Pierce paced back and forth her room, unable to fall asleep. She threw a glance to the clock perched on her nightstand. 3 a.m. With a disgusted sigh, she pulled on a pair of sandals and opened the door. No point in wasting her time when she could be mastering her skills at the gym.
The motion sensitive night-lights illuminated the hallway as she walked past them. Tying back her hair into a low ponytail, Pierce began to call down the elevator when her keen ears caught a snatch of conversation.
“It’s not right. You’re treating her like a thing, not a human being.”
With a start, Pierce recognized the voice to be Indigo’s. Curiosity aroused, she followed the source of the sound. A minute later, she came upon a closed door with light spilling out from beneath its crack.
Pierce leaned her head back against the wall and continued listening in on the talk.
“Indigo, it is not your place to say how we treat Pierce.”
“Dr. Spencer, Dr. Claries, listen to me. Pierce is a person. How can you act like she has no conscience?”
“Pierce has a purpose to fulfill,” said Dr. Claries. “If we do not utilize her abilities to suit the needs of the Restorers, then all of Dr. Spencer’s hard work would’ve been done in vain.”
Pierce heard Indigo let out a dejected sigh.
“Doctors, I’m begging you to reconsider the task you plan on giving to her. Don’t make her commit such a deed that will scar her forever. Do you the emotional impact of taking a life? Do you have a clue of the guilt one feels after killing a person?”
Pierce’s throat tightened. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. Her lungs screamed for air she couldn’t provide. Had Indigo just hinted that Dr. Spencer and Dr. Claries were planning on using her as an assassin?
A whimper escaped her lips, and after a few more seconds of panic, she managed to choke down a shaky breath. It was Dr. Spencer who spoke next.
“Do not worry about Pierce’s conscience, Indigo. She has no conscience. She has no emotions. Emotions make a person weak, just like how your care for Pierce is making you weak right now.”
“Enough of this talk,” said Dr. Claries. “I am tired and have a long day ahead of me. Indigo, please do not bother Dr. Spencer nor I on such trivial matters. Instead, focus your energy on your work within your unit. I heard that you are only two ranks away from being the captain.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Their footsteps approached the door. Pierce bolted back to her room before they caught sight of her and flung herself onto the bed, her mind a jumble of discorded thoughts.
Pierce’s literature class ended early today, so she decided to spend her extra time with Cook Asha before meeting back up with Mason for her next lesson. She strode towards the kitchen doors, spotting Meg the cook’s helper exit the kitchen with a tray of biscuits.
Meg’s expression was tight and drawn with worry. Her normally carefree demeanor seemed rather damp and her eyes were downcast. She momentarily looked up at Pierce to give her a silent greeting, but quickly bowed her head again and shuffled away.
