Nocturne’s Reaping® : Intermezzo
Chapter 7
Takara didn’t hear anything more about her attending the field trip, and she didn’t ask. She waited for Patty to mention it, but she didn’t. As the day approached, she figured Mr. Tyler had given her teacher an excuse as to why she couldn’t attend. It was probably only the possibility that he could be blamed somehow for her not being able to go that he had objected to. He probably didn’t want the questions. As for his objecting to Takara bringing up the fact she possibly couldn’t attend the field trip? Why wouldn’t she have had doubts about that? What, with all the restrictions he had her adhere to — it only stood to reason she would wonder. And what was more, she could very well see him changing his mind at the last minute in order to mess with her head. In fact, every time she logged in to that one class, she was surprised to find her name hadn’t been removed from the roster. Takara had no intention of giving Mr. Tyler the satisfaction of reacting to any of his mind games.
Takara lay upon her bed and stared at the ceiling. It was a Friday and, while that used to be a joy for her, she now found herself with nothing to do. It was actually the copious amounts of free time she had that wore on her the most. She sighed. That was the moment Patty came into the room.
“Takara.” she stated. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?”
Takara looked at the woman quizzically.
“Your field trip …” Patty added impatiently.
“I’m going?” Takara wondered.
“Mr. Tyler said you would be difficult about it. He said to make sure you went …”
Instead of letting Patty finish her lecture, Takara stood and began to assemble her belongings. She decided to hurry lest they change their minds. Still, she waited for Patty to leave before retrieving the letter she had written for her mother.
Takara had begun moving the letter around the room when it was dark. She also figured someone would be less likely to search the same place twice. And though Takara concluded it was probably silly, it did give her a sliver of self-determination — something she’d been lacking for quite a while.
Today, Takara slid the letter up one of her long shirt sleeves. It was probably a warm spring day, but Takara figured her health issues would answer any questions they might have as to the reason she had dressed warmly, so that she wouldn’t have to.
After she was dressed, Takara got some surprising news. Instead of being driven to her destination, Mr. Tyler had arranged for her to take the bus. Takara tried to temper her shock that he expected her to wait outside for a bus the very first time she left the house after her coma. But then, she knew how it would look if she protested — as though she wanted special treatment — so she just nodded and let them escort her down the long, winding driveway to the side of the road.
Since they put her out early, she had time to wait and time to realize just how weak she had become between the coma and the captivity. Then, there was the fact she was standing alone in the middle of nowhere. Suddenly, she wondered whether she should just throw caution to the wind and escape right then. Then again, where could she go that Mr. Tyler wouldn’t find her? She realized at that moment that her situation could get worse. Then, before she could go any further with this train of thought, she noticed that there was one security camera pointed right at her. Takara looked away and froze under its prying eye.
Fortunately, the bus pulled up not long after. Takara’s first instinct when she boarded the bus was to apologize to the other students for making them go so far out of their way in order to retrieve her. But then, she decided, if Mr. Tyler were to hear about it he would probably view that statement as a personal insult.
As it turned out, it didn’t seem to matter. Most of the students seemed to be completely uninterested in her. Then again, why should they be interested? Theirs wasn’t an abnormal reaction once Takara got to thinking about it. She probably wouldn’t look at every person who stepped onto the bus. And at least this meant that the extra distance the bus had traveled hadn’t caused the other students to become annoyed with her. Takara did manage to make eye contact with one of the students. Of course, he eventually looked away.
Takara took a seat in the middle of the bus. She leaned back in the seat. Still, even though she was being driven away from the Institute, she couldn’t completely shake that feeling of anxiety she had had since learning her father was dead. She was out in the world now, but there was no real sense of relief. Maybe it was because she knew she’d have to go back to the Institute later on that day. Or, maybe it went deeper than that. After all, she had never had a chance to say good-bye to her father, never attended the funeral. There was no one to grieve with: he was just gone.
Takara suddenly wanted to find his grave and visit it. But this trip, this only reprieve from her prison sentence at the Institute, was for a different purpose; it was to learn. Takara managed to cheer herself up by remembering that it was her father’s work that they were studying. She knew a little about the subject, too. Those nights when she would go to see him in his office — sometimes he would explain his ideas to her. It was probably to occupy her while he finished up whatever project had captivated his mind. But, still, she grew to enjoy it all the same. He’d even told her once that she had a natural ability for his work. At the time, she wondered whether he was just being her father. But after starting this course, she began to see that it was true. And she figured in this small way she could hold on to him. Certainly, she felt her father would be pleased she was following in his footsteps. It would probably be the only aspect of her current life he would be happy with.
