The Fourth Chapter

The tiny living room felt and smelled of sweat, Rhoa had pulled the patchy blue chair around to face the couch, trying to at least dust it with his hand before giving it to the Agent, and they sat waiting for the Agent to finish his cigarette. The gold trim puffed between breaths and burned away just as breathlessly, a vintage brand of a cost Rhoa could not even fathom.

Rhoa felt his stomach swelling. If this were an interrogation he probably would have broken already. It had been a long time since he had met anyone from the Agency, more so an actual Agent, besides his parents. The Agent sightlessly watched Rhoa, as if keenly observing something he could not see.

Pap caressed his fingers between his hands, his earlier demeanor shifting away from joyful to a visible anger. Rhoa had not seen his Pap this visibly agitated, or even angered, by anything since both of his parents disappeared. Pap looked ready to burst at any minute, and just as he looked like he had reached his limit – the Agent flicked the cigarette to the metal floor where it disintegrated.

“Agent Bruller, was it?” Pap finally snapped, his voice under control, but heated. “What do you want?”  

“It’s what you want, and what you want – I want.” The Agent leaned back in the chair, his eyes studying them both coldly. “I have information, information that you want.”

“My parents?” Rhoa asked the Agent. The Agent’s eyes hardly moved, as if his gaze were already on him, and Rhoa hesitated to ask more.

“Yes, your parents.” The Agent picked up on his hesitation. “What I can tell you is this: They’re alive.”

“Don’t you bullshit me.” Pap’s fidgeting ceased. “It was your Agency that reported them missing, and then dead. You don’t have the right to say something like that.”

The Agent did not flinch.

“We now believe those reports inaccurate. I cannot discuss with you the details of why those reports are inaccurate, but I can say that this matter has been the HDA’s top priority since its initial reporting.” Every word the Agent spoke seemed calculated and cautious, at the end of each sentence he drew out the last syllable and the words lingered.

Rhoa brushed his chin, his fingers lingering for only a moment; the ghost of his beard making him forget that he had shaved. A question popped into Rhoa’s thoughts, though he hesitated to ask – his nervousness at flooding levels.

“May I see some form of identification that you’re from the HDA?” Rhoa asked, his courage temporary, and his terror returned as the words passed through him.

Pap glanced at Rhoa – seemingly aware of what Rhoa was playing at. The Agent placed his right foot upon his left knee, crossing his legs methodically, his shoes a sheen of polished black.

“You’re aware of what identifies an Agent?” The Agent’s crystal blue eyes did not stir.

“Yes.” Rhoa said, still terrified.

Rhoa was playing a dangerous game. He did not know if the person in front of him was an actual Agent, and if he weren’t what would he do? If Rhoa had learned anything from his parents, it is that Agents did not carry anything to identify them. They were silent guardians – only their powers proved their identity.

 “Though, such things are supposed to be confidential, I suppose it’s not surprising your parents would neglect their duties to the Agency in favor of their child.” The Agent’s eyes narrowed and darted to Pap for a moment, however, quickly returned to their methodical gaze, and shifted again to Rhoa.

Total silence encompassed the room – no one saying a word. The Agent did nothing but stare at Rhoa, the light blue eyes meeting Rhoa’s – like a cyborg’s blank gaze. Rhoa feared the Agent’s words as if an omen for some upcoming punishment in place of his parents. But, nothing came, and the Agent spoke.

“I’m curious as to where your companion, Kay, heard this rumor about a level comprised of trees and fields. As far as I know, there are only levels of purpose, and food production was automatized years ago.” The Agent said.

Shocked, Rhoa glanced away from the Agent, however, attempting to appear unphased. How did the Agent know about their conversation? Were they being monitored?

“No, you are not being monitored. Though, I’ll admit the Agency has kept distant glances at you from time to time.” The Agent said, then moved on. “I’m also aware of your recent unemployment, and your companion’s intent on quitting her own.”

Rhoa did not feel as impressed, if the Agent had been keeping tabs on him, then these things could be found out.

“You, however,” the Agent continued, “are afraid of these changes. The truth is that you found purpose in day-to-day tasking, believing that you are so well rounded that you are in fact useless because of your inability to excel at anything. You felt a pang of disparity this morning so potent that you wished to immerse yourself once again in the cybernetic dream of an implant. I’ve tried them myself – it’s an exhilarating feeling, being someone or something else entirely.”

Rhoa felt the shadows in the room shift, maliciously, as if alive, but knew that the only thing in the room shifting was himself.

