Dabbling...

[Jacob]

*Setting: The room is dark, lit only by black candles. Three of them. They're situated in a triangle, the point facing him. He sits on the floor with his legs crossed and his hands drooped down, resting on his knees. His head is on a slant, with his longish hair hanging infront of his face, and he stares, as if hypnotised, at the flames. Watching them dance and twirl on the top of the candles. Music plays in the background, 'The Fight song' by Marilyn Manson, remixed by Slipknot. It plays, drowning out any of the troubles this child may have. Any problems that may have swamped this Orkhids mind are now slowly dispersing, being ravaged by the instruments in the song, torn apart. And then thrown into a sea of red that infested his mind. His head turns to were the music comes from, it seems to get louder. Marilyn Mansons voice seemingly scratchy and fierce. Reaching into his pocket the child pulls out a small pouch. Its red Velvet, with a small piece of black string wrapped around the top to keep the contents from spilling out. His pale, candle-lit fingers fiddle with the string. Loosening it. Un-wrapping it. And then casting it aside. A slight sigh came from him and he attempted to listen through the music, just to make sure nobody was knocking on his door. There wasn't. Gently he tipped the pouch, catching the small powdery contents that spilled from it. It piled up on his palm and he clenched his fist, feeling the soft substance spill from inbetween his fingers and onto the carpetless floor. Closing his eyes he inhaled deeping, calming his ever-climbing nerves. He opened them again and muttered something under his breath, repeating this again and again until it turned into a mumbled chant. Reaching out his arm and still clenching the substance he hung it over one of the burning candles and slowly let the powder slip out of his grasp. Landing on the flame and making the candle dance more jerkedly. He still chanted, his chants getting louder now. The music stopped, leaving him in pure silence. Leaving him, his chants and the spitting of the candle as the flame was 'attacked'.
*Pffttssssssss*
The other two candles prematurely went out, leaving what seemed to be smoke signals floating to the top of his room. Towards the light fittings. However the candle he was concentrating on still fought the onslaught of powder and with each grain hissed more. He felt something corse through his body, he didn't know if it was fear, anxiety, excitement or something completly different.
*Banging*
His actions were disturbed and he quickly pulled his hand away, thus causing a slight breeze that extinguised the candles life.*

Female voice: "Ethan, Ethan(!) Hurry up and get dressed...We have an oppointment in 15 minutes and we dont want to be seen as un-professional!! Hurry up!!"

He sighed standing up and walking towards the light switch. Turning on the light he then focused his attention on the fireless candles and grasped them by the mid-section. He then stood and stepped over to a small chest of drawers and moved it forwards, revealing an old airvent. The cover was hanging off slightly and the edges were rusted. Stooping down he gently placed all of the candles in the vent. He then moved the drawers back and made sure everything looked normal. He turned and scooped up the remaining dust and the pouch, this, he placed underneathe his matress.
*Banging*

Female voice: "Come on, Ethan!! We have to make a good first impression. It'll go against your future if we turn up late."

He walked upto the door and unlocked it, standing behind it was his mother. A sleek vixen of an Orkhid. Her brown hair was up in a pony-tail and she was dressed in full Soldier uniform. He, however, was dressed in a white T-shirt and combats. His crimson tainted dark brown eyes stared up at his mother. Gently pleading with her to post-pone the interview.

Mother: "Ugh, we're going to have to do something about you hair..."

She flicked the left side of his Oil black hair with the back of her right hand and tutted.

Ethan: "Where's dad...?"

He asked in a slightly pathetic tone of voice and placed his hands in his pockets.

Mother: "Oh, he said he'll meet us there..."

She grasped the tops of his arms and attempted to pull his hands out of his pockets.

Mother: "Remember, answer with 'Sir' or 'Ma'am'. Speak when spoken to and show the utmost respect. And above all, tell the truth. If you lie they will find out when you go to the Chair on Thursday. Ok? I'm sure you'll do fine..."

As much as his mother attempted to make him feel secure and loved, he knew that if she really did love him she wouldn't force him to join the Army and listen to what he wanted to do. But he was the only child and both mother and father wanted to be proud of him and brag about him accordingly. And there wasn't a prouder moment of a parents life then to see their son or daughter climb the ranks, no matter what the risk...

