Chapter 5

"Mistakes are lessons for the present and the future."

When I wake up every morning, it always takes me awhile to remember why I am not in my usual dorm in Gloom Academy. It feels so surreal that it was merely weeks ago that my only focus was school.

Every day in Camp Gloom starts off with having breakfast with Daryl, Collin and Theresa. Then we were ushered for Pain Containment. The pain starts to get easier as my body willingly absorbs and memorizes the feeling. In no time, we are taught to reflect the painful feeling through skin contact.

After an hour of Pain Containment, the three of us are separated to our respective lessons. Collin receives lessons on the biology of Light. Theresa and I are learning psychology to study on Light's common behaviour. The knowledge we are receiving will benefit us once we're sent to Light.

"Yes, Marcus?" Eric says when he sees me putting up my hand. Eric has experience in Light and he was the one who discovered Duke Quinn's identity.

"You said that Light didn't practise their gifts nowadays. Why is that?"

"To be honest, I have no clue. I think there are lesser gifted Light who still practises their old ways to teach the younger generation and most Light do not find their gift useful. But be aware that there are a small pool of Light who still do and once they make skin contact will you, they will notice something is wrong right away," Eric explains, closing the book he has been holding.

"Will they notice because we lack emotions? Or simply because we are of different races?" Theresa asks curiously.

"I don't know the answer to that too. My stay in Light was short and I made sure not to make a mistake that can potentially end the age of peace. You and Marcus have to avoid mistakes at all costs."

Eric continues to talk about Light. He had mentioned that the Light race is very talented and Eric had to pick up a skill to blend in.

"Tomorrow, I will teach you about creative writing. It is one of a Light art and is the simplest art for us to master. You're dismissed."

Theresa leaves for her extra hours of Pain Containment. Collin is still in his lesson so I have free time for myself. As usual, I make my way to my dorm to contact Janice.

I phone Janice every day at exactly five in the evening. Now that we learnt that we are Partners, we are required to get to know each other until we live under the same roof one day. Apparently, Partners are the only people we should open up to and confide in. Each person in Darkness is paired to ensure strong bloodline that can last for a long time.

"I received my Decision File today," Janice informs me after our exchanged greeting. "I chose the chemist option as my job."

I put my books on my study table and sit on the edge of the bed. "Congratulations. When will you start working?"

"Next Monday. I am going to move to Gloom in two days' time. Will you be free to meet me?"

"I apologize, but I can't."

"Oh." Janice doesn't know of my current situation. I am not allowed to tell her about a top secret plan and she knows that my job is currently confidential.

"I'll start working as a professor by next year. I'll come visit you once I return," I promise her.

"Thank you, Marcus. Have you heard that the government is planning for each couple to have two children now instead of one?"

Every pair of Partners in Darkness are required to bear one child only, unless if they are infertile. The newborn babies will be sent to the nursery where they will grow separated from their biological parents. From there, the younger generation will grow up and be shaped to become future biologists, engineers, chemists, and so on.

Every Dark is independent as they learn to not rely on anyone, especially parents. The parents are not allowed to attempt to make any sort of contact with their child. This is so that the young will not experience any strong emotions or attachment to the parents.

The parents are only allowed to name their child.

"No, I haven't. Have they implemented the law yet?"

"From what I've heard, they are still discussing about it. I don't believe that this plan can work. If every pair of Partners has two children, the birth rates will double. This will lead to overpopulation. We may not have enough resources for every individual and it will cause chaos."

I think about it for a moment. Janice has a point, but she could be wrong.

"We don't have a say in this, so it is best we leave the decision to the government. They are wise and surely, they'll consider this from all perspectives," I assure her.

Even though she did not voice it out loud, I know that the fact of giving birth is her concern. From what I know about Janice, she is a strong independent woman. She is very focus on her work and committed to her job.

Later that day, Daryl finds me in the cafeteria having tea. He has a serious look on his face when he approaches me. I put down the coffee bun I was eating and ask him whether he needs anything.

