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Author's Notes: Last competition entry for Days' current contest, and this entry can be linked to "A Predator's Fallacy", "Un-Identical Reflection", "Same Aim, Different Beliefs" and "A Metaphor". I might continue this and write a novella so that it's completed as a novita, but we'll see about that. In any case, this story was inspired by 'L'enfer' by KYO (song and music video), and 'Ready, Set, Go' by Tokio Hotel (song). Enjoy reading.
PS: When I uploaded this onto FictionPress, there were some formatting problems here and there, but I think I managed to get them all. If you spot any formatting mistakes, drop a word behind and I'll edit it. Thanks.
Hair: Brown
Eyes:
Brown
Age: 48
DoB: 5th April
Blood Type:
O
Position: Volunteer
Partner: (Deceased) Dr.
Alphonse Sawyer
YoS: 29 Years
Placement:
ARTIN
Location: Searching…
Connection(s): Kenny
Rise, Alice Sphera, Alphonse Sawyer
Status: Unknown
Are you sure you want to remove the folder ‘AXPE-12344 (Michael Atkins)’ and all the contents and existing documents permanently?
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Files erased.
The one named Kenny shot him a warning look and nodded. “One sec, Callum. I’m almost done.” He said, fiddling with the last wire before cutting it completely. The sound of a minuscule explosion reached their ears and Kenny sighed in relief, taking his loaded gun back from his companion. “Let’s run for it.”
Together, they snuck across the laboratory, quickly and swiftly like two shadows blending in the darkness. The scientists there would come upon a big surprise the next day, for an ambush awaited them – at least, that was what Kenny had planned for them. They exited the building and ran across into the nearest shade of trees from the nearby forest surrounding (and hiding) the cursed place. Once safely obscured from view, Kenny slumped down against a large tree and wiped his brow.
“Alright, Callum?” He asked as his friend copied his actions.
Callum nodded and stifled a yawn, tired from the lack of sleep he had the night before. He knew that the operation had to be done at night-time, but he didn’t realise that there would still be a few scientists nearby to make the job harder for them. Nevertheless, at least they did the deed successfully. But there was still something nagging him. Callum turned to look at Kenny who seemed deep in thought – ever since he had looked through the computer files from the lab they were in earlier. Callum cleared his throat and spoke:
“…Kenny. Is there something you think you should tell us? Or at least me?” He asked.
Snapped out from his reverie, Kenny shifted uncomfortably. “What do you mean?”
“Why did you delete that file earlier? What use was it to you?” Callum prodded, his voice quiet. He could see that this might not be something Kenny wanted the rest to find out; especially when they found out that the records from the ARTIN-lab wouldn’t be found in any other labs – and vice versa. “Kenny? Who was that person you deleted from the records?” He asked, gently this time.
“It was my stepdad.” Kenny admitted with a heavy sigh. “You know that I ran away from home, right? I was experimented in the ARTIN-lab back when I was a kid, and Michael took me in; it was at that time that I regained my memories. There’s now a book out there titled ‘A Predator’s Fallacy’ which was actually written by me, but is published under his name. I don’t know why he published it in the end. The book was about me when I was experimented, down to the very last detail, but I didn’t know it at the time.”
Hearing that, Callum swore and placed a hand on his forehead. “And your stepdad is part of this?” He asked bitterly.
Kenny shook his head. “I’m not sure. I never really… got much of an answer or an explanation out from him. But of course, I was only sixteen then. I never knew how much of an involvement I was in until a few years ago when I met you and the guys.” He shrugged. “But I don’t want to eliminate the chance to talk to Michael either.”
“You shouldn’t take responsibility that isn’t yours, Kenny. Michael’s a heck of a lot older than you and he’s been involved with this group longer than you. He chose this.”
“Did he? There was something Michael didn’t want to tell me. And I want to find out what it is. But I also don’t want to go searching for it.”
Callum frowned. “So what you’re saying is… Let fate decide? Even after ten years?” He asked, a hint of humour in his tone.
Kenny couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah.”
