Equilibrium

Chapter One

Part 1: Dark

Chapter 1

"Adaption is the key to survival. Who knows, it might be your last chance to live."

"In a way, love and hate are similar. The two emotions may be present at the same time if thoughts are not evaluated rationally. Love and hate are the strongest emotions that have ever been felt by anyone. Uncontrolled love or hate could lead to the destruction of many innocent souls," Earl drones on, glancing at his students' faces one by one, including mine. No one in the class speaks; listening to the professor with full attention as do I.

"Take war, as an example of an effect of these feelings. Based on The Hastes and Celia Chronicles by E. Lysis, Hastes and Celia were deeply in love, but their families hated each other due to –"

Earl is being interrupted by three consistent knocks on the door. In comes the principal of the Academy.

"Excuse me, Earl. I would like to speak to one of your students, if it isn't much of a trouble," Robert says politely, staying put by the doorway.

Earl stands still too, but replies, "That is alright, Robert."

The man wearing grey formal suit looks around the small classroom of fifteen teenagers before they are back at Earl's direction. "Marcus?"

I stand out of curtesy and wish the principal, "Good morning, Robert."

"Good morning, Marcus. Pack your belongings and follow me to my office."

I pack my things quickly, which isn't much since I only brought two textbooks and a tablet. With my briefcase in hand, I make my way towards the principal who is waiting for me patiently.

"Have a nice day, Earl," I tell the professor.

"You too, Marcus. Don't forget to read about the chapter about The Hastes and Celia Chronicles involvement in constructing the early idea of the Ban of Emotions Policy and Parent-Child Interaction Law."

I nod and turn towards Robert waits patiently. Without another word being said, I follow him. The school hallways are empty as everyone is currently in class. The walls I passed by are either grey or white and the tiles I step on are black. The lights are bright enough for me to see everything inside despite the dark colours.

The only few people Robert and I encounter are other professors who we exchange small greetings with. It is a custom to respect everyone, including strangers. In Darkness, nobody is a stranger even if you're not close to that person.

Robert sticks the key into the key hole and turns it clockwise with a small click. He let me into the black-walled office with nothing but books in his shelves and a marble desk in the middle. The window behind the desk has curtains that are drawn so I can see the view of the Gloom district.