LUCID Hibernation

Chapter 3

I came back to the school on Sunday, but Obi didn't show, it left me feeling strangely lonely. I don't know what it is about him that makes me so nervous and even excited, like I've made an exotic and mysterious discovery, but something about Obi draws me to him; making me want to know his every dark secret. And it's terrifying. Monday morning finally comes and I rush to get out of the house, throwing a black and yellow jumper over my head to hide my Lucid Hibernator tee and pulling up tattered black jeans. I don't bother to brush my tousled black hair or even eat; I just want to leave before my sister can wake up and rant out another lecture.

Hibernators are instructed to arrive at the school an hour before the regular students in order to have an assembly meeting, as our curriculum is slightly different to most. As I walk down the steps into the Lucid Chambers I find that most of the students are already seated, cross-legged, on the mat. Quickly taking my place near the back I tune in to what Nero is saying, '...and as most of you are aware this is your final year, so there'll be an exam at the end of semester three, that's only six months away people, so train hard. 'You'll be tested on both your physical and mental strength, but also on other things that you are not to be informed of until after the exam. 'Is all that clear?' A chorus of 'yes sirs,' fills the room at once and Nero smiles, pleased to find his students understand how he works. 'Okay, now onto something I'm sure none of you are aware of, we have a transfer student.' There are a couple of mummers about it "already being near the end of first semester", but most stay quiet to listen. 'Come up here lad,' at that I see movement behind Nero, as Obi steps out of the shadows for the whole class to see. 'This is Obi Akagami, there's only little I'm allowed to say about him other than, he transferred from Japan on Friday and grew up with very different values and customs to our own, even to most of Japan the way he was brought up to think is rather strange. 'From what I've gathered its best not to bother trying to get anything out of him, as he will not respond in any way, shape or form until you gain his respect.' Everyone in the room stares up at Obi in awe and for a second so do I, until I realise something. He's already spoken to me and more, does that mean I've already gained his respect?

Nero glances around the room, his eyes coming to rest on me, 'Larks!' I stand quickly and salute, 'yes sir!' He nods and I lower my arm, 'you'll be in charge of showing Obi the ropes, help him adapt to our curriculum and you're to also train with him, understood.' I nod and yell out, 'yes sir!' Inwardly I say, I'm already two days ahead of you sir. Nero signals for me to be seated and I quickly retake my place among the Hibernators. 'I want you all back here at one nice and sharp, until then you're dismissed, off to your normal classes, now!' There's another chorus of 'yes sirs,' before we all stand up and disband. I wait until everyone else has left before approaching Obi who is gathering his things. 'Looks like were going to be together for the rest of the school year, lucky we're already aquatinted.' Obi doesn't turn round as he says, 'there was no luck involved; I personally asked to be paired up with you.' I try to hide my surprise by smiling, 'well I feel honoured that you chose me.' Swingling his backpack over his shoulder he says, 'it was the most convenient option since we'd already met.' I lift my hand to my chest, 'ouch, that hurt my feelings.' As he stares at me I can almost swear he was tempted to roll his eyes, 'I was just being honest; I don't make a habit of lying to spare anyone's feelings.' My grin widens, 'duly noted, now let's go, we're already late for first period.'

The day drags by uneventfully, I share only two classes with Obi and because there were so many other students around us Obi refused to say a word. It turns out that it doesn't matter if he's not directly speaking to you, unless you've gained his respect you won't even hear his voice. In a way this makes me feel special, which isn't something I'm used to feeling. Soon it's time for lunch, after which the ordinary students will head outside for PE, while the Hibernators will go underground to train. Training goes for four hours, two hours are dedicated to physical exercises and the other two hours psychological training.

