"I didn't want to talk to her after what had happened anyway. I just wanted to know if you're okay." I eyed her body language, wondering if she was telling the truth. She paused, then confirmed my suspicions, "About that , actually…"
I looked at Jae, but she wouldn't make eye contact. "What? Wait, did you talk to her? Was she even in a state to talk?" I placed my hand on Jae's shoulder gently. I hoped it would reassure her I wouldn't be mad if she did talk to Violet.
I nod my head, looking down to the ground.
"Yeah, I guess you could say I had a similar experience to yours." I take a deep breath in, trying to calm myself down as I close my eyes and recall the events that happened earlier.
The heavy stone doors slammed against each other with a cold thud. I guessed the doors announced my presence. Her voice poisoned the air, and I could almost feel my heart cave in on itself, cowering in fear.
“Iris.” She said. Nothing more, nothing less.
Iris? Is that someone she knows? That sounds like the name of someone here in this city. Maybe I’ve met someone named Iris. She spoke again, using more words this time, which either reassured me or chilled me even further.
“No, I’m not asking for someone named Iris, you were going to bring me the flower, yes?” I opened my mouth to speak, but I seemed to be at a loss for words. She had her back to me when I entered, but only now she turned around and I saw her face. It’s smooth and soft. I could almost feel her skin from several feet away. She smiled at me, and for some reason I felt wrong.
“The irises, you said you were going to pick a bouquet and bring them to me, don’t you remember?” I shook my head. Finally, words came to me.
“I don’t have…” She laughed.
“I remember your soul. A strong young woman, she’d lead a revolution on a regular Tuesday. Are you going to be her?” I furrowed my brows at her, trying not to look confused, but failing.
“Who-” She sighed as an interruption.
“You know, there was always a big heavy rock in your soul. It lay grounded, it wouldn’t ever move. You should change that. Who’s dragging you to the dirt?”
I didn’t even have time to talk. She kept interrupting.
“What are these barriers that keep people from reaching their true potential? The answer to that can be found in another question, answer me this; what is the most universal characteristic? Fear or laziness?”
She finally paused for me to answer. Without thinking, I replied.
“Laziness.” Her eyes widened in joy. She clapped her hands together and straightened her posture.
“Oh! Good answer, many people believe it’s fear, why do you believe it’s laziness?”
I didn’t even know how I was answering these questions, or what I was saying.
“Laziness to overcome fear. It’s not a common thing to be scared of overcoming laziness.”
She grinned, blinking slowly and moving around in a slow, almost syrupy manner.
“Hmm, I believe you have a question, yes?”
Suddenly, the question started ringing in my mind, like an urgent thought was placed upon my head.
“Oh yeah, uh, why doesn’t Lavender City believe a government is necessary?”
She sharply turned back to me, squinting her eyes suspiciously.
“Why bother? We get along fine, don’t we? It’s man’s natural state.” She replies, scratching her neck.
“Until we don’t get along. Someone’s bound to do harm to another.”
“And who’s to identify it as harm?”
“Common sense, the nature of the common human being. Someone is bound to be a danger to someone else.”
She scratched her neck.
“But it hasn’t happened yet.”
“That doesn’t mean that it won’t happen in the future.”
“So you believe mankind will always fall victim to their destructive nature?”
“Are you confirming that you believe mankind has a natural instinct to destroy?”
Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head as she began screaming.
“You’re not breaking. YOU’RE NOT BREAKING!”
She ran towards me, running into the glass wall separating us. She became rabid, yelling at me and scratching at the glass with her nails.
“SHE IS A TOXIN TO THIS CITY! SHE WILL POISON THIS CITY!”
Her hateful voice almost broke the glass. I reached up and touch my ear, a bit of blood managed to drip out. A bunch of men came through the heavy door and grabbed my arm in a demanding way. They escorted me out as she continued screaming accusations at me.
Somewhere in between her story telling, I had grabbed her hand. When Jae finished, I was silent for a moment. It was difficult to process as her experience felt different to mine. Violet must have been a different person to Jae, as if she reset after I left. I had a running theory she was part of our subconscious or she had a link to it. Able to manipulate and control us, while still loyal to the city. Nonetheless, both of our experiences ended in screaming and blood.
And the knowledge that our presence was some sort imbalance to Purple. Like Jade.
I inhaled, tying my thoughts up in a bundle. "I get the feeling this doesn't happen very often." I wanted to say more, but my mind was still tired.
I didn't know what to think.
"I get the feeling this doesn't happen very often."
Thoughts flood my mind, giving me a headache.
What if it does, and she's manipulating us? What if? What if? I don't know what to think. It hurts to think. I clutch my head and sigh heavily.
"We should go to sleep. It's been such a long day, I've got a headache, I just want it to end."
