Stellar Lucifer

Chapter 6: In English Please

~Lucas~

They... Played me.

That encounter in the indoor garden, the Ophiuchus key, stealing it, giving it back, earning my approval to come with them—everything was scripted.

"You guys played me." I stood up and slammed a hand on the table, emitting a dull thud. My voice sounded hoarse for some reason, but I couldn't care less. I should've known. Yet... Why am I still falling for all of these tricks set up by them—by Apollo?

Daiz glanced up and looked straight into my eyes with a worried expression. Or maybe that was concern—or another lie for all I care. "Brother Lucas, chill. I know you're mad because Keina and I kinda tricked you, but I promise that there'll be a proper explanation—"

"I don't need to hear it," I answered curtly, avoiding Leslie's questioning glances beside me. My eyeballs landed on Doctor Apollo, and I swore I just found smoke rising from my own ears from the reflection in the glass window.

"Please sit down, Stellar Lucas. This entire meeting has been made for your sake, and you'll need to listen to the debriefing first, before jumping into conclusions." A hand suddenly clamped down upon my shoulders, pressuring me to sit back down. I turned around, and wasn't surprised at all to see Doctor Hermes looming around like a creep. 

"What other nonsense do I still need to hear from you... You freaks!" Another scowl formed in Frederich's expression. "We're all literally the same here," he whispered under his breath, but I didn't miss a beat.

Fury—somehow— broke through my defense, and I was spewing out nonsense in a matter of seconds. I'm pretty sure that these kids beside me have their families waiting for them too, and I'm sure that Apollo brainwashed them into complying.

"You're crazy, Apollo," I spat, voice laced with venom. "You all are! How could you separate us from our families? You didn't even consider how they—or how I—would feel!" A hand fell itself onto my shoulder again and forced me to sit back down. I had no choice but to comply, but still wishing like crazy that I have some laser-shooting eyes, or super strength.

"You force my hand, Stellar Lucas," the doctor mused, but nevertheless proceeded to speak while having me clamped down by Hermes. "I didn't brainwash any of them—if that's what you're thinking. Their circumstances have been properly explained, and if you're really a rational person, then you'd sit down and listen."

"Reading too much SciFi stories, I see." After hearing Frederich's salty comment, I instantly hated him. Keina glared at the four-eyed boy, but he simply shrugged her off.

"Fine." Muscles tensing a bit, I plopped down and took a dark chocolate macaroon that had been resting undisturbed, located by the center of the dessert palette.

"The five of you are special, you see," Doctor Apollo began, eyes giving off a glint of amusement, as he placed both elbows on the table, then picking off a slice of meat with his fork.

"The blood coursing through your veins have the potential—the blessings—of the gods themselves. You are the chosen ones, and I'm sure there are more of you. Born with the abilities— far more advanced than any other human being." The doctor's expression looked somewhat like he was in awe, but I couldn't tell for sure.

Hysteria shoved itself inside my throat, and I nearly retched. A conclusion has been reached: Doctor Apollo is crazy.

I was about to open my mouth when he continued, "and don't you dare accuse me of being mentally disturbed, boy."

"But you are," I answered blatantly, rolling my eyes.

Doctor Apollo sighed, massaging his forehead, but still held unto his calm demeanor and smiled. "If you're accusing me of being mentally unstable, then that means so are the one hundred and fifty-three staff members in this institution—who are all experts in engineering, archeology, biology, geography, astronomy, mythology, and many various fields in research."