M–I–N–T–E–Y–E
I slowly opened my mouth carefully choosing my words. "Tell me about descendants."
Ji Sung shrugged. "Descendent's are those who defied against Paradise. They're rebels and not even the Priests can figure out who they are let alone the Flock. They blend in with the other Paradisian's and go through the daily motions just like everyone else." He gave a big grin as he looked at the chair behind me. "But they're great. They sell drugs, porn, any sort of 'unclean' thing you can think of and most importantly, to the Arc Members anyways, violence. Before you ask I'll tell you. Rumor has it there's this specific Descendent who they call the Mainframe. The reason being is because they can hack into an Arc Members hypnotic device and instead of being fed Paradise they're fed violent images. It's like drugs to some of the Arc Members. A Priest found only one Arc Member who was getting his fix and he promptly…beheaded him."
Ji Sung shrugged again as he heard my gasp. "It's funny. I mean basically Descendent's are Defectors but unlike Defectors who are just showing a glimpse of independence, Descendent's gained it back completely and are fighting the system. So the Priests don't even bother giving them a re:REJUVENATION. They just kill them on the spot. There's this one Priest that Arc Member's have nicknamed Mortician. Some have—secretly mind you—speculated that this Priest actually likes killing them, since it happens so rarely, because he does it in the most brutal way. I saw only one other of his killings. He strapped some Descendent onto a table, turned on the Paradise TV and then he just started breaking their fingers and toes and slowly he broke each bone. And you know what? They actually felt pain. I saw the brainwashing video they were using, it was the same one that everyone sees, but somehow he was able to inflict pain on them."
He took a breath. "But that's basically it. So, if you ever join their rebellion be careful, you'll end up dead and that will make me sad." I arched a brow in confusion. "Because then I'll've lost my plaything and you wouldn't have died by my hands…" He looked saddened before quickly shrugging it off and forcing himself to smile. "But rules are rules. And Paradise has a lot of them so what are you going to do?" Those words sounded so forced, almost like someone was shoving them out.
"What makes all this okay?!"
He looked away as his hands shook. "One question and that's all you got. Remember?" He took a deep breath as he rubbed his temples. "L-let's go."
We quietly walked back to the garden making sure not be spotted by any of the three devils—at least that's what I had dubbed the Flock, the Priests, and Arc Members. It was completely empty and even the TV's had been completely shut down. The flowers had all turned in gently wrapping their soft petals into a sweet slumber still emitting their calming scents. I looked up to see the stars shining brighter than I had ever seen before. I could see the North star shining brightly above the Dining Wing, the Dippers even Gemini—at least I thin it was Gemini. It was so beautiful and it looked so free up there in the sky. Freedom. How even the thought of it seemed almost hopeless.
"A shooting star." Ji Sung muttered. "Every time I make a wish, I wish for the same thing…to find him and hurt him."
I didn't even have to ask to know who he was referring to. Talking about Seven would only set him off. Maybe he'd start yelling again, maybe he'd try to hurt me.
"Hurry." He motioned. "Through the East Wing." He sharply turned left and headed for thick dark wood doors with the Mint Eye logo carved into it. I looked up once more taking in the freedom of the night sky. A shooting starred tore across the sky with a long white tail disappearing into the vastness of space. I wish that you'll find him too.
We made our way to the end of the hall. Room 110 was apparently my room. "Well." Ji Sung smiled. "Good night~!" He didn't even wait for a reply. Quickly he turned around and ran down the hallway exiting without so much as looking back. Slowly I opened the door and to my detest there was yet another TV turned on with the Mint Eye log spinning slowly. The bed, which was placed perfectly in front of the TV was white with one pillow and one soft looking blanket. I pulled the pillow to the foot of the bed, so as to keep my head facing away from the TV and slowly laid down. It was soft and comforting and there was a scent of roses and vanilla wafting in the air. Slowly it became sickening and more than once did I wake up feeling nauseous.
It wasn't like I was going to get good sleep anyways. I rolled over to my side taking in short breaths to keep myself from gagging at the smell.
