Chapter 2

"Your brain makes the decision; not the heart."

"Daryl, this is Mr. Marcus. Marcus, Officer Daryl," Robert introduces us when I enter the school lobby. Daryl has a huge body with a towering height. He looks intimidating, especially with his emotionless face on. His black hair is so short that I can almost see his scalp. With scars covering his face and attire that shows off his barcode tattoo, Daryl looks like he is in his forties.

"Pleasure to meet you, Daryl," I say, looking straight into his deadly eyes.

"Likewise, Marcus," Daryl replies, sizing up my average body size and height with his eyes. "The rest of your team is already at Camp Gloom. Do you have all you need? You will never return."

"Yes. However, I wasn't informed that I will not be returning. What of Decision Day?"

"We'll discuss that later," Daryl says. To Robert, he says, "We should take our leave now."

Robert leads Daryl and I out of the school building where a limousine awaits us. I have never ridden or drive a vehicle before. I have always been comfortable with walking. It helps me think easily and is a good form of exercise.

Daryl offers to put my luggage in the boot so I'm left alone with Robert. I turn to see Robert staring at the darkening sky above us. Despite the fact that it is still noon, it is never sunny here in Darkness. We obtain little sunlight because of the heavy grey clouds loomed in the skies of Darkness. This is one reason why the people of Darkness are pale; we never get tan.

"Farewell, Robert," I say.

He looks at me. "Goodbye, Marcus. I wish you best of luck."

Without further ado, Daryl and I are in the limousine on our way to the edge of the Gloom district. I place my sling bag on my lap and look out of the window to see grey buildings and people wearing clothes of black, grey or white.

Those three colours are a trend of fashion in Darkness. Colours have so many significance which depends on how people see it the way they do. There are no right or wrong answers. The answer to your favourite colour must have a special connection to you.

It is a vogue because of how Dark sees the colour. I once read that white shows purity and perfection. White coloured clothes are usually worn by women of Dark. Grey shows maturity and responsibility that are commonly a favourite among leaders. Black implies self-control, determination and independence.

I stare at the people we drive by. All the Dark I see are older than twenty. Those below the age of twenty are, no doubt, in school just like I was supposed to. Everyone in Darkness have blank faces which is a corresponding trait shared by every Dark. The only differences between us are the genes, sex, blood type and slight difference of perspective in minor issues.

"Did Robert fill you in about the purpose of Project Benjamin?" Daryl asks me. I tear my gaze from the scenery to the man beside me.

"Yes. The purpose of this is to serve justice for the victims who were once civilians and members of the Dark community," I answer, earning a nod of approval from him.

"The government had sent two groups before this. Unfortunately, they are unable to perform their tasks in the given time. Project Benjamin has given us a different approach though. Your team are going to have to pretend to be in a family, which will lower the risks of getting suspicion from Light."

"How many are there in my team?" I ask.

"Three including you."

That ends the conversation. Daryl keeps his eyes in front, maybe at the driver's bald head. I look outside again.

It surprises me when I realize we're no longer in the city. I stare in amazement at the tall trees that is in my view. I have never seen large and shady trees before, unless if you count the ones on books. At the Academy, the only greens that I've seen are the thin and tall trees that look identical to one another.

The trees in my sight are far different. The trees look very unique that I just want to gaze at it all day. Every vein of each leaves has its own story. The nucleus is its cells may have codes about the knowledge we have yet to discover.

It isn't every day you can see this much of flora in the Gloom district.

Then again, this part of Gloom is where Benjamin has lost his life and is now forbidden to enter unless you have special access granted by the government.

I look up a little to see something so huge that it puts the skyscrapers in the city to shame. The Wall of Equilibrium stands high and mighty. It is tall enough to look as if it's touching the sky. The natural wall is covered with small green plants that stick to the wall, making it look like a hedge.

Wow, I think in awe. This is the first time I have ever seen the Wall up this close. I did not expect it to be covered by small plants because the picture of the Wall in my textbooks is grey.

The closer we drive to the Wall, the lesser trees surround the limousine. The last tree disappears when an empty plain enters my view.

"Welcome to Camp Gloom," Daryl says.

When he said this, we stop at the entrance of a gated territory. Daryl's and my window opens suddenly. A guard wearing thick black jacket speaks to me from my side of the limousine.

