THEY — Chapter 7 — Facility
What follows is chapter seven of my book “THEY”. If you are looking for a different chapter, check the INDEX — or check the rest of my stories on my MEDIUM profile: Caralynn Scott — Medium
All material is original and copyright Caralynn Scott. Subsequent chapters will be published (as long as Medium allows). Your comments are VERY welcome below, so please let me know what you think. Although the book is completely written, your feedback may help to make improvements to future chapters of the story which may (hopefully) be actually published at some point in the future!
CHAPTER 7 — Facility
On entering the vehicle, Jennic was shocked to discover it did not drive itself. Along with a collection of levers and switches, Jenco took hold of a central circular control that seemed to choose their course as they turned it in the direction they wanted to travel. The Enfos feet also seemed to be doing something, but Jennic could not see clearly enough beyond the tall individual’s shoulder to discern what.
The Enfos had said a tube ride would have only taken an hour, but this transport travelled above ground and at a much slower pace, so the journey seemed to go on forever. As none of the occupants seemed interested in talking, time passed even more slowly. Jennic stared out the window for the first hour as the built-up landscape slid by outside. It was certainly much nicer to view than the manufactured tube walls flying by. There were even patches of green. Eventually it all began to look the same, however, and Jennic pulled out their copy of Robinson Crusoe and began reading.
The English was archaic, but Jennic enjoyed the odd words on the physical pages and had become quite good at interpreting them. Having placed a small piece of fabric between the pages, Jennic picking up from where they had last been reading.
It was easy to let oneself become lost, imagining the world Robinson inhabited, as the narrator’s descriptions sketched out an outline and their mind filled in the details. The story seemed to flow over them as they read until one passage made them pause abruptly: “It was in vain to sit still and wish for what was not to be had.” The words seemed to reverberate in Jennic’s brain, repeating themselves, trying to burrow a permanent home in their cranium. They could not help but think how much the statement applied to their current situation. Was it vain for Jennic to wish things should be a certain way? Was it not better to accept their fate? Could they wish for things the way they wanted them to be? Or must they simply accept the way they were?
At least they were doing something about it, right? This move to the facility might be the first step to fixing everything. Or was that too in vain?
What really needed to be fixed anyway? Culture told them they were supposed to be like everyone else; neutral. But that never felt right to Jennic. They had always felt… different. And although their parents had been wonderful and supportive, Navlin and Praija could never completely understand. How could they? They did not live inside Jennic’s head after all. Jennic’s parents were ‘normal.’ They never faced the challenge of trying to fit into a mould that was not shaped to fit them. It had simply always been that way for them, and it felt right.
Jennic knew their differences threatened others. They represented something unusual; some might even call it deviant. Still, they knew in their heart that they were not a ‘bad’ person. They were simply different. Could the facility help correct that? Would they be able to? Would Jennic finally begin to feel ‘normal’? The same as everyone else?
The loneliness of being unlike everyone else could become overwhelming at times. It was like being adrift in a small raft in a vast ocean. Everywhere you looked there was water — sameness — except for this tiny little island on which you floated. If it were not for Jennic’s own strength of character, they might have felt like it was not worth living any longer. But there was something deep inside Jennic that felt there was a purpose for their being. Somehow, they knew they had something to offer the world — something special. They did not know what it was yet, but it gave them purpose, and the thought of it kept them going. Kept them alive.
Though this felt like an abduction, Jennic hoped it would prove to be a rescue. Perhaps they would find others like them at this facility; others who also felt isolated and alone.
A bump on the road jostled Jennic out of their contemplation and they realized they were reading the same paragraph over and over.
Looking out the window beside them again, Jennic could see the transport had left the urban part of the city some time ago and though it had been travelling fast, it was now slowing its pace. This must mean they were approaching the facility, Jennic thought, sitting erect and watched with anticipation as a large complex began to form in the window in front of them.
The transport continued straight forward, but now appeared to enter a long lane lined on either side by smaller buildings. A few moments later and the transport turned right, then immediately left, then stopped. A large gate opened in front of them, and they began moving forward again, very slowly. As they crossed the margin of the property, where the gates hung, they passed through something that looked like the skin of a soap bubble. It glistened and swirled in a rainbow of colours. It did not pop, but instead passed through everything, unstoppable. It looked like a transparent wall, with a slightly reflective surface, but it gave no resistance and remained perfectly flat as the transport began to push through. As the transparent wall moved through or around objects — Jennic could not tell which — it seemed to glow where the bubble and the object contacted each other.
