The Boy in the Gray Hoodie

SIX | Consequence

Everyone pays for their mistakes. He learned that very early on. When the doctors would give him something he wasn't supposed to have—extra fruit on his breakfast tray, a shiny new paperclip to distract him from the work they were doing, or an overly detailed answer to a question—he would be punished. Half-rations. No disinfection for a week. Or the worst punishment, and the thing he fought hardest to avoid; the silent tests. This was done not just to teach him a lesson, but to show the doctors what would happen if James wasn't obeyed.

As the team leader, Dr. Crane had to be respected. Unquestioned. It was just as important to follow the rules set by the company as it was to obey him. But...E7 had always wondered...how did James pay for his mistakes? Was it possible that he never made any?

Ashes and blood were still smeared all over the tiles when the door opened again. James came back with two other doctors, each holding objects used for cleaning up the room. "Get the table and chairs out of here and then get rid of this glass. I want the room spotless within the next twenty minutes, and then I want both of you out of here." James said to the suits, who got to work right away. The table clanged loudly as it was folded into a two-dimensional shape, just a flat metal square reflecting a small white room. E7 caught his own reflection as the doctor carried it passed, revealing how small he looked huddled under the bed.

"Get up." James was looking at him.

E7 felt the air catch in his throat. Trembling, he hesitated. He didn't want to move. Blood still trickled from his nose, tracking dark red over pale skin. His clothes were damp with sweat and clung uncomfortably to his body. Everything felt tight. The room was so small. There was nowhere to hide from James or the mirror. They saw everything.

"Must I repeat myself?" James inquired hotly.

E7 gave a quick shake of his head. "No," he mumbled, and shifted, trying to force himself out from under the shadow of the metal bed. The shards of glass still embedded in the bottoms of his feet gave him trouble, the sharp pain forcing him to crawl into the open space. E7 rested on his knees in front of James, shaking.

The doctor heaved a muffled sigh. "You cut yourself."

E7 dropped his head submissively. "I'm s-sorry," he quickly apologized, fearfully taking in the mess he'd made. The two other doctors were sweeping up the broken glass, smearing some of the blood across the ash-stained tiles. "I didn't mean to—"

"To what?" James interrupted, crouching down so that his face was almost level with E7's. "Destroy things? Why, that's what you do best, E7. You're like fire, you and your monster. You'd burn up the whole world if I let you out of here, wouldn't you?"

Tears stung E7's eyes, his lower lip trembling as he fought a sudden burst of emotion. "N-no, I—" he started to shake his head but then froze.

"Hush now," James interrupted, reaching out and brushing his fingers over E7's scalp, causing him to flinch. "There's no reason to be afraid of me. I'm only doing what is best for everyone. You mean a...great deal to me. That's why I push you so hard," he said, pulling back. He clapped his hands together with a startlingly quick motion. "I have to find out all I can about the fire in you before someone else comes along and extinguishes it."

Hot tears escaped, followed by a quick breath. E7 held himself tightly, unable to control his trembling muscles. James put his hand out again, resting it on E7's shoulder and giving him a soft pat. The trembling grew more intense, forcing him to clench his teeth. A soft noise escaped his throat, sounding resistant and fearful at the same time. "I'm sorry I—I know I did something wrong, I didn't mean to hide it from you, I—"