“You asked what my ability was?” The Agent posed the rhetorical question before answering it, “It’s reading people. Their emotions, their thoughts, their being, their soul.”

The Agent rasped off the checklist of his ability like a machine screwing in a bolt, mechanical and without a second glance; the white suit seeming to radiate against the dark walls of the room. Rhoa could not form the words to respond, as if a giant lump stopped him from speaking.

“That’s enough leave him alone! You don’t owe him a response, Rhoa.” Pap snapped back at the Agent.

“I meant no disrespect. He asked and I provided my proof.” The Agent responded lightly.

“Listen here, I’ve met your ty-” Pap started before being cut off.

“My parents,” Rhoa interrupted, “they’re alive?”

“We’re not entirely sure.” The Agent said.

“What do you mean?!” Pap asked frustrated.

The Agent did not look away from Rhoa, speaking directly to him as if he were the only one in the room.

“It’s a complicated matter, the Agency is investigating, but there’s a possibility that they are alive.” The Agent said.

“Why tell me?” Rhoa asked, his voice almost quivering.

“Because, you deserve to know.” The Agent said.

“I thought the Agency liked its secrets?”

Bruller shifted his resting legs.

“You are the child of two Agents, and that makes you a prime candidate.” Agent Bruller said.

“What does that mean?” Rhoa asked.

“It means that you can find out what happened to your parents, yourself.” Bruller said, again shifting.

Rhoa did not know what to say, pressing his hands together; his knuckles draining into a white. What did it matter? He asked himself. They left you, who cares what happened to them? What about Kay? She had put together everything for them to start a new life, and now another possibility presented itself. He could not just walk away from her. Yet, he felt something pushing him, and something tugged on the other end trying to help. He wanted, no, needed to know. And, instead of sitting and waiting for something to happen – he would do it himself.

Rhoa had not felt this way before, he felt scared and guilty, yet felt himself calming – he had to do this. Kay would have to go on without him. She’s stronger than me, he thought, she’ll find something else.

“Rhoa-” Pap began saying, before again being interrupted.

“Okay. If it means finding them, then I’ll do it.” Rhoa said.

“Rhoa?!” Pap stood from his seat in protest.

“I’ll do it.” Rhoa again repeated.

            Agent Bruller took a silent breath, his chest heaving in relief, and stood from the chair.

            “This is an important decision, Rhoa. Once you agree to be a part of the Agency, there will be no going back.” Bruller adjusted a few buttons on his suit. “I’ll go retrieve the car, in the meantime, I suggest you prepare yourself to make that decision fully.”

            Bruller’s words lingered, his eyes shifting to Pap, and then in one swift movement left the home, his shoes clacking against the floor and into the street. The door closed after Agent Bruller, leaving Rhoa and Pap alone. Pap sat down in the old chair, its proper owner returned, and they said nothing for a moment. Pap sighed loudly, placing his face between his hands, and running them down across his brows and over his lips.

            “Rhoa, I don’t understand.” Pap finally said, resting his balling hands on top his knees.

            Rhoa could not look up from the floor, not able to look Pap in the eye, his gaze frozen.

            “Kay, and you,” Pap said, pausing, and speaking again, “She had something planned for you two. You would throw that away?”

            “I need this, Pap.” Rhoa said.

            “Why? We said our goodbyes ten years ago - I thought you had let go.” Pap said.

            “We’ve been trapped in those ten years, even now. I felt like running back to the implants today - this is my chance to finally break free, to stop running from it. I need to know, for sure, if they’re alive or dead. I need to see them.” Rhoa said his voice full of frustration.

            Pap said nothing. Rhoa looked at Pap’s shifting feet but could not look any higher. The door sprang open, surprising both Pap and Rhoa. But, instead of Agent Bruller – Kay stood in the doorway, and they looked upon her in surprise as if they had forgotten she was going to return.

            “I’m back!” Kay said happily and smiling.

            She walked inside, placing her brown bag against the wall. Rhoa looked back at her, she was out of her dress and into a more suitable attire: a pair of brown crease ridden jeans, a dark blue turtle neck, and a pair of worn brown boots. As she entered further into the room her happy expression faded, as if the mood in the room had finally settled in for her.

            “Is something wrong?” Kay asked concerned at their solemn looks.

            “Kay, you should take a seat. Rhoa, has something to explain to you.” Pap said as calmly as he could; his white hair sticking the sides of his head.

