Dark Matter

Chapter Five

The need to see Mare is like an itching I can't stop. Julian thought it'd be best to prepare me for the others' interrogation, and deep down, I know he's right but I can't stop hoping to see her.

We're currently in his room, the room I first met him in. I'm sitting behind a table as he teaches me which fork is for each occasion. I wish there were a fork for sticking in people's eyes.

The room looks exactly the same, with books occupying most of it. The books catch my attention. At the facility we were educated the same way silver children were. An advantage for us and a pest for our teacher, drugged kids can't study well.

"(Name)!" It takes me a while to realize he's referring to me, the new name is still unfamiliar, yet somewhere deep down I ache for it to fit. I push the thought aside, now is no time for sentimentality.

"Yes Julian?" I keep my voice at the same level he taught me, the same level Lady Manos spoke, and I guess the same level every other silver speaks at.

He smiles, appreciating the tone I used "We have to work on your new name." He puts down the fork in his hands and I note that our fork lessons are over. Exhaustion is evident on his face, but I make no effort to bring it up.

"You mean we'll have to work on my reaction to the name." I straighten my back, putting my hands on the table in an effort to look more professional. I've seen many scientists do so when they wanted to get approval for their new experiments, for cutting us up.

I stop myself from flinching as I stare ahead. (Name) (Name), I am (Name), remember that name...

"(Name)?" This time without wasting a second I respond. I curl my lips into a small smile and make sure the excitement reaches my eyes.

"Yes Julian?" My tone was impeccable, but by the look in Julian's eyes I know that I've made a mistake, a tiny mistake but even that can get me killed here.

"Too much excitement." His instruction is simple and I know that he's right. An ordinary silver wouldn't be so excited at their name being called.

I push my chair back, standing up as quietly as I can. I dust myself off for no other reason than to calm my nerves, Julian might appear to be a decent man, but I still don't trust him.

His eyes move over me trying to understand why I stood up. I don't blame him, he insisted that our lessons would last for another hour at least.

"Where are you going?" He asks, not quite getting up, but I can see his muscles are ready to stop me if necessary.

"I am going to visit Mare if you don't mind." I hold up a hand, indicating that I don't actually care if he minds, but he makes no move to stop me. His words are enough to slice through me.

"Mareena." He presses his lips into a thin line in response to my confusion, but before I get the chance to ask one of the several questions in my mind he continues.

"Mare Barrow doesn't exist anymore"-- he pauses a second, letting me take in the meaning of his words-- "her name is Mareena Titanos." I feel the world spinning as the only sound I hear is my pounding heartbeat. What the hell happened to Mare?

I close my eyes, counting to ten, holding my breath for five seconds and breathing out the last five. It seems to work, as I open my eyes once more, turning to Julian.

"Explain." My voice seems colder than I had expected, chilling even me to the core. For a second I think Julian looked taken aback, but then he nods once and stands up, staring right into my eyes.

"Mare Barrow displayed powers beyond what a red could"-- he starts pacing, his hands behind his back, I follow his movements, careful not to miss anything--"I believe the royals have decided to use her as a weapon to distract the reds from the Scarlet Guard, now she is merely a lost silver princess, a fairy tale for reds to look up to." He stops, turning to look directly into my eyes. I know that's how his powers work but I also know he won't use them on me. Yet.