[Shadestorm]

Very good, I wonder if you are expanding on this? Or is this just a short story? Keep it up, I want to know what is going on!

I was however confused, your words and sentences were very clear, but at the end of the story, I kinda seemed dissapointed. What the heck was the powder flame thing? Is it all gonna lead up to him leading a boring existence at military camp? Is it magic? Is it drugs?

What the heck is going on!?!?!.!..?.... Whew... Write more will ya?

[Jacob]

Ethan: "E-Ethan Cale, sir..."

*Setting: The child stood in the spacious room, his hands behind his straightened back. Infront of him sat three high-ranking Orkhid personel. Seated behind a desk, they were like, to Ethan anyway, the guard Dog to Hell...Cerberus. Mahogany bookshelves lined the walls as did glass cabinets which held trophies of different shapes and sizes. Ethan was stood 5-6 ft infront of the Interviewers and was nervous like never before.*

Interviewer #1: "Hmmm, and how old are you?"

The speaker was female, her hair was chin length and professionally straight. Her nose tiny and her pale blue eyes piercing she stared intently at the potential recruit. She was sat in a black suit with a white shirt underneathe, her lipstick was a blood red and seemed to glow in the brightly lit room. She tapped a blue pen on the desk, awaiting a response.

Ethan: "N-Nine, ma'am..."

He gulped and attempted to calm himself. The female bowed her head and scanned through some papers that were on the desk, flipping the pages to find something relevant or informative.

Interviewer #3: "Can you tell me why you want to become a troop, boy?"

His voice was gruff and he was showing signs of ageing. He sat confidently, his fingers intertwined as he asked. He was starting to grow some facial hair around the chin, silver, like his head hair. Wrinkles were forming in the corner of his eyes and frown lines were beginning to show on his forehead. He wore the typcial Orkhid army outfit which fit quite tightly around his bulky arms.

Ethan: "Errmmm...I-I dont really want to join the Army, sir. I, i would like to become a Dr...or someone in the medical profession."

The Orkhid grumbled and fidgited around on his seat.

Interviewer #3: "You can be become a Medic on the field, we needed them back when i was a trooper. Kept us going they did..."

Gently Ethan shook his head and shifted his standing position.

Ethan: "N-No, i'd rather be away from War...sir."

A small chuckle escaped from the second Interviewer who had been silent upto now. He was lean and slim, his hair was dark-brown and short, no cosmetic product had been applied to it. He was sat in a black pinstripe suit and had no facial hair, not even a lone whisker. Gracing his hands were black, leather gloves.

Interviewer #2: "You cant escape it. Its everywhere. Even if your on a remote island somewhere, there's still war. Inside of you, we are always battling with ourselves. The only time there is peace is when you die..."

His voice was stern and crucifiably firm. He stared at Ethan with a menacing cold stare. His grey eyes sending shivers down the childs back.

Interviewer #1: "Why do you want to enroll here then? If you dont want to be in the Army?"

She tilted her head and looked at him in a way that seemed to state 'Why are you wasting our time?'.

Ethan: "My mum and dad are in the Army. They want me to join, said i'll enjoy it..."

Sitting back she leant to the left and whispered to the second Interviewer. Placing a hand infront of her face so that Ethan couldn't interpret anything. It was at that time he realised he had forgotten to say 'Ma'am' and began to panic even more. The second interviewer nodded and mumbled something, she nodded also and and then turned to the right. Doing the same with the third. After consulting both of them she then addressed Ethan again.

Interviewer #1: "We realise the situation your in, Ethan. And we are somewhat sympathetic to that. However, it is by our own experience that the only way to shape an Orkhids true self-worth is to enroll him or her into the Army. We have all been there and we have all ended up with different jobs. Dont worry, just because your training to become a Soldier doesn't mean you will be one. And if you do begin to fail in the physical aspect, we will make sure you get into something more to your nature."

Ethan breathed in deeply and nodded.

Ethan: "Yes, i understand, ma'am. Could i ask what you do, though...please...ma'am."

She smiled and nodded.

Interviewer #1: "I am a Consultant. I am involved in 5 of the Hospitals in the city of Carm and 3 of the Asylums in Liel. It's hard work..."

The child nodded and took his hands from behind his back, rubbing them together.

Ethan: "And you trained with the Army...?"