The bubble passed through Jenco and Ranya, but they did not seem concerned. As it first touched Jennic’s toes, they felt a tingling which gradually worked through their feet, knees, hands, thighs, then finally through their torso and their head. As the bubble passed through their nose, the tickling sensation triggered a sneeze, which Jennic let out without restraint. A chill crept through them, and they began to shiver slightly.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Jennic.” Jenco said, looking over their shoulder from the front seat of the vehicle. “We are passing through a scanning field. It feels a little odd at first, but it is perfectly safe, and you get used to it.” The last of the transport passed through and Jennic give one more shiver as the vehicle continued on, picking up speed once again.
Next, they approached what appeared to be a large steel door on the side of a massive, windowless block of a building. The door irised open from the middle, leaving just enough gap for the transport to enter. Once inside, they began to descend, travelling through a narrow tunnel. A hundred meters more and the tunnel began to widen significantly until they found themselves in a large, empty, open chamber where three other transports were lined up against the far wall. What appeared to be a small walkway beyond a curb, rose from the road surface in front of a solitary door.
“This is where we leave you Jennic”, Jenco announced as Ranya stepped out of the vehicle to open the manual door beside Jennic, all the while keeping a close eye on their charge. The taller one, Jenco, did not exit until Jennic was clear of the vehicle and Ranya had a chance to close the door. Jennic moved a few paces in the direction of the door on the tunnel wall, wondering why they were all continuing to be so cautious. Did they think Jennic was going to run? Or climb into the drivers’ seat and try to make a hasty escape? Perhaps someone had tried it in the past.
The solitary door on the tunnel wall opened and two people dressed in white entered the cavern, bowing low as they quietly approached Jennic. “This is Doctor Ling,” Jenco announced, indicating the one in the front, “and this is Doctor Bilang. They are here to provide you with your orientation. They will give you a tour of the facility and escort you to your residence.”
Jenco turned and targeted Jennic with the keen eye and compassionate smile Jennic had come to expect, but still unsure if it was sincere or contrived, “I know this has been a frightening change for you today Jennic. I truly do wish you well. We know this will not be an easy journey for you, but it really is for the best, and I am certain it will all work out for you… though perhaps not the way you think.” The Enfo began to turn back to the vehicle, then, as if an after thought had occurred to them, turned back briefly to say, “I think we may see each other again some time.”
Jenco was peculiarly pleasant for someone who only a few hours ago, had taken them from their home and driven them to an unfamiliar facility where they were supposed to undergo who knew what sort of treatment. Yet Jennic still felt comforted by the words of this Enfo. Ranya climbing into the opposite side of the vehicle, still embodying their default wordless state. But no; was that a smile Jennic saw on the shorter Enfo’s face? Or perhaps it was a grimace? Either way, apart from the outburst of indignation at their home, it was the only hint of an emotion Jennic had seen from them. Unlike Jenco’s compassionate words, the grin made Jennic feel uneasy. It was not pleasant.
Dr. Ling indicated the door they had come from at the side of the tunnel and began walking toward it. Jennic followed and Dr. Bilang trailed behind. “Welcome to the Cloestrand facility Jennic. You have been expected, and your room is being prepared as we speak. We hope you will find everything to be comfortable and welcoming, and should you have any needs, you have only to ask of course. We pride ourselves in taking great care of our guests. We only want the best for you here and we trust you will be quite satisfied.”
Exiting the garage space, Jennic found themselves in a pristine white hallway, reminiscent of the hospitals they had seen in holo-projection stories. About thirty meters down the corridor, the space opened up wide enough for the three of them to walk beside each other comfortably with room to spare. Immediately after the hallway widened, there were several doors which Dr. Ling explained were utility rooms used for storage and for servicing the facility. This was obvious, however, as there were a number of Arti’s travelling in and out of those doors carrying a wide array of items. Used and spoiled things travelled in, and clean fresh things came out. Jennic was told the rooms were off limits to “guests” as they were for Artis only.
