Children of the New Dawn n-logy: Book 1 - Facilitated.

Chapter 28: ''You don't get it, do you?''

The next morning..

 Dylan woke up with his eyes sore and scratchy. Did he cry last night? He can't remember. Maybe because of the fear he might end up in a ditch next. He moved and sat straight up, looking around the room with his eyes flickering around the objects. Using the toilet didn't sound like a bad idea. He waited in his room, did some exercises until it was time for socializing. He worked out until he couldn't think. Only panting and counting would be allowed. Footsteps grew louder just beyond the door and he knew who it was. Scary to think that this new life was becoming routine. "Good morning Papa Gregg", Dylan greets formally. Making sure to hide all emotion behind his mask. They couldn't know that they knew. He escorted Dylan to the cafeteria where he had seen his friends talking. He looked at them, watching them as they waved him over with warm smiles. He ignored them, turning on his heels and searched for Melissa. He caught her sitting with her new friends. Her back turned to the guards, her short hair tied up in a stub ponytail. He understood now why they chose the far table at the back right. "You need to tell me what's going on." Dylan said demandingly as he walked right up to her. She turned around and her eyes met his. She watched him for a few seconds before pulling his arm and dragging him behind a curtain. She peaked through a small gap with one eye before turning to him and sighing deeply through her nostrils. "You didn't talk to One yet?" She asked him, her arms folded just in front of her on her chest. Her voice had annoyance and confusion. So did her face with all strange lines curving at her eyebrows and her forehead. "I did but I don't get it. Why don't we just get out of here then?" Dylan asked, showing similar facial expressions, his arms staggered out pointing around the room. His voice suggested that it was an obvious idea, and an easy one. They could slip out and forget about this nightmare, right?

"You just don't get it do you?" Her voice much softer, but deep on the syllables. She walked slowly in front of him and looked into his eyes. A new look. A scary one. This isn't Melissa any longer. She's seen something Dylan will soon see too. Her pupils focused on his, the colour blurry as her eyes clouded. "Dylan I'm going to say this for the last time." She started. Her words coming out as a warning. "There is no out. There will never be out. You haven't been to Punishment and I hope you don't get sent there. If you spoke to One then you should know what happens to those who disobey mama and papa. You end up dead." Her emphasis on the last word deep cutting and edged. "So, if you want to live and maybe make it out of here some day, follow the rules. Don't talk to me until you absolutely need to and when the coast is clear. Don't look or even try to talk to me. Or they will know, got it?" Dylan nodded. He couldn't say anything else. He has been blind this entire time despite the numerous warnings. Couldn't he see that these walls and the people inside it is his new home? That the old one is now a dream that would wait for him when his eyes are closed. Until it has been forgotten, and only a stuck version would be remembered. "I see they haven't figured out your power." She says looking him up and down. "But I know it. If you want to keep it a secret, fine. But don't be stupid." Melissa stops and walks ahead of him. Before she leaves she rubs his arm showing him that she's still there. With him somewhere. That small part of her still existed. Until she left him again. Wind blowing swiftly against his back as the curtain opened.