"Your barcode tattoo please," he says, holding up a gadget.

As requested, I fold up my right sleeve. He puts the gadget close to my bare skin and then nods.

"Thank you, Marcus. Have a nice day here in Camp Gloom."

He stalks off to the guard house. I glance at Daryl who is speaking in hush voices to another guard on the other side of the limousine. A few moments later, the guard nods. The large gate that was hindering our way opens.

The limousine moves again.

"I apologize about the complications. We're tight on security due to latest circumstances," Daryl tells me.

"I understand completely."

The camp consists of small houses and trees that are enclosed by fences. A group of buff guards are doing push ups close to the biggest building in this camp. I have no doubt that these people are trained to be the Wall National Guards. Ever since the murder, more guards are trained to secure the Wall of Equilibrium.

The driver lets the limousine to idle in front of the building. Daryl lets himself out of the vehicle and I follow suit. The Officer proceeds to take my luggage from the boot.

"Follow me," he instructs. I can't miss the look he gave me before he leads me into the building. "This is the Prime Building. You're going to stay here for the next few months while training."

I nod, still looking around. There aren't many things in the Prime Building. It looks like school, but just emptier.

We walk past the counter where a girl of white attire nods in our way. Daryl and I nod back politely. Daryl stops at an elevator and pushes a button that has an arrow pointing up.

"I'm going to introduce you to your team members now so it is appreciated if you stay civil with them," Daryl says. The elevator door opens.

The two of us step in and Daryl presses a button with a number six on it. "I will."

None of us speak until the elevator door opens at the sixth floor. Once again, Daryl leads the way. The sixth floor is different from the ground floor as the floor is covered with white tiles and the wall is white.

Daryl knocks on the door at the end of the hallway.

"Come in," a deep voice says from inside.

Permission granted, Daryl and I walk into the room. It looks like a conference room since a large table is in the middle of the room with chairs pushed in neatly. The only two chairs that are not pushed in are used by two Darks.

"Collin, Theresa, meet your team member, Marcus. Marcus, this is Collin and Theresa," Daryl says, putting my luggage on the floor.

"Pleasure to meet you," I say, putting out my hand in front of the man who wears a grey attire like Robert. Collin looks like he is in his thirties, based on the faint aging lines on his face. His black hair is sticking out in every direction.

He shakes his hand with me. "As I you, Marcus."

When Collin releases my hand, Theresa's next who shakes hands with me. "Glad to have you on the team, Marcus." She, on the other hand, wears a grey dress that reaches her knees. Her long straight hair is tied into a ponytail.

"Marcus, Collin is one of the most experienced forensic anthropology who studied Benjamin's and other victims' remains. Theresa is a qualified psychiatrist and studied of the Light culture. Marcus here is an excellent student from Gloom High," Daryl tells us.

"How old are you, Marcus?" Collin asks, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm eighteen," I answer.

"When is Decision Day for you?" Theresa's next to ask.

I have forgotten to ask Daryl about Decision Day. Decision Day is the day when every eighteen-year-old Dark leave school and have a future set by the government which depends on our strength and weakness of subjects in school. They will decide our jobs and partners who we will eventually marry and have a child with.

"He'll receive the Decision File later," Daryl speaks, looking at me. "I had a talk with Robert about your future on the phone."

"I'll get it today?"

Daryl nods. "Yes, the government had agreed as well. However, once you finish your task in Light, you'll return to Gloom where you will start your working life."

"Here," Collin tells me, handing me a file with the classified stamped across the front. "These are some of the evidence the Wall National Guards found four years ago."

I open to find a photograph of a lifeless Benjamin. His mouth was open and body in an unnatural position. There is something on his bare bloody chest.

"Is that a scar?" I ask, looking at the photograph closely. "And a knife?"

"Yes. All of the bodies of the victims have the same mark on the same spot on their chests. To be more accurate, it is a hunting knife," Collin replies.

Hunting is strictly illegal in Darkness. Laws on hunting are implemented ever since the sealing of the Wall of Equilibrium. All weapons were confiscated from the people and only Wall National Guards are allowed to carry a gun around. All factories that manufacture hunting weapons were closed down. Those who are caught breaking the law will have to go to Re-education.