Descendents…Hell Spawns…Priests…so many thoughts were swimming in my head and frankly all of it gave me a headache. I thought of that boy and the device he held. I never looked straight at it when it was on but by the way Ji Sung acted he was even fearful of it. In fact he seemed terrified. And that woman, the Hell Spawn, other than her deranged look and matted hair she seemed perfectly normal. I rolled over to my left side trying to get comfortable. Descendent's, those who rebel against Mint Eye. I couldn't help but smile. No system is perfect and this one certainly has it's defects. They sold impure things to those who also wish for freedom. I chuckled. I wanted in but there was no way for me to know how to join the rebels. Ji Sung said they're well hidden. But…but if they're somehow selling impure things then that means there's a provider. Someone on the outside had to bringing these things in. I felt my heart speed up. There was an exit somewhere and I was determined to find it. No matter what I have to do. No matter who I have to betray, tear down, rip apart, or eve kill… I'm getting out of here.
P–A–R–A–D–I–S–E
Morning finally came and at promptly 7 am, or so I figured, the TV clicked to a different broadcast feed. It was the High Priestess. She was as beautiful as always. "Let us have another beautiful day. Expect a light rain to clear all the impurities of this earth. Please head to the dining hall for your morning breakfast." The TV switched back to the swirling Mint Eye logo.
Slowly I exited the room and found thirteen other people shuffling out of theirs. I spotted a young woman no older than me slowly dragging her feet as she yawned loudly. She had dark red hair and bright blue eyes. Her freckled nose scrunched up as she sniffed and scratched her chin. She kind of looked like a slob. "Good morning!" She smiled at me.
"G-good morning."
"You're the new girl eh? I heard that Belial was making quite a fuss over you!" She spoke loudly, apparently she didn't know what an indoor voice was.
"Who's Belial?"
"Oh yeah he has so many names I forget which one people most know him by! HA HA HA!" She sniffed again wiping away her tears. "Yeah!… Yeah! Belial is also known as Ji Sung! The Flock calls 'im Ji Sung!"
"O-oh…"
"My names Melody!"
"Nice to meet you." I shook her hand as I gave her my name.
"Hey!" She smiled broadly. "Wanna eat together!?"
"S-sure." I looked around for Joseph or Irene. Neither could be found. "Is this the only wing with rooms?"
"Nah! There's a basement area with more rooms! See!? Over there!" She pointed to a small trap door that suddenly opened with more Paradisian's and Flock climbing out from a ladder.
"Where do Priests and Arc Members sleep?"
"Not sure! I've never seen them sleep! HA HA HA HAHA!"
I wasn't sure what was so funny. Melody chatted the whole way to the dining hall discussing her favorite meals and her favorite flowers and her favorite time of day, the list never ended. Finally she quieted as she stuffed her face with waffles and bacon.
"Anb thish ish my faaaborite spot to eat at!" Every hard t she spoke caused food to fly out. The other Paradisian's didn't seem to care. I looked around neither Joseph nor Irene was in here. Perhaps they were in another dining area? I bit my lip. Lucia had led a Priest to his room. Was he tortured?
After breakfast Melody dragged me to the Garden once again going over her favorite flowers. "Hey!" She suddenly exclaimed causing me to jump. "You've never got a tour of the place have you!?"
"N-no."
"GREAT! I'll show ya around!" I let out an exasperated sigh and followed her. Why her of all people? "Okay! Let's start on the Healing Wing!" We entered the pure white hallway with the flashing signs and TV's with swirling lights and flashing words. "If your ever sick you can come in here!"
"Can I see inside one of the rooms?"
"Go ahead!" She smiled.
I cautiously opened one of the rooms. Just as I thought, pure white walls, white pure white beds and a TV screen placed on the ceiling. Not a single thing of medical supplies could be found. "How do you treat wounds?" I called out as I closed the door. "…Melody?" I looked back to see her staring at the flashing banners her pupils the size of saucers. Her mouth was gaped open and she was swaying back and forth as if she was on a ship. Drool was running down her chin and she let out a strange gurgle as she choked on her own saliva. "Melody!" I grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the Healing Wing."
