Chapter 3

"The purpose of living is to ensure the survival of our species and to contribute to our society for a better tomorrow."

"Jackson, this is Marcus, Collin and Theresa. Marcus, Collin and Theresa, this is your Ability Development teacher Jackson. He will teach you about Dark's ability and everything about Light," Daryl says on the next day.

"Ability?" Theresa asks for explanation.

"It is a special gift every Dark own," Jackson explains, looking at her. "Very few in Darkness are trusted with the knowledge of this gift because of its consequences. You three are an exception because the government trusts you to keep this knowledge a secret."

Collin leans forward in interest. "What kind of gift?"

"The ability to inflict pain on people," Jackson replies with seriousness. Collin and I look at each other, wondering what he is talking about. "Every Dark has this gift printed in our DNA. We have the ability to make people feel what we want them to feel. It's not just pain that can be used with this ability; it applies to all emotions.

"The government thinks that this gift may be exploited and immoral values might be practised in secrecy, thus the existence of Emotion Containment subject and other school syllabus relating to emotions. Education plays a big role in shaping the society."

I listen carefully. We have a dangerous potential yet we are unaware of it. It is a knowledge that can change Darkness, in the worst way as possible.

"I will have to excuse myself," Daryl says, slowly making his way out.

I nod just in time for him to see before he slips out of the grey room. Collin, Theresa and I take the seats close to where Jackson is standing, in front of the oval office desk.

"As I was saying, all of us have the ability to make others feel. We do not practise it here because of the dangers it might cause to our people and our future. However, when you three are in Light, it is important that you're taught about your true selves and learn to defend yourself," Jackson says. "Light is the total opposite of Dark in every aspects. This is why the two races often have war with each other before the sealing of the Wall of Equilibrium."

"May I ask a question, Jackson?" Theresa interjects.

He nods. "Yes, you may."

"What are the differences between Light and Dark? In general?"

"Light and Dark are literally the complete opposite of each other. One is our location that reflects us. The early people of Darkness picked to stay at this side of the Wall because of the gloomy skies and have more land to develop for the future. Light picked their side because it is sunnier and there are more green there compared to here," Jackson explains patiently. "Light are more environmental people. It is because of their way of living. Collin, I'm sure you know how plants make their own food."

Collin's eyebrows furrow in confusion at the sudden change of topic, as do Theresa's and mine.

"Yes, plants have chloroplasts and chloroplasts have a specific organelle that converts light energy into chemical energy by photosynthesis. It's simple science so what this has to do with the lesson?" Collin says.

"Exactly. Light lives the way plants live; just that it is more complex if you compare their cells to plants' cells. Light makes their own food," Jackson tells us.

The three of us stare blankly at the man, unsure what to say. No one had expected this much of information and I'm pretty sure that there is more information about Light to come.

"How is it possible?" Collin asks, pushing his spectacles up.

"It is the way we were created, Collin. Light makes their own food whereas Dark consume from plants and animals. Light are close to nature because of their ability to feel what others are feeling."

"What does that mean?" I ask.

"Remember what I said about Dark and Light are complete opposites? Dark makes people feel and Light feels what others feel."

"Our capability is voluntary, right?" Theresa asks.

Jackson looks at Theresa. "Yes, it is voluntary. It actually takes time to learn and control such powerful gift. Both abilities, Dark and Light's, only work by skin contact. The only difference between your abilities, other than the type, is that Light can use their gift upon other living things like trees and animals."

"Which is why they're environmental people," I murmur.

Jackson looks at me like I score a jackpot. "Exactly."

"How about their mortality? Is it the same as ours or different?" Collin asks.

Jackson has a thoughtful look. "We, Dark, used to have short lives because of diseases and murder. Over the years, we changed. Not just because of the ban of emotions, but also because of the number of doctors and biologist that had risen. Our belief is based on science as well as logic and it is a fact that most Dark pursues science-based profession. Our daily meals contain a balanced diet that is needed our body, thanks to barcode tattoos. There are more factors why the length of Dark lives has increased after many years of research.

"Light, on the other hand, are more plant-like. They live in small communities and mostly in the woods. Once a Light gets sick and the disease is contagious, the whole community will die along. Not many Light are interested in science because each community has their own beliefs. Especially animism."

"The belief of every natural being has a soul in it," Theresa whisper in wonder.

"Exactly. Light are also artistic people."

"Artistic?" Theresa repeats the rarely-used word.

"Yes, artistic. Their interest in art is truly amazing," remarks Jackson. "Some are great singers, some are good musicians, others are best at dancing. Anything to do with art, really. That doesn't mean that there are no doctors or scientists, just that there is a very small pool of them."

"Interesting," I breathe out.

"They are interesting indeed," Jackson agrees. "When you three are sent over there, you will have to disguise yourselves as Light. Their languages are a little rough, but understandable. You cannot forget to dye your hair. It is crucial that you do..."

"Die?" Collin, Theresa and I say at the same time. What does he means by 'die our hair'? Is it killing our hair cells off?

Jackson shakes his head. "Not die. Dye. D-Y-E. It means you will have to colour your hair."

"Why do we have to colour our hair?" I ask him.

"Every Light has natural blonde hair while we, Dark, has dark. Our hair colours are one of the exterior differences between us. Since Light are more outgoing and daring, some even dye their hair with such extreme colours," he answers. No wonder we never heard such word; what is the point of dyeing your hair?

