Tether

Chapter 1

The room was blank, the only thing in it was the table I sat at, and a one-way mirror that showed my reflection sitting at the interview table. 

I wish I had freshened up a bit more before coming here, I looked like I woke up 30 minutes ago. My hair was ruffled up and curled in weird directions as it rested on my shoulder. And my shirt, a white button down, had several wrinkles that made it look like crumpled paper. And the heavy-duty handcuffs with weird buttons and locks I've never seen weren't too stylish either. But it's 4 am, what did they expect of me.

I felt more like a prisoner than anything else walking into the TEAR station. With the way one agent led me through the station, barking commands like I was her dog, before sitting me down and handcuffing me to the chair. I didn't know much about the TEAR, I knew they dealt with tether affairs, city-wide attacks and such. But nothing serious has happened here in at least 4 years. Just a few robberies and mass shootings stopped by The Guardians, but no real Tether attacks, yet.

I heard the doors unlock behind me as two agents opened and walked in, a man and a woman. They both wore black suits that matched each of their figures. The woman who escorted me here was broad, taller than me, and so buff she looked like she could knock me out in seconds. The man was slim and had a pair of round glasses that matched his neat haircut, he carried a clipboard and pen with him. They both pulled up chairs and sat down. We simmered in an awkward silence before the man spoke up.

"I apologize for the way you were "escorted" here. Delanie can be a bit forceful." the man spoke.

The woman grunted in response to her name being mentioned.

"But we have to take several precautions when classifying a new tether. So, we have to be a bit precautious."

He sounded almost apologetic like he was sorry I had to go through this process.

"Alright let us start small. My name is Sebastian, and your name is Juliana Grey correct?"

"Yes" I replied, "But my friends call me Julie."

Sebastian didn't react and continued his questions.

"Now Juliana, when were you born?"

"April fifth, 2001."

This time Sebastian looks up with intent.

"Any college plans?"

"I don't see how this is necessary." I say, seeing Delanie staring daggers at Sebastian.

Ignoring Delanie, he looks at me "I just want to get to know you better. Because if this "interview" goes well, we'll be working together for a while."

"Ok, um I'm going to start Harbor View University in about 3 months. After my last month of high school." I answered, still unnerved about his question.

I noticed Sebastian wasn't writing on his clipboard.

"Now when did you have your vision?" he asked.

"About 3 weeks ago. I was in a car accident when it happened."

"I assume your vision caused you to swerve off the road."

"How did you know that?!" I snap back at his question

"Really? it's quite obvious." He answers smugly. "It's common knowledge that tethers tend to black out whenever they experience their vision." 

I look down embarrassed at his remark. Sebastian doesn't react and continues his questions "Does anyone know this is what "really" happened?" he says emphasizing his words like I'm a child.