My Deceiving Eyes

Chapter 10

February 28th, 2270 | 1:02 pm

"Hey there! Long time no see!" Peter greeted me when he saw me approaching. The entrance still looks the same after two years. I was able to take a bag with clothes with me but Michael told me that everything will have to be disposed of when I get out. In other words, they're going to burn my clothes. Not that it's anything special. It's the same shirt with the same design I've had since I could remember. I wished they'd let me have some personality.

Peter looks just about the same but has aged a bit. If I calculated correctly, he should be twenty-four now. Assuming he didn't lie about his age.

"So, how are you?" He asks as he opens the door from the other side.

"Fine. You?" This is so awkward.

"Oh you know, the same. Let me show you to your room before I have you meet some people I know." Peter smiled.

—

"This room has been unused for years and may be a bit small but it should be fine."

The room is almost half the size of my bedroom but all I'm doing here is sleep so it's not a big deal.

After I stored my bag in the room, Peter led me into the cafeteria to get lunch.

Unlike my cafeteria, this cafeteria is huge, like one should be. This cafeteria has about eight columns and six rows of long continuous tables. I think mine is the problem here. Mine has five rounded dinner tables but is more than necessary since I'm the only one eating there.

Everyone here is loud. It's not something I'm used to and I'm immediately uneasy as I feel eyes around me. I quietly observed the people here. I don't know how anyone can bare this conditions. So crowded you have to push people out of the way to get a fork. So loud you can't even hear the person next to you.

"You're awfully quiet." Peter pointed out, "When we first met, you were bubbling with questions and now you haven't even asked me any."

I stared at him and shrugged. Sorry I'm no longer ten.

Peter visibly gets tense and shifts uncomfortably in line, rubbing his neck.

Lunch here is similar to the ones I get. Rice with orange chicken, an apple, carrots, and a glass of juice or milk. Who the hell drinks milk with their meal? Then again, I have no appetite. While putting the food on my tray, I glanced forward at the drink options and saw a white cup. As I get closer, I smell a strong scent of coffee. I've never tasted coffee before but I've seen some of the staff drinking it, including Michael.

I watch as Peter picks up a cup in front of me. I copy him and check the warm cup. It's a dark brown color with a strong caffeine smell.

"Black coffee."

I follow Peter to the condiment table where he picks up small packets off a rack. He glanced at me and frowned.

"Kid, aren't you twelve? A bit young to drink coffee, don't you think?'

I shrugged, "Try."

Peter made a face at my short answer. He picked up a handful of the packets and handed them to me, "These are sugar packets. Near the drink stand, there's cream, caramel, ice, and more to let you customize your coffee if you find black a bit bitter."

I was about to go over and look at my options but then Peter started walking towards the tables. I reluctantly followed my guide.

Peter approaches a section of a long table that already has three people sitting at. Two men, one woman. One of the men looked Southeast Asian, the other one looked Arab, and the woman looked Southern American. Peter sits down. I take the second seat next to him.