Visual Novel Mode: 17:57

"Dammit!" I slammed my fist into the wall. "That damn woman!" I looked at the computer screen of the chat log. She went in there. She told them she wasn't safe. But it would be hard for them to believe her, or it would've been. "Damn you Luciel Choi! Trying to be the hero again? I saw how relieved you were when you saw she was safe. Tch! It would've been perfect. They would've lived in ignorance then on the day of the party. Gggk…ggkah…HahahahahaHAAAA! DAMN! I would've loved to watch each and every one them fall into Paradise." I looked at the computer watching them frantically discuss what was happening.

[ZEN:] She said it was a lie?! But you saw her at that safe house!

[Jumin Han:] This is why I demanded to know of the location.

[Yoosung:] This is all V's fault! If he hadn't sworn Seven to secrecy…

[ZEN:] I can't believe this.

[Jaehee Kang:] Right now we must consider if she is in danger.

[Jumin Han:] Luciel said she expressed she was in danger. He also said he could hear some other voices in the background.

[Jaehee Kang:] I hate to bring this up…but what if she really was working with this unknown person?

[Yoosung:] How could you say that?!

[ZEN:] I don't believe it.

[Jumin Han:] I don't want to believe it either but it is a possibility.

[ZEN:] How could you say that?!

[Jaehee Kang:] Ever since Rika's apartment was destroyed things have been quite strange. I can't help but feel these doubts.

As much as I wanted to, now wasn't the time to log into the chatroom. I looked at the clock. It was nearly dinner time, 6:00 sharp. I wasn't obligated to go but I knew she would be there. I looked at my computers one last time. I won't take that phone away from her. No…I have a better idea. With an agitated sigh I left my station taking one last look at the chat.

707: It's okay. I promise I'm working as hard as I can to find the truth.

"Fufufufuuuu! Oh my I hope you are." With a spring in my step I headed towards the dining hall.

Joseph looked ahead as he lazily rolled his pasta in his fork. I could see at least fifty people in this dining hall which was designated as DINING HALL C. The hall itself was huge with a long wooden dining table donned with a red table cloth and covered in helpings of food. The walls were a creamy beige with pillars built into them as if they were holding the high ceilings. The room was lightened by a soft orange glow coming from the three golden candle chandeliers above the tables by a long silver chain. I could see a hallway that overlooked the dining hall with a small balcony much like one you would see a King or Princess stand when they addressed there people.

How many people were in this cult? Hundreds? God forbid thousands? How many have gone through what I have? The children. I glanced over to my left ten seats down was Lucia who was daintily cutting up her fish as she scooped a bit of white rice with carrots and peas into her spoon. Lucia had deep green eyes, though it was nowhere close to the turquoise like Ji Sung and I. In fact. I glanced over at the others with mint colored eyes. They were normal people but there was something that made them…special. They were glanced over by most of the children but Arc Members seemed to watch over them more closely. Paradisian's seemed to have this hostile feel towards them but kept quiet due to The Flock keeping a close eye on them. No matter what you were always observed, there was never a true moment to be alone and think for yourself. But out of everyone here I didn't see a single Priest. Not that I knew what they looked like but by the way the children acted it didn't seem like they were here.

No one spoke. They all quietly ate almost as if they were afraid to talk. I glanced back at Joseph who didn't seem to be eating at all. He looked as if he was in a trance. I glanced at the Arc Members, they were wearing black goggles instead of the gas masks allowing them to eat. None of them spoke a word or even remotely made a sound. If I looked closely enough I could see soft flashing lights coming from the goggles.

"Well, well." I looked up to see Ji Sung enter the dining hall. "It sure is gloomy in here." He made a B-line for me.

Shit. He must know I have the phone still.

"If it isn't my favorite toy." He whispered as he pulled up a chair.

"You." An Arc Member looked up from his bowl of stew. It was a woman, I would've never been able to tell if she hadn't spoke. "Why are you here?"

"I just felt like socializing."

"Get back to work. You don't have time to be wandering around." Her voice was commanding and her movements hostile.

Ji Sung sighed. "Well, if I get back to work I want to take her with me."

"You two are not designated to each other, if you would like to spend unconventional time with her you must send in a request."

Again Ji Sung sighed. "If you want me to do a good job then I want her with me."

The Arc Member crossed her arms. "You do not have the authorization to make those demands Tool."