The bus slowly rolled to a stop in front of a three-story building with tinted windows. There was a bright sign in the front declaring it to be a virtual reality center.
Takara braced herself for the inevitable falling forward followed by the falling back that came with riding the bus. Then, Miss Harrington stood at the front of the bus and gave the students instructions on the day’s assignment. She sent a copy to the students on their tablets. Takara reddened. She didn’t have a tablet. Then suddenly, as though sensing her concern, Miss Harrington announced that she had a tablet in hand that had been purchased for Takara.
Takara didn’t know what to make of that. Takara released the top of the seat in front of her, which she had been grasping, and sat back in her seat. On the one hand, it was a relief; on the other hand, Takara found it strange. Mr. Tyler on his own volition had probably arranged it. He was very aware of everything she did apparently. Only he didn’t just give her the tablet beforehand for some reason. Could it be that he didn’t want her to have it at home? Takara blushed thinking about the embarrassment that would ensue if her tablet was taken away from her at the end of the day. Miss Harrington stepped off the bus and headed into the building. One by one, the other students filed off.
It was then that Takara felt a wave of exhaustion. She braced herself. Was she even well enough to be doing this? That’s when Takara noticed that a boy, the boy who had looked at her before, had paused next to her on his way off the bus. She looked over at him.
“Are you all right?” the boy asked her. He had a serious look on his face.
Takara considered briefly. She looked down for a moment. Then, she finally looked back at him.
“Yeah, I think I’ll be fine.” she replied.
The boy smiled briefly then continued on. Takara pulled herself up and made the effort to catch up with the others.
As Takara met up with the group inside the building, Miss Harrington began to speak.
“Well, we’re going to start with a tour.” she announced.
Miss Harrington looked off to the side, and a man from the Virtual Reality Gaming Complex came forward. Takara wasn’t sure whether the tour was a good or bad thing for her. Takara wouldn’t have to think much to make it through the day, but she would have to walk. Fortunately, there was an elevator to ride on when the tour headed for the second and third floors.
There were many things of interest in the complex. Of particular interest to Takara was a computer room with the most advanced computers on the colony. With them, the students could run their own virtual reality programs. Each computer had its own booth with a tabletop to place items such as tablets on.
Another area of interest was the virtual reality corridor. Takara’s heart leapt when she heard that her father had designed those rooms and had donated the money to build them. They were apparently a smaller version of what was at the Institute. Next, there was automation. That was a more recent addition. Takara’s father would read a lot of his plans for the automation program to her. Of particular interest to him was combining the two concepts. Actually, that was what he was working on right before his death.
For a second, Takara thought the others might ask her about the facilities at the Institute. The truth was that she had never seen the facilities there; she just knew they existed. She had gotten the impression that they consisted of many large rooms that linked together, and that they even extended underground. Takara was relieved, though a bit surprised, when no one turned to her while they were discussing her father’s work. Part of her wanted to talk about her father, but since she was afraid what she might be asked if she brought it up she didn’t volunteer any information.
Then again, as Takara scanned the group of other students she did notice that one student, the same one who had approached her on the bus, had turned and looked at her when her father’s full name was mentioned.
“Could it be?” Takara wondered. “Could he know who I am?”
Takara considered.
“He does look somewhat familiar.” Takara admitted to herself. But was she just fooling herself?
Suddenly, Miss Harrington announced that they would be trying out the computers with the time remaining. Only since she hadn’t reserved the computers ahead of time, there weren’t enough computers available for all of the students. So, they would have to take turns.
Takara was not one of the first students chosen, but that boy from before was. Takara decided she may as well observe his experience. When she walked into the computer lab and began to look for the boy, she noticed an alcove she hadn’t spotted before. It jutted out from the rest of the room. The most unusual part of it was that the walls of the room were transparent. Takara kept her eyes on the view as she made her way into the room. The main room and the entrance below began to unfold before her. Then, right to her left was the boy from before and a couple of other students observing. Takara crept in beside them. Her attention was split between what was happening below her and what was on the screen. Takara began to slowly tap her toe against the floor. After a few moments, the boy turned and looked at her. She turned and looked at him in return. Then, she smiled softly. He nodded then went back to his work.
