You're My Brother

Video Games and a Test

   The day started as any other. Keith stepped onto the school bus, went to class and waited for the bell to ring.
Things went smoothly until the lesson began.
"In just a few moments," their teacher began, "we will have a special guest attending our class today. You better be on your best behavior."
The class erupted in an echo of murmurs and whispers.
"Who do you think is coming to talk to us?" One asked
"I hope it's not the police or fire department again. We've been doing those for years."
"I kind of like those. You always get cool buttons or pins from them anyway." Another added.
Their discussions continued for a few moments, but everything went dead silent when the door opened.
A tall man entered. He had dark black hair and wore a light gray military styled uniform.
The teacher greeted him with joy and introduced him to the class.
   'Just another lame presentation...' Keith told himself, gazing out the window, chin resting in the palm of his hand.
Something the man said made everyone in the room become very excited and energized.
Keith was not paying attention—no surprise there—and was thus confused when his classmates all stood up and exited the room.
They followed their teacher and this random officer outside to the back of the school near overflow parking lot. The lot was empty except for a few cars here and there. In the center, however, was a large rover and a trailer attached to it.
Keith heard little to none of what the officer had said except for 'Orbit Axium X' and something about a flight simulator.
Each one of his classmates had entered the flight simulator, a small area no bigger than the front seat of a car, with one chair, controls, and a large flat screen TV monitor that displayed the 'game'. They all did well, but each one failed before finishing level four.
"...No one has managed to make it passed the third level." The man said, "You're the only one left."
He was obviously talking to Keith. Not about him, but to him.
"You want me to try?" Keith asked, confused as to why he was pushing him to try the simulator.
"That's right. You might have more potential than you think."
Keith nodded and stepped inside the simulator. A rush of energy flooded over him. Ever since he was a kid he wanted to be a pilot. Someone had mentioned it to him years ago, but this was real. He gripped the control sticks and began the first level.
Completed.
Level two...
Completed.
Level three...
Completed
Level four...
He was doing it. Flawlessly.
Level four was just as simple as one, two, and three.
Completed.
Level Five...
Keith had barely started the fifth level when he heard his name be called by the teacher.
"...He has a bit if a temper," he heard her say, "he wouldn't really fit in with the rigid Garrison Cadets."
It made him furious. It made him pissed. He wanted to leap out of the simulator and tackle her to the ground. He wanted to yell back or run away.
Keith knew he couldn't use violence. He knew that would be a terrible idea. So he did the next best thing.
While his teacher and the Garrison Officer were distracted, Keith left the simulator. Sure, the fake aircraft would crash, but he already passed more levels than anyone else.
Without thinking, he climbed into the rover that belonged to the officer and slammed his foot on the pedal.
A loud screech came from the tires, before it took off.
Now this, this was fun. This made Keith smile. Was it illegal? Yes. Will it be worth it? Definitely.
For ten or twenty minutes, Keith had driven the car from the school all the way to the edge of town. He would have gone much further, except there was a slight problem.
A police blockade had been formed on his side of the road and one car began following him, sirens blaring.
"Aw crap..." Keith sighed in anger and pressed his foot down hard on the break. The vehicle stopped suddenly, so suddenly that Keith was jerked forward.
The door flew open. A police officer was standing outside the vehicle with a face that suggested he was not going to listen to any sort of explanation.
"Alright kid, step out of the vehicle." He ordered, his voice deep and threatening.
"Alright, alright." Keith hopped out of the vehicle and followed the officer to his car where he was put in handcuffs and placed in the backseat.
The cuffs were precautionary, and definitely unnecessary.
When they arrived to their destination, the juvenile detention center, Keith was placed in a holding cell.
It wasn't really a cell, but it was a room with two way mirrors and soundproof walls.
"Is there anyone you can call to take you home?" The officer who has arrested him asked.
"No, Sir..."
Another, a female officer in charge of security on this floor crossed her arms, "Your mother?"
"I don't live with her..."
"Father?" The man asked.
"Dead..."
"Get me this boy's information." The woman told the other officer.
"Look, I live in an orphanage, okay?! I don't have family!" He told them, accidentally pulling on the handcuffs. "Nobody is going to come get me. Can't I just... I don't know... Apologize and leave?"
The two officers exchanged glances of amusement.
"Unfortunately no." The man said. "We will however remove your handcuffs. If no one comes to get you, you'll be released tomorrow morning."
"But what about school?! I can't just skip!"
"Should've thought about that before you stole a government vehicle."
The door closed behind them and Keith took a seat in the far corner.
'Nice job...'

***

The clock outside was only visible from the small window on the door. It wasn't even a window. Just a small hole which was used to make sure the resident of the room wasn't standing there wait to attack or something.
Judging by the orientation of the clock hands, it had been about twenty minutes since Keith was places in this holding cell, room, place. He wasn't sure what it was, but it smelled terrible.
The door flew open and a guard appeared in the doorway.
Keith glances up and him. 'What now...?'
"Keith. Come with me."
That's all the man said. Not wanting to get in any more trouble, he stood up and followed the man out.
"Today's your lucky day."
"What do you mean...?"
The guard led him to a set of double doors leading to the lobby. "Officer Shirogane was kind enough to help you out of this mess."
"Um... Who?" Keith asked.
"The man who's car you stole."
'What? This is a joke right...?'
Keith didn't believe the man guiding him out until the doors opened, a loud beep signaling the event.
Cautiously, Keith entered the lobby, hands deep in his pockets.
"So you're the one who stole my car."
The boy jumped slightly, startled by the sudden voice behind him. Was he in trouble? Why was this officer here? Was he going to get Keith arrested for real?
This Shirogane saw the confusion and worry in the boy's posture and smiled. "Your skills in the simulator today were remarkable. Ever flown before?"
"No...?" Keith answered, still unsure about how this was all going to end.
"You should consider signing up for the Garrison. It'd be a good fit for someone with you skill."
"Did you not hear my teacher?" He asked with attitude. "She said I wouldn't fit in. Aren't you supposed to listen to that stuff?"
"Fitting in and having potential are two very different things," he paused, "it is Keith isn't it?"
"Yeah.... But this doesn't make any sense!"
"What do you mean?" The officer asked him as he led the boy out to the parking lot.
"I don't understand. I steal your car and you help me out?"
Officer Shirogane laughed a bit, "You owe me one now." He handed Keith a business card with his information on it. "Be at this address at O-Eight-Hundred hours tomorrow morning."
Keith took the card and nodded very slightly. "Officer Shirogane... Sir..." he waited for recognition before continuing, "you wouldn't by chance be willing to drop me off at my home... would you?"
   The older man thought for a moment, and nodded. "Of course. You probably missed the bus home anyway."
   Keith hopped in the passenger seat and rested his head against the headrest. It was much more comfortable than the plastic inside the juvenile hall rooms.
   When asked for directions to where he lived, Keith simply gave an address for The Home.
   The ride there was totally silent. Occasionally, Officer Shirogane would ask a question, but Keith stayed quiet. He had no interest in talking. Plus, it was more than a little bit awkward to sit in the car, that you stole, with the person whose car you stole.

***

   "You live here...?" The man asked Keith as he pulled into the driveway of The Home.
   Keith nodded. "Yep. Don't have a mom or a dad so I'm stuck in this awful place."
   "I don't think it's all that bad."
'What do you know...?'
The boy sighed and opened the door of the car when it came to a stop. "Thanks for the ride..."
"You're welcome. And don't forget," he smiled just a little, "be there at—"
"I know." Keith said, cutting him off. "Eight o'clock. I'll be there."