Poison of the Wise

Chapter 3

I wish the 'Gather' room wasn't so crowded. I'd rather stuff my face with factory made food without shame and put on a show for those who would rather me give up and repent for not offering it to them. It's a sickening feeling of sitting next to those who you grew up with but barely know for how humanity changes with time, and not as a whole. They consume each other in greedy ways, for their "needs." For better or for worse.

Cilia sits next me, barely touching her fork.

"Hey, you need to eat."

I normally don't ask her to do things like that, she doesn't listen to me when I try and show her what she should probably try and do.

"Since when have you cared for my nutritional value?"

Her words are poison piercing my soft skull. She was my little sister. Within the institution you are assigned an elder sibling once you turn five. I was ten when she was assigned to me. I barely knew anything at that time, I couldn't even write my fathers name. But they insisted that I be her elder.

She didn't like me from the start.

Hated might be a better way to describe that.

"I'd hate to see you die from starvation rather than gallantly offering your life to others, now eat. Please?"

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. I sometimes wonder if they will ever come loose.

"If you ever have kids, I hope they learn how to use knives very quickly."

She goes back to reading. The thin papers are almost translucent, but somehow not as damaged as Missy's diary.

"I'm surprised you didn't learn your lesson, Adam."

"First of all my name is Adstrum, and stop reading that. It's making you change, and in more rude ways than humanly possible."

my breath is shaky. I don't like thinking about what was in the basement of what I can assume was Missy's house.

"You should have been more like Adam when you came back."

"Who the hell is Adam anyways?! Sounds like a poor excuse of a man who was lost in time."

"No, he wasn't." she's scalding me now. "He was a victim, something you clearly are not."

"Thanks Cil, I appreciate your sympathy."

"You should have been Adam. not some lack luster older 'sibling'. Be a man."

She picks up her book and steps out of the bench walking down the hall to her section. I look back at my sorrow ridden mashed veggies and protein that has grown disgustingly cold. My utensil prongs are bent and have teeth dents all over, the texture making my stomach overturn its idea and refuse food.

"Adstrum, they need you."

Ajax's voice sounds out and I take a final look at my 'meal'. Sorry, I'm sure someone will finish you. I gathered my things, it wasn't much but it made me feel like I had something. I stare at the tile that has scratches and scars from the years of abuse and pressure of the tables. My rubber soles make the scratches oh so much worse, I refuse to look Ajax in the eyes.

"What's the matter kid, feeling the divine against your skin again?"

He makes my words once more bringing a smile to my face. When we were both 7 we sat next to each other in lecture. We both hated the teacher and would make fun of him by answering his questions with outlandish answers that made him confused and worried that he would just move on and give us our credit.

"In fact, the gentle caress has left and left me begging for more."

"Ah, I see the excursion was truly successful. No?"

"That's what they want to believe, never getting rid of this hunk of disapproval."

I jestchur to my chest with a smug smile making Ajax softly laugh, something I have begun to look forward to too.

"Let's get you to the higher ups, shall we? Or do I need to wait on your princess act?"

Without a word I passed by him roughly banging my shoulder to his causing him to fall back in retaliation. I look back and he has his signature look, confusion but you truly know that deep within he knows every move you are going to make.

I have spoken to the higher ups more than Cilia and Ajax combined and then some. I know my way to the halls of those before better than I know my way to my own section. I practically live in the Misters office.

"Have any idea what you're going to say to get out of this one? If you even want to at this point"

I hear the concern in his voice. The expedition is normally the last method to 'change'. Neither one of us knows what comes next, and we both don't want the worst to happen.

"I guess there is really only one way to find out."

My hand grazes over the bronze coated knob with scarcity. I can feel the fear from both of us, its suffocating me. It clogs my throat and leaves a thick sludge sinking down to my intestines. I feel a large hand on my shoulder, the heat making my muscles relax.

"Ill be waiting outside for as long as i can, i can promise ill be out here when you come out."

I don't answer, it's best that i don't mention anything else for he might crack. The higher ups don't need to hear that either, much less me for that matter. It might tear me apart. I breathe in deeply and he takes his hand away coldly replacing his presents with its solitary. I exhale and adjust my jacket covering my forearms and once again feel for the knob. This time I turn the gear and it opens to a single empty chair and four occupied seats.

"Come in Adstrum. It's been a while."