Takara’s brow furrowed a bit. It was probably nothing after all. He had indeed seemed familiar, but it was probably just wishful thinking on her part, she concluded. She was so desperate to find someone who knew her — or at least who knew of her from better times — that she had started to believe she recognized this boy. It was actually a bitter disappointment. Maybe she could still build a friendship with a fellow student anyway … but that probably wouldn’t go unnoticed by the teacher. And could she even trust that student if she did reach out? Would that person trust her? Takara decided a new friendship would only work under these circumstances if that person trusted her right away and believed that her judgment could be relied upon. How could she expect that from a total stranger? She had made the mistake of hoping Patty would be on her side, but that hadn’t lasted. And what had been more disturbing was that Takara still hadn’t figured out why the woman’s attitude toward her had changed so drastically. She could only assume it had something to do with Mr. Tyler. Takara sighed.
“Can you see the screen, all right?” the boy asked her unexpectedly.
Takara looked down at him and saw a flash of recognition in his eyes. Could it be?
“All right, students. Please finish up what you’re doing and meet me in the lobby.” Miss Harrington pronounced.
As a couple of students pushed forward to get a last-minute glimpse of the screen, Takara decided to head for the elevator. She was tired. Overall, it was a good day, but her body yearned to lie down again. It was frustrating to realize that after wanting to leave the Institute for so long she wasn’t capable of making the most of this rare opportunity to be free of it. Her fatigue did have one positive effect on her; it made her determined to get stronger.
Once she got into the hallway, she saw the teacher standing at the entrance to the lobby. She was making some sort of a phone call. Takara just walked forward as usual — that is until she heard her name mentioned. Takara froze.
“Yes, we’ll be leaving right now. Yes, she’s doing fine. All right, good-bye.”
The teacher hung up. Takara released her breath as her teacher turned and saw her standing there.
“Takara … A woman called from the Institute to check up on you. I told her you were fine. I hope I didn’t overstep.”
Takara shook her head. The teacher smiled.
“I think you had a good day, but we’d better get you back.”
Takara frowned and looked off to the side.
“Yes.” she forced herself to say.
Fortunately, that boy came upon them then.
“Kenji, right?” the teacher asked.
“Yes.” The boy pushed up his glasses.
“Well, we’d all better get going.”
Takara looked at the boy named Kenji briefly as he walked past her. She thought about trying to walk next to him. But given how ill she was feeling, she doubted she could keep up with his pace. So, she decided against it. After all, trying to hold him back as though she had something important to tell him might seem incredibly suspicious. Kenji might be her only link to the outside world — that is if she didn’t blow it in the meantime.
It wasn’t until she was standing there facing the bus that she remembered her letter. Takara froze in place. It seemed as though the plan was to return to this place one day, but when? It could be weeks from now. Being at the Institute now was bad enough, but having to wait to even mail the letter that could allow her to escape seemed almost unbearable.
“Takara? Are you coming?” the teacher called from the bus.
Takara blinked. Then, almost as though Miss Harrington could tell what she was thinking, she added, “We’ll come back here soon.”
The word “soon” wasn’t exactly specific, but it was reassuring, nonetheless. Certainly, it gave Takara just enough will to spur her legs towards the bus. Still, she sighed when she retook her seat. It was disheartening to be returning to the Institute. It was as though she was on a rail, and she couldn’t get off. Takara bemoaned the fact that she couldn’t force herself to leave this train and claim her own path again. Where was this path leading anyway? Maybe it was crazy, but it didn’t feel good wherever it was going. Takara tried to convince herself that she had made progress that day towards freedom despite the fact that she had failed in her most important task: sending that letter on its way. But then there was Kenji; he could be important. She dare not look at him now, but she did see him get on the bus. Somehow, knowing someone might know who she used to be was comforting.
“All right. We seem to be missing one.” Miss Harrington checked the list. “Has anyone seen Erik Lancaster?” she asked.
People looked amongst one another. Then, a voice called out from the back, “I think I saw a guy head into the virtual reality corridor when all the computers were taken.”
“Oh.” She turned to the bus driver. “Oh. It’ll just be a moment. I’ll go find him.”
Miss Harrington headed off the bus and into the complex. It wasn’t all that long afterward that she returned with a boy, who appeared to be a bit younger than Takara and Kenji. He looked a little embarrassed as he stepped onto the bus. Still, he held the light brown hair atop his head high in spite of it.
“All right.” Miss Harrington breathed. “We can go anytime.”
The bus driver started the bus. And with a slight jostling of the students in their seats, they were off. The bus petered along dropping off one student at a time. Takara sighed. She might as well relax. After all, this was going to take awhile.
Suddenly, the bus came to an abrupt stop.
“What?!” Miss Harrington exclaimed aloud.
Takara and the other remaining students peered over the top of their seats.
“It’s okay, everyone. It’s just a tree limb.”
