Irregular (A Dystopian Novel)

Chapter 5

"Mr. Winslow and Ms. Moretti, please take a seat.”

I sat down in a nearby chair, Eden following a moment later. A metal table separated the space between The Advisor and us. I looked around; guards in every corner.

Eden was quiet beside me, from the look on her face she was really nervous. I looked down at her hand which sat on her thigh, trembling nervously.

In attempt to comfort her, I slid my hand over hers. She looked up at me, a worried look on her face. I smiled back and gave her a reassuring nod, even though I wasn’t sure what might happen. 

"Ms. Moretti, I will get straight to the point." The Advisor says.

Eden tensed beside me, grabbing a hold of my hand tightly. I squeezed back lightly, my eyes watching The Advisor in front of us. I didn't move a muscle, I was pretty sure I forgot how to breathe for a split second, the air getting caught in my throat.

"Ms. Moretti, or should I say, Eden Amelia Moretti, son of Andrew and Eva Moretti, is that correct?" The Advisor spoke, with a stern tone. 

"Yes." Eden croaked, trying to avoid eye contact. 

"Eden tell me about your parents?" The Advisor asked. Out of the corner of my eye, I swore I saw a small grin.

Eden looked at the table that was pushed up against her chest, "Th-the-they are dead."

The Advisor’s mouth molded into a frown, one that I did not believe, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that."

"What do you mean you don't know? Of course you know, you know everything about everyone!" I suddenly blurted out. 

It was unusual for me to speak up like that. But, she was lying. I couldn't let her get away with that. The Advisor looked down at me, a stern look on her face and a look of disgust in her piercing blue eyes, "Please do not speak unless spoken to Mr. Winslow.”

Eden looked at me, trying to get me to calm down, "Eric, it's okay."

I looked at her, my eyes giving a silent apology. She released my hand, making it suddenly become awkward between us.

"May I proceed Ms. Moretti?" The Advisor said with an irritated tone.

Eden nodded, lacing her fingers together and setting them on her lap.

"Ms. Moretti, I don't want anyone hurt or any lies, and I'm sure you don't either."

Eden nodded in agreement.

"Well, I will make this easy. Ms. Moretti, can you please tell me why you escaped? Why did you break out? Did you not trust us?" The Advisor asked.

Eden's leg bounced nervously underneath the table, the edge of her pants brushed against mine, making a shiver run up my leg.

"Are you hesitating Ms. Mor-"

“Yes.” Eden interrupted,” I mean no, I'm not hesitating. And yes, I do trust you."

I looked at Eden, staring for a moment, trying to decide if what she said was a lie. She seemed to answer quickly under pressure. Which only made me think, she said what she said out of force. 

So did she lie to me? Did she really trust the government? If she did trust them, then why did she escape?

The Advisor leaned back on her heels. Her eyes stare intensely into Eden’s; Eden stared back the same intensity. They stared at each other for a few seconds, as if having a mental battle within their two minds, being translated through nothing but their eyes.