Callum laughed and sat down. “Don’t complain, Kenny. They were daft enough to put a database about their workers in there. Of course, who would not grass on them?” He pointed out smugly.
Kenny shook his head. “I looked through those files. For the scientists, the only names present are those who are already dead. But you’re right, I guess. People would definitely grass them up if facing something like a lifetime prison sentence for covering evidence.” He said, spooning the round flakes into his mouth.
“Tsk, you’re one to talk, Kenny.” His friend grinned.
Kenny slapped his hand. “Get off my back. That’s a personal thing. And anyway, they did manage to capture more scientists. They wouldn’t have gotten hold of that database if it weren’t for Leila who decided to betray them. If you don’t enter the right password, the whole thing would be wiped out faster than a blink of an eye.”
“You talk like you know everything.” Callum snorted. “And you know what? You contradict yourself when you want things to be right your way as well.”
Kenny rolled his eyes. “Michael might or might not be involved in all this at will, and that’s something I need to find out. He is involved: that is something I cannot change. But if he was forced into it, we could always turn him to our side. And if it turns out that he was willing to do all this himself, depending on his intentions, I might report him to the police if I have to. If I don’t… you will.” He added the last sentence quietly, like an afterthought.
Callum sighed deeply and placed a hand on his forehead. “Now why do I suddenly have this responsibility on my shoulders?”
Kenny stood up and patted him on the back teasingly. “There, there, Callum. It was your fault that you asked me to join you a few years ago. When you do that, you’re unconsciously agreeing into dealing with me in any sort of situation.”
“Really now?” Callum laughed. “Whatever, Kenny. Whatever. Michael Atkins. I won’t forget that name, so don’t you worry about that. If he kills you, I’ll turn him in. If you don’t, I’ll ask why, and depending on your intentions, I might let you off.”
“One more, Callum…” Kenny trailed off, a smile on his face.
“Now what? Haven’t you put me through enough grief already?” Callum grinned.
Kenny slapped his shoulder. “Keep this a secret?”
“Fine.” His friend grunted. “But you owe me one.”
Michael…
I don’t exactly know whether you still use this address or not, but I’m weighing my chances and I thought that it probably won’t hurt if I try and contact you anyway. The chances of you reading this and not discovering it at all are pretty equal in my eyes, so here it goes.
The attack in the ARTIN-lab was done by me. Not just me, but that’s all the information I’m going to give you at this moment. And while I was there, I deleted your files from the computer. Your data shouldn’t be there, which is why I’m thinking that you still haven’t been found by the police. Don’t you dare think that I did that to save your skin because you were my stepfather. It’s not that.
We need to talk.
I need to question you. Ten years ago, there was something you didn’t tell me and I want to know what it is. I could have asked this question ages ago, but I never actually wanted to contact you myself. But now I’m sick of waiting and I’m afraid if you weren’t who I thought you were, you’d run away to another lab and I’d be covering evidence for something I despise.
Meet
me at the beach, 12 PM sharp on the 23rd. You know
where.
Kenny.
“So you really did contact your stepdad? Kenny, Kenny, Kenny… You’re ridiculous.” Callum said between laughs, his chest heaving as if he was having an asthmatic attack. “So when are you meeting him?”
“That…” Kenny trailed off tiredly. “Is none of your business. He hasn’t even replied yet.”
In a second, Callum stopped laughing and his eyes flashed dangerously. “I can’t allow that.” He said, his voice serious. “Kenny, what if he’s not you who think he is? What if he kills you? What if he brings you to his group and they torture information out of you?” He asked, counting off a few more possibilities with his fingers.
“Shut up, Callum.” Kenny snapped, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. “…This is personal. I know I’m using the labs and our operations to talk to Michael, but… I need to know.”
“Kenny, listen.” Callum edged forward and lowered his voice. “There are lives at stake with you contacting the enemy like this.”
“Michael is not my enemy. He was my stepdad.” Kenny replied. “I know what I’m doing.”
“No you don’t. Trust me, you don’t. You’re lying to yourself.”