            Kay sat down next to Rhoa, her brunette hair tucked into a semi-ponytail, and glanced between Rhoa and Pap. Rhoa averted his eyes from her, taking a moment to gather himself.

            “Is it about our plans?” Kay asked looking at Pap. “If you think it’s too much then I can ask for my job back, and Rhoa will find work again I’m sure it’ll be alright.”

            Neither of them responded.

            “It is about our plans, but it’s not your fault Kay.” Rhoa finally responded, his fingers digging into the fabric of the coach. “It’s my parents, there’s a chance that they’re still alive.”

            “What?”

Pap averted even his gaze as Kay looked at him.

“How? Who told you?” Kay asked, a swarm of questions seeming to cross over her confused expression.

“An Agent was here. He told me that there was a possibility that they are alive, but he couldn’t go into detail as to how the Agency knows.” Rhoa said, his eyes still fixed on the coach.

“You’re sure he was an Agent?” Kay asked cautiously.

“Yea.” Rhoa said.

“What aren’t you telling me? Did he tell you something else?” Kay asked.

“No, it’s the disclosure part,” Rhoa said. “I want to know what happened to them, and if there’s a chance that they’re alive then I want to see them.”

Rhoa pulled some of the green fabric away from the couch and took a breath.

“So, I volunteered to join the Agency.”

            Kay said nothing, and Rhoa could not bring himself to look at her. He heard her slide closer to him, the fabric brushing against her jeans, and in a slow motion she took her hands and placed them on his cheeks. She pulled his averting eyes away from the fabric and forced them to look at her. She appeared sad, her ears slightly red, but perhaps even more so than she was letting herself appear.

            “Is this what you want?” Kay asked him in a hushed serious tone.

            As Rhoa gazed into her eyes, he thought of how many times she’d been there for him, through his parents and the augments that followed. Life had become a fantasy of simplicity, a constant pattern, yet she always managed to surprise him. Kay was the only one who seemed to be living in this metal reality, and she wasted it all on him.

            “Yes.” Rhoa said, feeling pain swell within his stomach.

            She released him, sliding back into the couch. Rhoa watched her keenly, but neither of them said anything.

            “Please, see reason, Rhoa.” Pap pleaded. “You have a chance to move away from all of this, this dirty mundanity.”

            “Don’t you want see them again, Pap?” Rhoa asked.

            “I would like nothing more in the world, but you don’t even know what you’ll find. They don’t even seem to know what you’ll find.” Pap said.

            “That’s why I need to go.”

            “Then, I’m going with you.” Kay suddenly said.

            Pap gasped, almost tumbling out of the chair.

            “Not you too, Kay.” Pap barely said.

            “What? Why?” Rhoa asked.

            “You seem to be deciding what you want, so I’ve decided on what I want. I’m going with you.” Kay said, standing from the couch.

            “You don’t even know if they’ll take you.” Rhoa said thinking of the Agent, his fingers trembling in response.

            “Well, then I guess you better come up with a good excuse.” Kay said.

            Rhoa stared at her, the dim light casting her shadow on the wall. He sat back in the couch, her confidence brimming in the dark. He sighed deeply, his trembling ceasing, and running a hand over his mouth.

            “Okay.” Rhoa said nodding.

            “You’re both foolish,” Pap stood, “And I want no part of it. I tried to help you both. If your mother was here…”

            Pap could not finish the sentence, he took one last look at them both, and marched into his room, the door sliding close behind him.

            “Shouldn’t we say something to him?” Kay asked.

            “No, I’ll come back and say goodbye before we leave.” Rhoa said.

            Rhoa stood, and Kay moved to her bag. Rhoa pulled the old bag over his right shoulder, and Kay picked up her similarly old brown bag.

            “You’re sure about this?” Rhoa asked.

            “Just about as sure as you are.” Kay said.

            Rhoa wanted to voice his barely functioning confidence in the decision, but he did not let the words escape. He did not want to waste any more time, taking only one glance at the dark living room – the old furniture silently watching the blank screen of the TV, and turned to the door. As he pushed on the pad to open the door, Kay placed a hand on his right shoulder, she was trembling, and then quickly pulled her hand off. Rhoa did not have anything else to say, they were both afraid, but they had already decided.

            “I’ve been waiting, you took a while.” Agent Bruller said leaning against a sleeking grey hover car, its pristinely polished surface starkly out of place against the darkened streets.

            Agent Bruller looked them over, his eyes resting on Kay.

“Though, not unexpected.”