When I arrive in the training room I find Obi already on the mat in sweats and the loose Lucid Hibernation tee. He's sitting with his legs out in front of him and his upper body stretched over his legs. I quickly turn away changing into sweats and placing my things in my overhead locker. When I turn back I find Obi in another position, his legs apart in a straddle and his upper body flat to the ground. Damn, this guy is flexible. 'Oi, Obi,' on hearing his name he gets up and turns to me accusingly, 'what took you so long?' I shake my head, 'class has only just been let out for lunch; I'm actually here early.' His face melds into one that almost hints at embarrassment, but I'm fairly sure I'm misreading him. 'Do you want to get started now before the others come? 'That way we can talk', I suggest while tying my hair back, I'm seriously due for a hair cut, it's almost reaching my shoulders. Obi nods to my proposal and after we both stretch, the training commences. As we work through a series of strength exercise I ask him what life was like in Japan. 'I'm not really sure what it's truly like over there myself to be honest. 'I know they're very big on tradition and celebrations, but I generally missed out on those things.' When I hear this I can't help but feel sorry for him, 'did you miss out because you're a Hibernator?' Obi nods, 'I was only eleven when I started living with my grandparents and barley three weeks after moving in, my grandfather realised that I was a Hibernator we moved away from the cities to live in a remote spot in the mountains. 'I was raised by my grandparents on my dad's side and since I had inherited the genetic disorder from my mother, my grandparents were afraid of me, they treated me like some deity and taught me to behave as such. 'I learnt self defence and marshal arts from my grandfather and my grandmother taught me politics, history and how to judge character. 'I was never really allowed to act my age.' My brow creases with concern, 'that must have been hard, I never really knew my mum and my dad...he died a year ago. 'I've been living with my sister for the past twelve months and I think the only thing she's capable of is saying that everything's going to be fine, like she's trying to convince herself and not me. 'To be honest you're life sounds a lot tougher than mine when you put it in perspective,' I smile over at him, but deep inside I know that's a lie. My life is in no way as simple as I just made it out to be, but I don't want anyone to know that. For some reason though, as I gaze on Obi's face, I feel almost compelled to tell him the truth. Obi's gaze levels with mine before turning away, there's a long stretch of agonising silence before he says, 'you're lying, you're a liar, but I won't ask why.' With that he swings off the high bar performing a perfect back-summersault. An hour later the rest of the class files in and the real training begins. We're set up to spar against one another and the last standing will be given the option to choose which simulation they enter during Lucid Hibernation training. As I expected I am beaten in my third match up. It's a miracle I wasn't knocked out of the contest sooner. Sitting against one of the walls facing the main training mat, I watch the progression of the other matches, another unsurprising element of the day is that Obi has made it to the top two. I study his fluid movements as he evades any assault from Rei, one of our strongest Hibernators; he isn't even taking his opponent seriously, a fact I noticed in all his matches. Finally Obi decides enough time has past and he flips over onto his hands and windmills his legs and kicking his opponent over. Rei attempts to stand up, but Obi slams him back to the mat, catching him in a head lock. Rei taps out and the match goes to Obi.

Obi automatically walks to me, ignoring the others who try to congratulate him or inquire where he learnt to fight, nice to know I'm his priority. 'I would congratulate you, but I doubt that was a challenge,' I smile coolly at him, his lip twitches a little as he replies, 'lets keep that between you and me, it's better to remain humble.' I give him a good slap on the back before leading him to the fridge, 'most of us have already received our simulation number for the day, but you get to pick yours, so what kind of simulation would like to experience?' Obi just shrugs, 'I have no idea what kind of simulations there are, why don't you pick one out for me?' I raise an eyebrow, 'okay, but don't blame me if you hate it...how about...this one,' I say pulling out serum number seven, it's a special one that was made solely for me, anyone who tried it in the past came out vomiting, but I have a feeling Obi will live. 'What is it?' he asks with inquisitive eyes. I merely smile and say, 'I've been instructed to take the same one, we can compare results afterwards, but since I have the advantage of knowing how this serum works I'll give you a piece of advice. 'Don't act on logic, act on instinct and keep reminding yourself that it's not real.' Obi nods and we move back to the hibernating mats, 'do you want me to inject it for you?' Obi nods, 'okay, remember whatever you do stay calm', then I jab the needle into his neck. I quickly lie down on my mat, inserting the needle into my own flesh and letting the darkness cloud my vision as my eyelids shut like a metal door.

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