Field Trip

I hate to admit this but the girl thing really works. I complained and badgered them enough to get this Internet privilege. I knew that was a stretch. I announced my discovery of the dress and the subsequent recall of the incident at the party, ball, whatever it was. Freaked them out! Is it really that hard to conceal side way glances and shuffling of feet? They we’re very uncomfortable with my recovered information. I was given reserved congratulations on my overcoming amnesia.

That revelation coupled with a teary outburst of emotion broke them. It completely unhinged them. I was shocked. These people act like the planet is their personal chessboard, toppling diplomats and negotiating wars or whatever it is they do, but I have moved the hands that move the world. What’s this you ask, this request of mine that I made with tears and pleading?

I imagine it is a small thing for anyone reading this, but to me it will be the greatest day to date. I get to go to the mall. No doubt there will be an escort and it seems that Watchman is forever hovering in the background, but I don’t care. I get to transverse sunlit corridors with crowds of people, some of them my own age. Eat really bad food. Try on things and maybe, if I’m fortunate, I will even buy something. This may seem overblown and silly, but I have been locked up too long with people I don’t like in a place with no windows. To breathe fresh air is all I ask.

Why was it so effective? If Usurper, that obedient pup, is any example of what the others are like then I am a complete wild card and their most successful case to date. Technically Usurper is the most successful of any of us; he has yet to display any unfortunate side effects (unless you consider self-centeredness a defect.) But I suspect it is because I am his equal and it is in their best interest to keep me happy. To cooperate with me is a gesture they hope I will feel inclined to return. I have considered the possibility that the price they will exact later will be higher than what I want to pay but for now that is a risk I am willing to take for a few minutes of freedom even if it is only a self induced delusion.

Diplomacy

I found the dress. It’s one of those shiny materials that looks like two colors depending on the light. Dark blue/black with clear rhinestones, like stars, scattered across the full, floor length skirt. It was sealed in a dry cleaning bag in the back of my closet, I took it out because I just couldn’t believe my eyes— it still smelled like smoke.

It wasn’t a dream. I did punch Usurper, right in the gut as he was gloating, with the clubhouse on fire behind us, Watchman standing behind me, police and fireman every where. All of us, we were just part of this crowd of witnesses that had been in a terrible incident. With some effort I found a newspaper article reporting about an explosion at an exclusive L.A. clubhouse. Pieces of several explosive devices were found and due to the kinds of guests, foul play is suspected but there were never any arrests.

The other boy that was there, he was real too. I thought maybe at first he was a plant. Some sort of stupid test set up by Warlike, but I don’t think he was. I have no way of ever knowing for sure, but I can’t let them get to me. They don’t control everything, just a very small part. “Defender of men” from Westchester County whose father works for the UN, I’m sorry if either of you were hurt, I wish we could have talked longer. I wish I had escaped, we could have been friends. I would have secretly lived in your family pool house. Only you, the gardener, and me would know I was there.

Is that something I can want? Is that so wrong? Friends and free time. I have no choices here; it’s do or die. Desire is a dangerous thing. I think it’s safe to say it’s gotten me in trouble before.