The Parables

Aadem - Precinct Two

Aadem - Precinct Two

Yawning, I feel my eyelids start to droop as fatigue starts to kick in. Pulling the duvet over my head, I gradually begin to drift into a slumber. All of sudden, three deafening bangs on the door disturb my sleep. Groaning, I drag the duvet off my head and sigh.

"Yeah?" I mumble groggily.

"It's Verdin. Can I come in?"

"If you want."

The door opens and Verdin strolls in. He's dressed in a black tuxedo with a crisp, white shirt and orange tie. He nods at me, acknowledging my presence then glances around the room as if he were looking for something. Frowning, I wait for him to speak.

"Don't suppose you have a spare pair of black shoes?" he queries. "And breakfast will be on the table in five."

"Okay, there might be some in the wardrobe." I slide my legs over the side of the bed. "Why?"

"Let's just day that Serissa knocked the plate of bacon and grease ruined my pair."

I grin. "Yeah, I should think they'll be some in there." I open the wardrobe's doors for Verdin. "Was that all?"

"Er...yeah, I think so." His eyes skim through the shoe rack. He select a pair of shiny, black cap toe shoes and heads for the door. "Oh, I almost forgot. Put on an orange shirt and black trousers."

"Why?" I frown in bewilderment.

"Orange is Precinct Two's colour," Verdin clarifies. "Don't worry too much about it, just find an orange shirt that you like and wear it. With a pair of black trousers of course."

"Which orange shirt should I-" I break off, hearing the door slam. "Wear?"

Sighing, I rub my eyes and head into the wardrobe. Sifting through the shirts, I discover most of them are orange anyway, which just makes it worse. Closing my eyes, I grab hold of a shirt and pull it out. I don't care which one I get; they're all the same to me. Probably because I'm a man, not a woman. Opening my eyes, I find I've chosen a carrot-coloured shirt with a tab collar and sleeves cut at the elbow. Shrugging my shoulders, I pick my black trousers off the floor where I'd tossed them last night and head into the en suite to change.

Glancing at the shower, I take a second to consider it and grumble. I'm too tired to wash myself. I just need to get dressed and go and get some food. Whatever that food may be. Whether it's leftovers from yesterday or something completely new, I don't care. I'm too ravenous to care what it is. At least I know there's bacon. Well, if there's any left on the plate. Serissa might've knocked all the bacon onto the floor for all I know.

Stripping off my shirt, I pull on the orange one and arrange the cuffs around my arms then button up the collar. Sliding my legs into the trousers, I sit down on the toilet seat and pull them up. My hand slides into my pocket and I breathe a sigh of relief when I feel the cold, smooth surface of the diamond. Zipping my trousers up, I run a hand through my hair and glance in the mirror above the basin. It'll do. Taking the nightshirt off the floor, I head back into my room and chuck it on the bed. I'll deal with it later if I have to. For now, I want some food else my stomach's going to start eating all my other organs unless it's fed.

Leaving my room, I stroll into the main area of the carriage and my nose picks up the scent of bacon frying. A smile creeps onto my face and I take a seat at the table opposite Verdin. He has his nose in a newspaper and his eyes are framed with square, black-rimmed spectacles.  He turns the page then notices that I'm sat down too.

"Ah, Aadem, you've joined us at last." He nods at me, acknowledging my presence. "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby," I lie.