Interviewer #2: "We all did, like i said; War is all around us, in us. We cant escape it. I'm a Lawyer and 87% of the cases i have to deal with are War-related. Or at least include violence...Its in every living-beings nature to want to hurt its neighbour."

Ethan nodded and placed his hands behind his back again. Awaiting the third Interviewer to speak, he never did.

Interviewer #1: "It's your birthday in two days, isn't it?"

Once more the child nodded, this time alot slower as he thought about his 10th birthday, thought about the Chair.

Interviewer #1: "Well, Happy Birthday for then. I'm guessing your nervous, but dont worry. We all have to go through it and if you pass it'll be an easy ride from then on..."

The word 'if' lingered in his mind. He knew they would find something, realise what his hobby was. And as soon as they found that out they would most likely do something to him, a punishment of some kind. They were all fine and pleasant now, but he knew that within them their Souls were as black as Oil. Knew that inside each of them lay a dorment, foul beast that had helped them reach the top. He didn't want to become like them and he wished so hard he was of another race, or dead. Eitherway would be suitable. And that wish would get him killed, sooner or later.

Ethan: "Thankyou, ma'am. I hope i will see you all sometime in the future."

He lied. They smiled and said their goodbyes, watching him as he walked towards the door and exited. They then placed his documents, scruffily, back in his file and shoved that to one side. Calling in the next Orkhid recruit who was, hopefully, going to be a little more enthusiastic.

Useful links:
Inevitable...
Note: The above fic has nothing to do with the current one. It just outlines the different process' the Orkhids use and the regime of their kind.

(OOC: Thanx for the comments and you will find out later. This story becomes more relevant in a couple of years time (Yes, its sad but i have all my fics endings already planned out, heh.).)

[Canned Gabbiar]

Brilliant... simply brilliant... Please continue.

[Jacob]

*Setting: They sat at the dining table, the lights turned down to a dim glow. Allowing for a more calm and loving atmosphere. Ethan was sat opposite his father and the mother sat at the end of the table. They were eating Chicken, mashed Potatoe and Brocoli. Ethans father was a musculer man who had black hair and was starting to grow abit of a goaty. His eyes were blue and features dark and intense. He shovelled the food into his mouth readily, munching loudly. He was sat in his uniform with his high-powered rifle rested against the table, the nozzle pointing skywards.*

Father: "So...what'd they say?"

His mouth was full and as he spoke Ethan could see the half-chewed up food getting tossed around inside. Causing him to lose his appetite abit.

Ethan: "Not much...They just asked me stuff."

His father nodded and stabbed the last slice of meat with his fork, picked it up and stuffed it into his mouth. He then pointed his fork at Ethan and began talking again.

Father: "You know...when i was a lad...we had to go through an obstacle course, with dogs chasing us, before we were allowed to join the ranks. Tough shit it was an' all..."

He swallowed satisfied with what he had just eaten. Ethans mother was still in the midst of finishing off her mashed Potatoe.

Father: "How about i show you around the base after your scan? You know, as a sorta birthday presant..."

Ethan looked up, trying to think of an excuse of why he couldn't go and as he attempted to stutter an excuse his mother interrupted.

Mother: "I'm sure you'd love that wouldn't you, Ethan? Yes. You can meet all the Training Officers and the Head of the Training Department..."

She smiled softly and then rose off her seat, reaching over the table to pick up her husbands empty plate. Ethan picked his up and handed it to her, silently cursing them both for not listening to him for, what seemed like, the thousandth time.

Ethan: "Will the scan hurt...?"

He attempted to change the subject, just he wouldn't have to lie about 'looking forward to going'. Looking up his dad shook his head gently and smiled.

Father: "No, not if you dont try and hold anything back. When i was your age i had a friend, dont recall his name, but i remember that he had stolen some clips from his dad. Anyway, when they began scanning him he held back...and the more he held back the more they cranked up the Chair. Until they had increased the power so much that his Brain got fried. Heh. Was his own fault..."

The mother turned from heading towards the doorless kitchen entrance and tutted.

Mother: "Dont tell him such stories, he'll be dreading it now. Dont worry, Ethe. You'll be alright, just relax and dont think of anything or try and block anything out..."