Beyond these, the hallway opened up into an expansive foyer with one side entirely covered with a sizable glass wall from floor to an extra high ceiling. The glass wall contained several doors entering into an expansive exercise yard big enough to contain a track that circled the outside edge. Various pieces of training equipment were scattered around in the center of the track. Jennic did not see anyone but staff in the area and they wondered if they were the only ones at the facility.
On the opposite side of the foyer, were three sets of double doors and Dr. Ling led them through the middle set. Jennic was surprised to see they were standing at the back of an amphitheater that could easily seat two hundred. About one quarter of the seats were filled, mostly in the bottom rows. At the front, another person in a white tunic was giving a lecture. There were a few other white coats scattered amongst the population of the facility, which is what Jennic guessed they were, as a few wore a variety of unusual attire, and the remainder were dressed in more traditional drab tunics. They all appeared to be relatively young.
Jennic did not know anything about them yet, but realizing there were other people here for the same reason as them was a massive relief. Jennic immediately felt less alone. Of course, without hearing their stories, Jennic could not be certain any of them were the same as theirs, but a little sprig of hope began to take root and it made Jennic smile.
“… It’s been a thousand years since this happened last.” Jennic heard the speaker say, “And our society has…” Dr Ling seemed unwilling to allow them to linger in the theater to hear any more of the lecture. They impatiently interrupted and coaxed Jennic out the door they had entered to continue the tour.
“You will join these sessions soon enough, Jennic. But for now, let’s show you your apartment.” They passed several other smaller lecture spaces that might have held anywhere from 5 to thirty people, all of them empty. Opposite these were three medium sized simulation rooms. None currently in use.
Was the entire population in that lecture hall? Or were there more people elsewhere in the facility? Jennic wondered. As they approached the end of the large foyer there were ten smaller interview rooms, some with comfortable furniture, some set up with a holo-projector and seating, and some arranged with a desk like a small office space. Some of the latter were occupied with more white coats, but Jennic did not see any more guests.
At the end of the foyer, a large double door separated the hallway from a wide common space beyond. In stark contrast to the sterile tiled surfaces of hospital white in the foyer, this area was decorated in a much more organic way. The walls were covered in faux wood, and two thirds of the floors were carpeted — though with an industrial grade, not the comfortable kind one might put in their home. In the center third of the room, casual seating was arranged in small circles. On the left third were small desks or tables which appeared to have workstations, some in closed cubicles and others in the open common space. The right third, the area that was not carpeted, also contained tables, but these were placed in rows. Jennic had already guessed this was the dining area before noticing the rows of glass cases along the far-right wall filled with a variety of foods. Jennic’s stomach suddenly felt empty, and their right hand immediately grasped their abdomen. It had been some time since they had eaten.
Dr. Bilang noticed the motion and spoke for the first time on the tour. “It is almost mealtime — when the lecture is finished, guests will congregate here for food, and you will be able to eat with them. You may select from any of the foods in the cases and are welcome to eat as much as you wish.”
Jennic was relieved at first, but then remembered why they were in this place and panicked. Were they trying to lull Jennic into compliance? So far, this seemed a comfortable place to be. Apart from enduring lectures, Jennic saw nothing at the facility that would lead them to believe any of this would be a challenge. Perhaps it might even be an enjoyable experience, rather like an extended summer camp, or a sort of vacation from regular life. It was not home but with a little imagination, perhaps one could learn to appreciate it.
Dr. Ling continued the tour, leading them across the common space toward three doors at the center of a wall opposite where they had entered. They were not doors, as it turned out, but terminal entrances for a localized tube system. The system was clearly outdated but appeared functional enough. “These tubes connect each of the individual living spaces to the communal area.”
As they approached the middle door, it opened and the trio entered the cube “It’s biometrically aware and voice activated,” Dr Ling offered, answering Jennic’s puzzled look, “you don’t have to do anything except say ‘home’ and the cube will take you directly to your door. When you want to return, you simply say, ‘common room’ and you will be returned here.”
The doors whooshed closed behind the trio. Jennic stood shuffling their feet for a moment, unsure what to expect. Dr. Ling motioned with their hand, indicating Jennic should offer up the command word, and as soon as Jennic said “home”, the cube began to move with an unusual motion.