Besides, what is the point of killing the very few fauna left and pathetically attempt to sell the animal remains to nobody who is willing to buy?

That's why we know that the only way to get a hunting gear is from Light.

"What does the mark mean?" I ask.

"We don't know," Collin answers. "We assume that it is the murderers' signature and all the murderers are somehow related."

I look through more papers to find reports of some of the people living nearby. All of them reported of no unusual activities. The Wall National Guard had found a small tunnel not far from Benjamin's body leading to Light.

Clipped at the edge of the file is another photograph. It is dark and blurry since it was night at the time the picture was taken. There are three figures caught appearing out of the man-made tunnel. All of them had blond hair.

All signs point to Light.

"Do you have their identity?" I hold up the photograph.

Daryl shakes his head. "The photograph is too blurry even to have a clear view of their faces. All except for one."

He then gives me a piece of paper with different shades of many parallel lines that makes up a portrait of a very young blond boy. He could probably be fourteen years of age in the picture. Now, he would be around my age or slightly younger. He has freckles scattered all over his cheeks. His thin and probably dry lips are slightly open.

"Is this one of the murderers?"

"We don't know," Daryl admits. "Whether he is or not, you will have to bring him to Darkness to be sentenced for trespassing. Your job is slightly tougher than Theresa's and Collin's because this boy will be in the same high school as you. One of our people who were sent to Light managed to find out the identity of the boy.

"His name is Duke Quinn. He's a student at Brightsbury High and will be in the same academic level as you. Once you find him, watch his every move. He may lead you to the location of the group of murderers."

"Then I'll send the coordinates of their location. A team will be sent to arrest them and bring them to Darkness," I voice out my guess.

"Precisely. You have twelve months to perform your task before you will return to Darkness."

After that, Daryl lets Collin, Theresa and I ask each other questions to break the ice.

"This is your room," Daryl says, unlocking the door not far from the room where Collin and Theresa are in. "Collin's and Theresa's rooms are not far from yours so if you need anything, you can ask them. Breakfast is at nine, lunch at one, and dinner at seven. Don't be late. You'll start training tomorrow after breakfast."

I nod, processing his words. Daryl opens the door to reveal a room similar to my old one in school. This room, though, is a little bigger.

"Before I forget." Daryl puts down my luggage and hands me a file that I didn't see was in his hand. I stare at the familiar symbol on the thick file with my name on it.

The Decision File. It is a file that has the information of you past, present and future. The Decision File is basically a ticket to working life and adulthood.

"Congratulations. You're free to wander around the building as you wish. Have a nice day, Marcus."

"You too," I mumble subconsciously. I barely realize that Daryl has left me alone in the room because I have been busy staring at the Decision File.

Slowly, I open the file to see a paper with my basic information on it. My parent's name, the date I was born, and my school grades are in it.

"Suggestive jobs," I read out loud. "Psychiatrist, professor or researcher. Partner: Janice." I turn to the next page to find more documents about my future partner, Janice. She will be the person who I will be with until death. It looks like we have similar interests, except that her weakness is Emotion Containment and her strongest subject is Chemistry, which is why one of her suggestive jobs is chemist. She is the same age as me and she looks just like any other female Dark. The picture shows a girl wearing a white dress with collar and long wavy black hair.

I turn to the next page to find more details about myself. The reports that are written by the teachers and professors I grew up with. Most of them are compliments on my behaviour and my grades.

"A readily-groomed successor that is ready to face anything that comes into his way," I say, reading out the principal's handwriting at the bottom of the last report in the file. Next to the message is Robert's signature.

All in all, I finished reading through my Decision File. Janice looks like a perfect partner. My suggestive jobs are reasonable and expected. All I need to do is give state my decision of job to the government when they call me in about two or three days' time.

I put the file on the study table and look at my luggage suit that is still by the door. It is the perfect time to unpack my belongings.

That is exactly what I do. My clothes are in the small wardrobe next to the door that leads to my very own bathroom. Close to the wardrobe is a bunk bed which the head is just below the window. I put my collection of books on my study table, arranged alphabetically and neatly. My sling bag is hung on one of the hooks that are nailed to the wooden door.

When everything is done, I lie down on the bed and look at the white ceiling. I take this moment to think about what just happened in the matter of hours.