I get up and walk to the bed.
"You can sleep on the couch, we can try to think of what's going on tomorrow, but for now, my brain is too incapable."
Jae gets up in a hurry, leaving me alone on the couch. I furrow my brows, but say nothing. Her stressed state made me awfully anxious. I laid down on my side on the couch. My mind pondered, wondering where Oleander was. And Jade. Where was he? He probably knew what was going on. Someone has to know. Why doesn't anyone seem to fucking know?
I couldn't stop these thoughts from appearing, keeping me awake for most of the night. I opened a window, wishing for the lavender scent to leave the room. I began to get a headache again. I wanted to go to the train station, and leave.
Despite being so uncontrollably tired, I sat in bed for a long while, thinking. I had to get my thoughts out before I could lie in bed without tossing and turning.
My name is Jaeden. I am 17. I was born in C:Y, also known as Yellow, or Sunflower Star, if you want to call it by it's actual name, which most people don't. Despite the constant voices telling me to stay in Yellow, I got on the train and headed to Purple. Along the way, I met a girl. She made me feel more comfortable and confident in going to Purple, despite us both still having our uneasiness about it. When we reached Purple, it was nothing as we expected. In fact, I wonder if anyone here actually knows what's going on. We attempted to take a look behind the curtain and talked to a girl, who I'm told is highly respected in Purple, but the way she acts, and what she's done, I doubt she's even human. What is she capable of? Why is she in the glass prison? Why do they only provide her with a violin? What is her name? How much authority does she have over these people?
It wasn't long before my eyes started to close, and my mind started to wander, causing me to drift into a deep sleep.
okaokaokay TIM e skip to mronign!
I could feel my heart beating, along with my heavy breath, and slowly my consciousness started to return to me. The silence is deafening, but my eyes gradually opened, focusing their gaze on the door. Standing up, but feeling my mind ring about in every way, I rub my head. Without bothering to change out of the clothes I wore last night, I walk through the door to see if Candy had woken up yet.
The sun peaked through the blinds. I groaned, realizing I was so cold and tired that I could feel the bags under my eyes. This was frustrating, not being able to sleep or come to any conclusion. I got up to close the window when Jae trudged in.
"Morning. Did you sleep at all?" I said with a raspy voice. I wasn't sure what we were planning on doing today, but I would've preferred to do absolutely nothing. Somehow, I doubt that would happen. I threw my hair up in a ponytail, awaiting Jae's response.
"Morning. Did you sleep at all?"
Candy seemed to be somewhat awake as I stretch and shrug.
"I think so. It was dreamless though."
I shuffle into the kitchen and open the cabinets, pulling out a box of cereal.
"So, what do you think? About Purple? Anything coming together?"
I pour a bowl for myself and Candy, poured some milk, and brought her a bowl, sitting next to her and beginning my breakfast.
"I know it seems weird, but I think we should write down our thoughts and try to figure out what's going on. Purple is keeping secrets, and I'm interested to know them."
"I think so. It was dreamless though."
"Lucky, I didn't sleep at all." I thanked Jae for the cereal, taking a couple bites before answering.
"So, what do you think? About Purple? Anything coming together? I know it seems weird, but I think we should write down our thoughts and try to figure out what's going on. Purple is keeping secrets, and I'm interested to know them."
"I mean, isn't that why we're here? I can't even begin to fathom what's going on. We should document everything we know up to this point," I brought another spoonful towards my mouth when I stopped. "Hey, wait, where did this cereal come from?"
"Hey, wait, where did this cereal come from?"
I suddenly realized I just made cereal on autopilot, not even questioning that there was food in a supposedly empty apartment.
"Uh-"
Suddenly, a knock echoed from the front door, causing me to jump and drop my spoon. I look over at Candy, remaining silent. A second knock occurred. I stand up and walk over to the door, looking through the peephole. I snap back to Candy, whispering aggressively.
"It's Jade!"
"Well don't leave him standing there! Open the door!" I whisper, just as aggressively. I toss the bowl of cereal onto the table and rush to the door, standing half akimbo next to Jae as she turned the handle.
Jade stood in front of us, squinting at our flustered act-natural state. I smile widely as if he was a close friend, "Jade! What brings you here? Come in!" The boy cautiously stepped in and examined the apartment.
"I'm surprised you two are still alive and not brainwashed. I was curious if Bl- uh, that girl would do something to you, so I came to check." He stayed standing in the middle of the living room, eyes flickering between Jae and me. I noticed his bandages were soaked in dried blood. Jae most likely noticed already and was probably urging to change them.
"How did you know where we were? Or, that we met a girl?" I asked, more cheerful than suspicious. It wasn't surprising anymore.