As usual his parents hadn't helped him overcome his fears or doubts about such a proceedure. Climbing off his chair he smiled gently, humouring his fathers poor joke.

Ethan: "M-May i be excused, please?"

His father looked at him unusually, studying his body movements intently.

Father: "Whats wrong? Usually you cant wait til dessert..."

His son nodded gently, replying with a soft tone.

Ethan: "I just feel abit woozy, thats all. It'll probably be nothing and be gone if i sleep for a while..."

His mum poked her head from around the doorway, a slightly worried expression on her face.

Mother: "You sure your ok? You look abit pale..."

Ethan nodded again and wandered towards his room, leaving his parents wondering what was wrong with their only son. Whilst he left his dad stood up and walked towards the kitchen, rolling his shoulders as he did so.

Father: "Strange...He usually waits til he's had dessert before he saunters off..."

He entered the kitchen and wrapped his right arm around his lovers stomach as she placed the last of the white dishes into the dishwasher. She stood up, closing the dishwasher door as she did so.

Mother: "Well, he did say he was feeling off. And he did look it..."

She typed in the settings on the machine and then pressed 'start'. She then turned around to face her husband and kissed him gently on the lips.

Father: "It still doesn't seem right. He was ok til i mentioned the Chair...You dont think he's hiding something do you?"

He turned his head away to the side, looking at the metallic surface of the dingy kitchen. His lover wasn't put off by his coldness however and continued to kiss him on his neck and cheek.

Mother: "Of course not, we brought him up properly...Whats he gonna hide from us? He knows that if he's out of line we'll come down on him like a tonne of bricks..."

She stopped briefly to state this but then began to kiss him again. He acknowledged her advances this time and met her lips with his, his left hand rubbing her tender thigh.

Father: "You...have...a...point..."

His words were uttered inbetween his kiss' and gently his mouth went down to the side of her neck...

***

With the door locked and parents, obviously, occupied Ethan had set up the candles again in basically the same way. The only difference being that the candles he was now using were white. Once again he was sat on the floor with his legs crossed and back straight. His breathing calm and steady. The flame of the candles burned happily, as if somehow knowing that they wouldn't end up quite like their black counterparts. Lifting a scrawled on piece of paper up to the gentle flame of the first candle he whispered something gently, not wanting to disturb his parents, although he knew that, that would be unlikely.

Ethan: "I ask of the deities above and below, help me with my worries. My secrets are close to being opened and so i ask of you to hurry. Allow the Chair to malfunction, do what you will. But dont allow it to find out my secret, or i will be forever ill. So mote it be."

The flame seemed to jump at the tiny scrap of paper that had 'Chair' scrawled on it in red biro. It fed eagerly on the 'food' turning it to nothing more but ash. As he watched it disintergrate he then reached behind his back and pulled out another scrap of paper. This one had 'Secret' on it. He then leant over to the second candle and touched the paper unto the flame.

Ethan: "This wish i ask you to grant will be my second favour. The secret i once said...Oops..."

He stopped a third of the way through his incantation as he remembered that he hadn't blown out the first candle. He grabbed hold of it by the mid-section and blew the flame to extinction. Setting it to one side and allowing himself to start again.

Ethan: "Ahem...This wish i ask you to grant will be my second favour. The secret i once said now needs to be dead and i ask that you allow the Chair and all who operate it to not give it a second notice. As the flame devours each letter allow it to be wiped from my mind, as the flame devours each letter force me to forget, as the flame devours each letter...make me innocent again. So mote it be."

The scrap of paper went up quickly and bits of ash floated gently to the ground. This time remembering he leant over and blew the candle out, he then moved it to join the previously blown out one. For the final one he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, the smell of burning infiltrated his nostrils but that was by far the least of his troubles. If he didn't get the last incantation correct, he could lose the only thing that gave him hope...Slowly he produced another piece of paper, this one stated 'Remember'. Moving it towards the flame he focused all his energy, focused all his essence on the single white candle.

Ethan: "The third favour i ask of you is that you restore my memory back. After their deeds have diminished and my progress passed allow me to remember what i have done that i so wished to forget. Set my mind right again and remind me of my love and also progress i made by being intertwined with you..."

He jolted his head up and looked at the ceiling, imagining that his energy was being boosted and that his spell was going to work.

Ethan: "So mote it be..."

