Hermes | Book 1

: 05 :

Light was confused. Darkness was not what they told him she was. Who was she?

Chapter 5

THE OFFICER looked at him with a fairly visible tinge of distrust.

"What did you say your name was?"

"Hermes Novum," he said blandly, looking at the thin black device the officer used to enter his information. He was careful to make sure his tone was that of utmost confidence and his eyes moved occasionally around, like he was bored.

"Where are you registered?"

"Alpha." Hermes decided it was better he did not say much. Talking about too much about Alpha regions to civilians was not encouraged. It was one of the only regions other than Beta that has their own separate government- mainly because most of the major decisions were taken there- and people living there were normally officials or people with relatively high ranks.

Even now, with just that one word, Hermes could see the sudden straightening of the officer's shoulder and curious looks from the people around him.

"What is your identification number, sir?"

Hermes barely concealed the small smirk at appeared on his face at the use of the respectful term. It was about time they gave him the respect he deserved as a God.

"350-07-1789." He said with a tone of superiority.

"Three fifty, o-seven, seventeen eighty nine." The officer's eyes widened as the numbers registered and his information appeared on the screen. Without a word, he motioned towards the padded white surface on the table top in front of him.

Hermes pressed his thumb and forefinger on the cushioned area until he felt hardness of metal underneath his finger. Then he looked up at the hologram which appeared, allowing a retina scan.

"Scan complete," A woman's voice said coolly, seconds later. Somehow it reminded him of Demeter, the goddess, when somebody did not agree with her opinions.

And then Hermes was back to being homesick.

"Hermes Novum- age twenty three- Alpha- identification number- three five zero zero seven one seven eight nine- member of TNW group." The voice stopped and the officer frowned, "Please continue, Gia." By the end of the sentence his voice sounded more like a question than a command.

"Further information is not available to restricted classes. Please enter your area code if you are part of Alpha or Beta."

Hermes raised an eyebrow at the officer in quiet challenge.

"That's enough." The Sheriff said from behind Hermes. "You can go back to the house if you want to Hermes. How long will you be staying?"

The Sheriff did not sound very welcome.

Hermes gave a cocky grin, "One week at the most, sir." He walked towards the sliding glass door only to be stopped by the Sheriff's voice, "Tell me, Hermes, how did someone from the Alpha associate with my daughter from the Eta?"

With a sigh Hermes turned around, "There is the Internet, sir."

The Sheriff looked at him icily but said nothing. Hermes was not surprised that he wasn't convinced with his reply. But there would be time to construct a new one, he thought to himself with a triumphant smile as he walked out the station and headed towards his temporary house, for now he could search for a way back home in peace.