I follow Plath down the dim hall. My mind is running all over the place. Plath keeps a straight face as we walk. I try to concentrate on doing the same, but what am I supposed to do when I’m face-to-face with them?

I’m not sure if I should smile and act like the Constable hung the moon, if I should remain emotionless, or tell them they are worthless pieces of shit. Definitely that they are a worthless piece of shit. This should end nicely. A wicked smile plays at my lips.

Plath gives me a reassuring nod before he opens the white double doors. Bright lights illuminate the room. I squint my eyes as I walk past him. Sunlight fills the room with warmth through large open windows that line the walls. I swallow hard as I stop walking and face the Constable.

I notice an empty chair, right next to the man in the middle. I watch Plath as he makes his way to the table, and the chair is no longer empty. My whole body begins to tremble. He’s one of them. I then see a familiar face next to Plath. Nikolai. I immediately wonder how many rounds are in this pistol and how quickly I could put a bullet in each of their heads before they even knew what hit them. Better yet? I could use mind control, if I knew how to, and convince them all to walk off the top of this building. I feel the corners of my lips twitch like I’m going to smile.

My eyes focus on Plath again, but I look away. It’s too hard to see him seated with them.

I look at the man in the middle when he speaks. He’s the same silver haired man that was on the pedestal the other day. “How are you today, my little Vesper? I hope you are finding everything to your liking.” His condescending smile causes anger to consume me.

I feel my face flush as I reply. “I would be feeling much better if I knew the meaning of this meeting.”

I notice Plath close his eyes. The man in the middle stands to his feet and places his hands firmly on the table in front of him. He leans forward and stares deep into my eyes. Plath is about to speak when Nikolai speaks quietly to him. He sighs and sits back down.

Plath looks shocked, which makes me curious. What exactly was just about to happen that the man restrained himself from doing? He looks at me and forces a smile on his face. I smile sweetly back.

“We just want to meet our newest Vesper. By the way, my name is Caym. Are you ready to go on your first job with Vesper #2?” I think about the numbers on the doors and realize Vesper #2 is Kyle. I look at him, and his expression tells me I am now allowed to speak.

“I don’t think I’m ready for anything right now. What sort of job will we be doing?” I wipe the cold sweat from my palms on my pants then clasp my hands politely together in front of me to keep them occupied. Because right now they want to strangle every member of the Constable that is staring down at me right now.

Caym waves his hand in the air, and a white suit appears from out of nowhere. They set a chair behind me and motion for me to sit. I sit down and sit up as straight as I can. He waves again, and the white suit quickly leaves.

“We don’t tell you that information this soon.”

I remind myself to keep sitting up straight because it’s how everyone here sits. But then I wonder why I even care how the people sit here? I slouch again. “Why? Shouldn’t I be prepared?”

He starts laughing and looks to the others at the table who are laughing also. Plath is smiling, but not laughing. Caym looks at me as the laughter subsides. “You are full of questions. And brave.”

I shift nervously in my chair. “I was just asking. How does that label me as brave?”

He gets up from his chair and walks towards me. Once he’s in front of me, he kneels down and firmly grabs my face with both hands. I quickly shift my eyes to Plath and notice his fist clenched tight.

Caym puts more pressure on my face. “You do not question your job, Vesper! You just do it because it’s an order! Calling you brave was not a compliment. It was a warning. Being brave is not a quality I approve of. I suggest that you work on what is and what isn’t acceptable here.” He turns to look at Plath. “Explain what is acceptable here in our home to her, son.” Son? He just called him son! I don’t mean to look at Plath, but I do. He keeps his eyes on his father and nods.

Caym looks back at me and takes one hand from my face, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a large knife. He motions for Plath to come over here with us. Plath hesitates before getting up but eventually makes his way towards us.

Plath looks at the knife then at his father. “But she’s learning.”

His dad stands up and puts a finger in Plath’s face. “Do not have pity on her!” He hands Plath the knife. “Show her what happens to those who have too many questions.”

I start shifting in my chair, preparing myself to run, but for some reason I don’t. I can’t. I’m stuck here. I look into Plath’s apologetic eyes as he grabs my arm. He pulls me up so that I’m standing close to him. He whispers sorry then stabs me in my side.

Blood begins to pour as he twists the knife. I scream out in pain, and tears pour from my eyes. When he releases the knife, I immediately grab my side and fall to my knees. I’m going to bleed to death. I know it, and I want to. I curse at Plath under my breath and wonder why he keeps betraying me. But then I feel the urge to thank him. He’s ending my life. Maybe he really does care. A foot shoves into my back, and I fall down on the ground.

I look up and see Plath’s father standing over me. He smiles, showing all of his teeth. “You want me to let you die, don’t you?” I nod, and he laughs. “You have officially entered transition. Soon you will be one of us.” He looks away from me.

I close my eyes as I hold my side. My hands are drenched with my own blood, and my vision is blurring. “Son, take her to be treated. I need her well by the end of the week.”

Plath and a couple of white suits come and pick me up. I feel a needle poke into my arm, and it burns as the drug spills into my veins. I’m relieved when the pain stops and everything goes black.