(OOC: Sorry for the crapness and thx for the support and shtuff...)

[Jacob]

*Setting: The room was dark, light was emitted from a set of monitors that were situated behind a rather large and menacing looking chair. It was black leather and had two arm rests with mancles on. The, now 10 yr old, child looked around in awe and fear. Squinting in the darkness to see better. The room had a distinct scent of Urine, and for some reason this made the room even creepier.*

Voice: "Welcome, Mr Cale. It is a pleasure to meet you...Your parents are very proud of you and talk about you whenever they get the chance..."

Ethan pushed himself backwards and into the closed, slide door. He gulped as he saw a skinny, white figure step out of the darkness and into the computer emitted light. He could only see half a face as the rest was masked by shadow, but he knew that the being was the Scanner.

Scanner: "Alistair...turn the lights on..."

The figures head turned upwards and towards the left. A small 'hum' came from random places in the room and was then followed by the flickering of lights as they struggled to come on. Now Ethan could see the entire room and more importantly the Scanner. The creature was a tall, skinny beast. His cheeks sunken and eyes piercingly green. He was practicly bald apart from black sidebits just above his ears. His clothing was white, aside from his elbow-length, black gloves.

Ethan: "H-Hi..."

He muttered his greeting and turned his head to the direction the Scanner had previously done, he saw a one way mirror. The reflective part being on his viewing side.

Scanner: "You look scared. Dont be, we wont harm you..."

The Orkhid stepped forwards and held out his hand in a friendly gesture. Ethan gently raised his and shook it. Smiling wearily as his skin rubbed against the latex.

Scanner: "Now, dont worry. I'm sure your parents have told you the proceedure and i'm sure they've said its nothing to worry about...right?"

There was a brief nod from Ethan as he was slowly moved towards the Chair. It was much like a Dentists one and had foot-rests and head-rests and could also be pushed back. The Scanner, then, gently raised Ethan onto it.

Scanner: "Now, place your hands on here..."

He tapped the hand rest and awaited for the child to do as instructed. Once he had done so he then locked the manacles in place, thus stopping the child from thrashing.

Scanner: "Now, could you just close your legs up so that they're tightly pushed together, for me."

Ethan did so. The Scanner crouched down and reached under the foot-rest. He then brought out a long, thin, black wire and wrapped it around the childs ankles once before pulling it under the other side of the foot-rest and making it secure.

Ethan: "W-Why do i have to be secured so much, if it doesn't hurt?"

Still crouching the Scanner looked up at him in a less than friendly way. Slowly he stood, blocking the light that came from behind him and thus casting a rather intimidating shadow across the small 10 yr old.

Scanner: "Protocol."

He smiled briefly and then pushed the childs head back on the head rest. Firmly.

Scanner: "ALISTAIR!!"

He called out to his partner and awaited. A couple of seconds later to clamps came from either side of the head rest and latched onto the sides of Ethans head. The child was obviously shocked and attempted to struggle for a brief moment.

Ethan: "Hey!! Hey...it-it hurts!!"

The Scanner ignored his protests and moved to the back of the chair. Ethan could hear the punching of keyboard buttons and began to get increasingly nervous. Wondering what mechanical horrors would be unleashed on him next. Not only was he nervous about that, but also about his spells. The second one in which he cast to forget about Witchcraft had seemingly not worked and he could remember every last thing about his secret. Now he had to rely on the first one...

Scanner: "Why didn't your parents cut your hair...?"

The creature mumbled these hostile words towards the child as he picked up a small, electric razor. Grabbing Ethans long locks at the top of his head, the Scanner proceeded to cut them off. Throwing down chunks of hair as he did so. Struggle as Ethan might he failed to break away and in the end gave up, allowing the Orkhid to shave the top of his head in a circular manner and thus make him look like a Monk. Now Ethan was stabilised and ready the creature responsible for scanning, pasted his head with an antisceptic and then proceeded to do what the child was there for.

