One Touch

8: Energy Gods

The rest of the week was horrendous, and dragged on with absolute desolation. I missed being friends with Atlanta, but I couldn’t break my promise of staying away. I didn’t promise, but I wanted to spare myself the embarrassment of taking her back.

I continued to receive looks from the kingdom, and bullet eyes from Amber who found me more revolting than the gunk under her shoe. That girl could go to extreme lengths to defend Caspian and toss me into a pit of lava. In addition to that, the rumours around school have increased and it became apparent that Amber and Caspian were in a relationship. I, myself, didn’t see the bond but Amber had shared the news all over school.

In each and every class, I felt burns on my back from being looked at by guess-who. I refrained from checking to see if he continued to stare at me in class, and I wanted to keep it that way especially since I had nothing to do with the Cages.

As soon as the bell rang, I left like my hair was on fire. I avoided them all and hadn’t spoken to one in the past few days. I didn’t know if that was easier or harder to do, since I felt like trash.

At lunch, I sat next to the window with Haiti and Luna as they shared their own opinion on the whole fiasco. I held in my groan, wanting to take my lunch tray and eat in the washroom stalls. Atlanta began to sit at the kingdom’s table, and she shot me occasional glances that I pretended not to see. My intention wasn’t to be rude to her, but I shut her down real quick whenever she tried to talk to me.

“Look, look!” Haiti shouted in a whisper. “Amber’s about to kiss him. I swear to God, she’s going to do it.” Luna turned in curiosity and I did as well, not able to stop myself.

We held out breaths as Amber giggled, reaching up towards Caspian’s face until her lips touched his cheek. I let out my breath, relieved for a second it wasn’t lip to lip. Wait. Eve, what the hell?

I didn’t want to get involved in it or even think about it so I resumed eating and staring out the window. The sky was filled with grey clouds and a low rumble could be heard over the cafeteria’s clamour.

“Is that Ronald?” Luna said, squinting at Atlanta’s table. My head whipped towards the football player standing in front of Atlanta.

Ronald was speaking to Atlanta and she had a smile on her face, a smile no one else around that table wore. At the end of their talk, Ronald grinned, waved, and walked away. Caspian turned to her the second he left and I could tell he’d give her another one of his lectures. Atlanta saddened and chewed her food glumly. This was beyond horrific to watch.

“Oh Eve, we’re going shopping today after school,” Haiti said, poking my arm. An excited pulse ran through me when I looked at her with wide eyes. “We were wondering if you can lend us some money.”

My excitement fell below zero when I wasn’t invited. “You are going to pay me back, right?” I asked, trying not to sound dejected. She nodded and I fished out fifty bucks from my backpack. “You still haven’t paid me back for last time.”

“Relax, Eve,” Luna told me. “We’re friends, so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.” Well, it was when that money was my mother’s and I was giving it away for useless reasons.

It was as if I’d stumbled back to my old life, the life where I worried about no one and nothing. Ever since the Cages had moved across from my house, things have been weird and uncanny. I wanted Atlanta back, and Caspian to back off.

When I came home that day, I heard voices from upstairs and dashed towards dad’s room I hadn’t seen him in weeks or heard his voice that it made me nervous to climb up the stairs. It wasn’t mom who was at his door, and I didn’t expect Rick to be there. My steps slowed when I advanced into the corridor, and their voices became clear.

“…Odelia's coming over today. Mom told me to tell you,” Rick said to dad. I couldn’t see dad from the small opening of his door, but I heard his raspy voice through it.

“That’s what I want, too,” he said, and coughed. I winced at its hoarseness. “I’m going to crack this case. Did you get any other proofs?” Proofs…Rick and dad had a case study together?

Rick grunted in dissatisfaction. “No. I can’t get anywhere close with the little brats in the way. And Eve thinks I’m a lunatic, so that doesn’t help.” I furrowed my brows, inching forward.

“Eve is normal,” dad said, “that’s what she is.” He said it like I was someone different and out of his league. Pain crawled into my chest after he excluded me like that.

“And that’s the problem,” Rick added. “And she’s a problem, too. But she’s not friends with them anymore, so I can ask her for help.” Huh? Dad and Rick were talking about the Cages?

