CHAPTER 1

"Do you remember...your childhood, Virus?"

I shifted my gaze from book and glanced at false blond next to me. Trip was gazing at ceiling, watching fly that was circling around lamp. I just sighed and continued reading. But he didn't give up - looks like his mind didn't want to drop this subject so fast.

"I was wandering... If we weren't there... Maybe we wouldn't meet in this life."
"That's possible."
"Maybe we would live happy lives with our families, siblings..."
Pause.

"Hey, Virus..."
"Hm?"
"... You've never told me anything. About your life back then. I don't remember. But-..."

"I don't remember anything." Quick, sharp answer. I put book away and took off glasses, rubbing my eyes. "And anyway I'm not obligated to give out a personal information to person, who has nothing to do with me."

Trip gave me a long glare. It wasn't angry nor hurt. Completely calm. Then he nodded.
"Yeah. You're right." He shifted and took his things from floor. "Good night, Virus."
"...Good night." I mumbled and turned my back on him. I heard click and doors closed. I was alone. I sighed and put blanket over my head and curled to ball.

'Maybe we would live happy lives with our families...'

I closed my eyes.

Children around me were cheerfully chatting. All of them were wearing white shirts, blueish pants and collars - each of them had a number. How could I know? I was about to become a part of this huge mass.
I glanced at woman beside me, who called herself 'my mother'.
We were never close. Even though she was always smiling and pretending interest. After my father died, she became really distant, always locking herself in room or going out for long walks, leaving her child behind. I felt ... Alone. But eventually got used to it. After a while, it even felt RIGHT - I couldn't imagine discussion between me and her anymore. Even when we were sitting next to each other, we felt like two parts of different world. And even though I didn't want to admit it - It was crushing me down like rocks, falling down on me mercilessly.
Of course, I've tried so hard to steal some of her attention - I was child after all. When I was seven and all of those sad things happened, I was always following her, hugging her - "are you okay, mommy?" here; "are you okay, mommy?" there. My childish mind believed that it will cure her and she will smile like on the other days. No - It just went down the hill... On my 9th birthday, she just packed her things and left our house for a week. It hurt and I was just hopeless child left behind to take care of myself - but luckily, she left the fridge full so I made it. After a week she came back more devastated than ever before - drunk, crying, dirty... - even looking at her was a psychically killing the child inside of me.
And then, that day came. After so long, she smiled. But well - not at me. At her Coil. And from that day, she started to slowly regain her life energy and light in her eyes.
At that moment I thought: "It's back. It will be okay." It was a gentle lie. My and her relationship died - and we are not in the PC game to revive a things that are broken, shattered and killed.
Mom started to go out with quite nice and handsome man. He lived in district above Midorijima - in Platinum Jail. It was a luxurious part, where you couldn't go unless you had invitation. Of course, she's got one from him. And soon, with a blink of an eye, we were moving from here. And on my 11th birthday, a celebration and happiness came. No my birthday - that woman was pregnant. Her shining eyes, his big smile - "Darling, look, we will be finally a real family!"
...That was when I became an adult.

He said, he was working in Toue's Company and all the time, he was absolutely fascinated by the man that gave him a work - even my mother became like that - they were worshipping him like some kind of god. I didn't care and I always got yelled at. And also when I refused to call that man a 'father'.

I became a mistake in their happy family life.
And soon... I was passing doors to the living room. I need to go to toillet but it was something after midnight so I tried to be silent. They were there, watching some kind of shitty soup opera.
"Darling, I don't want to hurt your feelings but in my oppinion your son is... Indocile. He refuses authority, he does whatever he wants. He doesn't care about us. Isn't it true? Look, I work in facility... They are searching for children and-"

I knew what was comming but I couldn't help it.
And for the first time in forever, when I returned to my bedroom, I cried.
Because I knew HER answer.

"I will take him there tomorrow."

Happy 12th Birthday.

"Don't worry, you will find new friends, learn new things. It will be better for you, believe me." She crouched next to me and fixed my shirt and hair. I was just gazing down, not moving at all. "You are here to help a research! Remember that! It's important role and there are only few chosen. Me and your dad are very proud of you."

Lies, lies, lies...

"Hmmm..."
"I gave your things to one of researchers, they said you are gonna get them after medical examinations and registration. Just don't forget to politely ask for them. Okay."
She stood up and sighed. "We will visit you."

...and more lies.

"Okay...mom." I felt a pat on my head and then... She was gone. Forever.
The door behind me opened and an old looking person invated me inside. They checked me, made me a blood tests, look at my eyes and ears. I had to fill some psychotests even.
"How old are you?"
"12, sir." I said calmly.
"Well, young man, you are pretty clever even thought you are only a little child. Results like this are pretty rare - and now I speak also about adults." Doctor showed me papers. "The only thing that bothers me... You didn't write down your name. I thought you forgot but other things from personal information section are filled." He looked at me interested. "Do you have name?"
I looked away and nodded. Of course, I had.
"What is it?"
But...

She gave it to me...
She wanted to get a rid of me...
She didn't want to have memoried with me...of me...
She just wanted to erase me.

...So i will erase it all - delete memories, feeling towards her - my whole past. Burn it down... Same as...

"...Virus."

To be continued...