As soon as she was outside she let out a loud gasp spitting out the accumulated saliva. "H-huh…?" She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "Oh no…" She looked at me and pursed her lips together. "I did it again didn't I?" She sniffed. "I should've known!" Her voice raised back to its usual octave. "I'm just a sucker for those pretty lights! C'mon the tour ain't finished yet!"
Without even waiting for me she ran off towards Ji Sung's wing. "This here is Belial's wing! He's real cold!" She kicked the ground. "Especially to me!" She pointed to the stairs. "Down there is a secret place! No one is aloud to go down there! But Lambs come from there so it can't be all that bad!" I looked at the floor noticing a splatter of blood. That must have been that boys… "This place is real boring though! Ain't nothing really here!" She grabbed my wrist tightly and dragged us back out and made a B-line for the Civic Wing.
She led us back to the rooms and pointed at the trap door. "Ladies first!" She giggled. I pulled the door open and climbed down the ladder. It was strangely dark in here. The walls were barely illuminated by the lanterns and their was a definite musky smell and hollow winds blowing through here. "Sure is damp huh!" Melody called out from above, her voice echoing loudly off the walls.
"Yeah. Why is that?"
"I heard this part of the room was built in a hurry! Not sure why!"She motioned for me to come back up. "Look over there!" She pointed at a closet near the back of the wall. "That's where you get new linens and clothing! But under your bed there should be supplies for you! These are for just in case moments! C'mon! Let's go to the second floor!" She headed for a narrow staircase and climbed the stairs two by two. I looked back at the basement rooms.
"Made in haste…" I smiled. If they made it quickly that means they made mistakes.
"Whatchya doin standing around for!" Melody called. "HA HA HA HA! Hurry it up!"
"Sorry!" I called back as I ran up the stairs.
"This here is them Flock's study room!" She pointed at three doors that each read Classroom A, B, C. "Some Priests teach them!"
"Oh? Can we look in?"
"Nope! Paradisian's are forbidden to look in! And they're forbidden to go up there too!" She pointed at another set of stairs leading to the third floor. Right even Ji Sung's sketch said the third floor was restricted.
"Is each classroom full?"
"No! They're only using one if I recall! There aren't that many Flock here!" She stifled a laugh. "C'mon! Let's go!" She pulled me back down the stairs and back into the Garden. "And that's that!"
"What? That's it? Then…Then where is the entrance?!"
"Entrance?" Melody tilted her head.
"The…way to get in here? The way o-" I stopped myself as I saw an Arc Member walking along the balcony.
"Get…in here?" She rubbed her temples. "HA HA HA! I've no clue what you're talking about! C'mon! Help me take care of the daisies!"
For the rest of the day Melody stuck by my side. Even when I spotted Ji Sung he made a complete 180 when he saw her and walked the other direction. Melody went on and on talking about her favorite things and talked my ear off at dinner. She excused herself and headed to the bathroom.
A man walked up to me taking Melody's seat. "Good evening." He smiled.
"Good evening."
"My name is Charle. I hope we meet again." With that he got back up and walked away. Charle sat with a group of people who all looked over at me and smiled.
What was that? Before I could say anything a woman sat next to me. "Irene!" I looked at her. She slowly turned her head. "!?" There were scars on her temples. She had a vacant stare and her mouth was slightly open as she breathed in and out.
"Leave this Paradisian alone." A Priests distorted voice spoke behind me. "This lost child does not need your words to interrupt her thoughts of Paradise."
"Thoughts? She doesn't even look like she can think!"
The room went quiet.
"I shall let that slide insolent child for you bare the mark of the Loved One." His rimmed goggled reflected my face. "Hmph." He turned away leaving the dining hall.
The group of people with Charle glanced towards me and whispered amongst themselves laughing and enjoying their meals. Charle raised a glass and they did as well ringing in the people around them. "To Paradise!" Every cheered.
I felt my heart start to pound…are they? Could they be Descendent's? Had I found my way out of here? I looked at Irene as she stared at the far wall breathing loudly through her open mouth. She glanced at the food and tried to make an attempt to pick up a spoon.
"Here." I scooped up some soup and helped her eat and drink. "Would you like more?"
"uaaa." She gurgled.
"Oh Irene…I'm so sorry."