The Prototype

The Presenter

I was taken to my room. It was large, with screens of depicting nature surrounding all side. A bed with a , fluffy purple blanket called my name. The floor was a dark wood. Supposedly there was more that belonged to me, but they wouldn't show me.

The nurse places me in the bed, and tucked me in. He walked out without a word. The bed was warm. Easing my strained body. The pillow comforted my head and the night sky called me to sleep but I couldn't. I was petrified. I knew what was to come. I was told years ago what was to happen. It might be only a week until I'm forced into it. The have yet to tell me the gaps that span miles wide, but I know what is to come. We all know.

The rest of the week was the same. The same tests, the same therapy, the same schedule. I ate by myself, the food was a puréed, as if I was unable to eat. The nurse hated getting me ready, but the therapist loved seeing my improvement. By the end of the week, I could walk and run as she had said. On the last day, the therapist had come upset and was unwilling to tell me why. But I left without and answer, and went to bed feeling guilty, if I had done something wrong. I will.

The next morning I wasn't awoken by the nurse, but by someone else. They were humming an obnoxious tune. "Ah, ha! You are awake! Time to get you dressed!... Oh poor thing! You look horrid! When was the last time you took a bath," the female said walking over to me. She was wearing a black dress, something slender king to her figure, but her bright make up and hair turned me off. I didn't say anything to her. "Oh right, they say you don't speak, but I can fix that in a jiffy! " I raise my eyebrows up and down quickly showing her that I don't care. I started to crawl out of bed before she stopped me, "no, no, stay there. I said I was going to get you to talk, and I will. " I pull my feet back under the warm covers. She sits down on the bed next to me. "Look, I don't want to be here any more than you do, we all know what we are setting you up for. But the best way for now is to charm, there is no pleasing of the crowds, but there is a way to charm yourself into a alliance. You got that?" I nodded, she continued, " only a few of us know how this is going to be played out exactly, and these are the few you are up against. Though the date has not been set, its best to prepare yourself now. Everyone else here as had 3 years to prepare, though you've been considered "dead" they've been getting ready until another one like you is found. Now, I'm hear to make you presentable, I will be by your side from here on out. I suggest we skip getting to first name bases. I'm Rykiel (Rye-kel) your presenter, I do not just dress you, but sponsor, lead, prepare, guide,mentor, and befriend you. No one else has me, no one else has you. We are a team. What about you?" I look at her, with pleading eyes begging not to speak.

"I'm A01," I trailed off being interrupted, "no you are not, you are not a code you are person, your name." "I don't have name," I stated quietly. She didn't accept that, "your name," she repeated. "I am Keres," I mumbled, not knowing where it came from. She nodded at me to keep going but, I shake my head not wanting to speak more. "Well I at least got something out of you. Maybe you will speak more later."

She got up and threw me a lump of clothes. "The bath is set for you, wash up and get dressed, your hair will be done later," Rykiel informed me, leaving the room. I undress my self and walk into the bath room where a green foam was prepared for me. I splash my hand in the hot water and then crawl in the the 3 foot deep tub. The foam exfoliated my dry, cracky, skin. Taking of years of dirt, scum, and debris. I had taken a bath before, but nothing has cleansed me to the core. I scratch off any remaking flakes of gunk and walk out. Snatching a towel, I avoid eye contact with the mirror. But my eye catches a glimpse. Afraid, I run out. The clothes Rykiel had set out for me are still on the bed. I pick up the top, holding it up, trying to figure out the holes. I give up poking my arm in random spots and call for Rykiel. She scrambles in and shuts the door. She smiles, and walks over to me.

After a few moments I was dressed. Fitting black pants, triangular top and jacket, and black boots were all I was covered in. Rykiel walks me back into the bath room to fix my hair. I sat quietly admiring her hand work, watching her snip and cut my hair. She went through many styles before she selected one, just my hair, no braid or up do, and bangs. "Sometimes, simplicity is best," she said stepping away to look at her work. I smile combing my hair with my hands. Thank you, " I spoke just barely above a whisper. Rykiel unwrapped the cloth around me, and shook of any stray strands of hair. She then requested I turn around for makeup. Unlike hers, she only cleared up my face and defined my tones. She wanted to show me, but I didn't want to look in the mirror again.

"They are waiting for you to serve breakfast," Rykiel mentioned putting away her tools. Take the elevator to floor E10, Kyran should meet you there." I nodded in understanding. I slipp into the hall and catch the next elevator up. In those few seconds, I felt the world beneath me slip. All was going to change today. My presentation can affect me. Show confidence Keres. Show pride. Don't let fear, or hurt stand before you. Impress. Charm. Today could ever affect you.

The elevator doors ding open, and I enter a room of eyes, they are all on me.