"Sorry about my methods. But we've heard of your changing, and needed to make sure you were okay. "Thanks for ditching your parents, It makes so much easier to bring a Reconditioned in". The man said.
I was sitting in a ornate chair, no ropes, not chains. "Why did you bring me here? Where are we? Is thing because of my... condition?" I said. "I want to get out. I'm hungry and bored."
"I'm so sorry. Yes, this is because of your condition. Here we call the change being Recommitted. The poison wasn't anything crazy. It was normal water. Some of us can take it, like me, I guess you can't." He said. "I'm Adrian. Adrian Leggiéri. Call me Al. Don't worry. When I first became Committed, I was even more nervous than you. And believe me. It shows."
"Really? Accidenti! I can't even be normal for a vampire." I said.
"We- we don't use the V- Word here." Al seemed worried at this point. "It's a thing. You can't say that kind of stuff."
"Fine! I just want some meatballs. The way my Mom makes them."
Al shivered. "We did a background check on your life. Those meatballs are almost 60 percent garlic."
"I can't do anything anymore." I sighed. "This is pointless. I hate it."
"You'll need this." He passed me a bottle filled with something red. "I'm sorry if it doesn't taste very good. I'm a vegan. It's not real blood. Even the real stuff is just livestock's sangue."
"I don't give a crap. Give."
"Calm down novizio. That kind of language is not tolerated here. You'll be talking to the Elders soon, and you don't want a rogo burning in you."
"Got it, got it, no language of any kind." I said.
"Just be quiet, and only answer their questions." Al said.
"Got it. Just a quick question. Are there zombies or ghosts or anything else here?
"The Z-word is Reviled, the G- word is Kelpie." Al said. There is also something called the Predominating."
"Fine. Can you take me to the Elders?"
"Yes, but you cannot disrespect them. Ever." He pointed to a door.
I do not believe this Committed will stay. He is far too young. The Predominating seem to broadcast their thoughts to us directly.
"You said the same thing about me." says the toddler. "I was five. Now I am three thousand, six hundred, eighty-nine years old. I won't even start ageing until I hit four thousand. Dealraíonn sé breá. My name is Fane. It is nice to meet you Stefano. We have been waiting."
The Predominating fuse into one. This is not up for debate. This one does not stay. We've monitored his grades. He is not one worth protecting.
"I say yes. He was smart enough to evade capture until Leggiéri gave him water. This one is good. He was right to get rid of the car, but he should have sold it. I give you a eight- point- five. I'm Watts. Age two thousand, seven hundred, fifty eight. You've probably noticed the I'm the Relieved. YA soglasen s vami Feyn" The boy said.
I am the eldest at over two million, seventy thousand, three hundred, nine. Greetings child. I am Kali. Committed and Kelpies usually get along. Unhonne rahana hoga.
"Thank you." I said. "But what about my family? And why did you know so much about me?"
"O, Bozhe. All that happened is when you go to the doctor, people with trace amounts of Committed, or any other kind of DNA are monitored, and with that, we can estimate when you will become Recommitted. Then we can help you through your change and bring you to the loop. I'm so sorry, but every bit of your information was removed. That includes having your family's memories erased." Watts said.
"Ehem, cosa? What? My family?" I said.
I know it's hard Stephano. My family were deemed insane because they kept me from the public, then they went crazy when Istar here carried me off.
I would not like to be referred to like that Miss Jindal. I do not call you Little Squish in public!
Either way Stephan, it's better off this way. Also Istar, you just did. Kali said.
"Little Squish? Nice one Iss." Said the other Committed.
Do not call me Iss. Istar said. Only Mrs. Abba- Simti.
"I'm just gonna go..." I left. Kali followed me.
This is your house. We researched your interests earlier. I hope you find this to your satisfaction. Take this. She said.
"What is this?" I asked.
The Wi- Fi password. We're not savages.
