When I open my eyes I can’t see clearly. I go to rub my eyes to clear them, but my hands don’t move. They are restrained by metal cuffs attached to a table. I try to raise my head to look around, but my head is also restrained. I shift my eyes to look around. I notice white walls, and it’s completely silent.

I hear someone breathing. A figure comes into view above me. I try to make out the face that is looking down at me but can’t. Then I hear him talk; it’s Plath. His voice sounds different, and every movement he makes is slow and exaggerated. I want to scream at him, but my tongue is heavy. I can’t get it to move to speak.

“Orion. I have to go before they catch me in here.”

He looks behind him, and I blink my eyes, trying to stop the room from spinning. He looks back at me and continues talking; the drugs are causing his words to sound slurred, and I’m having a hard time understanding him.

“Don’t tell them a thing! Especially, how you caused the Hunter to remain still before you stabbed him in his heart! I would rather you die than you become one of them!”

And then he’s gone. Just like that. How could I have been so naïve and trusted Plath? Now, I’m alone in an unfamiliar place. I’m bound to a damn table and intoxicated with some sort of drug. I close my eyes and fear what will happen next.

I hear footsteps, and I can tell that the effects of the drug are wearing off. Things are clearer, and the room is no longer spinning. The footsteps sound less exaggerated and steadier. I hear a few whispers, and then white gloves release me from my restraints. I move my eyes around, trying to catch of glimpse of who is freeing me.

My tongue no longer feels like a brick, so I try to speak. “Are you letting me go?”

The person in white does not reply and continues removing the metal restraints. They hold out a hand to help me sit up. The person has on a complete white suit that is fitted to their body. Their face is covered with the same tight-fitting material. They help me down off the table, and it takes me a minute to steady myself. I look around and notice others are strapped down to tables like I was. My heart starts racing when I realize I’m not being freed.

“Where are you taking me?” I demand as I look at what I’m wearing. I’m clothed in a white fitted shirt and pants. I also notice all of my tattoos that were once on my arms are gone.

“Where are you taking me!” I scream and abruptly stop my feet from walking.

Several white suits form a circle around me.

The same white suit from earlier grabs me firmly by the arm and makes me keep a close pace with them.

We walk into a large room with people sitting in a straight line behind a table. I blink my eyes a couple of times, hoping to wake up from this dream. I’m forced into a chair where metal restraints are immediately clasped firmly around my hands and feet. The white suits leave, and I sit here, alone, in the middle of a large room with ten pairs of intense eyes staring at me.

I startle when a man, voice deep and strong, begins to speak. His voice seems to bounce off the walls as he says, “Orion, welcome back to your Sphere.”

“Who are you?” I scream.

The ten men look at one another and laugh. The man who spoke a second ago silences them and looks back at me. “Orion. We are about to offer you two choices. You are different, and there are not many like you. These two choices will be a decision between life and death. Are you prepared to make your decision?”

I scoff. “Does it matter if I’m prepared or not?”

He laughs. “No.”

I intensify my expression, full of fury, and anger I say, “What are my choices?”

He claps his hands, entertained by my anger. “We’ve made her angry.” He laughs and looks at the men sitting beside him, who are also laughing.

Looking back at me, he says, “First you must know who we are, dear. We are the Constable. The ones who keep the Sphere running smoothly.”

I start laughing which causes him to leave his seat and come stand directly in front of me. He bends down so he is eye level with me. I spit in his face. He lifts his hand in the air and slaps me across my face.

“Don’t you dare disrespect me, child! Now, do I need to call for more drugs, or do you think you can speak to me with the respect that I deserve?” He asks.

“Let’s just get this over with.” I glance into his violent, dark eyes.

“Like I said earlier, you are different. You are not like the other Dwellers. We thought we bred out your kind generations ago. It is funny how Dwellers like you slip up every once in a while.” He looks deep in thought for a moment and then continues. “How did you keep your abilities a secret for so long? I must know!”

My face becomes flushed, and I’m completely baffled by his question. “I have no idea what you are talking about!”

“Don’t lie to me!” He demands.

“I’m not lying to you! I have no idea what you are talking about!” I reply, my voice full of frustration.

“Mind control! Your ability of mind control!”

I replay the words Plath spoke to me when I was still drugged. I don’t know if that was a dream or reality. I don’t think I can trust Plath, but I also know I can’t trust the man who stands in front of me.

I stutter as I try to speak. “I-I think you have the wrong person, sir. I have no abilities.”

“Why do you think killing the Sphere Hunters came easy for you?” He asks.

“I’m not sure,” I admit.

“Orion, I’m trying to be patient with you. I will ignore your attempt to play dumb and proceed with my offer.”

I look around and notice all of the men are now standing from their chairs. Their eyes fixate on me, waiting to hear my response.

“Orion, I’m offering you a great opportunity. We would like for you to join us. You can either accept or decline. If you decline, you will be executed immediately. If you accept, you will be taken to training immediately.”

I don’t know what any of this means. I don’t know what being a part of them entails, but I do know that I don’t want to die. What if they are really good, and Plath lied to me? But I know better. They can’t be good. What if dying is better than agreeing to work with them? And what is this talk about abilities and mind control? My mind is racing with questions.

I look up at him after debating and say, “I accept.”

The men begin to applaud my decision, and I’m freed from my restraints. The white suits come in and instruct that I follow them. I don’t know what accepting their offer means, but it sounds better than death. I follow them out, leading me to my unknown fate.