Henry Creel - Beautiful Pain (001xoc)

Chapter Ten

Doctor Brenner headed down the hallway to wake Luna and inform her that now she had gotten to know the children he had set up a task which included her. His aim was to challenge the children and to challenge Luna's obedience recently he felt she was becoming too disobedient and he wanted to push her boundaries. He knocked on her door before opening it and finding an empty room he rolled his eyes before heading next door to Peters room. They were still fast asleep curled up together he didn't think they'd spent a night a part since the incident that had left him with a minor concussion and more than a few bruises.

The deal they made worked more in his favor. She would do anything he asked and all he had to do was keep Peter safe. He used her loyalty against them. She was stronger and more powerful than any of the others. Although he had never had the chance to fully conclude his study into whether 000 was more powerful than 001 before he'd been forced to put the dampener in, he personally believed it was Luna, she was the original after all. Their obvious love for each other could at times be challenging it also made it much easier for him to get them to obey him.

"Luna, Peter time to get up" he called as they sat up still sleepy.

"I'm not entirely sure why you have your own rooms anymore one of them is always empty" he said as Luna blushed and Peter lowered his head. "Anyway, I have something special planned for you Luna. Get ready and come to the rainbow room in an hour" he said before leaving.

Luna's stomach twisted she had learned that when Papa came to personally inform her of a task it was usually one she would hate and almost always one that put her morals to the test. She took a deep breath before kissing Peter on the cheek and heading to her room to get dressed.

An hour later she'd had breakfast and was waiting with the children to find out what they would be doing today. She was nervously bouncing her leg up and down as she sat in the small chair that was bolted to the floor. 018 was sat next to her on the floor picking at her stubby nails.

The door opened and Papa walked in with his signature smile. The group immediately stood up and began to form two lines.

"Good morning Children"

"Good morning Papa"

"Are you ready for the day?"

"Yes Papa"

"Good follow me"

He led them to a large dark group testing room.

"Today we are going to do the Circle task. You all know the rules. The three who stay in their circle longest get an extra hour in the Rainbow Room. Today it will be slightly different. You've all got to know your eldest sister she will be joining us today. Step forward Zero" as he said this gasps could be heard from the children they all knew her as Luna but she had never revealed her number all eyes turned to her. Hesitantly she stepped forward into the chalk circle.

"009 step forward. You will try to push each other out of the circle. Do not let emotion or anger dictate your actions" he motioned for Peter and the other orderly to blindfold the two.

As Peter placed the blindfold on her he squeezed her shoulder and whispered good luck he could tell that being placed against children so young made her uncomfortable. They both knew she was stronger. He could see straight through Papa's game plan he knew the test was really just for Luna.

"Begin" Papa said.

In seconds Luna had pushed 009 back winning easily. It went on like this again and again. All the children strained trying to push her back some even getting nosebleeds from the effort. Luna wasn't even trying they were no match for her she'd not moved back even an inch.

They were down to the last three her favorite 018 and the two oldest and maybe the most challenging 002 and 003.

"Step up 018"

As 018 strained Luna tried to send a message into her mind before pushing her back as gently as possible. This was a message of apology but she couldn't tell if it had been received but, she hoped it had.

"Good try 018 go sit down. 003 step up" Papa instructed.

003 put up a good fight but ultimately lost sliding out of the circle with some force. Now it was 002's chance. Luna had never liked 002. He was the ringleader for those who had bullied 018. Sure, she could sense he was probably the strongest but she could also sense his anger. He was someone who would easily lose his temper. He clearly had an ego.

As 002 stepped up they began and for the first time she had to put some effort in. She let him try and push her back he nearly did but as she felt her feelings towards him bubble up she pushed back harder than she meant too. He flew back hitting the wall and dropping to the floor. She ripped of her blindfold and went to apologize but when he looked at her, all she felt was his hate and embarrassment so she quickly averted her gaze to the floor.

"Good effort 002. 000 is the winner with 002 and 003 in second and third you may have your hour in the Rainbow room now. Peter please supervise." Papa said dismissing the group.