“We can’t trust her,” dad said. Another arrow of pain hit my chest. “But keep it confidential when you persuade her.” Rick nodded and the door closed.

I ran towards my bedroom with quiet thumps and closed the door behind me. I wanted Rick to come to me and tell me about it. Whatever it may be, I wanted to prove to dad I could be trusted. Heck, I was his daughter. I had always wanted to l know more about him, learn more about him, and love him more. This was the grain of opportunity I needed to find out what was going on. I was as patient as possible, waiting for Rick to come in or talk to me about it. Mom had come home from work that night and he hadn’t talked to me yet. This was tiresome.

There was a small package on the coffee table, and mom had brought it in as she entered the house. While we ate dinner, she was reading through some files on the dining table as I played with my food.

“How was work?” I asked her. She mumbled in response. “I see. School was boring and super annoying.” She nodded, not removing her eyes from the file. I sighed, wondering when I’d be noticed by my parents, when I’d actually be paid attention to.

Mom finished her food and upstairs right after, leaving me under the one light lit in the dining room. I took the package she left on the table and turned off all the lights as I went upstairs.

I saw ‘Quantum Physics’ written across the package. Ah, it must be one of Rick’s textbooks again. My route detoured towards his bedroom and I knocked. Rick opened the door and I gave him the package. Before I walked back he said, “Wait. I need to talk to you.” I followed him with eager footsteps and he shut the door.

Rick’s room had that mystical, yet studious appearance to it. I had been in it about five times my entire life, and I always found it fascinating. I predicted him to be an engineer or scientist one day.

“Sit,” he ordered, and I plumped on his bed with my hands pressed to my lap. He brought a chair and sat across from me, pushing his glasses up on his nose. “I’m only going to say this once, so you better listen.”

“What is this about?” I asked, and he gave me a menacing look. I shut my mouth as he continued.

"You’re not friends with Atlanta anymore, are you?” he said. I hesitated and nodded. “And you don’t care about them anymore, do you?” I shook my head, but it wasn’t entirely true. I did care.

Rick stood up, going towards his maple wood bureau, overflowing with papers, and pulled out a key from his pocket. He unlocked the bottom-most drawer and produced a large, grey file. He returned with it and unlocked the file with the same key.

“Now, listen carefully,” he said, and I glanced at the title plastered onto the file. It read ‘Energy Gods’. “Dad and I are working on a project, and we want to conduct an experiment.”

“What experiment—” I started.

“Now, you can’t ask us what it is about, why, how, or any other questions,” he forbade, and the corners of my lips turned down. “We need your help, and your only two choices of answers are ‘yes’ and ‘no’.”

“Yes,” I said, sooner than I thought. Rick had a flash of suspicion in his eyes but he dismissed it by taking out a paper from one of the dividers in the file.

He gave me the paper and I took it. “These are all we need from you, and we’ll tell you everything else after.”

“And dad wants this?” I asked. Rick nodded and I clutched the paper. “Okay. I’ll look over it.” This would make me get a step closer to dad, and I’d do anything to achieve that level of comfort with him.

I was determined as I took the paper to my room and sat on my bed to read it over. It couldn’t be that hard to do, or too costly. I straightened the piece of paper on my bedsheet.

Energy Gods: Module – Equipment and Samples. Dad and Rick wanted me to collect samples for…Energy Gods? What the hell did that mean? I kept reading and the first passage threw me off. These samples must be obtained from two new test subjects. Names: Caspian Cage, Atlanta Cage. My back straightened, and sweat formed along my hairline as my eyes followed down. Obtain: Strand of hair from each. Blood samples of each. A peel of skin from one or each. What was this? I wasn’t getting out of my way to do these creepy things to the Cages. Recommended: A detailed description of their home environment.

No, this was the work of a spy, not me. I folded the paper to return it to Rick, but paused. If I somehow completed this checklist, Rick said I’d be told everything. I’d get my answers, and gain respect from dad. I’d gain trust. I could talk to him and spend time with him.

I let out a heavy sigh, falling back on my bed. With what Rick had given me, the number of questions I had grew and so did my headache. I had cut all ties with the Cages, so how could I go back and ask for a second chance?

