Hiro Reder. 'What kind of name is that? It almost sounds like a Japanese name don't you think? Yeah, like I'm some kind of "Hero" or maybe that's just what my dad thought when he picked the name off of some baby's name website, or maybe it is the character name in some obscure video game. Seriously, I don't think that my mom had anything to do with my naming, but it's not like I can do anything about it. I'm still only seventeen years old, and that name sort of grew on me in some way, though I hate to admit it, the real killer is my last name. Reder. Is it supposed to be Redder? Or maybe it is some play off of just Red. Though people are generally thrown off by the spelling my name. They think it is pronounced Reader or something, like they expect me to say, "Hello! my name is Hiro Reader Rabbit!" Yeah right, I think that is even out of my generation. My dad used to play those kind of games when he was a kid, trying to learn how to spell or something like that...'
"Ah! Mr. Reder, why don't you explain to the class the concept of ionic and covalent bonds?" The voice was directed from a tall man, who in a classic fashion had on a pair of black rimmed glasses, and seemed to always be adjusting them. His words carried down the rows of desks to one by the window, to a young boy who was resting his head in his palm, and the question itself snapped his attention straight away to the front of the classroom. For a moment he was unsure if he should stand up and report the answer, but he didn't know it, so he panicked and ended up knocking his chair over. Blood flushed in his cheeks as he slowly seated himself, and let out a deep cleansing sigh. "I'm sorry Mr. Dren, I don't know the answer." He said bowing his head, and there was some comment about not paying attention, and the answer went off to some other girl, and before Hiro knew it, he was back to gazing out at the courtyard just two floors below.
Where was I, oh yeah, my personal biography I was planning on writing someday. I always hated writing descriptions. I wish I could get something published like that, that only painted simple pictures. Like this, let me see if I can do it here without even writing it down. Hiro Reder, age 17. Almost old enough to buy cigarettes though he never would. Ah damn it! That's a personality trait, okay hold on, don't get upset now, right, there are ten minutes left in class, and that means I have ten minutes to think of a simple, but effective description of myself. Uh, I have blue eyes right? Oh wow, when was the last time I even examined myself in the mirror? I at least know my hair color, it's brown, but uh, that's too simple isn't it? I can't just say, I have brown hair. I need some flair! Something, great! Okay, here it goes, let me think of it, well I could always go with how long it is, well I mean it's different, a girl who has hair this -short- would be short yeah? So really, it's long because I'm a guy, do I need to put that into the description as well? A seventeen year old boy who is attending Patterson High School. Seriously, I wonder how many people write biographies about themselves? I've always wanted to be a teacher, just not into science or math, I guess I'm not technical enough. If I were I might be able to formulate a better description, one far to technical for the average reader. They would get bored! Seriously...I wonder, would the readers be bored of an autobiography written by me? Well if I were famous I'm sure they'd jump all over it even if it was the most boring material on the face of the Earth. Yeah, but who wants to be named Hiro Reder? Oh right, the description. Hair is kind of long for a guy, and it's not really light brown, like that borderline blonde you know? But it isn't anywhere near black. My eyes aren't really blue though, I guess it isn't so dominant and that's why it didn't stick out in my mind and then--
The sound of a bell caught his attention and pulled his eyes to the clock on the wall. It was odd but he wanted to stay in class and continue thinking about his autobiography, but that was when he remember he had faulted in class, and Mr. Dren wouldn't let him off without a word. "Hiro, a word with you." The other students were already leaving the classroom and venturing home, to do whatever they wanted, and so he hesitantly made his way to the front of the desk, where as usual, Mr. Dren was fixing his glasses, and shuffling a handful of papers. Eyes downcast, the boy approached the table, with his hands in his pockets. "Yes, Mr. Dren?" He asked, though it really wasn't necessary, what was coming was really obvious to him. "Don't look so glum, I just wanted to tell you to focus more on the lecture. I know you are a good student when you apply yourself, but lately you seem to have drifted off from the path. Perhaps a tutor could guide you back onto the road of academic success. Maybe if you work at it, you'll get a really nice scholarship."
