Mute

[2] Atrium

Atrium

     Track four begins with the crashing of cymbals followed by the screeching cries of violins. The sound is hauntingly painful. Each scratch against the strings sends a shock of splitting pain to my head, every note the chorus of clarinets spew makes me cringe. The glass to the Incubator begins to fog and the source of it all is my agonizing screams. 

     Track four isn't one of my personal favorites.   

     My arms thrash against the metal tendrils, reacting violently to the torturous tune as I clamp my eyes shut and bite my lip to keep the screams at bay. Beneath the layers of tantalizing music is a voice that beckons like a soft whisper in the breeze.

     "You are a citizen of Syrus," the voice says. The words are strung together so beautifully that it's a relief to the awful noise in my ears. "You belong to us. You will obey us. You are loyal."

     The voice grows louder and louder and with it comes a never-ending sense of peace as my body relaxes and the music disintegrates into a light waltz. I feel my lips involuntarily curl into a smile as the words "I will obey" sit on my tongue. 

     "Syrus depends on you Cor Draco. We will not tolerate rebellion. We will not tolerate dishonorable thoughts. You will not come in contact with any of the Ringers. The most important of them all is-"

     Cool air invades my space and goose flesh appears on my arms and legs as track four is rudely interrupted by a stark white faced Official. He looms over the edge with the main plug swinging from his hand and a grin plastered on his thin lips. The light reflects off of his signature, navy blue uniform. 

     "Miss Draco," he drawls, malice disguising itself under his sarcastic tone. One of his hands grabs a hold of the collar of my plaid gown. "I have strict orders from the President to escort you to the Atrium as soon as possible."

     The Official's statement doesn't sink in right away because as soon as the metal tentacles retract and the music dies, I feel all of the energy I once had seep out. The room begins to tilt and spin and a sickening feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. 

     Behind him, Dr. Weiss cries out in horror and pushes the Official aside. "What the hell have you done? You've unplugged her!"

     The Official's previous smirk falters. His depth-less eyes flutter over to me and then back at the doctor from beneath the rim of his helmet with the slightest touch of fear in his black irises. "I was working under the instructions of-"

     "Do you realize the consequences of this?" Dr. Weiss continues without a remote sense of care for the Official's words. "She's a Mute. She can't be unplugged like that, it's lethal. I'm sure the President wouldn't be too thrilled to hear that you killed his only daughter." 

     "Talk like that will get sent straight to the Gaslands, Dr. Weiss." The Official tilts his nose up in the air and resumes his expression of cool nonchalance. "Besides, my loyalty does not rely upon you."

     His knuckles push themselves into my neck as he lifts me out of the Incubator and roughly sets me on my two feet. “Move!” he barks, ushering me along with a push.

     The problem is, I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I need the music.

     My heart ticks a mile a minute as the Official grabs a hold of my forearm and pulls me across the tile floor. “It’s illegal; it’s bloody illegal he’s going to kill her!” Dr. Weiss hollers in the arms of several others that desperately try to restrain and control him.