Anarchic || Peter Ballard || Henry Creel

006

Madelyn Brenner now known by the rest of the lab and scientists as test subject 000 to her father's great surprise proved herself quite well in his eyes as well as the eyes of his fellow scientists. Since the time she officially became a subject in the experiment, more children have been subjected to the same fate as her and 001. The two in the beginning were very much kept separate for around 18 months before Dr. Brenner wanted to finally test them together. Despite not physically seeing each other for an extended period, that didn't stop the two from talking. 000 greatly improved on her ability to communicate using her telepathic abilities. She figured out her current limits but it was then that realized she was capable of communicating with anyone as long as there were in the lab physically. Luckily the pair never left the lab therefore they had a straight communication path the entire time.

Even before seeing each other physically, 000 was able to guide 001 in the ways to talk through the mind. It took a few months before he was truly able to say anything to the girl. Over time he improved and so did she. They spent a great amount of time just talking about each other's day and even planning ways to eventually meet in person again.

The two practically dreamed of getting closer to one another to have a proper relationship as friends but after the two met. They were quite inseparable. After their first test run together, it was proven that together they could commit incredible things. Things that could maybe change the world forever.

When they were fifteen and sixteen a little boy was introduced to them. The boy was brought in and he was introduced as Two. For the pair, it was strange to think that there were other children like them.

Neither of them realized how any of the new children got their abilities, however. To them, they must have been born with them.

Then there was another baby boy introduced who became Three. Next, when they were sixteen and seventeen there was finally another girl, followed by another, they were Four and Five.

Zero and One were severely wrapped up in their little worlds, they completed tests and tribulations to discover what exactly could be the end of their long line of capabilities.

So far there hasn't been an end.

From being known as Madelyn to being thrown, upon her request, into being Zero was a big change. But the hardest part was not being only his. Once more children got included in the project Papa had less time for her. More people were added to the staff list, and with so many new faces, her Papa has become busier and busier. What hurt her more than anything even though there was less attention on her again, was that all of the children including One himself referred to her Papa as theirs as well.

She wasn't the only one and they were now her "siblings."

To mask her hurt, she spent her time with One. He distracted her and proved to be the best way to keep her mind off her reality. As she got older, her feelings changed about One, from a great friend to wanting more.

He would and could never be her "sibling," she knew the at much.

1964

I am lying on my bed with my eyes closed. My hands placed on my stomach and I just breathed. In and out.

One? Can you hear me?

Hello darling.

I smiled to myself. I want to see him.

How are you?

He always asked me how I was no matter if he just saw me. It was sweet.

I'm alright, would be better if I was with you.

It has taken time but the longer these feelings of mine have grown and the longer that I have known him the more open I am with One.

Well, we'll be in the rainbow room soon and I can see you then.

I know.

Before either one of us could get another word out there was a loud knock on my door. My eyes immediately snapped open. Not even getting to say a goodbye pleasantry to One and a guard, in a white uniform, stepped in. Two more were behind him. And then finally there was Papa. Ever since the day I met One, Papa hasn't exactly let me walk anywhere with only guards anymore.

He says as much as he was impressed it's a pain to have to keep finding and hiring new guards that he can keep silent about events that happen here in the lab. Whatever that's supposed to mean.

"Hello sweetheart," he said with a kind smile.

I reciprocate the smile and he places his hand on my shoulder blade and guides me down the hallway.

Everyone else does call me Zero or Z, I have even heard some of the scientists discuss me and call me Triple Z. It's nice to have a nickname that originated from my name I have never had one before.

Papa doesn't exactly call me Madelyn anymore, at least not until we are so alone and isolated from everyone else that I can't hear anyone's thoughts unless I try.

He says it's so nobody sees me any differently from everyone else here. The children may get jealous or something. Which is preposterous, the oldest kid other than One is Two and he's only a toddler. I don't think he can get jealous over a name just yet.

Although they aren't treated like normal babies, they move and destroy things with a simple temper tantrum. They are heavily monitored so they don't hurt any other test subject or themselves.

The closer we all got to the rainbow room the more random thoughts of those around me started to pass through my mind. But also some else.

Just who I wanted to see.

One.

When the doors opened I could see his back facing an activity in the back. You place a red puck at the top in between the glass and back and it goes down the board with a bunch of plastic pieces making it hard to tell which direction it is going to go in. There are numbers listed at a number. Pick a number and get the puck in the spot.

He didn't move when I was let out of Papa's reach. He let me go and said he'd be back in a moment or two. The guards spread out and stood behind the now-closed doors. When everyone gets older lots of chaos may occur in this room. The little ones were playing with blocks and different things in the opposite corner from One.

I saw the red light on the camera and decided to just stay near the littles, even when he turned a bit so he could see me.

Darling?

Red light.

In the corner of my eye, I see him nod to himself.

But he eventually walks over to where I am with the chess table.

"Hi," he said a hint of pep in his word.

"Hi," I turn my head to look at him.

When our eyes do lock, I feel like I can get lost in his blue ones.

"Good morning children," Papa voice makes us break eye contact and walk to opposite side of the doors.

"Are you ready for what we have on the agenda today?" Papa's question was very much a rhetorical one.

"Yes Papa," both One and I responded.

Multiple of the assistants then came into the room and grabbed the littles and we all followed Papa out of the rainbow room.