Coding Decoding | on going

o n e

-Fifteen years later-

[ l o c a t i o n : C h i l l a r y ]

-

"Have you heard of Catony?" Alvero said sitting down on the stool, "the new chick with pigtails?"

Islared who had her cornflower eyes fixed at the iPad on her hand, "who?"

"Catony." he repeated, "She is the new chick joining the physical defence department - probably. She is hella hot, though."

"Mm," Islared hummed in response, briefly swinging her fingers through the screen, absolutely ridiculed with the interior design. "I don't understand why do we need to scan the buildings. I thought we were hackers."

"Not yet." Alvero said, stuffing a handful of whiskey french fries in his mouths, "plus, you are on some spy training, remember?"

"This is ridiculous."

"Agreed," he shrugged, "but, you chose it, so, suffer."

"Not really," Islared said, gently tapping the screen of the iPad off and finally looking at him, "Not really, no."

The canteens of the Chillarian Agency weren't always chaotic. Most of the time, the batches were fixed with department timings, but only during Saturdays and Sundays, the whole of the Agency had the liberty to speak with a decibel above 105 and gather together like long lost flocks of sheep. Other days, gathering with other departments or even yelling/speaking at a decibel above 105 was a punishable offence.

The students, or what CPA's would personally prefer, Felixes, the ones who aren't awarded with the labels of Agents, would stick to their routine and keep their voice to the minimum possible and sacrifice their lives for the state.

The glass walls, dark emerald in colour, warm golden chandelier, though digital, hung from the ceiling, could make the whole room give an absolute fairytale scenario, but, unfortunately, the Felixes were too concerned and stuck to their departments to bother.

Each department had a particular colour scheme. Magic and SwordArts: golden and blue; Physical Defence: Emerald green. Hackers and Special Agents: Black; Politics and Governance: Dark Blue.

"About that," Alvero scratched his head, awkwardly whilst looking at her back, "you never told me about your family. I know my father once mentioned that you belong from the famous Michelle's."

"That's correct. Although 'belong' is a bit obsolete."

"And you're Roger?"

"Absolutely."

Islared paused a moment. In her head, thoughts and memories swam like koi fishes. Family? The one who traded her for their good? She would be damned if she ever considers them as her family. Her family is dead. Her family died the day when they stooped so low that they had to trade her for a position in the hierarchy. To her, Michelle's were dead.

A part of her ached and she cursed herself for being weak.

In Chillary, family was an obsolete and undignified word. Every single human, who had citizenship were to work under the government. Not a cry of protest or rampage were entertained. Mass shootings and poison chambers welcomed the "traitors", who decided to go against the state.

"Roger?"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am." She replied almost instantly. "Why would you think otherwise?"

Alvero kept silent for a moment. "Are you excited for the Special Agent Classes? I heard you're the first Felix from Hackers department."

Islared groaned. "Please, don't remind me. Felixes from the Self Defence Department almost killed me the other day."

"Expected." Alvero smiled, "But you still kicked their buttocks, right? I am proud of you."

"You are?"

"I am, Roger. I am proud of you."

Islared did not know how to respond to that, but something inside her, a very small almost-dead part, ached. She never had someone tell that to her, except Alvero's father of course. She still hasn't grown accustomed to it.

She realised she can easily get accustomed to it. She smiled, "I am proud of you too."

They held their gaze, settling in a fun type of staring contest. But both of them tore apart with the noise from the canteen speaker.

The speaker crackled. "Subordinate Felixes from the Politics And Governance Department are asked to attend their common rooms at the earliest possible. I repeat, Subordinate Felixes from the Politics And Governance Department are asked to attend their common rooms at the earliest."

There was another crackle and after a few minutes the announcement ran on, "Divergent Felixes from all the departments, please find Mr Galloway at the library. I repeat, Divergent Felixes from all the departments, please find Mr Galloway at the library in ten."

No one noticed when the chaos of the weekend had subsided and all the Felixes were out of their weekend leisurely pace and had already put up their CPA batches and headed out the canteen. The remaining batches and Felixes from Quixote of all the departments and Subordinate Felixes from almost all the houses sat there slowly munching on their brunch, whispering so lowly as babies.

Everyone in CPA knew that it was trouble when Felixes are to meet with Mr Galloway. Mr Galloway was the most powerful swordsperson in the whole Chillary. He often had rumours that he sometimes even possessed the free will to charm any devil from Hell. But, in CPA, rumours were sent six feet down in a few hours they were brought up.

Islared didn't bother the crackling at the speaker, despite how loud it is. Some Head Agents from Magic and SwordArts had radar charmed the whole electrical circuit house to imbibe a spell, as effective as a litmus to charm the Felixes in being attentive.

Magic, Isla rolled her eyes.

"That was. . .scary," Alvero said breaking the silence, "Why Divergent Felixes are to meet up with Mr Galloway? We didn't meet him until the Quixote Year. That would simply scare them."

Isla blinked a couple of times. She remembers her time with Mr Galloway in a one-on-one meeting. It was terrifying, yes, but it was worth it. Mr Galloway is the CPA counsellor, but it was said he also charms Felixes into admitting their deepest darkest secrets. This was often done to reduce the stress and upheld trauma. Some of the critics commented that that was simply an invasion of privacy.

So, the board of directors changed the ways and now, all he does is asks a couple of questions and jinx them, if necessary. Some who are willing to talk and lighten themselves, do. Otherwise, others would just ask to be jinxed or to have drowned in magical potions. All this was done to keep Felixes, Future Agents, to not be guided with misconceptions or pent up trauma.

Because emotions weren't something to be brought up in between Agentry.

"They will be fine," Isla said, sighing and gathering her iPads and blueprints up. "They will be alright."

She glanced at the piece of dried bread from her plate and felt a rush of bile to her throat.

"Let's go, we have training in a few," She offered with a smile.

She decided she would dump the bread somewhere outside. She knew she was being watched.