Doppled in Gray [Discontinued]

Doppled in Gray [chapter twenty]

CHAPTER TWENTY

‭“The situation of the refugees is already taken care of. The work regarding them is done, thanks to the agents that were in the field,” Captain says to another agent as I fidget in my seat.

‭No matter how many times Captain praises us for our good work, I cannot help but stay on edge as we slowly make our way back to NOIDD headquarters. My eyes flick towards every whisper that I hear and Haran‘s hand that is covering mine feels as if it is smothering me.

‭“The child, Amber, I believe his name is, seems like he may be more trouble than what he is worth, Captain,” Haran says calmly.

‭“He isn’t a child, and I doubt that he will be trouble for us, Haran,” I countered quietly. Through the silence it might as well been yelled, everyone heard my disagreement.

“Are you acquainted with the boy, Daze?” Captain asks.

‭I nod and wring my hands together, trying to slow my breathing.

‭“He was integral to this mission today, and I’m certain he will be useful in the future because of his ingenuity with tech. Zi, I would like you to consider making him your assistant. Getting rid of Amber is completely out of the question at the moment. He was their makeshift leader and will remain so now. Daze, if it is possible I would like you to help make his stay at NOIDD as comfortable as possible for him and his family.”

“I was his friend, Captain. He thinks that I died in the encampment.”

Captain’s brow furrows as this and he resumes pacing around the room. I feel dozens of pairs of eyes on me, but Haran’s eyes are felt hottest on my skin. The look in his eyes reminds me reminds me of the look of a bird after flying into a window. My face stays neutral as Captain finally looks towards me again.

‭“No, it would be best if you do not tell him at the moment. This all must be a lot for the boy to take in, even if he is as smart as he seems. Personal revelations at a time like this would only complicate things.”

My heart drops into my stomach. ‭“Yes, Captain.”

‭Captain is talking about complications that may come up later in the year because of this mission. The hum of the hovership is comforting as we fly through the air but it stops after only a minute of my listening. I tune back into Captain as he is addressing the political threat General Bramwell may have soon. An agent suggests to take him out quickly so NOIDD will not be even considered to have a hand in the mission. Everyone is listening intently to the list of dangers when, of all people, Amber storms into the room.

‭“Where are you taking all of my people?” Amber yells. His eyes blaze like an impending wildfire, ready to take out everything in his midst.

‭“This is a closed meeting to NOIDD personnel,” someone says.

“I was invited here, agent,” he spits back.

“You are half an hour late then.” This time it is Captain that speaks and no one dares to speak after him.

‭I tighten my grip onto Haran‘s hand. My heart beats in my throat as we all wait for Amber to speak. Just seeing him sets the butterflies free to wreak havoc within my stomach. And it’s not in a good way.

‭I do not know what happened at the encampment after I left, but after looking at Haran, I can tell that it was bad. His eyes shine with a fierce defiance as he looks around at us, sizing us all up. As his eyes pass me, I spot the muscles in his arms, larger than I remember, tense up. Our eyes meet, and I give him a weak smile before Amber turns towards Captain.

‭“You promised we could all stay together. Why are you splitting up my people?”

‭“Some have decided to integrate into the city, some will try to become agents, and a few have decided to inhabit the newly built dome. Nothing has been forced Amber.”

‭“They’ve never been out in the real world. Time to transition needs to be made.”

I think of all the people, how scared they were when we first came here. When we first found how we were not real at all. They were all so scared then. I was so scared then. It seems hard to imagine to have all of this forced upon myself. My gut aches, and I bite my lip hard.

“There is no time to transition. If you weren’t so naive, Amber, you would realize that.” Haran no longer sounds angry as he speaks. Just tired.

‭“Calm, agent Zabato,” Captain said sharply before addressing Amber. “I’m not one to force any person to do anything. Everyone has been given options. If a person chooses something you don’t like, you may peak with them. Now sit down and join the meeting or leave, it is your choice.”

‭No one is surprised when the door closes louder than need be on his way out.