*Setting: Reaching underneathe the moniters he carefully brought out a small, Triangular instrument. The length of the thin, metallic bars that created the Triangle were all six inches and at each tip had a large spike going downwards. The spikes were connected with wires which in turn were to be connected to the back of the moniters. The Scanner hooked in the five small plugs first, turning the white screen moniters to black. He then reached over the head-rest and calculated roughly were to place the headset. After doing so he pushed it onto the childs head, the child called out in pain and tried to move away...struggling against his metal restraints. The Scanner mumbled some words as he watched the kid try to do so. But by then it was too late, the spikes had then produced some more spikes that had shot out at such a velocity that they had penetrated the skin, bone and brain membrane. Ethan screamed, tears began to role down his eyes and blood seeped from the wounds. Immediatly the screens began to flicker and roll up and down. Now that everything was in place, he could begin.*

Typing into the keyboard the Scanner looked intently at the three screens. Nothing. He mumbled some incoherent words and then carried on hammering at the keys. Stopping momentarily to tap the screens.

Scanner: "ALISTAIR!! THE DAMNED SCREENS AREN'T WORKING!!"

Ethan sighed through the pain, realising that he was safe. His spell had worked and even though his second one hadn't, it didn't matter.

Scanner: "ALISTAIR!!?"

Speaker: "Hold on..."

The response was crackly and came from a speaker somewhere in the room. Ethan was still in searing pain, his eyes were closed and he was breathing through it. It wasn't helping.

Scanner: "Ah...wait...I-Its working..."

Ethans heart skipped a beat. His stomach rolled and his pain seemed irrelevant. On the screen came Ethans memories, concious and subconcious poured onto the screens. Flickering so fast that the Scanner couldn't see. But up in the observation room they were being recorded. Ethan struggled some more, crying out as he realised he was screwed. The lights slowly dimmed down, allowing the Scanner to be able to see better without the reflected light on the moniter. Every so often Ethan would feel a jolt of electricity pulse through his brain, this would often cause nerve reflex's or muscle spasms and even the occasional blackout.
Twenty minutes later the whole ordeal was over. The Triangular headset had been removed, as had all the clamps. The Scanner smiled at Ethan friendily and patted him on the back.

Scanner: "See, it wasn't that bad was it?"

Ethan just stared blankly at the creature, cursing him gently. Cursing him and the mysterious 'Alistair' for fixing the moniters.

Scanner: "You may feel abit uncomfortable for anything upto 3 days. This is down to the fact you resisted at certain points throughout the scan."

The child shook his head and slowly walked towards the door.

Ethan: "I...I, I didn't resist."

Patting his bald head with a white tissue the Scanner chuckled.

Scanner: "Whether it was conciously or subconciously, you resisted. You felt the volatages of electricity flowing through you, right?"

The child nodded and rested his right shoulder against the wall that was situated towards the door.

Scanner: "Well, that was due to the resistance. Dont worry though, all we have to do is moniter the scan in slow-mo and then, if all is well, we pass you."

The door gently hummed open and light from the waiting room shone in, Ethan moaned. Closing his eyes as he exited the room. Sat on the purple cusioned chairs were his parents who immediatly stood up and stepped over to the Scanner. The father picked Ethan up and allowed his son to rest his head on his shoulder.

Scanner: "We'll get the results to you in 3-4 days. There's been alot of 10 year birthdays this week. We're piled down."

Mother: "Did everything go ok, do you think?"

She caressed the stringy, side bits of her childs hair softly, feeling it fall between her fingers.

Scanner: "Yes, yes. Aside from a few subconcious resistances everything went well. Put a wet piece of gauze over his head for a few days and allow him to rest. Heh, you can have an excuse to cut his hair now."

They laughed and talked a few more minutes. Seemingly gathering all the infomation and opinions of the Scanner before finally leaving. 3-4 days, 3-4 days til the truth came out...

(OOC: Thanx for the support.)

[Jacob]

*Setting: Ethan awoke from his irritable slumber. His covers had been pushed to the bottom of his bed and his bottom half was dangling off of the bedside. His red Pjama trousers were twisted and uncomfortable, he stood up and adjusted them. Stretching, he wandered towards the door, yawning. His hair was still long and upon remembering the scan, he realised he needed his hair cut short to make it look somewhat normal again. He opened the door and stepped into the dining room, looking at the clock which was situated on the wall, and was one of those ones that told the time, date and day. He had been asleep for four days. Four days and not disturbed once for his hobby. He smiled to himself and seemed to emit a glow. The appartment seemed empty and so he wandered into the kitchen, stepping up to the woodgrain bottom cupboard he opened it and searched for some cereal. Grabbing the first box he could find he set it on the counter and looked for some clean bowls and a bottle of milk. As he tipped the contents of the cereal packet into the bowl he heard the door open and close, setting the packet down he darted into the dining room and towards the doorway. It was his mother...*

Ethan: "Mum!!"

