirked. "So, the question said to draw a bar graph, right?"

"Yeah?"

"I drew a pie chart.... With ten colors."

Mike blinked. "Why ten?"

"I want my answer sheet to be artistic."

Mike just stared at him. "You are actually a moron."

Noah scoffed. "Excuse me? Creativity is a sign of intelligence."

"Creativity? You were supposed to follow instructions!"

"Instructions are for people with no vision, Mike. My graph had elegance."

"Your graph had brain damage."

"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't realize we had a corporate official in the room. Next time, should I make my font Times New Rom-?"

"Next time, try passing the damn test."

Noah folded his arms. "The teacher just doesn't appreciate my genius."

"Appreciate? She literally wrote 'What is wrong with you?' in red ink on your paper."

"That's subjective. Your answer sheet looked pale, not elegant."

Mike smirked. "At least I passed the test."

Noah's eye twitched. "...Screw you."

Satisfied with his victory, Mike turned back to class, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

He glanced at one of their classmates and casually asked, "Hey, did you hear anything about what happened yesterday? You know, the curfew, the whole 'false alarm' thing?"

The guy just shrugged. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I heard some police were messing around with explosives or something, and it spooked everyone."

Mike's eye twitched. Explosives? The government's censorship was working flawlessly. Nobody had a clue.

Noah tapped his pen against the desk. "Still, that cop saved your ass. You should be grateful."

Mike exhaled. "Yeah sure..... ya' know something doesn't add up."

"Like what?"

Mike hesitated before saying, "Like why the hell was my father there?"

Noah blinked. "Wait, your dad was there? At the shore!?"

Mike nodded. "I only caught a glimpse of him before the police started chasing us. He was in a research tent, talking to the special forces."

"Well, he is a scientist. Probably part of the investigation, right?"

Mike shook his head. "No. My father doesn't work for the government anymore. He quit years ago."

"Then… why was he there?"

Mike had no idea.

But he was going to find out.

When the lunch bell rang, Mike and Noah slipped out of the classroom.

"So what, are we breaking into a lab this time?" Noah asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Mike smirked. "Nah. We're just visiting my father. Like any normal son would."

"Are you sure you want me to come? Wouldn't I just be an eyesore in your father-son reunion?"

"Then stay here, dumbass"

Noah said, "No, but if I get into any trouble, I'm blaming you."

"....'Kay."

And with that, they set off to meet Mike's father at the university where he works as a professor.

To be continued...