8I9Q5 Part 3

The chilling blue eyes glowed, the faint, spidery-thin green lines from the computer screen reflected in them. As Dr. Bennett carefully studied the map of Adi's brain, he noted the rush of the recently-discovered chemical, forehylen, into the section of the brain associated with pleasure and desire. A small, tight smile formed on his face - his "killing machine" had successfully disposed of the girl who had known more than she should have. The one thing Dyan hadn't known was that everyone, save Dr. Bennett himself, had a microchip implanted in his or her brain at birth. Tabs were kept on everyone, especially those who seem to shy away from conforming, which was how he had discovered that she no longer took the so-called energy tablet.

It was brave of her, he conceded, to forgo food of any sort. After all, she lived almost like the anorexics of the past, steadily growing thinner and thinner. But still, bravery is really just audacity, and audacity, rebelliousness, and other unfavorable qualities were the largest mistakes of past societies. When those are allowed, civilization crumbles into ruin, with war and disease. Society is a delicate, fragile fabric, and the slightest disturbance can build up a tremor, then a violent shaking, and all is lost.

People must be controlled. Everything must be controlled. When there is no regulation, there is no peace. That is the sole reason for the energy tablet, which was the perfect way to dumb down citizens' minds.

***

Mrs. Sparks walked briskly into Mr. Hallman's office, the only sign of distress being her nervous, darting eyes. "Good morning, Mr. Hallman," she greeted him.

He raised his eyes from his paperwork. "Good morning. How are you?"

"Well, thank you. And you?"

Letting out a deep sigh, he stood and cracked his neck. "I have seen better days."

"I'm sorry to hear that, sir." Biting her lip, Sparks avoided his eyes.

"Is something the matter?"

"Well...yes." Hallman glanced pointedly at the clock. Flustered, she continued, "A girl. Dyan Kipling? She's missing."

He coolly sat back down. "If she is, there is a reason. Thank you for stopping by, and have a good day."

"Oh!" Sparks flushed. "I - I'm sorry."

Hallman, ignoring her, called for his secretary, and began to dictate a letter. "Thank you...thank you for seeing me. I hope you're day is good as well." Sparks swallowed and rushed from the room.

***

The bell sounded, and students calmly left the school, except for Jaron. Looking slightly disturbed, he slipped through the crowd, muttering apologies, which earned him frosty stares. "Lainey!" he cried, spotting the tall girl with dusty brown hair. "Wait - please."

She turned, and then nodded in acknowledgement. "Jaron. I'm surprised to see you."

Before he could reply, she went on, "Perhaps it would be best if we talked somewhere more private."

They weaved their way towards a small niche in the side of the building, something Jaron had never noticed. "Where's Dyan?" he asked breathlessly.

Lainey glanced at the empty courtyard. "Gone."

"Gone? What do you mean?"

She stooped down and wiped up something with her finger. Holding it up, he saw the fingerpad had turned red. "Gone," she repeated.

The word hit him like a stack of stones thrown on his chest. "You're...you're lying. She's not - how could she be dead?"

Smiling humorously, Lainey replied, "Because she knew too much. Let me show you."