Prototype

The Threshold

"Please, Leon."

I don't know what to tell him. Can he handle the truth? Maybe I can make something up to tell him. Or tell him something that is true and he just doesn't know it. But it has to be something that Linus, Star, and I would talk about.

"Do you not trust me," he asked with fear of my answer.

Think fast! I need a half-truth to tell him. Maybe I can tell him about me and Linus. No, I'd be giving away a secret of Linus by doing that and that isn't fair. What to say.

"Is it bad? Or is it just that personal?"

I want to tell you the truth believe me but it's hard enough keeping it a secret when I know that your life would be in danger. 

"Elijah, can I trust you?" 

He practically jumped at my question and his eyes brimmed with hope.

"Whatever it is Leon I'll take it to my grave if you wish If it's a problem you're having I'll protect you. If it's because you're failing P.E., which Linus told me to help you with, then you have nothing to be ashamed of I promise." He was serious. I could tell. I appreciate his kind-hearted gestures. Also kind of annoyed that Linus told him about me lacking physical prowess despite being able to acquire it easily. Well, he doesn't know that.

"I...I think I'm either gay or bi." There I said it. Not just to Elijah but myself as well. I think, based on research I did, that I've come to that conclusion. That and I asked Linus a lot of questions. 

"You...are?" His voice was shocked. He looked like he was in a daze. Linus did tell me that people aren't always accepting of this type of stuff. "That's what this is all about? If you were afraid of telling me that then you should've told me sooner. Leon, I don't care who you like, dude. I'm just glad you told me."  He then brought me into an embracing hug. He was so nice to me. 

"Thank you. So you don't have a problem with it?"

"NO! I don't mind at all. Oh, and if anybody messes with you let me know so I can rip them a new one." I scowled in confusion.

"Rip them a new one? What does that mean?" Instead of answering he just laughed at me and instead of being annoyed I just smiled. 

Well, I'm not lying to him and I've come to terms with myself about who I am. But I do feel bad about keeping secrets. Not just from Elijah but also from Rubi and Lucien. Just please be patient everyone. The time which we'll all be able to express ourselves freely will present itself soon enough.  

"I'm hungry wanna watch a movie and order a pizza?" He was back to his old self. He really doesn't care. "Wait you can have pizza delivered to you," I asked in surprise. The world is still wide for me, isn't it? "You can't be serious. C'mon, I'll show you how to do it. We can watch Karate Kid 2. " 

" I'd rather not that movie isn't really as good to me. Can we watch the first one?"

"Sure but how many times have you seen that movie?"

"Quality over quantity. The number matters naught."

"Leon, English, please."

2:00 AM

I don't remember sleeping so comfortably before. I'm holding something. Ugh, I'm very tired and opening my eyes is not something I want to do right now. Let's just examine the situation while I try to go back to sleep. I squeeze the fabric clothed item I held to sleep. This is pretty rough for a pillow of mine. Maybe it's that new one Mom bought me? Wait, I don't even remember going home. Now I'm scared. 

I open my eyes slowly and nice slightly familiar decor laid before me. Blue. I look at what I've been holding and realize that it's Elijah. His arm laid over my head and mine around his waist. This situation is very subjective. When on earth did I begin to hug him and how did we end up in this position. Calm down, Leon.  

I slowly but surely release myself from his body without waking him and slowly make my way to the door. All that was heard from him was a slight snore. I looked back to make sure he was still sleeping. He looked so peaceful. I opened the door but didn't see a car outside. Maybe his parents have business elsewhere or work overnight. It's dark but I should make my way home. I  start walking using my phone to both see where I'm going and find my way back. The city should replace these lights for these street lamps. Some aren't even on. 

I saw no one but a single person walking in the opposite direction of me on the sidewalk. I couldn't make out anything on their person. Just a shadowy figure. My pace slowed as did theirs. Was I in their way? 

" You had fun, Leon?"

" How do you know my name? Who are you?"

"All in do time. I'm simply checking in on you."

I didn't answer back to him. I'm analyzing him and I can't figure out who he is. His voice is familiar. I need to trace my memory back to who it belongs to. Adult, male, slightly rough, medium build about 6'2". 

"Woah I can't have you figuring out who I am just yet." 

Next thing I know I can't think, speak or see. I fall to my knees as I try to scream in pain but nothing will come out. What did he do? My chip isn't working. There's a buzzing in my head. I feel like it's going to split in two. I draw all the strength I have to speak.

"What...is......happening?"

"Woah you can still speak and this thing is on 6. I at first was trying to just mess with the wavelength of your chip but I guess it starting affecting your nerves since the chip is directly connected to your membrane. I wonder what would happen if I cranked it up to 10. I'll turn it down for now so you can listen carefully."

I felt a thousand pounds lighter suddenly. He must have turned whatever device he had down to a bearable state. I still couldn't use my chip. There was still a buzzing that denied me access to my neuro-access escape program. With that, I could turn my chip off momentarily and find some way to get out of here.

"Listen to me, Leon. This was a test run. I need you to get stronger. You and your friends, okay? Your chips aren't quite developed yet. You've got a lot farther for someone of your age though I must admit however you've haven't even broken the threshold of your chip. And when you're strong enough I'll pick you up okay? "

He knows Linus, Star, and I are prototypes? How is that possible? If this is the lab's way of testing out new equipment then this is not funny. What threshold?

"You've probably got a lot of questions but I can't give you all the information just yet. How about I answer one question for you. Make it good."

He's not gonna tell me who he is of course or what group he belongs to. He knows what my chip can do so he'll know I can find out who he is. He has some device that can cancel out my chip using electromagnetic waves to interfere with my chip's frequency and affect my nervous system. So I have some answers for myself. 

"Did you...hurt my friends?"

Instead of answering he just laughed and normally that would annoy me but when he did it I felt nothing but fear.

"You've really grown. Worrying about other people isn't normally like you, Project QT-7."

My project model number?! I just looked at him with wide eyes. 

" Why are you doing this?!"

" Leon that's two questions. I didn't even get to answer the first. No, I didn't hurt your friends. As for my reason for doing this, it's really simple. Research. Now that this game is over I'll be bypassing that chip's access to your hippocampus so I can delete any details you've got about me. I'll leave the fear and pain you've felt from the experience though. If you can retrieve your memory from the restriction I'm placing on your chip then you would have tapped into some of your true potentials. You can put him to sleep now."

"No! W..."