ALLEN WAS DELUSIONAL.
He had to be. There was no way whatever stupid test they took with his blood would come back showing he was an Enhanced.
The way Jay spoke about it made Silver think it was something extraordinary.
Surely he would have felt something by now. Felt at least slightly off compared to the surrounding people.
Maybe suddenly feel strength bubble up in his body and give him the power to kick some ass.
Anything really.
But he felt no different in the past and no different now. Which is why he couldn't accept what Allen was saying.
"I hope you've given what I said some thought. Your destiny has changed for the better by the will of the gods, Silver. It is my duty to pull that hidden greatness out of you, no matter the cost."
Shocked still, Silver listened numbly as the man delivered the good news.
How did they know? Why didn't he know? Should he have known?
What does this mean?
"It means you stay here."
Silver hadn't even realized he said it out loud in his moment of daze.
Allen's face was genuinely pleased. Not unkind or nefarious in a way that meant he had something planned.
It was throwing Silver off-kilter, unsure of how to process anything properly.
"What now?"
He was fully expecting to be dragged to some torture chamber and whipped within an inch of his life until he could suddenly make things levitate.
"Now we should get you cleaned up, then you can go meet the other children. I'm sure they'll be excited to see someone new."
Silver stuck close to Allen as he led him out of the room. He didn't trust the man, but in this weird new place, it was probably safest to stay close to him.
Besides, I can always think about breaking out later.
Eventually they came to an empty community bathroom where Allen offered to help clean him. An offer Silver thoroughly refused, only to remain shocked when the man nodded and closed the door behind him after showing him where everything was and how the hot and cold shower worked.
Silver never had the luxury of a shower. He had to make do with a small bucket of water, a rag, and whatever kind of soap he could get his hands on.
Erik never taught him much, but he'd always stressed the importance of keeping clean. Even pushed him into a chair to trim his hair when it got too long.
Erik.
It felt safe to cry here, where the pelting water covered any sound he might have made.
Life had always been hard, crying changed nothing. He forced himself to wipe away the tears and swallow the anger and sadness. For now.
Silver found his way around the large cabinet holding towels and clothes of all sizes, but everything was the same color.
Other than the initial children's room he had been in, everything was a stark shade of white.
I have a feeling I'm gonna really start hating this color.
Allen was waiting for him when he opened the door. After a once-over, the man nodded in approval.
"Come, you haven't eaten since morning, and the others are having their lunch about now."
Silver followed with reluctance. If any of these kids tried anything with him, he'd sock them in the face.
Though he couldn't match up to a grown man, Silver could hold his own against another child. Of that, he was certain.
The place must not have been as big as Silver thought, because within minutes they were back in the room.
The cartoon animals on the wall were staring unblinkingly at him. They disturbed him on a psychological level, as though their eyes followed his every move.
The clutter of energetic speaking and spoons clattering stole Silver's attention.
The table filled with five children were animatedly talking to each other as they ate their trays of food.
A few feet away from the table was a woman standing and watching over the children. She didn't seem inclined to join, but still smiled and laughed at the conversation she heard.
Great, another asshole in black robes. As if one wasn't enough.
With her black hair pulled into a severe bun at the back of her head, her small face looked clownish with a pair of round oversized glasses balanced on her nose. Her equally black eyes, wide and alert.
The table melted into silence when Allen approached with Silver dragging his feet as he followed.
Most of the children looked to be at least a few years older than he. Similarly, they dressed in white from head to toe.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to a fresh addition to our little group. His name is Silver; Let's give him a warm welcome."
"Hello Silver."
They all chorused the greeting as if they had practiced it a hundred times over.
Silver didn't like this. Even the youngest one, some kid with short, curly blonde hair and teeth two sizes too big for his mouth, looked to be at least eleven.
Four years older than Silver.
I don't like it here.
The woman wearing glasses was back in moments. A children's chair gripped tightly in one hand and a tray balanced in the other.