"Are there any side effects when dyeing our hair?" the biologist asks.

Jackson blinks a few times. "No one has reported any bad experiences with dyes in the past couple of years. I can assure you that it is safe to use. Anyway, right now, I have to make you get used to pain as planned on schedule. Please follow me."

As instructed, Collin, Theresa and I follow him into another room across the room we were using. This other room is not like the room we were in. No large office desks and no office chairs. There are three huge metal-like beds that are standing vertically. Beside the vertical-bed-looking machines is a screen with buttons underneath.

"These are the Emotion Machines," Jackson says, standing by a wall that has a set of hooks holding white coats. He puts on one of the coats. "These machines make you experience all sorts of emotions. For this program, you're only going to feel pain and remember the emotion. This emotion can be used as a weapon and a defence mechanism when you're in Light. Can you each please stand in front of the machine?"

We do as he says. Jackson first approach Collin, who is the nearest to him. All of a sudden, three people in white bursts into the room.

"Why pain of all emotions?" Collin asks.

"Because pain can be used as a defence mechanism once you're in Light. None of you would want to kill any Light, but it would be enough to save yourself in case of being attacked."

I eye the machine that looks like it is going to explode anytime soon.

"These are my assistants who will help me," Jackson tells us without sparing a glance at any of his assistants. "You will be experiencing pain for an hour daily until the day you go to the other side. We will first set the machine in weak and your job is to get your body used to it and not fear pain. Slowly, we'll increase the amount of emotion into you until you are able to resist the fear of the pain at the highest level. Once you're used to it, I'll teach you how to use your gift. Do you have any questions?"

"How much intensity of pain do we have to endure to ensure our safety in Light?" I ask him.

"Well, the highest is Level Nine. It is enough to kill them but not you. Our body is built in a way to withstand physical pain. Theirs is not."

One of the assistants comes up to me. "I will have to strap you to the machine. Please stand still."

I do not reply to her; only take a step back so my back is touching the soft material of the machine. The assistant girl gets to work immediately, strapping me into the machine so I cannot escape. I see an assistant helping Jackson doing the same thing to Collin and only one assistant working on Theresa. Once the three of us are tied to the machine, Jackson and two assistants stand by each machine. The same assistant girl who strapped me is at mine.

"Remember, accept the pain and do not fear it," the man in grey suit tells us. I nod along with Collin and Theresa. "Karen, Harry, set the machines to pain at Level One."

The soft material behind me vibrates and silently hums. My heart rate increases a little, but I tell myself to keep calm. Collin has a poker face on while Theresa keeps looking down at her fidgeting fingers.

Out of nowhere, every part of my body that touches the machine feels like it is being stabbed with pins. I gasp at how uncomfortable it is. It is surprising to see that there is not one pin close to me although it feels like one million pins pierce into my skin.

My teeth grounds together to hold back any sounds that are confined in my throat.

I must accept the pain, I tell myself.

"Take a deep breath, Theresa," Jackson consoles. "Don't faint because it will make it much difficult to handle. Harry, Karen, please jot down today's report. Collin and Marcus handle Level One Pain well. Theresa will need more time to get used to it, therefore, longer hours of Pain Containment for her."

The sound of pen scribbling on a piece of paper is heard.

"How much longer?" Collin asks through his gritted teeth.

"It has been five minutes, so another fifty-five minutes," one of the assistants, Harry, answers him.

The next fifty-five minutes pass slowly. I had to keep biting on my lips until I taste my blood in my mouth to hold a scream down. Collin looks up at the ceiling like he is trying to think of something to distract himself from the pain. The worst is Theresa. A range of whimpers to screams escapes her lips. Not one second does she not make any sound. Jackson and his assistants keep themselves busy by watching the Emotion Machine and giving advices to Theresa.

"Accept the pain," they keep telling us. "Pain is good. Pain saves you."

After forty-five minutes, I feel no more pain. My body is numb and I can't move any parts of my body no matter how much effort it takes.

Then, they help me sit on a chair. It doesn't take long for my senses to return.

"You did fine, Theresa," Jackson tells Theresa as she leans heavily onto an assistant for support. Sweat beads her forehead. She is hunching a little while trying to take a breather. Collin is breathing heavily just as the two of us. He is looks the least affected to this training compared to Theresa and I. I stand slowly, holding onto a nearby pillar with my left hand when I feel like falling due to my shaking knees. If we can barely survive at Level One Pain, how are we going to reach Level Nine Pain to use as defence mechanism at Light?

"That was... something," Collin remarks. "Is that truly physical pain? Or is it merely a prick? I mean, compared to the pain we're supposed to master by the end of this month?"

"Keep in mind it's artificial. Only you can make the artificial pain real and effective. The Emotion Machines used to be a device to torture individuals in order to obtain classified information a long time ago. To be truthful, not many would be able to withstand even Level One Pain. Don't be discouraged, Theresa, I am certain that you will adapt over time."

Theresa nods. It is remarkable that the three of us are soon get back on our feet as if nothing happened. Level One Pain does not affect us as much as I thought it would.

"It's almost lunch time. You're dismissed and retired for the rest of the day. Feel free to do your own research on Light at the library. You're accessed to all sources provided as long as you follow the rules," Jackson informs us.

Theresa, Collin and I obediently walk out of the room that seems to feel colder.

Author's Note

Three chapters in three days. One chapter a day sounds good to finish the book (i hope)

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-M.