Snap To Power

Chapter 10

I jog to the elevator, trying not to make so much noise. I hope I don't run into anybody on my way up. I click the highest level, level 10, and wait.

When the door opens, I suck in a breath. A huge balcony is on this floor. It has a campfire with couches, chairs and a flat screen television.

I smile as warm wind blows into my face as I step off the elevator. I walk to the edge and put my hands on the railing, immediately feeling relaxed.

I take deep breaths, closing my eyes and feeling the wind catch my face again. From this view, the moon seems much closer than before, and the low clouds hover outside and I can even see a few mountain tops. Then, everything stops when I hear a voice.

"Hey...."

I gasp in surprise, whipping my head around and seeing Justin standing by the elevator door with his hands in his pockets. I gulp.

Just perfect. I really hope I don't spill out random jokes.

"What... Are you doing here?" I ask, my heart racing and my head beginning to pound.

I don't know whether he would go tell somebody I'm here or not... Though... he just looked relaxed and a bit nervous.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," he answers, walking over to me.

He stands next to me, looking over the balcony.

"Are you coming up here to relax yourself too?" He asks me, setting his arms up on the rail like I did.

I don't answer. I'm still in shock with his appearance.

He raises an eyebrow at me.

"Did you forget how to talk?" He asks smiling, making me flinch.

How did I manage to embarrass myself...? In under ten seconds?

"Sorry... I just..." My voice trails off and I sigh.

"It's ok, I get it. So when did you get here?" He asks me.

"Today."

He makes a shocked look.

"Today!?"

I nod, setting my arms on the railing again, our arms a millimeter away from touching.

"When did you get here?" I ask him.

"About a week ago... Do you like it here so far?"

I sigh again, rubbing my temples.

"I don't know... a little I guess."

"What's the best part? The rooms?"

I smile again.

"Yes, actually the rooms."

"What's your theme?"

"Music, and I'm pretty sure we aren't supposed to get to know each other yet," I mumble, making him shrug.

"I didn't expect you to be up here," he concludes.

"It's all just too much packed into one day," I say, looking at the edge of the railing.

I sense him glancing at me, worry covering his eyes.

"I mean, I thought we would have a normal life... go to college... start a family.... You know, normal things," I continue and he steps in closer, making me shudder slightly.

My head pounds at me warningly, and I fizz angrily. But I level myself down, forcing the pain away.

"They said it would be for the best," Justin adds.

"Maybe it is, I'm still not sure," I whisper and we're both silent for a while, looking up at the night sky.

"Here," Justin mumbles, taking out a piece paper from his pocket and handing it to me.

"What is it?"

"Information sheet. It says we have one class to go to.  To learn rules and stuff. It's tomorrow at 12:00 noon. I just wanted you to know, so when they call us up you don't feel stressed," He answers softly.

"Thanks," I mumble, making him smile.

"So... do you know what's going to happen during...?" My voice trails off again.

I don't know how to ask this question. 

"Tomorrow also. I think you'll have a good time here. It's been pretty fun so far," Justin states.

"It's going to take a while to get used to.... Where did they find you?" I ask.

"My home," he answers with a frown, turning back to look at the sky.

Well... that means that conversation is done with.

We stand there in awkward silence again, my head burning with a light and dull ache that calms me just a bit.

"Sorry, I just don't like to talk about my family right now... I miss them too much," he admits, directing his glance to the floor.

"Where did you come from? If you don't mind me asking," he continues, shifting his gaze to me.

"They found me in—" My voice stops and confusion wipes over my brain like someone pulling it themselves. It's like something stopped me from remembering that far off. Which is strange considering that I'm the brains in the group.

I open my mouth again to say something, then end up closing it again.

"Edan? Are you ok?"

"I-I..." I stutter, fear wrapping around me and my head pounding in shock waves.

All the memories from today are gone, and I'm a weightless void all of a sudden. What... Just happened?

He squints his eyes, looking all around my face.

"You can't remember can you?"

I gulp hard and he burst into laughs.

"Why can't you remember? It happened today!"  He asks, as I glare at him.

"Oh come on, it's a little funny," he protests. I don't change my face, or position.

He pokes me once in the stomach, and I laugh, doubling over and my head pounds lessen.

"That doesn't count!" I yell, and he spreads his hands.

"It does to me!"

"We should really get going. Before we create a death wish," I mumble and he nods.

We both begin to walk back to the elevator, my head pounding forgotten and the worry that one by one, I may be losing memories of my childhood, left behind.