Chapter Four

"You are forbidden to lie, even if it is to yourself."

"Good evening. Is this Janice?" I ask into the receiver, holding onto a little piece of paper containing her phone number from my Decision File.

"Yes, it's me. May I know who is speaking?" a soft high pitched voice replies from the other end of the line.

"My name is Marcus. I am aware that you have not received your Decision File yet, but I have mine earlier. I am your Partner. Unfortunately, I'm unable to perform my duties as a Partner until probably next year."

Janice clearly knows which questions are right to ask and which questions are the ones I am forbidden to answer.

"Oh... how much do you know about me, Marcus? And what should I know about you?"

I nod although I know she can't see me. "I know that you have a passion for Chemistry and you plan set up your own project to create a new type of fertilizer to help with the growth of endangered tree species called meranti sp. Am I correct?"

"I was close to getting the perfect formula," she corrects me. "It's not perfect but it certainly gives a positive outcome. What are your specialities, Marcus?"

"I am interested in the study of emotions," I say, looking at my watch. I have another ten more minutes before it is time for dinner.

"Emotion Containment is my weakest subject," Janice admits. "They do not make any sense to me unlike Chemistry. Where do you reside, Marcus?"

"Gloom District. You?"

"Stygian District. I'm planning to migrate to Gloom since Chemistry Department in Gloom has the facilities needed for flora research. Maybe by then, we can meet up," she suggests.

"That would be splendid, Janice."

We talk a little bit more before we say our goodbyes and I promise to call her soon.

Collin and Daryl are already in the large crowded cafeteria sitting in a round table with their food in front of them, still untouched. I can tell that they were waiting for me while talking. I hurry over to join the queue of people wearing grey Wall National Guards' uniform to retrieve my meal. Collin and I are the only ones who are wearing black formal attire in the cafeteria.

"Hello," I greet them, taking a seat in between Collin and an empty chair. The cafeteria is buzzing with light conversation among Wall National Guards.

"Hello. Theresa has come down with a fever so she is unable to join us for dinner," Collin tells me.

"It's not unusual," Daryl says. "Whoever is not used to the Emotion Machine at the beginning will have symptoms such as fever, flu and chills. It is not terminal; Theresa will heal over time."

I nod and unwrap the plastic of my sandwich. I hope she gets well soon.

"Daryl was just telling me about our portrayal as a family. I am supposed to be a father, the head of the family," Collin says and then takes a bite of his steak.

"And as a head of the family, he's responsible in providing income to the family. Theresa is going to act as a mother to you and a wife to Collin. Usually, married Light women have a choice whether they want to stay at home to do the house chores and raise children or have a job."

"Wife? Don't you mean Partner?" I interrupt, glancing at Daryl for confirmation.

"They refer the term Partners as wives or husbands after legal marriage. Unlike us, they pick their own husband and wife out of love or even arranged marriage."

This time, it is Collin and I who simultaneously say, "Arranged marriage?"

"That will be a topic that you will learn soon."

Collin leans back into his seat, giving all his attention to me. "We will also be given a last name, which is also known as the family name."

"Family names?" I repeat in confusion.

"It is to show which family you're from," Daryl explains. "The reason why we don't have last names is because we will be forever tied to family names. Some families might hate other families because of, for example, business. Family name is the reflection of the ancestors' doings in the past and what makes the future generation who they are and will be. It is common to have a family name in Light so we have made a family name for your three to fit in. Your name is going to be Marcus Schneider in Light."

I take a sip of orange juice before testing out my given last name. The name rolls of my tongue without difficulty. "Schneider."

"My name will be Collin Schneider and Theresa's will be Theresa Schneider. Every family member will share the same last name unless if the female marry another family and has to take up the other's family name into hers. Strange, isn't it?"

"It is," I agree with Collin. "Anything else should I know about Light?"

Daryl taps the table with the end of his plastic spoon lightly. "There are a lot to learn and you can't just absorb all of this overnight. Tomorrow, after Jackson's training sessions, you three are going to be separated into respective classes where you will be taught on your own role. Collin, you are going to have to work as a doctor in Light to earn income for your family and be the perfect husband as well as father. It is a way to not look suspicious to Light guests, if there will be any."

"You mean we are required to socialize with these people?"

"Yes. You three will have to learn to be one of them so you don't draw any unwanted attention from them. You have to be cautious and precise once you're on that side."