“So what if I am? Callum… let me do this. You know how much this means to me.” By the end of his sentence, Callum could hear the plea in Kenny’s voice. Kenny looked at him, his sad eyes reminding Callum of a young, lost child. “Please don’t interfere.” Kenny said softly.
Staring into those eyes was his mistake, and Callum knew it. With a frustrated sigh, he rubbed his forehead and shook his head. “Whatever, Kenny. Do what you want… But I don’t want to be responsible for anything. You get me?” He asked, hiding his fear with slight anger.
Relieved, Kenny could only comfort his friend with a nod. “Nothing will happen to me. I promise. I know Michael. He won’t let me down, and he’s not the type to betray someone. I’ll be alright.” He said.
Kenny –
Nice to finally hear from you. I knew you were the one responsible for all this. We’ll talk in detail, and make sure both of us are unaccompanied.
I’ll be there.
Michael.
The downside of that was the fact that somewhere, an enemy could be lurking.
Kenny walked slowly, knowing that he was somewhat early for their meeting. He reached a large log on the more isolated part of the coast and there, he sat down, waiting patiently. This was where he collapsed when he was a child. This was where he lost his memory, and where he first met Michael. Kenny could remember that as a child, whenever he was upset, he would always manage to find his way back to this old log that was washed away some years ago, and here he would sulk until his stepdad came to comfort him.
But such simple pleasures, such delightful memories, were only there for a child.
Once one reaches adulthood, even if they were younger, life was too full of responsibilities.
“Been waiting long, Kenny?” The voice broke his thoughts. Kenny rose and turned around, coming face-to-face with his stepfather. Michael managed a smile. “You’ve grown a lot.” He remarked.
Despite being a stepfather, Kenny couldn’t help but notice similar features he shared with Michael sometimes, like some sort of odd coincidence. They had the same low cheekbones, same straight nose, and square jaws. His hair grew straight and smooth like Michael – not like how he remembered his father to be, which was more stuck up, or his mother with naturally curly hair.
“You’re alone, Michael?” Kenny greeted, ignoring the outstretched hand from his stepdad. No way was he going to touch the man until he knew the truth.
Michael put his hand back into his pocket and nodded. “Alone like I promised. No listening devices on me, no way of contacting me right now. Nobody’s going to do that anyway. Not after ARTIN.” He pointed out.
The other nodded. “Good. Same here.” He agreed.
“So…” Michael sat down on the log, looking up to his stepson. “I’m sure you’re not as delighted to see me as I am to see you. So let’s get down to business. You said you want to question me. Shoot.” He said, fixing a hard stare on Kenny.
After a slight hesitation, Kenny walked over to a nearby boulder and sat down. From his position, he was looking down on his stepfather, giving him a good view to notice the simple things that reminded him that they were no longer young like they were before. “I want to ask you about… everything. Your intentions. Why are you involved with ARTIN? And why did you take me in when you found me lying in the beach those years back?”
“Can a human not act like a human?” Michael asked coolly. “Look, Kenny… I know you want answers. And I know that it’s not making any sense. But if you really want to know… then just listen and I’ll tell you. Make no judgements, clear your head – just listen. Does that sound alright to you?” He asked, ready to give away the answers.
Kenny nodded. “Yeah. Just tell me. Why are you involved with ARTIN? Why join a lab that meddles with human lives?”
“Because Alphonse went there, and I wanted to protect him.” Michael answered. “Back before you met me, back before you even existed, I knew a man called Alphonse Sawyer. He was my closest friend and a family tragedy made him join ARTIN to atone for his sins. He lost his son because of someone in the lab, and he joined to make a difference. If there was anyone who could make a difference, ARTIN can. ARTIN itself stands for ‘Artificial Intelligence’. We meddle with lives to save lives. That’s always how the world goes. An eye for an eye, a war for the next generation… we’re following that same concept.
“ARTIN gave us the chance to research about cancer cures. Sure, we had to experiment on human lives, but we’ve found cures. We progressed, we can make beings that can protect this world. It’s what every man would have wanted. But I didn’t join on pure will. I wanted to protect Alphonse, and I did until the day he passed away. Even if you ask me now, if I had a chance to go back and make my choice again, I would join that place again if it’s to protect Alphonse.”
