Erudite colour choice is bold. That is my first thought when trying on the clothes the clerk gave me after signing the register. I purposely chose a pair of faded jeans and as modest a shirt as I was given, yet I am still left with an odd feeling of betrayal and discomfort. Wearing something as outgoing as this practically screams attention to me and I can picture the look of hidden displeasure set along my father's face. His mouth set firm, brow furrowed and eyes cold with disapproval.

I exit the dressing room feeling almost humorously displaced. Feeling like a bit of a clown I expected teasing stares, whispers behind my back, amused smiles even yet no one gives me a second glance. A boy that must be at least four years younger than I bounds towards me, a jovial expression plastered across his face. I study his appearance as he moves and find I take a particular liking to him. His stature is small with stubby limbs and a healthy build, his hair is stark blonde, tousled in a careless manor and his mousy facial features round out the look of a bright, young kid.

"Alexander Rousche," The boy introduces himself in an almost sing-song voice. He plants his feet in front of me and throws out a hand of welcome.

"Caleb Prior," I reply. I grasp his hand loosely, feeling slightly lost, and he gives it a firm shake.

"Come on!" He says, keeping a firm grip on my hand. "Let's go meet mum and dad!"

Alexander (or Alex as he's asked me to call him) drags me through the streets of the Erudite Compound chattering away like a hungry robin. Apparently, his parents work in the Research Facility specialising in simulation serum, Alex however finds the thought of spending day-in-day-out in a lab, and I quote, boring as hell. His constant noise and free spirit brings a flicker of a smile to my face. I don't know why but he seems uncannily familiar; he reminds me of someone.

I am interrupted from my pondering when Alexander halts abruptly. I blink a few times to clear my vision and find an odd sight in front of me. Of course the thought crossed my mind, many times in fact, I knew that making this decision would force this moment upon me and it was something I had feared and dreaded. But the moment came too soon. I was meant to have time, time to adjust, time to compose myself but instead it seems I have been thrown into the deep end.

"So how's my favourite nephew?" Jeanine asks, bending down and pinching Alexander's cheek with a honey-sweet smile. So that's who Alexander resembled: Jeanine Matthews.