Suddenly, there was a loud noise in front of them and to their left. All the students seemed to turn simultaneously towards it. Then, despite Miss Harrington’s protestations, they headed to the left side of the bus in order to watch a giant … something moving off into the distance toward their right while destroying everything in its wake.
The thing was a bulky reddish creature about two-stories tall. It resembled a lobster.
“What’s that? It’s alive!” one student commented.
“No, it’s not alive.” Takara spoke up. The group turned toward her. “It’s just a robot.”
“Cool! It’s a robot!”
The students began to chatter among themselves. It was as though this was part of the course experience. Takara just kind of stared at the robot in disbelief. It was just like the automation that her father had envisioned, but the scale — that was unexpected. Takara then looked over and saw the horrified expression on Miss Harrington’s face. All the teacher kept repeating was that if they’d made it to that spot moments earlier — if they hadn’t been running late — they would have been crushed. After the creature had left their line of sight, the bus driver suggested he find an alternative route to progress. Miss Harrington seemed eager to leave the area, so they backed up and headed down a side street.
Just like that morning, Takara’s place of residence was the last stop. As she passed by Miss Harrington, she noticed that the woman was still pale. Takara paused. It really was a big deal to almost die. Takara had acknowledged that reality in her mind but wouldn’t allow herself to really feel it. After all, no one at the Institute acted as though Takara’s near-death experience had been a big deal. Takara was moved by sudden compassion, and she said to Miss Harrington in a tone she wished someone would speak to her in and with the words she secretly wished they would say: “It’ll be all right. You’ve been through a lot, but you’re still here. And tomorrow is bound to be better.”
Miss Harrington turned and looked at Takara. Takara was expecting a disapproving look to cross the woman’s face given the way she was treated at the Institute; instead, Miss Harrington broke into a beautiful smile. Then, she suddenly hugged Takara. Finally, she whispered, “Thank you, Takara. You take care of yourself.” The woman let the girl go, and Takara smiled back at her. Then, she forced herself to head off the bus and start the long walk up the driveway.
Should she have given Miss Harrington the letter? That’s almost all Takara could think about as she slowly plodded on. Takara stopped to catch her breath a moment. “When am I going to take action?” she chastised herself.
Takara had never had trouble asserting herself before. Why was she so indecisive now? It was as though she was limping along emotionally, incapable of rebalancing herself. Yet, the biggest thing — literally — that Takara thought about was that large robot that had torn through the forest and toppled those trees.
Where had it come from? Maybe the news would have a story on it — if she ever got back to the Institute. Then again, to even watch the news she would have to have permission from Mr. Tyler to stay in the atrium for a while. After all, the television sets were only left on during the work day.
“Takara!” Miss Harrington’s voice suddenly called after her in a frantic tone.
The woman came running up to Takara over the short distance Takara had been able to cover. The bus was still waiting behind the woman. Takara was unnerved that Miss Harrington appeared to be out of breath.
“Takara …” she gasped.
“Yes?”
“I need … I need your tablet back.”
***
By the time Takara made it up the steep incline of the driveway, she found she was very thirsty and, of course, tired. No one at the reception desk seemed to lift their eyes as she passed by on her way in. So, she slipped into the elevator and got off on her floor. Takara, upon entering the building, thought she might stop by her room before checking to see whether she could watch the television in the atrium. But as she passed by the atrium, the television was turned on, and it drew her attention. There was the story about the robot, and a whole group of people were standing in front of the television. Mr. Tyler was among them. Takara came up behind the group and stood there watching the footage different news agencies had managed to gather. That’s when Takara noticed that one of the receptionists she’d seen at the receptionist desk over a year ago appeared to be crying. Could it be a relative of hers had been hurt?
“Has something tragic happened?” Takara asked. The question was directed at the woman.
The woman turned and gasped. Then, Mr. Tyler and a bunch of other people turned towards Takara as well. Takara was confused.
“You should be in your room!” Mr. Tyler quickly barked at her.
Takara flushed with embarrassment. She quickly turned on her heels and walked as fast as she could back to her room. She couldn’t recall having taken a breath until she secured the door behind her. She went and grabbed the pitcher of water from her dresser and poured herself a drink. She sat on the bed and proceeded to consume the water.
“What was that about?” Takara wondered. Was it really that easy for her to mess up? One thing was for sure; the fact they were that reactive to her showed the problem was obviously them and not her. Still, it was bothersome — both because she had to live among them and because it meant she wouldn’t be able to find out more about the incident with that strange robot.
“Something just seemed oddly familiar about it.” Takara concluded.
Copyright © Jennifer Alice Chandler 2019