It was always the same I guess.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, maybe I should get some more sleep or something like that." He began to walk out of the classroom. "I'm only telling you this because I care about your future as a student, Hiro." Hiro's expression darkened as he left the room.
The same path, everyone has to walk down, like sheep being herded into specific carrels. Oh so you want to be a doctor? Then you have to go through this gate, and then into this gate, and there you are, a doctor among doctors. You wake up every morning, drive to the hospital or clinic, and then you put on your scrubs and then do your thing. Make money, go home, maybe a wife, huh is that really my life?
Except I don't want to be a doctor.
I want to be a teacher, or something, maybe a baseball star?
He walked slowly down the stairs, and slowly made his way to the courtyard, which was practically empty at this point. He stopped, and felt the wind blowing at his hair, and tugging at his brown oversized sweatshirt. It made him feel powerful for some reason, standing there in the middle of the gust, and he looked up at the sky, a group of clouds hovering overhead, staring down at him.
The lone boy stood there in the courtyard, and that day he knew he would someday be something more than just a sheep in a pen with a name and title! I, Hiro Reder will rise to fame! I just know it!
As enthusiastic as his thoughts were, his body was still tied to grim reality. He made his way onto the street, dragging his feet, knowing that when he got home, he'd see his overweight father working on another computer project, probably some kind of program or video game mod, or something annoying like that.
At least Mom is keeping up with her age, she exercises every morning.
He smiled, thinking back to a time when he was younger, and his mother was always picking over him. The only child, Hiro, her precious, her baby.
"Has something got you down?" A voice called to him, and once more Hiro was regrettably dragged away from his thoughts. It was someone he had never seen before, and after walking the same way home for nearly three years now, he felt suddenly on guard. Examining the man before him, he noted that it was a very muscular man, who had spiked red dyed hair, and a scar running down his left check. A really shady character to say the least, though what betrayed his tough delinquent face was the fact that he was wearing a suit, and a tie and even had a briefcase. Some kind of misunderstood businessman? He questioned feeling the weight of his backpack on his shoulders, and suddenly feeling rooted to the ground; if this guy was going to harass him into something...
Stop making up things, let's just be friendly. He forced his mind out of its fantasy and nodded. It was true, something was dragging him down. The future. "The company I work for is looking for young men like you. You seem like a pretty good kid. There's a consultation tomorrow, you can show up if you'd like to." I seem like a pretty good kid? Where did he get get that from huh?
The man retrieved a card from his suit pocket and handed it to Hiro. The boy read the card over slowly. "The Senba Organization? They deal in chemicals and other products right?" He asked, and the man nodded with a grin. "I don't know if I want to be a chemical engineer though..." He stated offhandedly, and the man placed his hand on his shoulder. "No, it's nothing fancy like that. Senba is moving towards changing the future." The man said outstretching his hand, panning over the entire sky. "It's just like that sang, yeah? The children are our future. Well, I hope to see you there...that was my last card after all." The man waved and then walked off towards the direction of the school. Leaving Hiro there in the waning afternoon light, studying the card. The future? I guess it wouldn't hurt to check it out. I mean, I don't have to commit to anything if I go right? Maybe it's for future managers, I wouldn't mind being in charge of other people... He pocketed the card, and then continued his journey home. Something in the back of his mind was bothering him, but his own absentmindedness dragged him away to other things and it so it became buried.
A few minutes later, Hiro arrived home, stepping past the main black gate, and the small miniature garden his mom kept, he reached the front door and slowly came into the main hallway. It was cluttered as always, with a variety of shoes, which covered the welcome mat. To his right was a closet, which held mainly old, and unused winter coats and snow boots. To his right was a wall, which separated him from his neighbors who lived directly next to him. As he took off his shoes and began going upstairs, a man sitting at a computer desk turned around in his swivel chair. "Hey son, how was your day?" He asked cheerfully, and the boy stopped halfway. "Oh it was fine, I'm kind of tired so I'm going to rest in till dinner okay?" He stated, and the man gave him a thumps up and turned back to whatever he was working on.
