Children of the New Dawn n-logy: Book 2 - Liberated.

Chapter 15: ''Burn it all down.''

Dylan and the others watched Roach been taken away by the guards. He was going to be punished. They all looked at each other and wondered the same thought. 

 What was going to happen next? 

 Dylan knew it was time to plan. They needed to play it smart. He wasn't going to be able to do it today though. He saw Papa Gregg walk in his direction with the same clipboard and that recording device. 

 "18-8, will you follow me?" He asked with a stern tone. Dylan followed closely behind as Papa Gregg led the way down the hallway. Dylan looked back at his friends watching him leave. Sympathetic smiles were made by the group while Melissa looked determined. She mouthed words at him. "It'll be okay." 

 She knew when he was upset, or nervous. They were friends for a long time, and in that time they had learned about each other's demons. 

Dylan walked down until they reached his room that he was well familiar with. He walked in and sat on the bed. Papa Gregg hit a button on the device which made a beep. It was recording.

 "Now I know what you did to me, 18-8. Quite smart aren't you. You don't think like the other kids." Papa Gregg started explaining. He reached into his pocket and put on black latex gloves. It made leathery sounds as it slipped over the skin of his fingers. 

Dylan's body shook. He was going to be punished, he knew that. "If it were up to us, you would have been released and punished outside of this place. Our director however, she finds you important. Please stretch out your legs." Papa Gregg instructed as he reached into his other pocket and took out a device. 

 Dylan complied. He couldn't fight out of this. He was already on thin ice. He needed Mitchell to think he was on her side. He stretched out his legs. Papa Gregg stepped forward and grabbed Dylan's left leg. He attached the device to his ankle. He pressed a small button on the side, which led to the light flashing orange. 

"That's a monitor bracelet. It recognizes the energy impulses that travel through your body, and if the energy levels are high enough that suggest you're using your abilities; it'll send a shock wave through your system." He explained. Dylan looked at it with wide eyes unable to speak. 

 He finally got a hang of his gift, and now it was taken away from him. He looked up at Papa Gregg with disbelief. Papa Gregg shrugged his shoulders. "You were brought here to follow rules. A system. When that system breaks, there are consequences. Now. Your training starts tomorrow, with your actual gift. During training sessions your bracelet will be removed. To avoid any casualties like the last time with your little truck, I have gloves that will prevent your connection being made, and a guard will be outside the door." He stopped and cleared his throat. "However 18-8, if you fail to comply with the new orders, you'll be labelled as No Use and tossed out of this Institute. We wouldn't be able to toss you out alive, if you are understanding my sense of direction." He raised his eyebrows as he tilted his head. 

 It couldn't be over. The battle has just started. Why did it feel like he lost? They had control over him again. He looked down at the bracelet. Another sign of defeat they had to overcome. 

 "Very well. Get some rest 18-8, I expect your best efforts for training." Papa Gregg left and shut the door behind him. Dylan pulled on the bracelet. There was no use but still he tried and tried. He pushed his head back on the pillow. 

Tomorrow was going to be another day, it had to be. They were going to get out soon. They all believed it. That's why Roach risked his life, that's why Lamark woke up from his coma, and that's why Evan decided to join them. It's why Fae and him stood by each other in this place, and at the darkest; the bottom floor. He couldn't forget the outcasts too. They believed in him and he knew that. He held back his tears, and with a stingy throat, and a heavy chest, he fell asleep.