“What’s him to you compared to human lives?” Kenny asked, frustrated.
“He’s the most important person in my life after you, Kenny.” Michael said quietly. “I’m sure you managed to pick it up, but I’m not straight.”
“That’s no mystery to me.” The other admitted. “I knew you were gay. But is that possible? To experiment on lives you don’t know to protect the one you cherish most?”
Michael nodded. “We’re humans. We can get used to the most dangerous things sometimes, without wanting to. I got used to… experimenting. But Alphonse passed away a while ago. And when he did, my connection to ARTIN began to drift away, if possible. You said you deleted my files. Alphonse is dead. Alice is dead. You’re all that’s left. You’re the only link tying me to the place.”
“Leave it, Michael.” Kenny said seriously. “Leave the lab, and come with me. I have people that can help you. We managed to destroy ARTIN successfully, and they were the same people that attacked HELIX ten years ago. Michael, if your reason for joining ARTIN doesn’t exist anymore, then run away from it.”
“Life is not that simple.” Michael said, turning his gaze away. “You can’t just take responsibility and assume that everything’s going to be okay.”
“What are you scared of?” Kenny asked, his hands clenching.
Without answering, Michael stood up and turned away from his stepson. “Of losing you.” He said quietly. “In a way… biologically, you are my son.”
“Biologically?” Kenny stood up and reached out to grasp his wrist. “That can’t be possible! How is that possible? I’m your… stepson…” He trailed off, the full realisation of the situation hitting him. Of course, why would someone ever take in a child they don’t know as a stepson? Why would they, if they didn’t have any connections to them? Though it’s a heartless thing to say, humans weren’t all kind beings. “But… why…?” Kenny whispered.
Michael looked at him then, and for the first time, Kenny could actually see in detail the wrinkles on his face which showed his age. For the first time, Kenny realised that Michael was no longer young as he was before. Even if he did manage to turn Michael to the right path, away from the human experimentation labs, Michael wouldn’t have long to live such a life.
But that was better than nothing, correct?
“A gay man would try his best not to cheat on a girl to get what he wants. To be accepted by society, or gain something like having a son. But me… I was involved with labs that deal with human experiments. Donating a part of me to create clones, or artificially-made humans… whatever you want to call it – I could do that. I could… have a son without cheating. That was why.” He explained.
“But if so, you were so young…” Kenny managed, loosening his grip on Michael’s wrist.
Michael nodded. “Yeah. But you know, if someone has to accept something so big at a young age, the young age doesn’t matter much. Not when they already have an adult mind.” He said, a small smile appearing on his lips. “I’m sorry I never told you.”
“Why did you hesitate when I ran away?” Kenny asked after a small thought. “Before I ran away… when I realised that I was the subject of ARTIN and that you were involved – why didn’t you explain to me then?”
“I was young.” Michael shrugged. “I couldn’t exactly face the truth like I’m doing now. And I have no doubt that you wouldn’t be able to as well.”
Journal,
Kenny entered earlier, and he looked pretty worn out. The talk with his stepdad must’ve tired him out, I’m guessing. I wanted to ask, but his eyes told me not to even go there. Seriously, as a friend, I’m out of ideas now. I want to ask him what’s up and all that, but he’s not exactly talking. And if he’s not talking, I can’t exactly ask either, can I? Jeez… that Kenny is getting on my nerves.
One thing he did say is that he’s not giving up. I’m guessing that he didn’t manage to persuade his stepdad to join our group. But anyway, even if he didn’t manage that, he should work something out. I trust Kenny. He’ll… He’ll figure something out. I’ve been questioning something to myself though: Why are we here? As in… why am I even fighting against these labs? If I look at it from Kenny’s point of view, those people in the labs aren’t exactly enemies and nothing else. They’re humans too. Just like us. But right now, we cry over fallen towers and broken discoveries instead of human lives. That’s why they kept on experimenting like that. Right?