I look forward to go to the other side. The Light side. I don't know why, but maybe it has something to do with finding the one who is responsible for an innocent's death. Whoever that person is, they have no right to do something so inhuman.

I wonder how it feels to be in the murderer's shoes; to kill a soul. Didn't he feel guilty of taking away a life? Did he make Benjamin's end painful? Did the murderer do it out of anger?

Murder is ugly. I have no intentions of harming anyone. Peace and justice are what I strive.

It is five in the evening and usually, at about this time, I would use the school gym just like all students do.

Daryl had mentioned that there is a gym around here, so I quickly change into my usual sportswear: a black hoodie and baggy pants. Before I leave the room, I look at myself in the mirror. It is a habit that I have whenever before I leave my room. I don't want to look untidy every time I go out.

Personality of a person is reflected by the way they act, wear and talk. I remember that line from a book I can't remember the title. Ever since that day, I always make sure that I examine my clothes before facing the outside world.

No one is around when I wander around the Prime building. Not even Collin and Theresa were in their rooms.

"Excuse me," I say to the receptionist. "Where is the gymnasium?"

The receptionist recites a short instruction to the nearest gymnasium since there are three gyms in this building. I thank her and make my way to my destination.

I recognize a man from far by his tall and skinny figure accompanied by a general I know. Apparently, Collin is in the gym with Daryl.

"Hello," I greet them when I enter the bright room with all the exercise equipment in place.

"Hello, Marcus," Collin pants from running on the treadmill. I join him at the treadmill next to him. As usual, I start with a five minute walk.

"We were just talking about the project and your task in Light. When you're in Light," Daryl tells us. "You two and Theresa are going to have to pose as a family."

"A family?" I repeat. Daryl did mention of this earlier.

"In Light, everyone has a family," Daryl begins, shifting his weight to his other leg since he's standing by the treadmill doing nothing. "That is if the parents are responsible enough to earn their living for their children."

"You mean they have more than one child?" I ask.

The officer nods at me. "We used to be like that too, before the sealing of the Wall. The number of children depends on the parents' willingness and responsibility. Life is very different in Light compared to Darkness."

"Parents are allowed to communicate with their children?"

"Yes, they are allowed and vice versa. The Parent-Child Interaction Ban Law and One-Child Policy only exist in Dark."

My five minutes is up. I jog.

It's Collin's turn to ask. "How do families interact? I mean, is it like how we talk to other Dark or somehow different?"

Daryl rubs his chin. "I don't know much. However, there are books that you will be provided that concerns that area of Light. Read the book and attempt to master their ways of living. What I do know is that we share very little similarities with them. Every family is different. Some are quite close to their siblings and parents. Some – "

"Siblings? As in a relationship between one child and another?"

"Yes. There are also cousins, grandparents, friends, uncles, aunts. Terms to describe people who they are related to."

Interesting. I suppose here we call each other acquaintances whereas they call whoever close to them without sharing the same blood are friends. Grandparents - parents of parents. Uncles and aunts – siblings of parents. Cousins – children of uncles and/or aunts.

It almost gives me a headache to actually remember each and every word. Daryl suggested drawing out a 'family tree' which is an easier way to understand the concept of family. Daryl left Collin and I alone in the gymnasium about half an hour later.

"Marcus, have you thought about the consequences if we were caught in Light?" Collin asks me.

I look at him. He keeps eye contact with me. It takes me a few minutes to collect my thoughts. "Yes. We must not get caught. I am fully aware that they will not sympathise us and kill us without hesitation. A war will start. Also, I believe that the murderer should not be out there unpunished for his crimes. Not only that he killed an innocent person but he trespassed into our boundary and violated the treaty our leaders agreed for generations."

"I agree with you there. It is a risk that the three of us are willing to take. I just want you to know that we must always trust each other when we're out there alone."

I nod. "Okay."

Collin presses a button on his treadmill, skidding to a stop. He stands in front of me while I still run at a steady speed.

"The plan is simple. Adapt to the surrounding, do not make them suspicious of us, search for Duke Quinn and his group, bring them to Darkness with us, and then get on with life," I say.

Collin shakes his head. He wraps his towel around his neck and pick up his bottle from the bench close to the treadmill.

"I just hope that it is as simple as said."

With that, he slips out of the gym leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Author's Note

Don't forget to:

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-M.