Dream Simulator {Discontinued}

CHAPTER 6 - Taken Away

"Micah Clarke, please stand up".

There was a short moment of silence before a lab stool screeched across the marble floor. Everyone kept their heads down, being careful not to make eye contact with the three Officials in snow white uniforms standing in the doorway. Archer peeked his head up ever so slightly to find Micah standing rigidly by his lab desk. His lab partner, Estelle, was trembling, probably hoping that the Officials wouldn't call her next. All of them were hoping that they wouldn't be called next.

But what had Micah even done? For the past week, he had been nothing but an obedient student like the rest of them: always paying attention, speaking when it was his turn, doing his work, and being kind to the rest of his peers. As far as Archer knew, he hadn't even been cited for his little episode last week. Then, the memory of their lunch time scolding surfaced his mind again for the sixth time that day.

Did Arabelle get him in trouble for the way she talked to us?  Did he get in trouble for scolding his own sister?

Everyone knew it was against the rules to scold your own family member; the Officials were there for that.

"We need you to come with us, Micah," said an old Official, his voice deep and grey hair short.

Archer could hear the rustle of other students hair as they looked up in shock. Nobody who ever went with Officials came back. It always meant that they made a serious offence, and it wouldn't be taken lightly.

Stars, Micah. What did you do?

"Yes, sir," he obeyed. It was impressive how he managed to keep a confident voice.

He turned to grab his school supplies off the counter, but a young female Official stopped him.

"You won't need to take anything with you," she piped in, her voice filling the dead silent room.

Micah stared at her with wide eyes for a couple seconds before slowly putting his supplies back down on the counter with a slight thump. It was obvious that his hands were trembling out of fear. Stuffing them in his pockets, he began to walk hesitantly to the door, his uneven footsteps echoing off the walls of the enormous classroom. All eyes were on him as the students were saying their silent goodbyes.

Thump. . . Thump. .Thump. Thump. . Thump. . .

One of the Officials had a scanner in hand by the time Micah reached the door, and he was ordered to roll up his sleeves and show his wrist for scanning. A couple seconds went by before there was a beep of approval, and a robotic voice spoke before the Officials.

"Micah Clarke, identified".

The female Official placed a tanned hand on his back, and led him out of the classroom.

"This way," she coaxed as the old Official closed the door after them.

No one moved. Nobody made a single sound. The serious mood of the Officials still hung heavy in the air, practically weighing them down. Jessica (who sat beside him) had stopped twirling her hair and put her head in her hands. He only had to guess that Oliver had held onto Ray's hand the entire time, and Ray was gripping it tightly out of fear. Officials hardly ever visited the school, but when they did, it had to be something serious if it couldn't wait until leisure hours. Dread hung heavy in the air, everyone knowing that they probably wouldn't ever see Micah again.

Arabelle, was the first thought that popped into his head (he thought that was her name since he had heard Micah hiss her name softly, but Archer probably misheard him).

What's going to happen to her? Are they going to take her away too? 

He knew it was ridiculous panicking over the junior he hadn't even noticed until last week. They still  haven't even had a proper conversation. All he had done was stare at her stupidly whenever Ray or Jessica were asking her to move. Did holding each other's gaze yesterday on the train count as stupid?

Slowly, the students had started to speak again and complete their lab work sheets. Even Ray had started to laugh quietly, and Jessica was back to twirling her hair as per usual. He couldn't concentrate though; the Officials in their pure white uniform still stained his memory. Instead, he just stared at Micah's abandoned school supplies, wondering what had even happened moments before.

Had he done something against Government regulations? Was it that bad?

Consciously, he shook his head. This was Micah he was thinking about. He had a good reputation just like Archer, so it was hard to even believe him doing something against the rules (all swearing aside).

Trying to look nonchalant, he pushed his stool back and walked towards the closed door. The android stared at him completely emotionless, its blinding eyes practically staring right through him. Right now, he needed a break. His heart felt like it was going to explode out of his sternum.

"Permission to use the restroom?," he asked, showing his pale wrist.

The android's scanner sent another tingling sensation through his arm.

Beep. "Archer Ryder. Permission granted," it recited in its monotone voice as it turned the brass knob with a silver hand.

He stepped out of the now noisy classroom and into the silent empty hallway. Even here, the mood of the Officials was still weighing him down. Shaking off his paranoia, he began to walk quickly, but silently. If he managed to hurry, he could probably still catch them. The Officials were sure to have taken Micah to the Head Office to sign out before leaving. Rules were still rules, and he wondered if those rules even applied to the Officials. The boy's washroom was just around the corner, but as soon as he reached it, he walked right past it.

Just this once.

Just for today.

Archer would let curiosity get the better of him.