The Unseen

Confessions of Cody

The three girls and Cody sat in a circle, discussing the week's events.

"How'd the tests go, Cody?" Ema asked.

"Um..." he bit his lip, "Not so good."

"What do you mean?"

"I couldn't read it."

"The questions weren't that oddly worded..."

"You don't understand," he sighed, "I can't read."

"What?" Dylan asked, "How don't you know how to read?"

"Spending your entire life as a lab rat doesn't give you much time to... to learn stuff." Cody adjusted his position squeamishly.

"So what do you know?" Sarah asked. Cody stared off in thought, looking right to the side of Ema.

"I..." he choked a sob, "I don't know anymore." Ema began to sniffle, while the Dylan and Sarah looked on in pity.

"I used to know that the lab was all there is. I used to know that there was nothing to fear outside the lab. I used to know that everyone was kind. I used to know..." he stopped, wiping tears from his eyes, "I used to know a lot of things."

The girls were in shambles. All three began to cry, and Ema went as far as to run to him and squeeze Cody tightly. He let out a little squeak as she swooped down and scooped him up. His awkwardness gave way to a sure calm, and he relaxed in her arms.

"Don't worry," Ema sobbed, trying to collect herself, "You'll learn a lot here."