She placed the chair in the space on the left side of the table, and if it weren't for Allen almost wrestling him into the seat, Silver would have stayed standing.
A hush fell over the table and to avoid the eyes now trained on him Silver looked down at his food.
The tray separated vegetables, rice, stew, and a cookie into their own little compartments.
Silver was used to eating once, maybe twice a day at best. He really wasn't hungry, but he'd never turn down food and right now it was either talk or eat.
He shoveled a spoonful of beef stew into his mouth, pausing to thoroughly enjoy its flavor before swallowing.
"Kingsley, he'll be sharing a room with you."
All the kids turned their heads toward Kingsley in surprise.
Silver's shoulders tightened, expecting him to be angry and shout some disagreement.
The kid just blinks his narrowed black eyes at him from behind thick wireframes glasses.
"Ok Allen."
His voice was even as he spoke.
The obvious lack of adverse emotions made Silver bristle. Sure, he wasn't exactly jumping for joy, but he hardly seemed bothered by having a new roommate.
Had it been him... Silver would have been pissed. He didn't grow up owning much, but whatever he decided was his, he wouldn't share.
The table eventually lost some of its rigidity, and small conversations broke out among pairs.
As he was finishing the last bite of his heavenly cookie, a heavy sigh came from Silver's left. And against his better judgement he glanced over.
The girl sitting next to him had long, red hair pulled into a neat braid down her back. The freckles across her nose and cheeks almost blended in with her highly tanned skin.
She was leaning back in her chair with a content smile on her face. Her tray was clean aside from the section that contained steamed vegetables.
She gave Silver a toothy grin, and he grimaced in response.
"Heyo Silver. Nice ta meetcha. My name's Isabella but er'one calls me Isa."
He blinked at the strange lilt in her voice. He hadn't heard anyone talk like that before, but it was understandable.
She glanced down at the greens with a slightly upturned nose.
"I still have trouble eatin' ma greens. Just don like 'em."
In Silver's world, there was no leniency to eat what you like. You either eat it or starve.
Her gaze moved between her unfinished food and him.
"Want it?"
I shouldn't take it. I really shouldn't.
Unfortunately Silver was weak to food, he had to be. If it wasn't spoiled he'd eat it, hungry or not. Never sure when his next proper meal would be.
He reached out, intending to slide the tray over but a hand on his stopped the exchange.
Silver was quick to pull his hand away as if he was burned. Forcing his head back to look at the robed woman.
What was with all these silent adults sneaking up on him?
"Isabelle, you know you have to finish all of your food."
"But-"
"No buts, Silver ate all of his and he's younger than you. You're not setting a very good example are you?"
Isabelle sighed, dragging the dish closer to stab a fork into a piece of broccoli. The resulting face of disgust she made as she chewed on it almost made Silver want to laugh.
Almost.
Apparently he hadn't hidden the urge deeply enough, because when he looked at the robed woman, the corners of her mouth tilted up in a triumphant smirk.
Not so bad is it?
Silver turned his head away.
Fuck off.
Food was eaten, and the trays were taken away.
Without another word, the kids picked themselves up and began moving toward the hall Silver had come from.
Unsure, he remained seated.
"Hey Silver."
Kingsley was next to where he sat motionless.
"We're rooming together. Let's go."
Stubbornly he didn't move. There was no hostility in his tone, but was Silver really expected to comply after being kidnapped?
"Unless you want to sleep out here?"
Silver snorted. The carpet looked soft, and either way it was an upgrade compared to where he had spent the previous night.
Realizing that his words had no effect, Kingsley sighed, tilting his hand to his face to adjust his glasses.
"You can come with me now, or I can call Allen and he'll probably carry you to the room."
Silver grunted. He had long had his fill of people tossing him around like a rag doll.
He noticed instantly that Kingsley was a head taller than him when he stood from the chair.
Doesn't matter, if he tries anything I'll just aim for his balls.