Collin and I share a look.

"Excuse me for sounding ridiculous, but what do Light usually converse about?" I ask.

"From what I have been informed, they can talk about anything. Family, friends, life."

Collin tilts his head to one side. "Life? What do they speak of in the topic of life?"

"I think it is best you meet a previous representative who stayed at Light for two years. I will arrange a meeting for tomorrow."

I excuse myself after finishing my dinner. Along the way back to my assigned temporary room, I find myself on my way to the library instead.

Something is going on and I want to find out what. This project may have a different purpose that Collin, Theresa and I are being kept from.

Do they actually want war? If so, why? Nothing matters more than peace and the continuation of our species. Why want something brutal and ugly that can change the course of history again? Should we be satisfied with the Wall to keep us in place instead of causing problems?

Collin has a point about our nature. We don't murder, no matter what. It is not what we were taught to do. Once we catch Duke Quinn, we are going to interrogate him before sending him to Darkness where he will meet his fate. He may not have any blood on his hands, but he is somehow involved in the murders. If he cooperates with us, we can help lighten his punishment.

"Good evening. How may I help you?" a woman in her twenties says as soon as I enter the library. She knows that I'm not a Wall National Guard since I'm wearing formal black attire. I look around the large room with shelves of thick books in order from A to Z. I have also noticed that I'm the only one, other than the librarian, here.

My eyes catch the sight of cameras everywhere in the library. Is it possible that there may be someone watching Collin, Theresa and I all this while? To keep an eye on us? I quickly look back at the petite librarian.

"Do you have any books regarding Light?" I ask.

She nods. "Yes, but I'm going to have to ask you to show me your barcode tattoo for verification."

I compile, rolling up my sleeves as she hold a gadget that scans my tattoo. The librarian taps on the screen at the other end of the gadget. I keep myself busy by reading at the names of different sections of the library from the entrance. I am unable to find any section with 'Light' on it.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Marcus. Please follow me," she tells me in a monotone.

We walk past the shelves that I was gazing at earlier until we reach a metal door with a large bolt, indicating that the room behind it is classified and only restricted to authorized people. The librarian holds up a card that she takes out from her pocket and slides it on the security system next to the metal door. There is a loud click sound before the bolt unlocks itself and the door opens with a loud creaking sound.

"Once you're done, please put the books back to where it belongs. This area is under surveillance 24/7. And the library is closed at 12am."

"Thank you for the reminder."

She leaves me alone after giving me a polite smile. The room is cold when I enter it. It takes me a while to find the switch in the dark before the large room is lightening up. My jaws drop at the sight of the countless number of shelves consisting of books. The scent of dust tells me that these books had been here for a long time.

"Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction," I read out each label as I walk past them. This is the first time I've entered a library with different words on the label. I may not know how does a fiction book is like, but I do know that it is a book out of creativity and imagination. A genre Dark will never allow into their libraries. Why read something that does not bring any use or knowledge?

I stop at the 'Teen Fiction' section and grab a book without looking at its title. The cover of the book has a picture of a girl with white hair looking away from the red haired boy at the back. I stare at the unnatural colour of their hair and expression etches on their frozen faces with curiosity. Is this how they show emotions?

I turn to the first page to find someone's messy handwriting.

"To my baby girl, Happy 13th Birthday. From, dad."

Interesting. Do Light parents give their children a book at every year on their birthday? Their lives are really strange.

How are we going to cope in a world we might never understand? Darkness is simple; unlike Light. If they are more like us, keeping their emotions at bay, the Wall may never be sealed in the first place.

It's such a shame that they are nothing like us. I guess things are meant to be.

I put the book where it belongs and continue to head to the end of the room where the Non-Fiction section is. I run my fingers across the hardcover books until I reach one the end of the shelf.

It takes me a while to pick a book since all the books in here look interesting. I finally choose a book with a picture of the green scenery and the bright sun shining as a cover. I have never seen the sun so bright and mesmerizing. The sun there is different from the view here in Darkness.

"Kindly be reminded that the library is closing in ten minutes time," someone, perhaps the same librarian from just now, speaks through the speakers situated at every top corner of the room.

Sighing, I put the book back to where it belongs and walk out of the cold room with intentions of returning tomorrow.

Author's Note

Damn. This is much shorter than the previous chapters. Then again, more action will come soon.

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-M.