Gates: Two worlds

Numb

Quaila felt the all to familiar buzzing and slight shocks running through her body. Cords, more than she cared to count were connected to certain parts of her head. Straps held her thin and weak arms down on the sides of a plastic chair, the same material held her legs to the bottom of the chair. Seemingly a decade ago she might have struggled against the restraints, now all movements seemed futile. Her thin skin seemed to bruise easier than before, making the other children nervous when she would go back to her quarters full of bruise marks if she didn't give them what they wanted. 

The machine made a low humming noise, and soon the once crystal clear vision Quaila had was soon disoriented and blurred. The only thing Quaila could see was the faint outline of her mentor, or care taker she couldn't tell anymore. He was leaned against a blurry white background, the wall, she knew that much. Static soon filled her mind, she couldn't form a clear thought. Every time she tried to think of something, anything, a dull pain entered.  A clear voice not of her own,  echoed in her head. 

" Given the current state of each institute who will likely find the answers we are looking for first? " A soft yet monotone voice asked. 

" Given current statistics, Janus Institute for science will most likely pull ahead. The funding and technology exceeds Caluis. Protection is also key, which Janus also has well covered. " The child spoke softly. Everything that she said was hazy, like she was not responsible for the words that followed. Like she wasn't the one saying those words. 

The voice gave a quiet hum as they thought about her prediction. The silence hung in the air for an uncomfortable amount of time, finally they burst to life. 

" Just what we wanted to hear, that's all for today you may go do the rest of your testing number three" The voice said.

The machine was turned off and Quaila's vision hazily  came back, she was staring down at the straps on her legs. Her mentor walked at a constant pace towards her, his face twisted with worry when he saw that her normally heterochromiatic eyes turned to almost a pale grey. The closer he came the more visible his name tag became, the familiar name Zachary registered in her brain, her expression and body language visually became more relaxed. Zachary carefully pulled the straps off of her, he grit his teeth when he saw the faint red marks as he pulled the restraints off. He was more than aware of how tight the straps were supposed to be but that was only for those who resisted to cooperate. 

Quaila pulled her arms down back to her body, feeling a sudden chill overtake her.  The girls gaze drifted up to him, only for an instant, her eyes returned back to the brilliant colors of red and purple. A truly extraordinary rare pairing among human civilization of the time. Her unkempt hair dropped in font of her eyes as the cords were unattached, her head subconsciously dropping. After the cords recoiled back to the neat and organized pulley systems Quaila stood, the sudden freeing feeling made her zombie like state fade away. The static vanished instantly, her mind became clear once more. She was cognitive once again.  Her eyes naturally moved to the door, then they moved slightly to stare at the hologram. It seemed to hover, moving up and down slightly. 

Zachary followed her gaze, making a brisk path to hologram. He typed in a four digit code, it did a quick scan and gave a single beep of recognition. The doors unlocked once Zachary came within a reasonable distance away, making a satisfying sliding noise. He took a step, shifting his head slightly to look at his number. Quaila followed quietly, her eyes slowly rising to meet his,  eyes locked she passed though. The very same scanning system focused on her, recognizing her as  subject test number three. Another beep of recognition sounded as she walked through, her eyes never leaving Zachary. 

After she was through, Zachary turned right down a long white hallway the hidden cameras in the wall followed the two as they walked down to the second testing room, this one would be more physically demanding for Quaila. 

The day passed on, test after test filled their schedule. The only reason mentors were needed were to make sure the children they were looking after were kept alive, since most if given a chance would do anything to escape the Scientific Research Center.  In the prototype stage of the SRC many of the children found ways to get out, weather that be taking their own lives, or injuring  themselves while escaping. Most mentors were in their 30's with a impressive knowledge of the technology of the time. Some were barely 21, taking a break from the other mundane type work offered to young men an women. Most going into the job thought they would be helping the children locked up there. Most held that impression that their care taking was helpful, keeping the children from crumbling.  Zachary, Charlie, and August happened to be the youngest of all the mentors. The oldest of the trio was Charlie who was only 23, next came Charlie who was 21, Zachary brought up the rear at age 20. Often judged for being so young, yet having such an important role. 

The boys hadn't always intended to go into the caretaker role. The resumes and ads for the line of mentor work was nothing like what actually went on. The scientists, which everyone later found out after getting hired, lied about the conditions of most of the children they tested on. Same with the reason why these children were being tested on. In the world few children, to be exact one in fifty-five hundred thousand were born with some sort of magical and unworldly abilities. In order to understand them more the government allowed scientists to conduct multiple tests on the children found out to have these powers. 

The lead doctors voice broke  into the minds of every soul in the SRC building, the use for loud speakers had become old fashioned. Upon entering the building an adhesive chip was inserted directly below the head, the small divot where the head and neck joined. This allowed the officials to mentally communicate with all the workers. 

" We ask for every person to return to their quarters, a releasing is taking place. I repeat, go to your quarters." A crisp voice cut out as everyone scrambled to their rooms. 

Quaila slowly followed one of the other girls to their shared room, a faint buzz ringed in the hallways. The buzz was emitting from the lights above, as if to much power was being sent into them. The children were counted for, and each room sent a message to one of the officials, clarifying that they were safe in their quarters. A screeching, nails running down a chalk board inhuman scream echoed in the hallways. Snarls, and a banging noise could also be heard, the girls in Quaila's room huddled together, shivering from the sudden sounds. The small framed girl sat alone on her bed staring down at the floor, her body shivered without her realizing it. The heating system turned off and the rooms turned into ice boxes, the cold wrapped around each of bodies. The only constant thought of being cold clouded the minds of each child. 

They were never told to come out for the rest of the evening, sitting in their cold rooms waiting to hear who or what was the thing making the terrifying noises. No answer would be answered until the following morning, when everything would come to life once more.