The Apprenticeship

Owen

I open the door to the lab, I've stopped knocking, it's redundant. Daniels is sitting at his desk awaiting me. I sit across from him. I reach in a satchel I brought from home and pull out the paper on the Skywalker's.

Daniels pulls out a pen and uses it to keep him place on the paper. When he finishes he sets the pen down and looks at me.

"That was amazing, who does the family represent?"

"It doesn't represent anything. I don't know anyone who resembles Anakin."

"Who do you see yourself as more?"

"If I had to choose, I'd choose Luke. He's brave, never gives up what he's fighting for."

"What are you fighting for?"

"It doesn't matter."

"You see Avery, that's where you're wrong."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, 'that's where you're wrong'. It does matter. Whatever you're fighting for matters, otherwise you wouldn't be fighting for it."

"It's small, really."

"You can trust me," he seems sincere.

I take a deep breath in, then out, "I want to go back into the archives. It's the only place that I feel like home anymore."

"Maybe we can work something out."

I smile and let out a breath of relief.

"Anyway, there's someone I want you to meet." He motions to the door, "Owen."

A tall guy walks in, his hair looks like chocolate. I want to take a bite out of it.

"Avery, this is Owen. Owen, Avery."

He holds out his hand, I stand and shake it. "Nice to meet you Avery."

I nod my head in agreement.

"Avery," Daniels says and Owen takes a seat, "This is Owen. He's a leader in another science program. He may understand how to teach you more than me. Now, I can't transfer you to him but, I can, have him here for you while your training is going on."

"What Daniels is trying to say is, I understand how to help because I've been in your situation. Not a lot makes sense does it?"

I shake my head, "No sir."

"Exactly. When I started, nothing made sense either. Now, it does."

"Avery," I turn and look at Daniels, who's speaking, "I hope he can help you. He will be doing the majority of your training from now on. You're dismissed Avery, go with Owen."

I stand and follow Owen out the door.

"I think you'll find my lab a lot more enjoyable. Hey, what was Daniels having you do?"

"A lot of paper type work. Stuff that I should've had prepared before I joined the program."

"That sucks, it really does. I'm not a fan of it, I don't even like to grade it. It reminds me of high school."

I remain quiet. This is normally a time where I'd say something and Daniels would yell at me.

"You're a quiet one aren't you?"

I, again, remain silent.

"Geez, Daniels scarred you, huh? That's okay, I'll do the talking for the both of us. What your favorite color? Oh wait, we're here!"

The exterior looks the same as every room but, the inside has a bunch of posters. I love it.

"I hope you enjoy our time together. It will be limited, it's only until you grasp the concept. And then, after if you need help but, that'll be on your own time."

I walk in after him. He sits at his desk and I follow and stand.

"Please Avery, have a seat." I follow instructions. "Seriously? How scared does Daniels have you?"

When I don't talk he sighs. 

"I suppose, we can start with basics. My name is Owen. Yours?"

"Avery," I make sure that I don't talk too much. I really want to continue talking.

"Well, Avery, do you like reading?"

"Yes."

"What do you read?"

"Everything."

He nods along, "okay, anything else I should know?"

I shake my head No.

"Avery, we have a lot to accomplish. It would help if you'd actually talk to me. One word answers aren't enough."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, it's not your fault. Daniels had you completely brainwashed. I'm not Daniels, my standards are different. I like to have fun."

I nod.

"Please say something Avery."

"More than two words?" I say, my heart racing, worried that I'll get in trouble for it.

"That's perfect!" He stands up. "Keep doing that!"

"Okay, I like your lab."

"Thank you, I'm glad. We're gonna have a lot of fun here."

I smile and Owen sits down.