The Darkest Souls

The Third Chapter: Intentions

I stood in front of the sink, rinsing off the dirty plates. Theo stood with his chin rested on the counter beside me. "Want something?" I asked him to break the silence.

"Mom liked her breakfast. She thinks Michael helped me with them, so don't say anything. She might not be so happy to find out I let you," Theo mumbled.

I snorted plainly. "So, what you're telling me, is that when I asked about her minding me helping, you lied?"

"Yup," Theo said happily.

"Well then..." I muttered. I am already residing in an enemy's home. I wasn't sure I wanted to push my luck much more. 

"Don't worry," he said.

I sighed and set the last clean plate on the top of the stack. Then I rubbed my eyes with the heels of my hands. I was still worn out from being knocked out cold. It had an odd after effect that left me tired. I only hoped it would wear off quickly. I needed to stay conscious here. It wouldn't be safe to zone out for too long.

A firm hand grabbed the wrist of one of my hands from behind my back and turned me around. Michael stood in front of me wearing mismatched clothes. His pants were State army uniform, but his shirt was just a normal tee-shirt. 

"Come on Lacey," Michael murmured, half awake.

"Why?" I replied in questioning.

He glared at me. "Just because you're not chained up doesn't mean you're here to live. There's business to be settled. Important things are constantly happening in this country, and time isn't going to wait for us to catch up."

Theo's eyes seemed to grow in fright. "What are you doing with her?"

Michael snorted and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "It isn't like I kill people, Theo. We've just got some matters to discuss. You are too young to understand."

Theo wrinkled his nose. "Am not. I'm very mature. Smart too. I can see past your lies, Michael. You've killed many people. INNOCENT people. Just because General Scar told you to!" He retorted. Theo crossed his arms and started to stalk away.

Michael grabbed a knot of Theo's hair and held him back. "Don't you ever say anything disrespectful about your superiors again."

Theo huffed and ran up the stairs leaving me alone with Michael. His shadowed eyes followed Theo up the stairs with a pained aura about them. He turned away from me and motioned for me to follow.

I trailed behind Michael cautiously. I was subconsciously ready to defend myself if he attempted to kill me. I knew he wouldn't. Theo's words couldn't stop screaming in my mind. 

Michael suddenly stopped in front of a doorway. "Let's get something straight. My general didn't order me to kill anyone I might have ever killed. Every action I have taken has been voluntary and self-decided."

I raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "And that is supposed to make me feel better?"

"No," Michael mused, "Worse."

I rolled my eyes as I followed him into a large empty room. Aren't you a lovely person. The room was so vacant it felt nonexistent. The floor, walls, and ceiling were made of grey concrete, not expensive marble. There was no furniture at all. Not so much as a window. My heard seemed louder than normal, and I couldn't even tell if the room was cold or hot. It was like a void in the world, except I knew this place existed. There was nothing special about it at all.

"Where are we?" I asked softly.

Michael scratched at his head with his hand. "Well. It's a room."