As in any good autobiography, the parents must be described. Michael Reder, or as his friends and comrades call him, Mike, is my father. Over the years he has been going out less and less and is gaining in weight. It doesn't help that he's almost fifty years old. He's really good with computers, whether it's building them or programming the software. So as a kid I was introduced to such technology, and mainly, video games. I guess my dad is pretty cool compared to those strict dads who force their kids to do homework. I just wish he took more care in things, and he could be a little more serious.
I don't know if it was purposeful or not, but my dad married a woman named Michelle, and so her name is Michelle Reder. [They are very similar names don't you think?], anyway. Mom has always been a bit carefree herself, but when it came to my upbringing she took the task head on. Always dabbling in what I was doing, and nursing me when I was sick, I guess you could say she was the perfect caretaker. You know that age where you get embarrassed to go to target with your parents? Yeah, that never happened to me really, I only heard other kids complaining about it. Even now I think my parents are pretty cool. They aren't ones to say embarrassing things, and in fact enjoy their privacy very much. Though ever since mom lost her job, we haven't really been racking in the cash, and the house we live in now is nothing but private...I guess you could say it's--
"Hiro?" He slowly sat up. He had climbed the stairs, and into his room, all the while thinking about his autobiography and just what it would say. The voice which called out to him was that of his mothers, and judging by the tone, it meant she was seeking to inquire about his day. A normal, slightly downcast teen would try to ignore his mother, and lock himself up in his room, but Hiro knew better than trying to hide from her. It didn't take long before there were three perfectly timed knocks on his door. Also, unlike most mothers, his did not like to barge into his room without waiting for confirmation. "Yeah, yeah come in!" He called sitting against his bed. I wonder if I need to describe my room too? He thought quickly just before his mom came in. The woman still looked like she could be in her thirties. Black hair still long, tied back in a pony tail, and an bright apron hanging in front of her black sweater and blue jeans. She was even still in the process of drying off a plate as she came in with a bright and cheerful smile. My parents are very cheerful and optimistic people. He mentally noted.
His mother's cheerful smile was quickly replaced by a frown. "Oh honey, something doesn't seem right." She said sitting next to him, and placing her arm around his shoulder, and using her other, she touched his forehead. "I can't hide anything from you can I?" He asked, taking her hand away from his head. "Of course not, you can't anything from your mother." She confirmed brushing his hair into order. "I'm not sick, just a little depressed I guess." There was no point in hiding it. "Well you'll figure it out I'm sure. If you were happy all the time, you'd just be lying to yourself." She said standing up and kissing him on the head. "Supper will be ready in just a few minutes."I'm going to feel so bad when I move out and go to college...
After dinner, he was going to work on his autobiography, in actuality this time and not in thought, but after he cleared his plate, and finished doing the dishes, and going back to his room, he didn't feel like writing at all. It's okay, it's all in my head. He thought slowly sitting on his bed. He took off his sweatshirt and threw it on the floor. Then he reached into his pockets, and felt the card that strange delinquent looking businessman had given him. A chance for a new future? Could it be fate? he turned the card over a couple of times, and read the date. "Tomorrow, at Six pm, at the Senba auditorium building number A." He closed his eyes, and slowly placed the card on his nightstand. Tomorrow, we'll see just what sort of future Senba has in store for me. If I don't like it, I'll just search for another way. It's too soon to give up on something that isn't even here yet!
Something was bothering me.
School dragged on. He tried his best to focus but the more he tried, the more he realized he was anticipating the meeting which would occur tonight. He had informed his parents that he would be home late, and so all tasks had been cleared. Class ended with chemistry, and Mr. Dren made no further delays as Hiro found himself free at last in the courtyard of the school. It would be in three hours that the meeting would start. He smiled brightly as the sun shined high above him. This is it! I hope I'm not disappointed with some kind of slide show, or boring video on chemistry, I already get that in Dren's class. I'm ready for something exciting! Something motivational or sappy would even work for me at this point!
