The Energy Room (The Elementum Trilogy) (12 page)

“
Yes. It was nice of him,” I instigated.

Eric’s eyes burned with rage, but somehow he managed to keep his cool. I sniffed in disbelief as we continued to eat our food, then felt a pang of guilt as I began to appreciate that the boy across from me was trying to be nice. He went through all the trouble of planning out a sweet little dinner, and obviously letting everyone in on it so they would steer clear of the fourteenth floor for us, and there I was, being a jerk to him. Shame on me.

“This is nice too,” I said with a smile, resting my hand on Eric’s.

All frustration drained from his eyes, being replaced with adoring happiness. I jumped and turned in my seat at the sound of a loud melody. Behind me, a group of three women dressed in white gowns with a cello, a violin, and a harp played slow music.

I was sincerely astonished at the amount of effort Eric had put into the evening, and couldn’t help but be appreciative. Eric stood with a bow, offering me his hand.

“
Would you like to dance?” he asked in a very gentlemanly tone.

There was nothing I could do to keep from blushing, rising to my feet to place one hand on Eric’s shoulder, the other resting comfortably in his.

We stumbled gracelessly over each other’s feet for a while, laughing as we faltered. Finally, we found our rhythm, swaying to and fro in a small circle. Eric even managed to twirl me once without causing any damage to anyone or anything in the room, which was quite impressive.

Overall, I would have said the entire day had been, more or less, a success as far as pleasantness goes. Yes, I
would
have said that, if Eric hadn’t leaned in to meet my lips with his.

“
Eric,” I said unhappily, gently pushing myself away from him.

It broke my heart to witness the disappointment throughout the young man’s face. I didn’t want to hurt him, but it had only been a couple days since we agreed to remain friends. I wondered if he had even had any real intentions of ever settling for friendship when we made our agreement.

“It’s him, right? Al,” Eric said heatedly, the half-melted candle wobbling dangerously as he leaned against the table.

“
No. It’s not Al. It’s not anything. We’re supposed to be friends,” I breathed, not wanting to believe that the person who had always been my best friend in The Facility might not have been able to settle for less than more.

Eric rubbed his eyes for a moment, not to wipe away tears, but to brush away frustration. He focused his gaze on me for a long time, waving at the musicians to get them to leave. As we stood staring at each other, completely alone on the darkly lit floor, I considered a lot of things. I first considered running away and hiding in my apartment until the world ended. I considered slapping Eric, and throwing my glass of sparkling cider in his face. I considered singing show tunes. I wasn’t able to act on any of my considerations, before Eric reached for my hand and lowered himself to one knee.

“Oh no,” I mumbled, shaking my head violently as Eric pulled a small box out of his jacket pocket. A box that looked very similar to the one Al had given me earlier. “Don’t you dare.”

“
Angie, I love you. I have loved you my entire life,” Eric began, keeping a strong hold on the hand that I was desperately trying to yank away.

“
Don’t do this,” I said, almost shouting. “What happened to taking is slow?”

“
Marry me?” Eric asked, popping open the small box with one hand to reveal a quaint, silver ring with a small, clear diamond mounted on the top.

I finally managed to wrench my hand from Eric’s, almost tumbling backward over myself. I stared into his eyes with astonishment; and not the good kind. I was very concerned for the mental health of anyone who truly thought a marriage proposal was appropriate in that particular situation.

“Dammit, Eric!” I cursed. “We’re just kids. I don’t want to marry you. I don’t want to marry anyone!”

I stepped back with each word, being about halfway across the room by the time Eric had picked himself up to his feet. His eyes were saturated with a type of fury I had never seen before.

“But I love you! And I know you love me!” Eric said, nearly having to yell for his voice to reach me.

“
I do. But not the way you want me to. And I never will,” I cried, fumbling for the button to the elevator behind my back. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

I hadn’t slept. I had spent the entire night sitting on the edge of my bed, alternating between sobbing violently, and mumbling angrily to myself. All hope of having a normal friendship with Eric had been eradicated. I wasn’t really experienced in the subject, but it seemed improbable that any sort of relationship could be reconciled with someone whose marriage proposal I had brutally rejected. Though it pained me, I concluded that Eric was mentally unstable, most likely from growing up in The Facility. He seemed to have lost his grasp on reality. I would have suggested talking with a therapist, but I had a feeling that Eric wasn’t quite fond of psychologists anymore...

I stared at myself in the mirror, the somewhat pretty reflection from the day before completely replaced with that of an emotionally and physically exhausted monster. I ignored the sound of my new alarm chiming, alerting me that I should have been getting ready for the party. It felt as though my world was collapsing around me, and I had no way of holding up the walls.

A professional-sounding knock came from my front door. I dragged my feet, hoping with every part of me that it wouldn’t be Eric. Through the peephole, I saw William’s harsh-looking face. In opening the door, I was able to see a medium sized box in his hand, wrapped skillfully in penguin-adorned paper.

