The Monarch Effect

Chapter 2: The Black Site

Chapter 2

Before today, if you had asked me if bringing your little brother to a U.S government-sponsored weapons black site counts as "take your family to work day," I would've told you that the CIA would have a heart attack, then they would proceed to give you one in retaliation.

Today, my answer remains the same but with added panic and paranoia.

I mentally write my will as Prim leads the way through the cold hallways, passing through multiple metal detector checkpoints and offices with cubicles. I must look terrible because Prim keeps assuring me that the government won't send me to the past tense for being here.

I reach for my phone in an attempt to comfort myself, but the empty pocket harshly reminds me that the guards took my phone as a precaution.

Believe me, Prim being in the position she is has taken me to a few military bases, barracks, and government facilities.

But this? She's never taken me to a place that officially doesn't exist before. How does she even...

"Prim, how do you even have access to this place? How AM I AUTHORIZED to even BE HERE?!" I ask, desperate for an answer.

Prim looks at me for a few seconds before smirking and then looks in front of her as she keeps walking. She calls an elevator up as I and the black suits following us reach the end of the office.

"Maybe use your observation skills for once and you might just answer your own question?" She replies without looking at me.

She chooses NOW to have an attitude?

"Or maybe you could stop gatekeeping information from me and actually- "I begin to reply, but I am cut off by what my eyes begin to register as the elevator door opens up.

Between the two glass panels inside the elevator, a giant and all too familiar logo mocks me by simply existing. A big "O" that's blue on the top half, grey on the bottom, and a stupid-looking ring that separates the two colors.

Oasis.

"-and mom is currently deciding the fate of half of NATO's forces with her next sale."

I get it now.

Why Prim has access to this place. Why I'm allowed to be here. Why Prim took me here.

Mother.

As the elevator closes behind us, nausea begins to strike my stomach, and I begin to experience what feels like a descent into despair. The farther the elevator goes, the more my body starts to shiver. Then, I slowly lower my head in an attempt not to look at anyone or anything.

A soft hand finds its way on my shoulder and rubs me gently.

"Hey," Prim lets out softly before closing in on me. "Please see this through. Just this once, ok? You really need to see what mom and I have planned here...I promise you that this time, it's different and necessary."

...but there won't be "just this once," will there? She'll do this over and over again for the same reason.

"...you still want me to join," I say, staring straight at the ground.

"Monarch, please..." Prim says as she puts another hand on my other shoulder.

... I bite my tongue for now. I know how passionate she is about this.

Plus, she did save me from the exam. So the least I can do is let her get whatever she needs out of her system by showing off to me.

The elevator finally touches the ground after what felt like way longer than it needed to be.