I feel too eager, it's unnatural. What was it last night that was bothering me so much?
Two hours and fifty minutes later, Hiro found himself in front of auditorium, ten minutes before the anticipated meeting would begin. Hiro was surprised to see that there were a fair number of people attending this meeting. Some of them weren't even high school students, and the auditorium was nearly filled with people, as a droning murmur echoed throughout the hall. It was even more surprising when the man with the red dyed hair, came up to him. "Glad you could make it! This show should be really appealing!" He said directing Hiro to an open seat. I hope you're not just some businessman trying to appeal to teenage delinquents like those army recruits I sometimes run into. But more importantly, why did you pick me up so quickly? He thought trying to keep an open mind, and not rushing off to a reckless conclusion. It was surprising, it was his parent's own carelessness which had taught him to be careful.
Time went by, slowly it seemed, but there definitely were a lot of intelligent looking people in the crowd. The tension was starting to bother him greatly. He looked around the room for a brief moment, and noticed that at the end of every row there was a man wearing sunglasses or something of that sort, and in a suit. They must be representatives of the Senba Organization. He thought to himself, thankful he was on the end. Then he came to a very astounding realization just two minutes before the actual show was supposed to start. A possibility, a contradiction that I can't just openly accept. There are hints, naturally I wouldn't have picked up on them before but I can't be here, I need to find a place to think clearly. His mind had jumped through many hoops at one time, and before he could even process it he had driven himself to action. He slowly stood up. "Eh, sorry, but where's the bathroom?" It may have sounded odd leaving moments before the start, but something was really bothering him and he needed time to think. A twisting knot began to grow inside of his stomach, and he didn't feel right sitting there. Just something isn't right about this set up. "Oh, right, just go out the way you came and take a left. Don't be gone too long, the show's about to start!" The man said pushing his sunglasses back on his face. He quickly ran out of the lecture styled hall and into the lobby, where he took a quick left and found the bathroom. Just moments later a loud sound erupted from the lecture hall, a curt feminine voice began to speak to the audience accompanied by a techno like background. He could hear every word echoing through the vents as he relieved himself.
"What do you see when you look in the mirror? Is it a businessman or woman? Is it a successful entrepreneur? Just how much do you value each day? What exactly are you working for? What are your true goals?”
It sounded really exciting, and just as he zipped up his pants he stopped to think. What was that they just said? He thought he heard something about lying, or cheating, but having flushed the toilet the words were drowned out. That's right, what was that detail?
Senba Organization, they deal in chemical products, no that wasn't it, it definitely could have worked out like that, but it was the delivery method. Why would an organization of such prestige use such a method? The words, the manner that man appeared, it...it was fitted for me. It fit too well, this isn't sitting right with me. I need to get home and forget about all of this, I don't know what the hell this is really about but I don't like it.
He stepped out of the bathroom, and right away noticed a man trying to leave the auditorium just as he intended. "I just forgot something in my car? Why can't I just leave and go get it quick? I thought this was voluntary! You can't just stop me--." A man was saying as two men in suits blocked his passage.They aren't letting people leave all of a sudden? What the hell!
This isn't good, so what, I can't leave?
"The truth is, humans corrupt each other. The world has no god...or it used to not have a god..."