"I need you to follow me, Marcus. We're very tight on schedule and it is crucial that you, Collin and Theresa are ready in less than two weeks' time," Daryl informs me, signalling me to get up and follow him.

"Two weeks?" I repeat, baffled.

Daryl does not reply. He only fastens his pace. I struggle to catch up with his long strides.

Not far from the cafeteria is a large meeting room and Collin and Theresa are already seated. They look as if they have been waiting for us. Since Collin and Theresa are sitting next to each other, I sit on the opposite side of the table from them. The two of them each have a set of paper stapled in front of them.

"Here." Daryl hands me a copy. "As I was saying, you three will have to be ready before the beginning of winter. This is because we have pick up signs from the group of murderers. The government thinks that they might strike again soon and we have to tighten security here to avoid another murder or injury. By then, you can look out for anything suspicious in Brightsbury."

"What about our training?" Collin asks. "We can't finish training in two weeks!"

Theresa nods in agreement. "We're not even at Level Nine yet."

"That's why we are giving you this," the Officer answers. He picks up the stack of stapled papers and waves it. "All vital information about the murder is in here and you are required to read it by tonight. Level Seven Pain is enough to keep you safe. Any more questions?"

"I am aware that we can't make any mistakes, but what happen if a Light manages to identify us?" I ask, leaning back against the chair.

Daryl stands up straighter. "Then you have to leave right away. And you will continue living your life in Light just as before."

"What about the murderers? Will the government send another team?" Theresa questions.

Daryl sighs. "I doubt it. If you fail, we might go to war with them..."

"War?" Collin, Theresa and I chorus in disbelief.

"Yes. Although one of them have trespassed our land and murdered one of our own, we couldn't take action on them with the Light government knowing. It is stated in the treaty that the two kingdoms will have nothing to do with each other. Even if we tell them that their people have committed a crime, they will accuse us of lying and breaking one of the conditions in the treaty. Our government has decided that it is best we complete this Project swiftly and successfully without violating the agreement."

The three of us nod obediently. No one can ever doubt our wise superiors.

After our brief conversation, Daryl usher us to see Jackson in a room I have never entered before. The room is on the highest floor and was forbidden to the three of us. I can understand why it is restricted to only a few people because the gigantic room is not a usual room.

It is a room with blue skies, trees and loud running stream. It is a sight I have never thought to have existed in real life. Yet, the grass beneath me and the angry waves crashing against each other looks real.

I can't help but take a step closer to the stream, wondering how on earth all these natural beings able to fit in a room in a building in Darkness.

Jackson stands in front of us, balancing himself on a gigantic rock that is situated in the middle of the shallow waters.

"Welcome to Light!" Jackson yells at us over the sound of water. "Well, not Light but what looks like Light. This room is designed to change its sceneries and most of them are from Light."

"In other words, it feels real and it is also synthetic. The wonders of 3D imaging," Daryl elaborates.

I bend down carefully by the edge and run my fingers against the current. When I bring it up, my hand is wet.

"I'm assuming that we are somewhere in Light?" Collin speaks. His eyes are on a blue feathered bird perching on a branch above us.

"Affirmative," Jackson replies, hopping from one rock to another towards us. He lands gracefully on land next to me. "Since we're short on time, it's best you get used to the surrounding in Light. This scenery is just one of them. Here's how a typical Light school would look like."

The man in grey attire taps on the screen of the remote he pulled out from his pocket. Within seconds, the blue and green surrounding fades into a familiar white room that I often see in Dark offices. Then, we are in an empty hallway with colourful odd-looking walls. I look down at my shoes to find shiny marble floor that shows my reflection.

"Brightsbury High hallway," Jackson tells us. I step closer towards the wall and touch the metallic wall. "Those are called lockers. It is where you can place your textbooks and other belongings in it when you are not using them. It is convenient if you do not desire to carry a loaded bagpack everywhere. Unfortunately, some Light vandalise their beneficial facilities." He then point at a few lockers with painting, obviously done by students.

