The Other Side

Cezille07

Chapter 2. The First Dose.

When he next awoke, he was in his room, surrounded by his family, Timothy, Jeremy, and the monsters—it was no surprise that the three Tutors were also there. "Greetings, Zick. I am the Tutor who will be watching you from now on. My colleagues here, they will carefully guard your family and these detainees," said the tallest of the three, in a voice far from friendly. "I hope you enjoyed our present for you," he added, chuckling with his associates.

Zick shifted position—which was not the easiest thing to do; it hurt to move, to speak, to breathe. "Where," he coughed, "where's...Elena?" They all exchanged concerned looks, and did not answer. His eyes lost focus. He closed them, retired to the utter comfort his bed provided. "Where's Elena?" he asked again. Still no response. They weren't going to tell him, were they? He made to sit up, but the lavender hindered all movement. "Why won't you tell me?"

As far as he knew, it was evening. It was cold once again, but whatever relief an early morning provided wasn't there. Dare he ask the time? No. He already knew it was late, too late for anything now, even the Empathy. The throbbing feeling was gone, the thoughts he heard, thoughts that weren't his own, were also missing. Even if he did try, his body fought back any effort to function.

"When will you leave?" Zob asked, his voice warning.

The Tutors looked at one another and entered a laughing spree. "Do you think we will leave?" answered the eldest. "Seriously? Us? Leave? No, we'll be with you for a nice, long centennial, you can count on that."

From where Zick lay, they looked like a celebrating bunch. Zob balled his fists, only Greta held him back.

Unfortunately, the smallest of the three also saw this. "If I were you," he said, "I'd watch my conduct around us three. The Head Tutor doesn't like any resistance, at least not while someone's watching."

"And don't forget," the tallest added, "We've got this to keep you in line." He showed them a small, palm-sized box of wood wrapped in a layer of thick linen.

"Lavender in its purest form, in its strongest concentrate. That's what this little half-Tamer will get if any of you decide you don't like what's happening. What he's high on right now has only a fraction of this wondrous drug's power. Imagine the real thing rushing through your bloodstream, shutting down all your systems one by one until eventually...you don't want to know," finished the eldest.

"But what did I do?" Zick croaked.

The three Tutors laughed again. "Have you no clue?" taunted the smallest. The eldest went on, "You don't recall our verdict yesterday? The house arrest?" The tallest continued, "Your little escapade this morning didn't go unnoticed, and that goes for all of your future plans. I hope you don't intend to see your pretty girlfriend in the next hundred or so years! But by all means, I dare you to go ahead. We'll be glad to punish you anytime you like."

"So she is gone?!" he forced out.

The very last strands of hope Empathy provided didn't comfort him. She was gone, far, far away. And it was his fault. He had his best friend, the only person brave enough, strong enough, human enough, to bear his stupid allergies and his bad decisions, run away. She bore those things patiently...until now. Now, she was just another stranger fleeing him. She was far and cold and loveless, wherever she was. She had no one—as if she needed anyone anyway. But he needed her. She was the only light his eyes had ever seen, the only warmth his heart had ever known. For anyone else to show such attention and friendship, that wouldn't compare to having one special person remain by his side forever.

Oddly, his brain started working again. He sat up straight, eyed each one of the three Tutors—this way, he'd remember their faces forever. "One more," he said, staring them down. "Give me another."

Confusion was written all over their faces, and the tallest only made this more obvious by asking, "What? Another what?"

"Another dose!"

"NO!" cried Greta. She embraced her son, tried to hide him from them. "No more! He won't leave the house! He won't do anything wrong!" Of course, they didn't listen. "What you're doing is far too much! Have you no hearts, no minds?! Are you real Tutors? But I can see you, you're no shape-shifting creatures. I must be dreaming. But no, don't pinch me. If I'm awake, I don't want to know." Zick looked up at his mother's face, but he saw a different woman. It was her eyes—behind them, there was no depth, no soul. "Don't, stay away!" she repeated. "Don't hurt us, we'll do what you say. We'll do it, we'll do it. Don't hurt us, don't, please, don't. We'll do what you say...."

Maybe Zob witnessed what his son did, but made no further reaction. He merely observed the Tutors, perhaps asking what, how, why—the usual questions that had no answers.

"I like the look of this," commented the eldest. His partners nodded enthusiastically. "Then I think it's time to go, for now," he announced. "I feel this is going to be the start of a beautiful journey!"

"I was having fun," the tallest stated in a glum manner.

The smallest walked over to Greta and watched her cringe. "Don't worry, mommy! I'm a good boy, I'll do what you say. Don't cry, boohoo!"

They filed out of the room, laughing among themselves.

"We'll be back tomorrow! Ciao!" called the tallest.