He shifted his weight, looking at our feet suddenly. "Word gets around, I guess." Jade clears his throat and looks back up at us. "As for the girl, Ollie forces everyone to meet her."
"Have you?"
Jade's eyes flicker to Candy's as he grows more stiff by each question.
"Not exactly…but I know how she works."
Jade raises his eyebrows as he leans forward, tilting his head to the left.
"How are you two holding up?" He points to Candy's bandaged arm. "Did she do that to you?"
I exchange glances with Candy as we wonder what he's even doing here, but we decide to give him time to catch up. I planned on asking him why he ditched us the moment Ollie appeared, especially if he knew Ollie's plans. I wanted to know more about this guy, and what his connection to Purple is.
Instinctively I hide my arm behind my back. "Yeah, we're fine though, physically. But, no one here seems to want to explain anything." Considering he might be here for awhile, I motion for us to sit down. Jade takes a seat in the chair across from the couch, leaning on his knees. "How are your wounds? Have they started healing yet? You never told us where you got them."
"Don't worry about me. I came here for you," Jade says, waving the question away. I furrow my brow. Frustration seems to be part of the Purple package, for I could not remember a moment where I didn't feel it. I looked at Jae desperately, hoping she could coax him to answer our questions more than I could.
I get the silent message from Candy as I sigh, rolling my eyes at the realization that Jade is being unbelievably stubborn with us.
"Look, Jade, if you're going to accompany us, you could at least tell us why, and maybe who you are, and why you're a criminal. I mean, if you're a criminal, how did you get out of jail? Is there even a judicial system here?"
Jade closes his eyes and inhales sharply.
"Okay, I'll answer a few questions, but I might not be completely clear and all I ask is that you two are okay with my decision to hold back information. I just don't trust you two enough yet."
I look over at Candy and nod at Jade.
"Okay."
Jade exhales, lowering his head as his breath leaves his lungs.
"I'm accompanying you because I know you two have potential. You could withstand all that Purple has thrown at you so far, and I think you could help everyone here with that. I am Jade, and I'm a friend. I may be secretive, but I have my reasons. I'm a criminal because I could withstand Purple the same as you. They don't call me a criminal because they want their crime rate to remain at zero percent. Technically, there is no jail but I'm-" Jade pauses and huffs, suddenly stopping himself from finishing that sentence. "No, there's no judicial system here."
He breathes a heavy exhale in relief as he looks between Candy and I.
"Any more questions?"
I smile at him, in hopes it would help him feel less stressed, and make us seem more trusting. "Were you born here? Or are you from a different color?" I tighten my ponytail and lean in.
He raises his eyebrow at me. "Just consider me born in Purple."
I lean back and stare at the ceiling, annoyed. Jade can answer any question, and I would be left knowing the same amount of information I knew before. It is clear he came because we are like him. We knew this. It's obvious. Anything relatively important, that we should truly know, he refuses to tell us. This felt as useless as talking to Violet.
"Are we the first people you've met? That are criminals?"
Jade puts his hands behind his head and shrugs, thinking.
"Not exactly. I mean, I've tried to help others, but I always end up back at square one. Often times they figure out too much and feel they can't trust me anymore, but I hope you two are different."
I can see his eyes as he debates adding to his statement.
"If you guys are successful, it'll help me out too." The way he worded that, it made me wonder.
"Can't you just leave Purple?" Jade flinches, and for a split second, I could see it. I could see past the mask that he hid behind, and in his eyes were the flickers of a painfully compassionate soul.
"I can't leave these people behind under the hands of those bastards." He mutters, looking around.
"The people, they aren't themselves. They're broken." Jade holds his breath as he clearly attempts to hold back tears. I look over at Candy to see her reaction. This is the most Jade has opened up to us.
My heart stings, seeing glimpses of who Jade really was. It sets off something in me. I want to save them too.
"Hey," I say softly. "Nobody is perfect. Whatever they figured out is in the past." I made eye contact with Jade, who was blinking away any present tears. "I want to help. And, I think Jae does too. All three of us met for a reason, and the reason sure isn't to fit into Purple."
I glance back and forth between the two, wondering how different my life would be if I never stepped on that train. If I settled into another color. If I had listened to the bartender in Blue, and stayed away from Purple, away from Jae. I let my hair down, combing through the colors with my fingers, taking in the two people.
A dark-skinned girl with purple hair, a bruised boy with charcoal colored hair, and me.
Jade nodded, as Candy comforted him.
"Because of myself, I'm trapped, I'm locked up." The silence that follows is deafening, so I try my best to lighten the mood.
"Well, let's get to work, then. Let's try to figure out how to fix this. First, I think we should figure out who the girl is."
Jade looks up and shifts his eyes from me to Candy.