Heh, asking you won’t do me good, journal. It’s not as if you can talk. If you could… then I’d jump off the nearest bridge. I even wonder why I talk to you every night. Whatever. I’m tired.
Cal.
Posted at 08:37 pm / Link / Edit Entry / Edit Tags / Add to Memories / Track This
Kenny rolled his eyes and pushed his plate towards Callum. “Eat. When your mouth is busy chewing, then maybe I can answer.” He said, chewing on his croissant absently.
Callum frowned and sat down. “Fine.” He agreed, reaching out for his own breakfast. “I eat, you talk. I like the sound of that. So what happened between you and your stepdad? And I’m hoping that you’re going to tell me everything and not just bits and pieces that’ll leave me hanging.”
“Michael is really my biological father. And right now, he has no intention of joining any lab – or at least, he never said that he was. The reason why he was with ARTIN was because he wanted to protect someone, details classified. But we can say that he’s safe. As long as nobody disturbs him, he’ll leave everyone else alone.”
“And you’re not satisfied, are you?” Callum prodded.
Kenny shook his head, irritated. “No I’m not. Do you know how much Michael could help us if he joined our group? He’s been with ARTIN for almost thirty years. More than half his life! Chances are, he knows a lot about the other labs established around this country.”
Callum sighed and took another croissant. “This is the trouble with you, Kenny. You’re trying to take too much responsibility on your hands. Michael’s life is his. You can’t live it for him, or make him do something about it. Leave him alone.”
“I’m not satisfied.” Kenny shot back. “He said that he’s not going to join us to protect me. He’s afraid of losing me. But well, he’s lost me for ten years and he’s still well and alive, isn’t he? There’s no difference at all. It’s not as if I’m going to die if he joins us.”
“But the risk will be there.” Callum interjected.
“How?”
“Well, you’ll meddle in more.”
Kenny raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying that you don’t want me to meddle around? Because we both know that you’ll be contradicting yourself if you say that.”
“That’s true.” Callum nodded. “But in Michael’s point of view, he’ll endanger you if he provides more information. Maybe you’re better off not knowing a few things. You’re still young, and I think that’s what Michael might be telling you. He probably wants you to live your life… normally. Without all this.”
“Since when are you so understanding?” Kenny asked with a small smirk. Upon seeing Callum’s indignant look, the younger of the two raised his hands quickly. “I’m joking, Callum, I’m joking. But do you really think that’s why he’s not cooperating?”
“Maybe.” Callum answered. “Thing is, Kenny, you can suspect so much all your life. But you won’t know until you ask.” He said.
We were both writers in the past, and heck, you’d probably think I’m being a bit too clichéd right now. But this is the only way I can think of contacting you… with emotion but without being here, you know what I mean? I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
Seriously, Kenny, thanks for everything. Thanks for deleting my files, thanks for contacting me, thanks for showing me the right path. Thanks for being so grown up when I’m the one who should think for myself. You haven’t changed a bit since before, and I’m glad. But you see, some things are better left unchanged. Some things are better left unattended. I’m glad that you want me to join your group, but it’s best if I stay away as far as possible and just influence the world in a different way. Not in the path you’ve chosen.
I’m running away. This might be the last time you hear from me, but if you want to contact me, father and son, you know how. If possible, try and leave that group you’re in. Take it from me, it’s best not to go into their group. Not while the world is falling down to pieces like this. You’ll understand… once you grow up.
If you want something to think about, Kenny, try and think about doing what's right. Sometimes, a human can't justify what's right and what's wrong. They can't do it themselves. It's near impossible. But to fight in what you believe in is something that's almost as important as doing what's right. As long as you can back yourself up, keep on fighting. In this case, I really believed that keeping you in the dark, and joining the ARTIN lab was what's best for me. Maybe you won't understand what I mean. Maybe you won't be satisfied. But as far as I'm concerned... I know you tried to understand. You wanted nothing more but to do what you thought was right. Stop that. Think. Fight for what you believe in.
Michael.
