CHAPTER 8:
I stared in horror and confusion at the man named Mr. Sato. His breath smelling of cinnamon and smoke. A potent combination.
His words rang in my ears over and over:
Welcome to The Games of Power…
Mr. Sato smiled at me like a shark grinning at its prey. His eyes never left mine, and I felt like he had me trapped. Frozen. Only letting me go whenever he chose. Something in the tone of his voice told me that that wouldn’t be anytime soon…
Mr. Sato stepped back, fixing his plumy ascot. He held his hands behind his back, never removing his eyes from me.
“You have such potential Mr. Stone. Such great potential,” he said, as if marveling a prized thoroughbred horse. “But, as with all Pollemists, you will need to be…enlightened.”
I watched as Mr. Sato turned to the doctor, who was pushing buttons on that little panel of his.
“Dr. Holsten, I must go negotiate price with the retriever I hired. If you would, will you notify me when my young Hudorian is being evaluated through the PPE? I would most certainly like to see what Mr. Stone is capable of.”
“Of course Sato,” said the doctor.
Heart beating against my ribcage, I watched Mr. Sato exit the white room.
Evaluated? On what was I being evaluated? What the heck’s a “PPE”?
I licked my lips, swallowed, and decided to chance speaking.
“W-what am I being evaluated on?” I asked, my voice trembling from the cold and the fear seeping down my spine.
The doctor didn’t look up. He was swishing around the tube full of my blood.
“Excuse me,” I tried again.
Dr. Holsten ignored me and returned to his panel.
“Hey! I’m talking to you! What’s going to happen to me? Why am I being evaluated?” It all came out in an angry rush, my chest heaving.
The doctor looked up at me with glowering eyes. “Hold your tongue! You need to learn your place, Hudorian. Be thankful I’m not your Keeper. I’d advise losing that behavior quick if I were you, because Mr. Sato will not tolerate it.”
“Keeper? What are you talking about? I can’t understand a word that comes out of your mouth! Isn’t this illegal? I have rights for crying out loud! I’m a human being!”
The doctor just chuckled. “I’m afraid your DNA protests otherwise, Mr. Stone, is it? It says you are wrong. About fifty-six percent wrong, to be exact.” He held up the tube of my blood, swishing it around for emphasis.
I gave up. I wasn’t going to get answers from this guy. At least not any that I understood. I mean, “Pollemist”? “Hudorian”? What is that? I gritted my teeth and continued to look down at my wrists and ankles. I grunted, trying to break free, but nothing happened. I tried to arch my back, fighting the leather strap, but I yelled in anger as it refused to give.
“LET ME GO!” I screamed. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME! I’M JUST A KID!”
“Settle down! Now!” growled the doctor. “You’ll have plenty of time to express your anger in the Evaluation. I suggest you sit still and be quiet until the evaluation team comes to retrieve you.”
I writhed in the cold chair, veins in my neck protruding like purple snakes. I jerked my body back and forth, back and forth, but still the dang thing wouldn’t give!
YOU ARE READING
THE GAMES OF POWER
Novela JuvenilJet has always felt a connection with the ocean. After years since his father disappeared and his sister kidnapped, the water seems like the only safe place for him. But when he is kidnapped himself, he has to come to terms with why strangers have t...
