Blessings of Anathema

Chapter III: Dalton II

Pablo didn't know much about the men in white suits. Only that they came here and questioned a few people and left immediately after.
It's probably nothing, however it's a bit suspicious that they show up now.
It's been 2 days since the last raid. The chips I stole are beginning to become depleted. The drinks don't have much longer either. What's worse than all that is that Pablo's sick. He gets sick every winter and somehow barely survives each one. I don't know if we can be as enviable this year.
"Hey..." I reached over and shook Pablo a little. He opened his eyes and looked at me. He looks so defeated, like he himself would cast the reaper upon his soul.
"I'm going to go gather supplies. I'll try to be back within an hour."
Pablo shook his head at me to acknowledge what I said and then he closed his eyes to sleep.
I left the camp and b-lined straight for this abandoned building near us. I love sitting on its roof and looking out to the city. It makes me feel free, no longer captured within those walls of tents.
An hour, huh....
Why did I lie to him?
I'll be here much longer....
I watched over the city for a few hours and thought about life and everything revolving it.
Why am I forced into these decisions at my age? I just want to be a kid, not a survivor.
My train of thought was interrupted by the sounds of shoes dragging against the tile.
I turned around and was faced with two men in white suits and wearing a fedora.
There was no were to run. I couldn't escape them. I don't have any weapon or energy to fight them, and they don't look like they're going to be hostile.
And so I just sat still, staring at them.
One man took off his fedora and smiled at me. "You know..." he said. "We seen your little brother a few minutes ago. He's not looking so good."
My eyes shot open and my heart began racing. I could feel my pulse in my palms.
"Now calm down." He said. "We just want to help."
I continued to stare at him.
"We can nurse your brother back to health. We can give you guys a better life. All we ask in return is your freedom."
I looked out to the city. "Our freedom?" I said quietly.
"There's a classified experiment being ran. Our job is to collect children for this experiment. I could have brought you in by force but we already have plenty of subjects. I was going to ignore your possibility completely, however after seeing your little brother it made me wonder. How strong is a brotherly bond anyways."
I gritted my teeth. He's toying with me. Playing mind games. Trying to guilt me into being his Guinnea pig.
But he's not wrong...
Pablo will die...
"What is the experiment?" I asked him.
The man shook his head. "No, no. That's classified as I said before. All you need to know is that your brother will survive, you'll survive, and everyone will be happy."
I looked down at the roofs tile. I don't know what to do. What if Pablo pulls out of this on his own... what if this is the last winter he gets sick... what if we live a happy life after this.
Or what if he dies...
"Don't answer now." The man said. "Like we said, your position is almost completely irrelevant. We have plenty of subjects. I'm going to place my card down right here. Give me a call if you ever develop your answer. Oh, and don't take too long."
He put on his fedora and they both headed toward the ladder. The first one began to climb down and stopped. He looked at me. "Oh, I can tell you the name of this experiment."
I looked up at him. Fully intrigued.
"It's called Test Delta: Yurie Shika"
And with that, they climbed down the ladder and were gone.
I sat or the rooftop for a few more minutes in silence. Is what they said true.... is Pablo going to die?
I dropped to my knees and put my head in my hands. I began to weep.
After a few minutes of self pity, I returned to the camp.
I entered our tent and still there, pablo remained a shattering egg of life, with death hatching out the surface.
"Brother..." he said to me. "Can you read me stories like mom used to?"
Mom.... they're the reason we're here. Those damned humans we call parents. They're selfish and had to go and die. They left us here to fend for ourselves. I hate them more than I hate my own weakness for not being able to take care of him.
I reached into my pocket and felt the card that man left for me.
I smiled at Pablo. "Sure. I just gotta do something real quick."
I left the tent and headed for the nearest payphone.
Depending on what this operation is, one day you might hate me. I hope soon afterwards you understand why I did this.
I reached the payphone and used to last few cents to reach a signal.
After a few rings there was an answer. "Hello. This is Professor Dalvin Rodwood."
I hesitated and then responded. "He...hello. I...I was recently contacted by someone who gave me this card about an experiment with children subjects."
I took a deep breath.
"I would like to volunteer me and my little brother for the experiment."