The vibrant lights and bright neon signs were always a harsh reality to strained and overtired eyes. For me, now-so more than ever after the blackness of Bluebird. I squinted as I made my way through the main streets, before turning off onto a lesser well known road. There, the buildings hung back in the shadows, less keen for attention. I knew that most who entered through their doorways, were no less keen to be observed in their search for black-market goods. Seeing them, shrouded in darkness, was another reminder of the two curious strangers from earlier.
As I wound my way through the dimmer sections, I finally came to the centre. Overshadowing all, was the sanctuary. Its reaching spires stood glistening the colour of onyx gemstones. The two towers of crystal were all, clean sharp lines that stood with smooth unblemished surfaces, looking oddly natural but intimidating.
Coming to a stop, I stood watching from within the darkness as it subtly caught the light of the moon, a natural wonder that had found a new purpose. Despite everything, and against all rational thought, the crystal towers seemed to have grown out from between the surrounding silver birch and blossom trees – which were now genetically enhanced but still beautiful. It was also a reminder to us all, that those of the sanctuary were bound to protect harmony and mother nature.
Exhaustion weighing evermore heavily, I still managed to lightly climb the steps to the touchscreen doors, the black glass mirroring my every movement.
The thought of the impending debriefing brought an ironic smile to my lips as I held up my right hand, especially as it was simply another term for checking your mental well-being. Anyone that had to put up with Casimir’s head games was not only mentally strong, but royally pissed off afterwards. Just one of the many reasons that I spent as little time there as possible.
The doors gave way, and I made my way inside. The cool air soothing my overheated skin and aching muscles. They often circulated certain essential oils, that helped to keep stress to a minimum. It had something to do with the crystal walls, helping to enhance the effect. Although I knew of at least one person who seemed to be immune to its benefits, fortunately I didn’t see Lavender anywhere.
The woman could be a malicious sack of flesh. Although in fairness, having partially witnessed her sister's brutal death by a telekinetic, it was hardly surprising. I often ignored her, as I usually ignored almost everyone, it was the best way to deal with most people. At that moment I happened to catch the movement of a familiar small boy, glancing in my direction. His pale red eyes and shocking white hair, were familiar. The dark circles that had settled beneath his eyes, no-doubt mirrored my own. He was clearly albino and very alone, as he sat trembling. It looked like Lavender had left her mark on him once again. I often wondered if, that was why, I would sometimes catch him following me at a distance.
As I walked away toward my debriefing, I soon found his small shadow walking beside me. He said nothing, but remained close as we stepped into the lift from the spacious indigo and white foyer. Without looking down, I felt him gently take hold of the side of my playsuit. It was an unsettling feeling, after he’d always kept a slight distance previously.
Still not looking at him, I stared at the lift doors, ignoring the mirrored walls. “Are you okay?” I asked softly.
He didn’t speak, but I heard the rustle of clothing, so I glanced down to see him subtly nodding his head. His pure white hair casting a silky sheen as it fell forward, under the bright lights. I found it pretty amusing that out of everyone here, he’d chosen to cling to me. The most anti-social of them all. If he only knew that the sanctuary suspected that I had killed my own parents as a child, through my loss of control of telekinesis. No-one had bothered to tell me, I’d found out for myself through the stolen files.
Bringing me back were the lift doors opening. As always, at night the floor to ceiling windows allowed the flood of vibrancy from the city, to cast its sin upon the interior walls. The tranquil silence of the space was a welcome relief, as I slowly began to relax. Only then did I realise that we weren’t alone.
“I see that you’ve finally found a friend.” Her tone was unsurprisingly mocking.
Turning, I kept my little shadow behind me, as I took in her shimmering waist-length hair, its pale pink hue perfectly coiffed. “Who would’ve thought, now I’m at least one up on you.”
She stared at me with her dark brown eyes, reminiscent of black voids. Yet I watched in amusement as her left eye twitched, betraying her anger, as her light olive complexion flushed.
If her colour deepens any more, she’ll pass for a sun-baked salamander.
“You’re late. I know the missions are difficult for someone of your calibre, but being below standard isn’t an excuse.” She rolled her eyes in apparent disgust.
“True, if it was, imagine how much you’d have got away with.”
Almost everything.
“Sarcasm is a sure sign of the lowest form of wit, Lilith.”
“Maybe, but it’s also the highest form of intelligence, something that you’ve still failed to grasp.”
As a bright spark would say, only the dim need to glow.
The bored expression I had wasn’t at all put on, as I walked away from her dulcet tones.
I’d love to simply tell her to fuck off, but the extra sessions of counselling with Casimir just weren’t worth it. For a councillor, he was notoriously cruel at times. He was the only councillor I knew that was himself in desperate need of counselling.
Stopping, I turned back to the little shadow still dutifully following me.
“I need to leave...” I stopped, realising that I didn’t know his name.
“Aquilo,” he said softly. “And I know, the computer told me.”
I raised an eyebrow, vaguely remembering that I’d heard somewhere before of him being cyber-kinetic. The ability to manipulate technology. With that in mind, Lavender should leave him alone. Although the thought of him fucking up her day, filled me with a dark kind of amusement.
I looked back at him. “I'll see you later.”
He nodded, turning around to head back to the lift with the flicker of a smile. He must only be about eight. Seeing him brought back the hours of isolation and anger controlled telekinesis, from when I was also his age. Once the lift doors closed, and he disappeared from sight, I turned, heading for the chambers of origin Alder, which was the better part of the debriefing to come.
