26- Discovery

September 12, 2016

Same world: World I.

It's Monday. Yesterday I was completely exhausted from my double shift at work, but at least I received a lot of tips that make up for it. Today Dakota decided arbitrarily, as she is accustomed to doing, that we should go to university. She assures me now that she is sure who the person Faven used to call "breaker" is. And I hope it's true, because I'm a bit tired of these riddles.

I found out that Dakota used to study communication before temporarily freezing her career. She studies in the same faculty as me, which explains how she could easily find me on the bus. She has known about me for a long time.

She is younger than Theo. That's why she knows that "breaker" is a few semesters ahead of her. Like the inquisitor that she is, she managed to get Theo to tell her that "breaker" is a good student, and that they should be in pure grammar classes until noon today. How boring that sounds.

We wait in front of the classroom as we realize that it is almost noon. Dakota holds the letter almost dramatically in her hands. I think she's nervous. The last time I saw her like this, we were at the orphanage where she grew up. Although this nervousness is different, it still surprises me.

We go on alert as we see the first students come out. They don't pay the slightest attention to us, and, truthfully, from here on out we don't know how we are going to identify that guy.

"Breaker… Breaker…" she stammers. "What does 'breaker' look like?"

Well. Nothing she says makes sense anymore. She's completely out of orbit.

Several guys pass by us, and it's possible that the very person in question may have glanced at us, but we can't be sure.

In a sudden impulse, Dakota enters the classroom. I have no choice but to follow her. I'm here for that after all. I don't think I need to go to class right now.

Inside there are three guys and four girls. They are all taking notes on what is projected on a slide on the wall, as if their lives depended on it. Either they are very dedicated to their studies, or they need to save the semester. I'm sure there is no middle ground with these people.

I feel their gazes momentarily divert to us, and then they go back to what they were doing. Everyone, except one who is watching us curiously.

It can't be that easy, can it?

"Breaker?" I dare to ask. Oh, damn. I cringed doing that.

The same guy raises his eyebrows. I see him go back to what he was doing, but my heart starts pounding hard. I have the feeling that we found the guy we were looking for. Finally! Now we just need him to pay attention to us.

A few seconds pass before the guy who was watching us packs up his things and leaves his seat. He says goodbye to his teacher and walks towards us. I can see out of the corner of my eye that Dakota is also paying attention to what the guy is doing. So, most likely, we had the same feeling.

He walks towards us calmly. His calmness stresses me out. I can imagine Faven telling me that everything stresses me out, and I would have told him to go to hell, but he's right. I'm as impatient as hell.

"Hey," the guy greets with a lot of serenity. Am I supposed to respond? "Can I know where you heard about 'breaker'?"

Uh… What?

Dakota beats me to responding:

"From a friend of Theo's," she nods her head. "If you are who we are looking for, then you know what we're talking about."

The guy laughs, as if he had been caught in mischief. What the hell.

"That doesn't answer my question," he shrugs. "Theo has many friends."

"Not many who died months ago," I mutter. My impatience gets the better of me than the phrase "distrust, distrust."

"Wow, wow. Do you spill the beans that easily? You need to distrust a little more, Eron Montjoy."

I blink a little. Now I'm bewildered.

"Oh, is it that all your friends have a stalker complex or something?" I inquire, this time addressing Dakota.

"I don't know if that's his case. I just make logical deductions," she shrugs. I don't like this guy.

"Breaker, deceased friend, coming directly to my classroom, coming accompanied by Dakota Laurent…"

"You know me?" she interjects now.

"You were one of the top students of your generation. Of course I know you."

Oh no. A meeting of brainiacs.

"Anyway. Two plus two equals four. He told me this could happen sooner or later."

"Were you waiting for us?" I ask.

"To be honest, for months I started to believe that this meeting would never happen. But here we are," he points towards the door. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. Whatever you want to ask me, I'll answer it with a full stomach."

I'm really puzzled by this guy's attitude. I can't understand it.

We have no choice but to follow him, because he doesn't even wait for our response to start walking. Are we really finding these clues this easily? I don't know if I like that or if it worries me. Whatever the situation, I need to open my eyes wider so they don't see me as a fool.

"Enjoy. It's lunchtime, after all," he indicates when we are in front of the food area. "Judging by your face, you need to eat something," he points at me, then laughs.

I need patience. I think he's going to drive me crazy sooner rather than later.

"Oh, by the way, my name is Torn. I think the name clears up your doubts, doesn't it?"

Distrust, Eron. Distrust.

We end up sitting at a random table. Once again, I'm surprised by Dakota's silence. She only drinks a chocolate milk and eats some mashed potatoes. Her expression is neutral, so I can't guess what's going through her head right now.

"Enjoy your meal! After eating, ask whatever you want."

We eat in silence. As for me, I start making conjectures silently. I feel uncomfortable with "Torn" and I haven't even known him for more than half an hour. Does Faven want me to fulfill some kind of "mission" with him? It will be a very big sacrifice. Really.