“
Happy birthday, Angela,” William said with an insincere smile, reaching the present out to me.

“
Thanks, William,” I said hoarsely, throat raw from bawling. I gently placed the gift on the coffee table, gesturing for William to have a seat in the chair.

“
I didn’t want to disturb you last night, you looked very upset. Are you alright?” William asked, failing at his attempt to sound concerned.

“
No,” I said, a little shocked that I was being honest with the man who had held me captive for so long.

“
Do you… want to talk about it?” William asked, obviously inexperienced in the art of being social.

I glared at the strict, old man across from me, his hair slicked back as always. Spotless suit and shoes, matching his spotless ego and sense of superiority.

“Okay. I’m sure you already know that Eric proposed to me last night,” I said bitterly.

Genuine shock spread across the man’s face.

“Er… no. Young Mr. Stein approached me a few days ago and made a request that we did not monitor your evening together last night. He said it was going to be very special. I assumed… er…” William stumbled over his own words. For the first time ever, I witnessed him blush.

“
What? Oh, William! Come on!” I screeched, cringing in repugnance.

William cleared his throat, quickly relieving himself of his own sudden embarrassment. He uncomfortably shifted in his seat, adjusting his suit jacket keenly.

“Well, er… did you accept his proposal, then?” William asked, composing himself.

“
Of course not,” I retorted, crossing my arms hastily. “He’s not even eighteen.”

“
Yes, but with the permission of his parents...” William began technically.

“
No, it’s not even that. Eric is…
was
my best friend. I don’t think of him like that. Anyway, he was really upset. I just… I just sort of ran out on him,” I explained, even more surprised that I was continuing to be honest with William.

“
I see,” he said distantly. It seemed as though William had begun thinking very intently about something, but I had no idea what. “Well, I’m sure everything will turn out just fine.”

The amount of craftiness that had suddenly flooded William’s voice was very concerning. I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to imagine what could have possibly been going through his head.

“Would you like to open your gift?” William asked, simulating kindness.

“
Shouldn’t I open it at the party?” I asked confusedly.

“
I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to The Village, today. Very busy,” William explained, acting somewhat suspicious.

I retrieved the present from the table in front of me, carefully pulling at the corners of the neatly wrapped paper.

“I remembered that you’re quite fond of penguins,” William said, proud of himself.

“
I was when I was ten,” I countered in a hushed voice, too low for his old ears to pick up on.

“
What was that?” William asked sincerely.

“
Yes, very fond. Love the little buggers,” I said with a fake smile.

My eyes lit up as I removed the top of the box, revealing a shimmering, deep blue dress. I picked it up by the shoulders, allowing the ruffled bottom to fall all the way down to my feet.

“Blue is your favorite, if I’m not mistaken,” William said, looking thoroughly fulfilled by my delight.

“
It’s gorgeous, William. Really, thank you. It’s a very sweet gift,” I cooed, momentarily forgetting my general loathing of the man.

I held the dress up to myself, the bottom fanning out gracefully as I twirled.

“You’re an adult now, I figured it might be time to supply you with a more mature wardrobe,” William said, returning to his professional demeanor.

I smiled in thanks as he stood, brushing out a few invisible wrinkles from his suit. I was taken aback as William’s behavior shifted slightly, his eyes landing on the glinting stone dangling from my neck. I stepped back out of reflex, as he reached for the necklace, then tentatively allowed him to examine it.

“Isn’t that lovely,” he said in a devious tone.

“
Al gave it to me,” I clarified. My words instantly brought an expression of discreet joy to William’s face.

“
Did he, now? How very kind of him,” William said, letting the stone drop back to my chest. “I believe it will go quite well with your dress.”

“
Yes.” I nodded timidly in agreement, still a little nervous about William’s strange reaction to my necklace, as he moved toward the door.

“
Would you be so kind as to try it on for me?” William asked. It would be easy to interpret the request as creepy and off-putting, but the expression in his eyes was sincere. William and I may never have gotten along well, what with the whole ‘him keeping me captive and running tests on me’ thing, but he undoubtedly felt connected to me in some way. Not necessarily a paternal connection, but has at least thought of me as some sort of pet he had raised from a baby; the baby was all grown up.

I smiled and retreated to my room, towing the heavy lump of blue fabric on my shoulder to prevent it from dragging on the floor. In pulling on the dress, after changing out of my frumpy pajamas, I witnessed something I hadn’t expected: I transformed into a beautiful woman. My reflection from the previous day didn’t hold a candle to what I was looking at now.

The sleeves rested securely on the very edges of my shoulders, with sequins crawling down the entire bodice in a leafy pattern, perfectly catching the rays of blue and purple cast from my necklace. Sheer, lacy fabric flowed freely from my waist all the way down to the floor, trailing elegantly behind me as I moved. The back was open, held together by a jeweled strap across my shoulder blades, and revealing how little advantage I had taken of the Light Therapy Room. I barely recognized the woman in the mirror. She was dignified and polished; she looked like a princess. It seemed impossible that I was gazing at my own image.