Time was slowly passing as the sky gradually paled, a moodiness setting in as a threatening grey became the prevailing colour. A sign of a possible lightening storm brewing. Passing through into the serene wing of the priests and origins, the deep reds and burgundys accented by gold fittings leant a warm grandeur to the place – which made me feel both welcome and uncomfortable. That about summed up my entire relationship with the hierarchy.
Reaching Origin Alder’s private chambers, I didn’t knock, and unsurprisingly the doors opened, folding inwards. Standing there was an acolyte. They were the direct assistants of the origins. Their speciality, research and recovering information. I nodded in thanks, passing through into the chambers ahead which were welcoming in their richly inviting hues.
“Lilith,” he said, before giving a nod to the acolyte to leave us.
“Origin Alder.” I bowed my head, showing reverence.
Probably one of the few times that I did, and by the look on his face, he was thinking something very similar. His brown eyes, flecked with amber, gently smiled, showing the beginning of his laughter lines.
“Have a seat,” he gestured in a calm and graceful movement. His dark green suit and long robe, perfectly unruffled.
I sat without pretence, as he waited for me to begin. Running a hand over his short black hair, his brown skin softly glistening in the candlelight.
I looked off into a distance that didn’t exist, as I slowly recalled my long day. “I tagged the target. The catalysts can track him and trace his upper connections to dispose of their networks.” I sighed. “And in sector seven I found nothing but stories and rumour. Yet, the people I spoke to had definitely seen something unnatural. They all spoke of ravaging white flames, and their fear was real. Shortly after that I was pursued for two miles, before I eventually killed the guy. Whether he objected to my questions, or feared their repercussions, I couldn’t say, but he was certainly determined to kill me.” As I paused, I didn’t need to glance at Alder to know that he sat listening, with his eyes closed – as he always did.
“I also found nothing out about the mysterious men while there. No-one that I spoke to could remember anything about either of them. Although after tonight... I have a fair idea of why.”
“And that would be...” he left the rest unsaid, knowing no more was needed.
“Because I met two strangers tonight, and whoever those two are, they’re not like the rest of us.”
They were confident, experienced and far bolder than anyone I had ever met before. Not to mention, irritatingly well-informed.
“The pale blonde used pyro-kinesis, but had unparalleled control and finesse. The dark-haired one had an ability that I’ve never seen nor heard of, even in the archives. He was able to manipulate those around him with elegance and ease.”
Myself included... I really should have shot him.
Although, I knew after seeing them both that it would have been next to impossible. They were far too good.
“I see,” he said, bringing me back. “Yet you are unharmed. So they wished to speak to you then.”
I smirked. “One of them inferred that if I wanted to learn more about the killing sprees, I should visit sector nine, tomorrow.”
“And what will you do?” he smiled, knowingly.
“As if you don’t already know... I’m going.”
Opening his eyes, he finally looked right at me. “Thank you as always, Lilith, for your service as an operative.” His voice softened. “I know that I needn’t ask you to be careful, so I will simply say may nature aid you. I will give you three weeks grace. After that, if you are still pursuing leads, return.”
I nodded, bowing my head lightly as I stood to leave.
“Do not forget to visit Casimir before you leave, once again.”
“If only it was possible to forget Casimir entirely.” He said nothing more, but suppressed a wry smile as I left.
Walking slowly, I headed towards Casimir’s office, but unfortunately he was already making his way towards me.
A slow smile curled his lips, as his golden-brown hair brushed the tops of his ears, his light hazel eyes taunting me with a knowing look. “How long were you planning on keeping me waiting, Lilith?”
“As long as fucking possible, but ideally, indefinitely.” I said, not bothering to curb my dislike.
“Such language, I’ll have to write that up in your notes.”
“That’s fine, just make sure you spell it correctly, I wouldn’t want the origins to think that you’re illiterate. It would give the game away.”
“When you deflect like that, it speaks of your insecurities. We’ve talked about this before.”
“Personally, I think your delusions are more of a problem, you really shouldn’t hide who you are, masquerading as a councillor.”
For a moment his face froze, but within the blink of an eye it was gone. Leaving me to wonder if I had imagined it. Still, I followed him into his office of soothing pale blue and cream walls. We each sat down on a light sofa, opposite one another, their sleek design contemporary compared with the origins wing.
I watched as he settled back, before flicking a remote to turn on the awful whale music that he knew I despised.
That right there is a sign he needs therapy, for his poor taste alone.
“How was your assignment?”
“Wonderful.”
“This only works if you’re honest,” he smirked.
“Yes, that’s true of actual therapy too.”
“I’ve noticed that your sporadic nights of drinking every now and again have lessened recently. At this rate, I’ll be seeing less of you. Although I can still see the anger in you, Lilith.”
“Well, you’re one hell of an incentive not to, Casimir. So I guess you’ve succeeded at something, if only by default. As for the anger, did you ever think that maybe it’s just you.”
“No, as if anyone could find anything about me objectionable,” he said with another taunting look.
It’s clear that he really believes that, not that I’m surprised.
“Your delusions are worse than I realised.”
“We’ll focus on some breathing techniques.” He paused, giving me a sly smile this time. “To try to rid you of that unfeeling sarcasm.”
This is going to be another long session.
Thank you for reading ❤️
(Word count 2230)