Know Thy Enemy

C H A P T E R 2 : Memory Slips

Kyle awoke to a faint ticking. Each click tapped at something crystal through his senses. A beacon for his mind.

“Open your eyes slowly” whispered a soothing voice.

Slivers of light reflected softly off his eyelashes. He found himself in a room coated in sunset. The slave from before sat casually at his bedside with a journal resting on his lap. The man’s dark sandy hair was cropped tightly to the skull. A pair of circular reading glasses gently glistened in the solar dew of dusk. He was a handsome man with intelligent eyes and an air of sobering devotion. Instead of sparkling like so many other furniture, Wren always shone outward. A rare but matte jewel rooted deep to his own mysteries.

“He wont be here until well after dark. You would do best to relax and get your bearings. I am Wren, the head of this estate and Master Marte’s furniture.” The man whispered with sincerity as he gingerly discarded the journal.

Kyle nodded gently and tried his luck at sitting up. But his actions were stayed with a soft and firmly calloused hand.

“One step at a time. According to the records, they have been sedating you for nearly a week with this nasty concoction.” He procured a small vile of clear liquid. A syrupy bile that cast an oily shadow on the carpet. “Now, if you would be so kind as to confirm these questions for me young man.”

Kyle’s lips parted but no sounds came.

“The master never gave me permission to remove the silencer. It is the other reason your throat is so dry, well, in addition to the mood enhancers and other vulgar remedies they have pumped into you. There is a small implant on your vocal chords that is halting any vibration. Removal is unfortunately a delicate process. Now then...” The chair groaned as he shifted legs. “Is your name Kyle?”

Kyle made no movement.

“I’ll have to take their word for it then. What is your last memory? The conflict in Roshtersen?” He leaned in slowly to inspect the boys reactions, but physical silence remained. “The auction?” Nothing followed but the tried and true cadence of the clock.

“Where that bruise came from?” His voice lowered noticeably. A quiver amongst the perfect elegance of his personage. Kyle shuddered at the compassion and fear such an obvious question had uprooted.

“Please, this is for your own good. At your level of exposure, brain damage and blackouts are prevalent.” Kyle ordered his body into compliance and rolled to face away from his inquisitor. “I see, the proverbial shoulder to the enemy. Perhaps we’ll have this conversation again soon. Until then, drink this water and help yourself to the closet. Your new wardrobe hasn’t arrived yet, but you may like what you find in there better anyhow.” The man rose to his feet and paused only to raise the silk curtains and lock the door.

Kyle felt his arm falling asleep. Numbly he wiped moisture from his brow with a wince. A fresh bruise rose hotly up, over and past his hairline. The sweet spot for attacking the enemy. Kyle’s brow furrowed in frustration. No memories of the wound surfaced. Nothing. Echos of dislocating a shoulder were mingled with rough hands pulling mud from his hair.

Ten minutes ticked down on the large pendulum clock. Kyle looked intensely at his own reflection in the large full length mirror. His skin was fresh and radiant against the black of his nightshirt. The garb tapered off mid thy and gave him the illusion of looking much younger than he actually was. Kyle recollected that it had been months since he had felt this clean. Faint memories of covering himself with mud and belly crawling into ravines were vibrant but distant in his mind. There were rope burns on his ankles and wrists, half faded reminders of what he couldn’t remember.

Kyle helped himself to the closet. A pair of well tailored grey pants and a black long sleeve shirt slid on easily.

“Ah, good evening Kyle.” Wren smiled while adjusting a picture on the wall. “We will be heading into town to see about your silencer. The master has called in for the evening on urgent business. Do you feel well?”

Kyle responded with a ‘yes,’ but nothing audible presented itself.

“That’s exactly why we’re going into town. Pets visual treasures, but if they can’t properly communicate, complications can arise .”

The boy shifted his weight in obvious nervousness. Kyle had only heard distant rumors of what a pet was. Docile creatures that served to please the eye and perform for their masters. Exactly what “perform” meant was an agitating mystery to the young captive.

“To the city we go, my companion. We have a lot to accomplish before curfew.” He pulled out a small black hat and travel coat. Wren rolled the glistening strands of Kyle’s hair into a small mass and neatly placed the hat above Kyle’s head. “He was very fond of this. Such long beautiful hair has been difficult to grow with protein rationing. We have got to downplay your appeal as much as possible. Tonight is your last night to roam without a proper escort.” Wren seemed slightly sad as he threw on a grey city coat of his own. “Now that you’ve healed, the work will begin tomorrow. You will see plenty of other pets while we are out there. Observe and learn closely, but never leave me side. Now then, let me have a look at you.”

The disguise was simple but effective. Both men appeared nothing more than two simple low-class furniture running their errands.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Yes, not the best work, but there wont be any side effects.” Said the short physician as he triangulated the placement of the implant. “I’ve removed the silencer, but the actual implant is more of a permanent structure. I will need to prep the surgery room if I’m to fully remove it.”

“So if we leave the implant, a silencer can easily be reapplied?” Wren stated while sifting through some paperwork.

“Precisely, there is no harm in it staying where it is. Your pet should be able to speak within the next 24 hours, otherwise bring him back to the clinic.” The sound of papers rustling to the floor broke through the numb hum of the lights. Wren ducked just in time to avoid a collision with a metal instrument.

Kyle stood with the physician’s head in a death lock. His demeanor was calm and furious.
“Pardon my rudeness Doctor, but I’ve been unjustly held against my will with these people.” His voice was quiet and thick.

“Do not do this Kyle. You have no idea what you are doing.” Wren halfheartedly retorted, aware that the boy knew exactly what he was doing.

“Wren, I have no desire to harm anyone. Walk to the other side of the room and sit on your hands facing the wall.”

“You know I can’t do that Kyle. I applaud your professionalism though.” Wren began collecting fallen scraps of the papers he held earlier.

Kyle stood motionless. “Does his life really mean that little to you?” his words were hollow and cold.

“Kill him Kyle, it makes no difference to me. You’ll only be hurting yourself.”

Kyle’s eyes widened in realization. “He’s not human.”

“No, synthetic fibers surrounding titanum bone structure with holographic amplifiers. And.....they’re right on schedule.” On cue the hallway door slammed open and several security guards flooded in.

“Please drop the good doctor Kyle. We’re already behind schedule.” Wren slipped on his grey coat and stood ready to disembark.

“As you wish” whispered the cornered boy. The doctor fell to the ground followed quickly by a guard screaming. His finger hung at an impossible angle. Kyle lashed out with calculating moves. The first three guards went down hard and fast, but days of fever left the boy panting. Plastic restraints snapped shut over his ankles.

“So it is to be like this.” Wren sighed while placing his hat on firmly. “You have strength now Kyle. I see it in your face and I know what you are thinking.” He firmly lifted the boys head to look into his eyes. “You are now Master Alban’s Pet. You will obey. You will break.” echoed off the concrete walls.

It was at the moment that Kyle could see clearly. Wren had been broken too.