Loud laughter bellowed from out the window and my eyes snapped open. I sat up and pulled my curtains apart. Through the dark and under the gleam of streetlights, I saw two cars parked in front of the Cages’ house. I couldn’t make out their faces, but several people were on the driveway chattering and laughing while blasting music.

The lights of other houses switched on at the racket they were creating and I shook my head in disapproval. Getting off of the bed, I went downstairs to make them leave. I didn’t know if it was a clever move, but I wanted to end their disturbance. From my porch, I saw Caspian and the rest of his crew gathered outside his garage. Should I go and make an appearance or let them party during midnight? I saw everyone there except Atlanta, which didn’t help.

I made a decision and put on one of my fiercest faces as I stomped towards them. Caspian was the first to notice me, but I trained my eyes somewhere else. The music died down and a hush fell over the crowd when all of them saw me, and I crossed my arms.

“There’s this thing called silence and the entire neighbourhood sleeping,” I scolded. “You clearly don’t know the meaning of it, and it’s not my responsibility to be your dictionary.”

Amber rolled her eyes, as expected of her. “Or what? You’re going to call the police on us? We can charm them, sweetheart.” Was she really signing up for this argument?

“In case you didn’t know, you made the wrong choice coming here,” Emerald added, and a cunning glint shone in her pupils. “You wouldn’t want your life ruined at school, would you?” All I wanted was peaceful sleep, not nightmares of vain Barbie girls.

“Go home, honey,” Amber said, wiggling her manicured fingers to wave me off.

“Am I your girlfriend or something? Why do you keep saying ‘honey’ and ‘sweetheart’?” I said, raising an eyebrow. Amber glowered at me. I had nothing against people calling me that, but her voice was plain annoying to listen to. “And you’re not scaring me. Just because you’re rich and popular doesn’t mean you have the right to bark like a dog at midnight and be a nuisance.”

Before one of the girls could retort, Ryu put a hand up. “Stop,” he told them. “We’ll go. Don’t make such a scene.” Yeah, that’s right. “Later, Caspian.”

I didn’t move until the car drove out of sight, and the heat rolled off my head, disappearing into the air. Well, that went better than expected. Or not. Either way, I was satisfied as I began to walk back home.

“Are you trying to make a point?” Caspian asked within a second, and I stopped in my tracks. “I get it you’re upset, but this wasn’t necessary.”

I turned around slowly to see his expression. He didn’t show anger. “I am upset, but this is a different story,” I answered, my voice quiet. “I care less about your social life. I value my sleep.”

“Sure. Or you just want a fight,” he said. I turned away, neither confirming nor denying that statement. “We’re doing completely fine without your company, me and Atlanta. I’m letting you know in case you wanted to run back to us.”

I wanted to be angry, but sadness filled me instead. “Don’t worry. I won’t even look at you.” I shielded my moist eyes, as the breeze dried them in an instant. “And I expect the same from you.”

Caspian let out a chuckle. “Ah, you’re dreaming of me looking at you again. Sorry, but you have nothing to worry about.” My jaw popped out, and he smirked with annoying delight. “What? Did I get on your nerves?”

“Is making me angry a sport to you?” I asked in disgust. He shrugged, and I rubbed my forehead. “Please, just stop playing with me. I’m not friends with Atlanta anymore, right? Spare me from your games.”

“So, this is the last time we’ll speak to each other. Correct?” he asked in confirmation. I hesitated for five whole seconds, the answer I had floating in my head but not leaving my mouth.

“Yes,” I said. “This is official. And I don’t want your girlfriend taunting me at school for no reason. I hope you take care of that.”

“Great.” Caspian bid me a farewell, smiling with gratitude. However, right before he turned, I saw his lips tug down into a frown. I wasn’t sure if I’d seen it, but it shouldn’t matter anyway.

Then, I realized something. I had forgotten about the module Rick gave me earlier today, and the tasks I had to do. I slapped my forehead. Now everything went down in flames. This was the official breaking point between the twins and me.

I was clearly upset and wanted to show how I had some power against the kingdom. But all I called was for more trouble, and I didn’t expect that from myself. I was being too courageous, and setting myself up for a series of problems. How was I going to get back in line with the Cages? I needed those samples from them, but I hadn’t even begun to think about how I’d get them. Now the situation was far from my hands. What a good way to blow it.

Just. Great.