He ran towards her with a smile seemingly stuck onto his face. She turned to him and smiled faintly back at him, crouching down and opening her arms.

Mother: "How are you? You ok?"

Ethan nodded and rested his shoulder on his mothers, breathing deeply and relaxing.

Ethan: "Where's dad!?! When will he be back??"

His mother grasped hold of his shoulders and pushed him back abit so she could look him in the eye. She looked gaunt. Ethan knew it was bad news and his eyes slowly glazed over. His lower lip trembled.

Ethan: "W-Who did it...When...?? Why!?!"

He feared the worst and wanted to know every little detail about his fathers death. He hoped he died in battle, like he always wanted. She shook her head slowly, her long hair flowing over her shoulders. She then let go of his left shoulder and slapped him, the left side of Ethans face immediatly turned red and he staggered backwards, grasping it.

Ethan: "W...What?? M...Mum!!"

He began to cry and as he stepped backwards, his mother stood. Her stare cold and hard. Evil and full of disappointment.

Mother: "I thought you were more sensible then that!?! WHY!?! WHY ETHAN!!"

Ethan shook his head in confusion. He didn't know what she was going on about, didn't know why she was so close to crying or so upset. As he tried to think through the stinging pain of her hand mark the door opened and his father stepped in. His face too was full of anger. He was followed by 4 troops, each holding a Rifle. They stepped in and awaited for their orders. The father nodded towards Ethans room and then stood back, allowing them to pass. Following them was another Orkhid, he looked like a Scientist but it was clear he wasn't. He carried a metal container and set it down on the floor outside Ethans room. He then turned to Ethan and shook his head gently, sighing. He then addressed the boy...

Orkhid: "Ethan, do you know whom we are...?"

Ethan stepped back, knocking into the dining table. He shook his head and tried to subside the sobs. He kept glancing over towards his room, wondering what the troops would bring out. He could hear crashing and heavy objects being thrown around, their mutterings filling in the silence that was inbetween the crashing.

Orkhid: "I'm Alenzandor Hill. I'm the Head of the Memories Department. I'm sure you know why we're here...right?"

His voice was softer now and he brushed his gingery-black fringe out of his face. His piercing gray eyes seemed to violate Ethans pressence. He awaited an answer and shifted impatiently as he did so.

Ethan: "Y-Yes...I think so."

He nodded and rubbed his eyes, he was still aching from his slap but the pain was slowly disappearing. The troops exited his room, carrying his candles and other majic-orientated items. They then threw them into the container scruffily. Ethan was in it deep. He tried to rack his brain, trying to think of an excuse. He thought of saying that he was looking after them, but then he remembered that they had delved into his mind...it was him who was using them. No-one else. The troops looked at the child in disgust, all of the Orkhids looked at him in disgust, in one way or another. The white-clothed Orkhid held out his hand, seemingly offering help to him. The child was nervous but knew that if he stayed behind something bad would happen to him. He stepped forwards, raising his right hand to meet the Orkhids.

Father: "Wait. Can we have a minute or five alone with Ethan, please."

He stepped forwards, growling at his offspring. Ethan's eyes glanced up at the Orkhid and pleaded with him to decline.

Orkhid: "Sure, we'll be outside..."

He signalled to the troops to follow, one picked up the box and then they all left, in single file.

Mother: "Your a disappointment to us, never in our families generations has this happened...YOU are the first to shame our bloodlines!!"

His father slowly took off his belt and wrapped the leather strap around his hand. Allowing the metal buckle to hang. Fiercly he gripped the belt, his muscles flexing.

Father: "Hold him down...He needs to learn the Cale way..."

His fathers voice shocked Ethan, it was cold and brutal. He showed no emotion in his face. And as his mother sweeped across the floor and grasped his hair, turned him around and tore the red shirt off of his back...he sobbed. The pain was a fraction of what he was going to feel when the Rehabilitators take him...He wouldn't survive, he wouldn't live to see the light of another day, and he knew it...

~End~