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_03_newkid_

ryan keeps seeing these...scenes, in his head; keeps waking up in the middle of the night from them. they won't stop showing up, and they're becoming more and more frequent, nearly every night now.

he keeps wondering why they occur, why he keeps seeing these random images, why he's been randomly remembering these facts that nobody else seems to have any knowledge about. for example, earlier he was walking by these birds that always gather around outside his room, and the name "vulture" popped into his brain. he doesn't know why it's only now revealed itself because he's passed these 'vultures' every day and only now does he remember.

it's all too dizzying for him at times, though. too confusing. he doesn't understand it. is his brain twisted? or is it something else?

he wonders because of these images and words, although everyone would insist he's insane for even thinking such a thought, that maybe he's had a past life. one outside the walls of the city. outside of dema. how else would he knows these random things that nobody else seems to know?

but everyone else has chided him so much for thinking it that he's convinced himself that that couldn't possibly be it.

ryan sits down on one of the old, white boxes on the left side of the room. he watches as everyone keeps silently filing in and filling the empty spots one by one. there's one boy that catches ryan's attention, mainly because ryan has never seen him before. must be new.

there are only nine people per nonant, and every time someone goes missing, or...dies....well, they get replaced. ryan doesn't like to think about it, so he tries not to notice when people disappear and new ones arrive to fill in their spot.

but this kid stood out from the crowd. his black curly hair was disheveled, and his mannerisms were very quiet, and seemingly nervous. he kept his head down and didn't look up once on his way in. he looked as if he's been up all night just thinking about...well, things to put it lightly. ryan knows the look all too well.

ryan doesn't really talk to people; he doesn't have what's called 'friends', or what he knows to be friends. that's yet another term he knows that no one else does. but he wants to talk to this kid- well, he's not exactly a 'kid'. but he looks to be about seventeen or so, at least ten years younger than ryan.

the gathering commences once everyone is seated. it proceeds in silence, the only sound being the sound of vials clanking as the nine bishops of the city begin preparations. citizens aren't allowed to talk during this event. talking is seldom allowed in the city overall, the only place they can really talk amongst themselves is in the courtyard during meals, and even then they must keep it to a minimum.

the only thing the citizens do in this event is observe as the glass rods arranged in a curious shape go from clear to suddenly lit up, a bright white light illuminating from within the rods. white lights seemed to be of some importance to the city. they're what light up everyone's rooms, they light the graves of the fallen, and they're always the purpose of the sunday rituals. nobody really knows why, but they do know it holds great importance to the bishops and this city.

once the procession comes to an end, the citizens are released with a solemn nod of the bishops' heads. the kid with the black hair stands up quickly, but also not trying to be obvious about wanting to leave. ryan gets up and follows, staying close behind as to not let the boy out of his sights.

when they make it outside they're walking side by side for a while, nothing being spoken. ryan decides to break the silence.

"you new here?" he says, catching the boy off guard; he was obviously not expecting conversation.

his bright blue eyes dart around nervously. "um, not exactly. at least i don't think." ryan tilts his head slightly. "how do you mean?" he asks the boy. "well, i have like...weird pieces of memory, like i remember this place from another time. i feel like i might have been in another nonant? i'm not totally sure. they're too...fragmented." he replies, hesitant of every word the comes out of his mouth.

ryan slows his pace. "so...you were transferred?" the kid nods. "i think so. i cant really remember it though. the memories are too-" "too blurry, can't really make out exactly what's happening." ryan finishes, giving a look of acknowledgment.

the boy looks up at him with a face of a thousand questions. "you have them too?" ryan nods. "they're odd. i can explain them later, not here though." he informs, gesturing with his eyes to all the people amongst them. the boy nods in understanding.

"what's your name?" he asks. "ryan." the boy gives a slight smile. "i'm thomas. it's nice to meet you." "likewise."

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