The Last Scale - Chapter VI.

Tereza Končelová

The closer we got to the place, the more nervous and hurried the colorful ones were. As if what stood before me was something really grand. And I knew very well that it was true. No matter what, this event will change my life from the ground up.

When the van stopped, like many times before on our long journey, everything additionally gave a lurch. A little water from my bathtub spilled onto the floor.

"Ignis!" Cass rushed in like a flash flood and honored me with an encouraging smile. "We've reached the finish."

At that moment the second door of the van opened. This was directly opposite, large and massive, and creaked abominably as they let in the glowing sunbeams. I couldn't recognize the shadows that had emerged against me, and so I hid under the water in alarm, covering my head with my hands.

"Go away." Josh's voice roughly led the strangers back to where they came from. "You will scare her too much. She does not need further traumas." He cautiously took me into his arms. His touch was gentle and kind, as if I could fall apart. "Close your eyes, a lot of light awaits you outside." However, we did not stay outside for long. Josh put me in a transport tank. It had a cap, but he didn't use it. He and Britney took me to the organization building, while Cass was talking to the strangers in front of the van.

The building was huge and full of people. At first I was too afraid to look around. But Britney started to croon one of her songs and soon reassured me so much that I even started enjoying the incoming show. We walked through the tangle of corridors, dozens of other colorful ones staring at me with the admiring gaze, which seemed more annoying than unpleasant. Then we stopped at one niche and Josh arranged something with another, much older man. They shook hands and he took my container from him. "So, Ignis, say goodbye to your heroes. The VIP zone awaits!"

I stared in confusion at Josh and Britney. "You... Are you leaving?" A choral gasp came from the crowd that had meanwhile gathered around us. I glared at it angrily.

"We still have many of your relatives to save, little one," Britney smiled. "We were honored to meet you!"

"Good luck," Josh murmured, smiling slightly.

"And-but..." My pupils widened in panic. "What about Cass?"

"Cassandra asked for a transfer," the man interjected. Even in his voice there was an evidence of an overwhelmed astonishment. "She'll be with you soon."

I was brought into a spacious, shadowy room with a huge open water area. Cass had already spoken of such phenomena - it was called a pool. "This is your new home for the next few moments, Ignis. Through the tunnel over there you get to the fresh air, there is a fenced outdoor pond behind it. Make yourself comfortable and don't worry, we mean it just well with you. Our people will come here several times a day. To feed you, observe and control your health."

"Cass?" I repeated stubbornly.

The man smiled until the wrinkles around his eyes rippled. "Do not be scared. She will arrive as soon as she can."