What the hell is that announcer saying? A god? Here I thought this was a legit future for me. He was kicking himself in the butt over it as he sank back to the dead end of the hallway. The man trying to leave was being forced into the ground, and he was being dragged back to the auditorium, screaming and yelling. What the hell is going on? I don't like this one bit! I got to find out what the hell this is really about. I know Senba is a legit company, I've even seen some of their products, so why...no, what kind of legit company hires such strange looking people? Why didn't I notice it before? Even simple fast food restaurants have some kind of dress code, there is no way a recruiter looking for professionals would appear like that! Right, so let's find an exit and get the hell out of here. He noticed an elevator next to him. When it came to his attention suddenly as the lights began to shine over the floor numbers as someone was coming up to the main floor. Without thinking about it any further, he reentered the bathroom, hoping that nobody had seen him. He turned on the water, and began to feel it against his hands as he pretended to wash his hands. To his dismay, the door swung open, and one of the suits came in accompanied by a woman. Is it natural to bring a girl into the bathroom? He thought eying them carefully wondering if this was the end of his escape plan, and then the man noticed him. "Hey kid, do me a big favor and get out of here." He said, with a smile. Hiro turned slightly, only got a slight glance at the man who was wearing normal glasses as opposed to sunglasses, and he was actually a really young looking fellow who had a really attractive blonde in his arms. Without saying anything else he removed himself from the bathroom, and immediately entered the elevator.
What the hell? That guy must not know about the protocol or something, unless he's like some random guy. Ah! never mind about that.The announcer had stopped speaking. What did that mean? Maybe his mind was going into overdrive fantasy mode and everything was just happening at a bad time. He pushed the first button he saw, hoping that the underground basement would lead to a sort of exit, like a parking garage. He slowly descended, hearing the elevator ring like a bell when he arrived.
The basement was not a parking garage.
As soon as the doors opened Hiro found himself in the middle of a very nice suite. A ring of couches sat around a steaming fountain which he assumed was some kind of hot tub. As he moved around the room, he noticed feminine undergarments scattered around on the floor. A voice broke out from a nearby slightly open door. "Hey Sen, why'd you come back? You forget something?" Some other man was laughing, and there were were some suspcious sounds coming from the room. Hiro froze in place. Was it better to just go back up? He couldn't possibly imitate that older man's voice, assuming of course that they were the same person or something, but his mind raced and as he moved through the nice room, when he came upon another door. Without thinking about it, he opened and found himself in a very strange hallway. At each side of the hallway which seemed to descend down were white doors each had a strange green light attached to them. A strange silent cry emanated from them. What is this? Do I hear crying? Are those girls? This entire place is messed up! What kind of whore house is Senba running? Oh shit, this is...evidence isn't it? I've uncovered a dark secret without meaning to haven't I? What have I done? More importantly, what the hell should I do? Should I just leave these girls here, but if I call out that guy might hear me? He began to slowly back up. The reality of his actions were quickly growing on him, and soon he raced out of the hallway, leaving the wails behind, and as he raced through the room, he tripped over a pair of high heels which were carelessly lying on the floor. With a loud thud he landed straight away on his face. "Hey Sen! Be careful! There are some expensive things out there!" The voice laughed from the other room. Without even thinking about it he rose to his feet and raced back into the elevator. His heart pounded inside of his chest, a sundering thump which pulsed through his entire body. He looked over the buttons. He didn't want to go to the ground level anymore. There was at least one floor above it. Alright, I'll go up there and if it looks safe, I'll wait out and contact the police, alright, just calm down. He pushed the button for the second floor and as he rose...
The elevator stopped at the ground level anyway. The doors slowly parted, and there, accompanied by two suits was a woman. "Hiro Reder. Age 17, the son of Michael and Michelle Reder. Average grades, with no momentous or significant moments in his life so far. Goals and dreams: has aspirations to be a teacher, but has ended up coming here to her about a future that can't be obtained by regular methods. You did well to pass the first test Mr. Reder, but are you ready for the real thing?" The woman read his information like it was a passage in a textbook, her face represented superiority, and a hint of malice, giving him the impression of a sadist. ...A test? Are you serious? What are these people? This can't be the Senba Organization...There were a lot of other questions which came to his mind but were frozen by the situation before him. He examined the woman silently.