At the end of the hallway, there is a large clock just above a banner with the word 'PROM' on it. I notice that the second hand on the clock is ticking until it reaches twelve and a loud ring pierce my ears.

Acting on instinct, I cover my ears with both my hands. I have never heard such shrieking sound before in my life. Immediately, I turn behind to see Jackson looking unfazed but Collin and Theresa are following my actions. I raise an eyebrow at Jackson for explanation.

"That's the school bell," he says after the bell has stopped ringing for about five seconds. "The function is the same of our very own bell, just that in Light, it's much louder."

Collin rubs his forehead. "I heard."

Then, there are loud chatters filling the quiet hallway. I don't have the time to have a glance at the appearance of a Light as Jackson changed the scenery once again.

"This is the medical centre."

The medical centre is so much different from the outdoor and the school hallway. In fact, it is almost as if a part of Light is in Darkness. Everywhere is white, including the tiles. A wheelchair sits close to a closed door.

"Save him!" a feminine voice screams from the closed door, followed by shuffles, curses and beeps from a machine.

Collin is alerted instantly. He breezes past me towards the closed door. Unfortunately, before he can even touch the door handle, Jackson transported us elsewhere.

"What happened to her?" Collin demands. It is now in his instinct to help anyone in need. He is going to be a doctor, after all.

"Nothing happened. All the Light individuals in this room are not real. They are created solely so you can get used to their appearance and behaviour. Be reminded that all Light will act on their emotion and you need to learn how to calmly handle the situation."

"How will they act on their emotion?" Theresa asks.

Jackson doesn't need to answer. Collin knows the answer. "It isn't just Light. We need to not act on our emotion too. I slipped. For that, I apologize."

"What do you mean?" the psychologist asks in confusion.

"Just now, Collin was angry at me for preventing him from helping the woman. A Light will probably do the same or even worse. They may be violent if things do not go their way," Jackson explains.

Theresa and I get it. We may not be Light, but we still have to make sure we are rational and nothing will cloud our judgement.

The medical centre has transformed back into the white room we were familiar with.

Jackson slips the remote into his pocket and opens the door to lead us out. We comply without complaint. "It is time for to teach you how to interact with each other. Now that we have very limited time, the three of you will not be able to have the complete training as the previous candidates. We only have the time to teach you the basics and you will be on your way to Light."

I think back about the school hallway. The unfamiliar word looks important since it is displayed in large fonts. "Jackson, what is prom?"

Jackson proceeds to close the door and guide us to a meeting room to conduct our next lesson.

"Prom is a social event organised by the school authority. There will usually have some dancing and socialising among students," Jackson replies.

"Dancing? Dancing is required?" If I am to attend this event, how will I fit in without dancing? I don't know how to dance.

"It is not compulsory. You don't need to dance. Socialising is a must, though. Now sit, we still have work to do."

We spend the rest of the day learning to address each other in our role. I am required to call Collin 'dad' and Theresa 'mom'. I have to speak of them in a respected order and at the same time, as a higher authority. It is strange that I have to ask for 'permission' from Collin and Theresa before I agree with anyone to participate in any event.

Jackson assures me that I don't really need to ask Collin or Theresa and I just have to mention this to make it sound like I am an obedient child.

"It is getting late," I say, rubbing my exhausted eyes. I can see that I am not the only ones who are tired in this room.

Jackson nods, straightening his back against the back of his seat. "I agree with Marcus. I suggest that you three practise interacting with each other starting from now to get used to it. Better to slip up now than then when you're surrounded by Light people. You are dismissed for today."

Collin is the first one to stand and leave the room with Theresa following not many steps away from him. It take me a little longer time to catch up with them as my head is pounding with the amount of information I was given in the last few hours.

I cannot afford to lose control or forget any detail. Benjamin and all the other victims' justice are at stake.

The last thing I want is to start a war for making a small mistake.

Author's Note

Fifth chapter and a lot more to go!

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-M.