"Let's start with something more simple, like the lavender." I didn't notice it at first, because Jade suggested a better idea, but what he also did was change the subject. It peaked my curiosity, but I refrained from asking about it.
"Alright, let's do that. The lavender ended up affecting me, I think. Do you think they're aware of what the lavender is doing?"
"Let's start with something more simple, like the lavender."
"Yeah, I don't think we should tackle something as big as the girl yet." I chimed in, agreeing with Jade.
"Alright, let's do that. The lavender ended up affecting me, I think. Do you think they're aware of what the lavender is doing?"
I shook my head. "I doubt it. It probably got to them before they could turn back. The lavender affected you, but you were able to snap out of it. So, there has to be a way to reverse the effects somehow. It might be a lot harder, but it can't be too late." I rubbed my throbbing arm, curious of how much Jade knew about the lavender.
Jade turns and looks over at Candy as she answers, the gears turning in her head.
"I doubt it. It probably got to them before they could turn back. The lavender affected you, but you were able to snap out of it."
Jade turns and looks back at me, his eyes curious and wondering.
"So, there has to be a way to reverse the effects somehow. It might be a lot harder, but it can't be too late."
I nod, thinking.
"What about Adrian? I mean, he's got the same symptoms as me. Do you think Ollie has a connection to it? I passed by him before I talked to Adrian, and it wasn't until then that the lavender started doing something to me."
Jade tapped his foot and stared blankly, breathing in to add his part.
"Oleander might have something to do with it, he has a way with words, he gives you this false sense of security. He's not perfected it, but it's a skill that he uses often to manipulate people to talk to the girl."
Jade turns his head to look at me, the sureness in his eyes.
"If you ran into him while in the presence of the lavender there's no doubt he's the one in charge of what it does."
I raise an eyebrow, impressed with Jade's sudden assistance.
"Does it affect every citizen of Purple?"
"I would think so." It's hard to piece together the information when we didn't have enough of it. "Wait, I met Oleander too, and we're sitting in the presence of lavender right now, and we acknowledged the smell, so why aren't we blacking out?"
Jade looks at me, shaking his head. "No, it's a matter of timing. You first met him outside of lavender, therefore you're now immune to it. Jae is lucky she got out of it when she did, though. How did that happen, exactly?"
I scratch my head, answering, "I, uh, poured our water on her the second she fell asleep. It was right after she was, er, poisoned, I guess. When she started talking all weird." Jade nods, taking in the information. "Maybe, during the sleep, the lavender somehow brainwashes them, but since I disrupted that, Jae didn't change completely." At this point, I am merely throwing around ideas.
Jade appears to be taking the leading role in the conversation, which is reassuring, considering he probably knows more than we do. He nods at Candy's suggestion that the brainwashing process happens during the sleep.
"That seems reasonable enough. Jae, do you remember any dreams during the time you fell asleep under the lavender's effects?" I shake my head.
"Sorry, it's not like I remember much, but as far as I'm concerned, it was just blackness." Suddenly, when I started thinking about it, it came back to me.
"Actually, that's all it was. It was as if I was standing in blackness. I think I heard someone crying too, but when I started looking around, that's when I was woken up."
Jade furrows his brow, turning to look at Candy. He almost started to say something, but caught himself, and remained silent, trying to pretend like he was in deep thought.
What was he about to say?
I look at Jae, alarmed. She had the same dream as me? Do I say something? Jade glances at me and opens his mouth, but he shuts it again, as if he knew something.
I didn't tell Jae the dream yesterday because I deemed it insignificant. Clearly, it means something. Maybe Jade had the same dream at some point. "Jade? Did you have a dream like that ever? Maybe it…" I trail off, unsure of what to say. The lavender begins to smell strongly, giving me a bit of a headache. I uncross my legs and lean on my knees, head in hand.
Nothing makes sense.
Jade furrows his brow as Candy leans over, looking incredibly ill.
"You okay Candy? Did something happen?" Jade asked her, sitting next to her and attempting to comfort her.
I inhale deeply, attempting to grasp at any comprehensible thought.
If Jade wants to help us, why is he keeping certain things to himself? What is he scared of that he refuses to tell us? What if we already know it?
The thoughts circle my mind, but I can't seem to think of a question that was actually worth asking.
How do we plan on helping everyone in Purple? How are we going to convince them to get out or revolt?
I'm thinking too far ahead, I need to slow down. In fact, I need to take a few steps back.
Does Jade know that the girl has a violin with the same name as him?
I wave Jade away, irritated that he dodged another question. "Don't change the subject, I'm fine, this always happens. Did you have a dream like that before, Jade? Tell us the truth. Please, it'll only help." I stare at him, hoping he knew that we were desperate for information at this point. If he knew anything, he needs to tell us.