The Monochrome Gaze [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter IV: Mindbreak

"Carla Hernan. Malvoro City Chief of Police."

A guard stationed at the entrance pressed a device against the policewoman's palm. She felt a slight buzz across her hand, and then the device blinked green.

"What's your business at Asphodel, Mrs. Hernan?" the guard asked her.

She glanced backwards and motioned for the little boy behind her to come out. The nine-year-old timidly shuffled sideways into the guard's view.

"He was the sole survivor of the murder-suicide at Audrey Fallasia's orphanage."

The guard knelt down in front of the blanket-wrapped child. "What's your name, little one?"

"Caleb. Caleb Galland," he replied.

Another guard motioned for Carla to come closer and whispered something into her ear. Her eyes went wide and she staggered back, shocked.

"He's just a child! Everyone who knew him said that he was quiet and a little distant, but he wouldn't do something like this!" she screamed.

Caleb hung his head low. He expected to be blamed for the murders as the sole survivor. After all, no one knew about his hiding place—not even Ms. Fallasia herself. He compared it to being the only one present in a room with a broken vase, even if he was nowhere near the object when it was shattered.

The guard who accused him kept a neutral expression. "Just making sure," he muttered, and turned away.

The one knelt down before him frowned and ruffled the boy's hair. "You'll receive a lot of accusations like this, little one. I know it's not right to blame a child like you, but...you can't control what people think of you. Just keep calm, Caleb. Prove them wrong by doing the best you can."

Caleb stared into the guard's warm pink eyes, and then to her nametag, which read 'Victoria Cael'. She had the Gift of healing others—which was probably why Caleb felt extremely comfortable in her presence.

"I have a daughter two years younger than you. Her name is Seriyah. I'm sure that she'd love to be your friend."

Caleb nodded with a smile. Carla wiped tears from her face and leaned down to kiss his forehead. "This is where we part ways, Callie," she whispered. "Be good."

The two of them shared a hug before Carla returned to the cruiser. Victoria stood behind him as they watched the car drive away. After it disappeared, she guided Caleb into the iron gate. A large stone plaque greeted them as they entered—Asphodel, the City of Magic.

"We'll bring you to our headquarters first for an interrogation. Don't worry, Caleb, we're only following protocol. It's just a few questions."

***

"I'm just going to ask you a few questions."

Caleb sat in the newly-cleaned interrogation room, which had been efficiently scoured by Paris, Seriyah, and Marcus. This time, though, he was the one sitting in the iron chair behind the glass wall.

He stared at his reflection. An Inhibitor was strapped to his right thigh, rendering his Gift completely inactive. This was one of the rare times that he saw his natural hazel eyes.

Marcus and Paris were on his side of the room, while Seriyah sat in the interrogator's chair. She fidgeted anxiously with a bottle of water, freezing and unfreezing its contents. Caleb's stomach turned, feeling disoriented with seeing his friends' eye colors all 'wrong'.

"I'm sure you still remember how our Gifts work, even if you temporarily don't have yours," Paris said.

Caleb nodded. Marcus's ability to influence emotions and Paris's sharp vision were extremely useful for questioning. If he wasn't careful, he could accidentally land himself in hot water.