Unlike the travel tubes they were used to, which turned on gradual bends, rotating to reduce the pull of side-to-side motion, this cube remained fixed in its orientation. Without warning it would slow quickly, suddenly change direction, and then accelerate away again. Jennic grabbed one of the small railings to stabilize themselves as the cube began to travel upwards. When they finally realized what was happening, it was not difficult to compensate for the changes, but it did take some getting used to. After a short rise, with Jennic facing the door they had entered through, the cube appeared to briefly move backwards. Suddenly it slowed and began heading to their right, then forward briefly before the doors opened.
Jennic could not believe what was in front of them and stood transfixed.
It was as if they had been magically transported back to their home and were standing at the entrance of their own room. Every detail was the same. If not for the window, they would have sworn they had never left. The window at home looked out over a green patch of children’s playground; this one portrayed the same green space, complete with playing children, however, it had the familiar glow of a hologram and was clearly simulated.
Every one of their possessions was there, perfectly placed where they had left them, even the untidy clothes they had left strewn on the floor seemed to be in the exact place they had been when they had left.
“We have taken great care to make sure you feel at home here Jennic.” Dr Bilang said. “Now, rest for a while. At seven point five, come back down to the common room for a meal. The other guests will be there as well, and you can mix freely with them.”
The doctor, of course was using the common decimal time, each number representing one-tenth of a rotation of the earth. Jennic enjoyed translating this common time into the ancient 24-hour system used so long ago. Doing the math in their head made Jennic smile. Seven and a half tenths of a rotation times twenty-four was eighteen — so in ancient time that was 18:00, or 6:00pm.
If Dr. Ling noticed the smile, they didn’t acknowledge it. Perhaps they took it as a sign Jennic was comfortable in the space. “Do you have any questions?” they asked.
Jennic looked around and considered the question, then paused at the holo-projection in the corner. “Why are there no windows?”
“The facility is separated from the surrounding communities. While treatment is taking place, with limited exceptions, there must be no interaction with the world outside. This is particularly important for your recovery.”
“So, I can never leave the facility?”
“No, not while you are in treatment. But we will keep you busy, and quite comfortable. You will have no need to leave. Everything is provided for your education, healing, and comfort.”
Jennic was startled as an Arti appeared from its cubby. Since everything else was so familiar and the facility had taken such great care to make sure all of their things were here, Jennic expected it to be their own personal Arti who would emerge, but this one was different.
“Ah,” said Dr Ling, “This Arti will be your aid should you need any assistance and will inform you of scheduling as required. If you should need us for anything, simply ask the Arti to call us. Now, we will leave you to settle in. Remember, 7.5 we will see you in the common room.” Dr Ling bowed gracefully before walking backwards into the cube, “We will take our leave of you now.”
Dr Bilang had already retreated as their associate concluded the tour. The door shut and for the first time, the weight of the day’s events fell heavy on Jennic. Suddenly they felt very alone. Looking around the room, everything was so familiar, yet they knew it was not really their room. It had an eerie, unreal feeling. Had the facility faked it? Or were these really Jennic’s things? At the left side of the room, Jennic was relieved to find their personal wash closet was also part of the recreated space. The Doctors had not shown Jennic any other shower stalls in the facility, though they had pointed out several places to relieve oneself.
Casually, Jennic picked up a brass bugle they had acquired from a musical friend several years ago. It felt about the right weight. Jennic took a deep breath and blew hard into the mouthpiece, pressing their lips together causing them to buzz. A loud blurt of a sound emitted from the opposite end. Recreated or their own, this was definitely the real thing.
The Arti’s must have cleared Jennic’s own room out completely after they left. This must have been why they had taken such a slow transport; it allowed time for the Arti’s to collect and relocate all of these things to this new space. The placement, however, was uncanny. A small army of robots must have scanned, measured, collected, transported, and placed everything exactly where they had been in an incredibly efficient manner.
Flopping backward onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, Jennic noted that even the glowing points of light they had arranged to simulate stars were in exactly the right positions. Why did the facility care so much about making Jennic feel so at home?
Several minutes passed as Jennic’s mind wandered. The events of the day replayed themselves over and over again in their head. Before long, their eyes were becoming heavy, and their mouth gaped open. Drawing in more oxygen, they realized they were exhausted. The day had been stressful, to say the least. It had taken its toll on their energy.
There was time before the meal would be served — time for a short nap. Rolling over on one side, it only took a few minutes for Jennic to fall fast asleep.