“
Angela? Is everything alright? Doesn’t it fit properly?” William called from the other side of my bedroom door.

“
No,” I whispered, voice catching in my throat. “No, it’s... perfect.”

I pulled on a pair of plain, black heels—the only fancy shoes I owned—which barely peeked out from under the long gown. With a preparing breath, I slowly pulled open the bedroom door.

William’s face lit up for a fraction of a second, before returning to its usual, rigid state. I thought I saw his eyes go watery, but I may have been mistaken.

“
I’m glad we were able to get the size correct.” William cleared his throat. “I apologize for not being able to participate in the celebration today. I really must be going.”

“
It’s okay,” I said calmly, the bottom of the gown flowing gracefully behind me as I walked him to the door.

“
Please tell Alvin happy birthday for me, as well,” William said, shutting the door behind himself without a second look back.

“
What?!” The word found its way out of my mouth a moment too late, having already been disconnected from William by the door.

Happy birthday to Al? HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AL?! Gears cranked rapidly in my head. Pieces of fabric whirled around me, as I clasped both of my hands over my mouth to stifle a gasp. It couldn’t have been. It couldn’t have been! Could it have been? No. It couldn’t have been…

I glanced at the little green numbers on the microwave. It was already two o’clock. The party would be starting in half an hour. Shaking myself out of a trance, I rushed through my front door, wobbling clumsily down the hall; I was less than qualified to wear heels. I danced eagerly in place, repeatedly jabbing the small elevator button with the down arrow on it.

It felt as if I spent a million years inside the elevator, waiting for the doors to open to The Village. Shock, excitement, and exhaustion whirred around me like a vacuum, making it very difficult to breathe, and even more difficult to refrain from fidgeting. My knees wavered, my hands shook, my feet tapped, and my teeth chattered; if I hadn’t been able to narrow it all down to fatigue and anxiety, I would have thought that I was having an epileptic episode.

Synthetic light warmed my face as the doors parted to reveal a bustling street, covered by a large, white tent. As if they could have possibly needed protection from the weather. Small, blue and white twinkling lights lined posts and poles, chairs and tables. The smell of charcoal and cooked foods invaded my nose, simultaneously causing my eyes to water, and my salivary glands to ooze. Children shrieked in delight as they weaved uncaringly between the legs of adults. A large banner reading ‘In Honor of Angela Dawson’ hung a few feet above my head, rays of light bouncing off of the glittering letters.

I was stunned. All of my previous birthday parties had been similar to carnivals. The sight in front of me reminded me of something one might see at a fancy wedding, or a particularly joyous funeral. Instead of the usual shorts and sandals, everyone wore suits and fancy flowing dresses, shiny shoes and expressions of aristocracy. I had no doubt that this was going along with William’s mention of my becoming an adult, therefore more mature. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t disappointed. I had been looking forward to throwing darts at balloons, and eating meats and cheeses on sticks. I had already concluded that I did not like the idea of being an adult.

I rapidly searched the crowd from my place by the elevator, until my eyes were finally met by those of the deepest oceans. I didn’t care that my line of sight was temporarily disturbed by unnoticing Facility employees; it was as if I could see straight through them into Al’s soul, as he made his way closer to me.

“
Happy birthday, Miss Dawson,” Al said with a quiet smile.

I was unable to force words from my mouth. I was unable to move. In fact, I was unable to do much of anything, except stare into Al’s icy eyes. Eyes, which had already completely regrown brows above them. Eyes, which emanated kindness, honesty, and loyalty. Eyes, which grew wide with understanding as to why I was staring into them like a creeper. Eyes, which, I was absolutely certain, opened to a vast, white room when they fell asleep.

‘
Careful,
’ Al’s voice rang inside my head.

“
Happy birthday to you, as well, Mr. Waldreck,” I said, squinting my eyes with silent accusation.

At first, I had been overwhelmingly excited to know that I was so close to someone of my own kind. My head had instantly filled with questions that made my body feel as if it would cave in on itself if I didn’t get the answers. How many others were there? Why were there only six of us in my Energy Room if there were more of us? What exactly were we? However, my excitement had quickly turned to anger mixed with worry. If Al was telepathic, why didn’t he just tell me when he arrived at The Facility that he was like me? More importantly… why was he even there?

“Happy Birthday, Angie!” I heard Paula shout from somewhere in the crowd, forcing me to plummet back into the world outside of my head.

It took me a moment to pry my eyes away from Al, and to plaster a cheesy grin across my face.

“Thanks!” I exclaimed, nearly toppling over as the woman tackled me with a hug.

“
You too, Al,” Paula added quickly, before taking hold of my hand to drag me down the street, where I received many random ‘happy birthdays’.

I clumsily glanced behind me, making sure that Al was following us. I didn’t want him to leave my sight ever again.

“Happy birthday, sweetie!” Emmy cried joyfully, giving me a kind hug as Paula and I reached our destination of the largest table at the very back of the tent.