The man got stunned for a moment before nodding his head. “Yes, of course. You are Eunice,” he then said, and sat properly as he seriously eyed on the folder.
“So, how was it?” he queried.
“Which one?” she questioned, hinting him she already has the right to choose whether to still pay some respect or make him taste a bit of disrespectfulness.
He raised his brow, but remained composed. “Pardon?”
“Which one specifically are you asking about?”
“Which one?” he repeated and frowned.
She smelled victory as he refrained himself from showing his colors. At least for once, she made him know it is not always his rules over someone’s.
“Yes. Which one are you referring to?”
He raised his brows even more and creased his forehead; and put back her documents, dismissing whatever they have to talk about. She gasped, realizing that he has no plans to cooperate.
“It was okay.” She stopped him when he stood up.
“I see. You are the only one from your team who has a different response to that question.” He sat back.
Hearing about her team, she instantly got hooked. “What were their answers?” she uttered.
Lux laid back on his chair and heaved a sigh as he shrugged his shoulders. “They aren’t happy leaving not complete.” He stared at her.
“So do I.” He then unfold the folder, exposing the first few pages that are obviously the ones she had signed a decade ago.
“I either,” she agreed and watched him signed her papers, a formality that her contract with them has already ended. “Where are my members? Are they all home now?”
“I am a man of my words. They’re already back to their places.”
“From now on, think no more about the organization. Forget about it and everyone you meet there. Talk nothing about it and remember those years of your life belongs to no one but only to the organization.” He reminded, flipping the pages; making sure he didn’t miss one to sign.
“Remember to forget about it?!”
“Yes.”
“That’s crazy! I have been alive for those years! What exactly do you want me—us to do?! Forget that we existed for a decade?! Is that what you want to happen?” she blurted, all red in dismay and madness.
“As if you know what it really feels like to forget your existence, Eunice. Compared to me, compared to what I did, that decade is nothing to the years that I had forgotten in able to live normally. Read this.” He glanced at the time.
He moved the chair aside and get his suitcase.
“Where are you going? Am I free to leave now?” She wondered.
“I have to prepare everything you need before you flee. You have stayed a long time away from the outside world’s civilization. I can’t let you go yet without making sure that your system is just totally fine here.” He went to the door and turned around as it opens. “Make sure to read it well—cover to cover,” he instructed, and left her alone.
With the papers in her hand, her eyes started to water as she could finally say that she’s just a pace away from going back home. She traced the writings, her signatures, and her picture—an image of her reason for grabbing the decade long contract, away from her family.
“I, too, should prepare as well then.” She picked up the folder.
Readily, she tactically roamed her palm on the papers. Letting the scanner on her wrist copy the written details while she one by one replayed in her mind the informations she has to keep intellectually.
She felt belittled as she saw the statements. The luxurious life and bountiful wealth—that is all she got from them. Yet in return, it costed her one-tenth of a century, her life at risk.
‘The boss is asking you to stay for a while longer, Captain Eve,’ a familiar voice aired, interrupting her from what she’s doing.
“Good to hear you again, Program Lux!” She acknowledged. “Tell him I would be waiting for him.”
Her arms started shaking the moment she held the pen, as if even her hands are already traumatized by the organization. It would not allow her to sign the papers.
‘Are you alright, Captain?’ The Program worried.
Her eyes widened as she realized that she has to stay in good shape until she gets home. If not, Lux will surely insist her to get conditioned. With the speculations, they have regards to it, she can’t trust her health condition to the capsule cradle.
“I am okay, thanks. I am just excited!” she excused and smiled, though he is nowhere to be found.
‘I will inform the boss if you aren’t, Captain. Should I?’
She almost fell from her seat upon hearing the suggestion. “No, no. I’m perfectly fine.” She gripped the pen tightly and firmly pinned her arm on the table’s surface.
Signature after signature, her connection to the organization is finally getting cut. She has no choice but to agree to what was stated on the contract. Though, silently, she has no plans to stay silent about it, neither stay true to the terms.
“Program Lux.” She raised her head, and left the documents read midway.
‘Yes, Captain?’
“Had the boss talked to my members before they left, too?”
‘Yes, Captain.’
“Why he had to meet us here if he could just talk to us while we’re still on the island? This not time wise.” She gets back to her file and proceeded to signing the pages.
‘I have no knowledge about his reasons, Captain. If I were you, you better ask him personally.’
She doubts he will give her a reason for that.
She’s just flips away from finishing what she’s doing when a man came in, wearing almost the same uniform that the organization’s facility guards are using. Eunice stared closely at the embroidered logo on his black as raven suit. Intricately, it looks perfectly exactly like the badge that all of the residents of the organization in the Island have.
The man gave her a salute before telling her his concern.
“Captain Eve, it is such a pleasure to meet you personally. I am one of the boss’ trusted guards here outside the Island. I was ordered to keep you here until he returns. If you want, I can tour you around in this place after doing the task he left you.” The man smiled, obviously genuine to his intention.
“After this.” She accepted to the offer and give him back a thanking smile.
The man then patiently stood still meters away from her, waiting for her to get done.
“Are you allowed to go outside wearing that suit?” she inquired.
“No, Captain. We aren’t allowed to go anywhere unless he told us to.”
“He?”
“The boss, Captain.”
“What you often do here, then?” She asked, sounded normally as she closed the folder and stood up, showing she is asking about it with no intention of investigating.
He laughed. “Captain, we, the guards, have no other life than roaming around and secured the areas entrusted to us to keep guarded. That is kind of boring, but that is what we are working here for.”
“Is that all?”
“Told you, Captain. That is all.” He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
He took her to a room that seems to be a receiving area. Her eyes glistened as she saw wooden furniture. Finally! She sees almost no white in Lux’s territory.
“Does the boss always comes here?”
“Yes, Captain. He rarely doesn’t.”
She was stopped from eyeing on the displays. “Are you sure he rarely doesn’t?”
“Yes, Captain.”
Her hands trembled both in doubts and fear; and her knees weakened as assumptions started to formulate in her head.
“He may be a man who is strict in his rules, but you don’t have to worry anymore, Captain Eve.” The guard assured her upon seeing how impactful for her, it was the years she had spent on the organization.
“Look outside, you’re free now.” He then opened the windows and the door, giving her a relief that those aren’t automated like the ones on the island.
There are trees around, grasses that cover the ground, birds that flying from branch to branch, the smell of the land, all are real.
“Step outside. I’ll show you something.” The man cleared the way, letting her take the step.
He led her meters away from the building. As soon as she saw where he took her, she fell down on her knees to feel the ground she is stepping on. “This is soil!” She joyed.
“It is,” the guard uttered and looked at the far end of the passage.
“This is the way out.” She gazed at the tunnel of the trees leading to the first road away from the organization’s grip.
She walked a few steps to wander under the trees. “I remember this. I remember here.” She turned around and face the man. “I remember something,” she whispered and glanced at the man going to their way.
“We have to talk, Lux.”
“I have something important to discuss to you, Eunice.” They stated in unison.