A blonde woman, a different blonde woman, this one was shorter than the other one. She had a sort of indistinct bluish eye color, and her hair was straight and medium length for a female, and she was probably in her mid twenties. Clad in a black suit with a red tie wrapping around her neck, she appeared very formally before Hiro. Though to the high school student, she looked more like the leader of the mafia, with the two muscular men standing behind her. The information she had so elegantly recited on him confirmed a suspicion he had only skimmed over but highly doubted. The legitimacy of Senba had probably chased it out of his mind, but whoever these people were, they had been watching him to some degree. She knew who his parents were, and that meant she most likely knew where he was currently living, which ruined any sort of hope of escape. He was worried that he would suffer the same fate as the man who had tried to leave the auditorium before. Yet, instead of dragging him off someplace, the woman stepped into the elevator next to him, as the two burly bodyguard styled men came in and pressed the button which lead the second floor.
His detest for her seemed to spawn from thin air as they began to ascend the floors. Her overly technical manner of speaking, and the pretense that she was in complete control of his fate only worsened his perception of her. When they arrived they marched into a very dark room which lit up as they entered it.Whoever these people are, they must have plenty of influence and money to have such a well built room. He tried to think of what kind of organization this was as they took a series of left and right turns, and eventually they came before a very large steel door. "Alright Mister Hero. Let's present you with a choice." The woman said smiling, though he knew that this wasn't going anywhere good. She took out a phone, and held it before his eyes. The slick screen reflected nothing but a black and white security camera feed, and at first he didn't recognized what was going on in the picture, in till the large form of his father came shuffling into view and sitting down at his usual computer desk. His eyes widened with an unspeakable fear. They had cameras in my house?! Those bastards, what kind of criminal organization is this? I haven't done anything to deserve this, and neither have my parents, but maybe that's why...no nothing makes any sense!
"You can decide to reject our offer, and watch as your parents suffer through torture. Or you can do a simple job for us, it has to do with a computer program, it's really easy to use." She said dragging him away from thinking about it any more and pocketing her phone. The large door opened and she gestured for him to enter. "You can always think we wont do anything, but I think you know that is simply not the case." The same sadistic smile was etched on her face as they walked through the door. It was a fairly dark room, which was dimly lit by the glow of computer monitors. "You sit right here!" She said joyfully seating him in a swivel chair. There were at least ten keyboards to about ten monitors, which were all blank. Then he felt her place a headset on his head. "Your job from now on, Mr. Hiro Reder, is to press whichever button we tell you to, whenever we want you to. I hope you understand the consequences if you don't. Oh yeah, you'll be watched then entire time, so uh, don't think of anything like escaping or resisting. We'll be supplying you with food or whatever. Alright then, take care Mr. Hero!" Her overly happy voice made him realize a new definition of hatred, as he began to feel the need to lash on and strike her with his bare hands, anything to stop her from taunting and tormenting him. Yet who is to say what those big guys were carrying? Guns? He was in a completely foreign territory. It was true he had some kind of knowledge of computers, but why him? He turned around his chair quickly. "Hey! Don't just walk off you bitch!" He yelled and the woman stopped just behind the two burly men. "Oh so you do have some kind of emotion!" She said giggling as the door closed and the two men pushed him back into the chair without a word. Submitted to the fate that had been sealed on him, he slowly turned around to face the monitors. Whatever it was they were forcing him to do...he knew now for sure, it wouldn't be for anything good. My name is Hiro Reder. I was just a normal high school student. Yeah, doesn't that sound familiar? I was somehow coaxed at the wrong time, into a consultation which eventually lead to me getting kidnapped by some unreal evil organization. My new full time job at the Senba Organization is to push buttons on a keyboard. At the time, I didn't know what it would do. Hey! I shouldn't think like it's in the past, I am not even writing it yet. Seriously, my parents could be in danger, I can't let them be harmed. I'll just have to do whatever it is they say, and hope that they'll leave mom and dad alone. Damn it! What kind of twisted reality is this?! I'm sorry...
I'm sorry! I'm sorry for wishing for a future that just doesn't exist! I'm sorry!
And so he silently cried for fear of what this new future would bring.
~Next time on Scratch~
A new student arrives from overseas. How is that even significant to the events which just have occurred? To find out, continue reading! :)
Scratch the World
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