Ji Sung stiffened.

"Tool!" The kids repeated.

"Enough." A gentle voice rang from a balcony. "If he wishes to have her with him in order to work then I will grant it."

"High priestess!" The Paradisian's gasped.

She was beautiful. She had long flowing blonde hair and deep green eyes. Her features were gentle and her movements graceful. She wore a white dress with a blue tweed jacket. She looked down at us with a gentle smile as she watched everyone look at her in awe and wonder. I could see Joseph look up slowly and his eyes widened.

There!
That look of intelligence. It only lasts a second but I knew the real Joseph was somewhere deep down begging to be set free.

"She may go with you," the 'High Priestess' continued. "But please make sure she is under constant de-cleansing."

"Of course I'll make sure of that." Ji Sung smiled.

"Good. And please, work quickly to bring him to me."

His smile faded and with a grunt he grabbed my wrist dragging me away.

"Tool! Tool! Tool!" The kids chanted as they watched us leave.

We made our way through the garden and through the black door he had went through when he first lost the phone. We were in a dark metal hallway with little to know light. It was cold and the floors were metallic, a complete 180 to the rest of the building. I could see security cameras placed at every corner as well as complex security boxes that seemed to control alarms.

"You've been here before you know, although you came from a different way."

"I remember." I answered.

"Oh goodness. Did you take those pills?" He glanced back at me and shook his head. "How unfortunate for me."

"Why?"

"It makes you less fun when you're not yourself."

I was still myself, that much I was sure. "What happens when Arc Members take you away?"

"What? Did someone get dragged off?" Ji Sung opened the door to his work room. "Sit there." He ordered as he pointed to a swivel chair. "Do NOT look at my computers."

"What happens to them?" I asked as I sat down and stared at the wall. The mirror that was once in here was now covered by a black curtain.

"They get de-cleansed by Arc Members, and if that doesn't work The Priests will do it for them." He said as he sat down and began typing.

"Irene was dragged away."

"Irene? Oh that couple that was with you and that other woman?"

"What happened to that other?"

"She died."

"What!?" I stood up and looked at him. "She died?"

"They did something wrong during the conversion. She and some other man ended up killing a dozen Lambs. They thought they could still convert her but…Oh well. If I hadn't stepped in she would be drawing on the walls with your blood."

"What?"

"That pile of rubble that was in the Underground Sanctuary, those dumb lambs did that."

I was filled with more questions than answers. I had to choose carefully. No mentioning of the brainwashing techniques and definitely no mentioning of the RFA. "So what is the Underground?"

With a sigh he stopped typing. "Fine. I'll give you a quick rundown." He pulled out a piece of paper and began to draw. "This here is the Underground, it's where we put the Lamb's and where we began phase one of the conversion. It used to be a bit less inhumane looking, the room that is, but some stupid Lambs tried to escape. Little did they know I had set up my own security systems in there." He smiled. "Then we have the ground floor which is where we're at. De-cleansing rooms, as well as civilian rooms are located on this floor. Then we have the second floor which consists of classrooms for the children. Then the third floor which only allows the Priests and High Priests."

"What are those little circles in the Underground?"

"Dead people."

"…"

"Any who normally people forget about that room in less than a week. They're too busy loving paradise and getting ready for the initiation that they don't even give that room a second thought."

"Initiation?"

"Yes. Where we welcome you fully and convert you into an Arc Member. Oh but I've requested for it to be put on hold."

"Why?"

"Well," he turned back and began typing, "that's why you're here. Fufufu…we're going to play a little game with them." He moved aside showing me the computer. It was the chatroom. "Once I press this button you'll be logged on." He gestured to my phone which was plugged into his computer. "Cute photos you have on there by the way."

"Give that back."

"Why? You've already got your own." He glared. "Because of you we must make a whole new plan. So…Well you don't have to be nervous." He stood up and pushed my chair towards the computers and leaned over me placing his hands over mine. "I'll guide you the whole way through." I could feel his cold breath on my neck as he spoke. "Now then…let's log on."

[Yoosung:] You're here!

[Jumin Han:] Is it really you?

[ZEN:] Babe are you okay!?

[707:] Yes! It's really her!

[Jaehee Kang:] Thank goodness…

My breath hitched as I looked at the next text.

[V:] I'm so relieved you're here.