“The hell do you mean we can’t come in? We’re paying customers.”
Zahra’s hand held tightly onto Adam’s, whose gaze was now directed at the floor. He was looking for something more interesting than this discussion. Because he knew it was bound to escalate in less than two minutes.
“No, ma’am.” The Patrol officer said, standing right next to the digital clerk that was supposed to be accepting their tickets right now. “You’re a paying customer. Your son on the other hand—”
“Don’t be a smartass mate. Obviously I paid for him too. He’s a kid.”
“Well, if he was just any other Normal kid that would be fine, but…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
A heavy tension filled the air as passerbys in the theater stopped to watch. Zahra didn’t pay them no mind, staring fiercely at the officer who was wearing a clenched smile on his face that could only be read as smug, at least from Adam’s perspective. Patrol rarely ever acted nice because they wanted to be. In school, the teachers taught them that keeping order was important for the sake of Superhumans and Powerless.
But that didn’t seem to translate well when it came to public beatings, intimidation, or even executions. One of his classmates who dared to speak out against it learned that lesson quite well. He can still remember how she was roughly dragged outside of the room, temporarily suspended for a week. Though that punishment was practically nothing in comparison to the bruises on her face.
“Well!?” Zahra shouted, once again alerting the attention of other civilians and startling Adam out of his daydream. He hid his face even if it wouldn’t stop people from looking. “Don’t just stand there like an idiot. Explain yourself.”
The officer chuckles as if this entire situation was a joke to him. “I’m afraid it means you aren’t welcome here, ma’am.”
Zahra raised a brow, taking a step closer as she adjusted the handbag on her shoulder. “So, you’re not going to elaborate on whatever strange assumption you’ve made about my son?”
For some reason Adam starts feeling dizzy, and he can hear whispers from every corner of the room.
“Isn’t that the hybrid kid? What’s he doing here?” One woman mutters to her friend.
“I feel bad for the poor lad. His mother clearly isn't a good influence on him.” An older man says with a sympathetic tone.
Adam swallows a lump in his throat as he turns around to look at a gathering crowd, glaring at them until their voices grow silent.
“I think you of all people should know that bringing your child here with you is a violation,” the Patrol officer says with a now unimpressed look. No longer hiding his disgust. “Now, unless you want to make a formal complaint at our office I think you should leave. You’re making a scene.”
“I don’t give a shit quite frankly.” Zahra snaps, pointing a finger at the officer. “My son should be respected like every other patron here. It’s his birthday for Christ’s sake!”
“Celebrations at home can be just as fun, I’m sure.” The officer droned, gesturing towards the other moviegoers to move on and disperse. Adam tugged on his mother’s jacket, shaking his head as he noticed her rummaging through her bag.
“Mum, please. Just forget it. We can go somewhere else—”
“Hush, darling. Give me a moment, will you?”
It was useless. He couldn’t understand why his mom could be so persistent over something so small. Didn’t she realize spending time with him was enough?
“But Mama, what if they arrest you again?” Adam asked in a low whisper, which made Zahra immediately whip her head around. Her eyes were wide and filled with anxiety as she shushed him. But then, something made her freeze. The way her son looked at her with those pleading eyes.
Zahra hated giving into authority and sacrificing her own values for the sake of appearances. But right now, she has a son to care for. She couldn’t be selfish. Not now. Even if she did everything in her power to fight for a world where her and her child could be treated fairly. She sighed, looking at the officer with a strained smile and shrugged.
“You know what? You’re right. It’s not a big deal.” Zahra conceded with a laugh. She could feel herself cringing as she put on this mask, doing everything she could to placate this man. “We can always catch a flick on the telly. It is free after all.”
The officer chortled at Zahra’s joke, and despite Adam’s age even he could tell it was fake.
“Exactly. It’s convenient! Why not save money next time?” He says in amusement, clearly at their expense. “Just remember who’s wearing the badge next time and things won’t be so difficult for you.”
Zahra slowly nods, a sizzling anger hiding behind her smile as she bites the inside of her cheek. Adam watches his mother cautiously and then glances at the officer, now understanding why they went out of their way to provoke people. They needed a reason to punish someone acting out of line. The sudden realization made Adam feel a bit nauseous. He knew the world they were living in was dark, but still.
“Right. Apologies for my outburst.” Zahra responds with a lighter tone. “We’ll be on our way then! Take care.”
Zahra gently squeezed Adam’s hand as she led him towards the exit, ignoring the sneers and laughter coming from different directions. It wasn’t the insults that affected Adam, it was how they made his mother frown. How their words dimmed that neverending light in her eyes. And how at night she would cry herself to sleep because of them. He wanted them to feel every bit of pain they made her mother feel. But he didn’t know how to do that, and he was taught that it was wrong to hurt people just because they hurt you.
So, for now Adam just squeezed her hand back in comfort. Once they were out of earshot and walked a couple feet away from the cinema, Zahra mutters under her breath, “And while he’s at it he can shove that fugly badge up his arse.”
Adam snorts at the comment in spite of Zahra’s vulgarity. She rarely ever kept a filter around her eight year old son, but Adam preferred that because she was funnier and honest that way. To make up for the picture they missed, Zahra took Adam to their favorite ice cream shop. The owner was less conservative about Superhuman politics than other areas in the Common, and they were less likely to be bothered. Adam ordered his usual pistachio and Zahra got chocolate chip cookie dough.
There was an awkward silence between them, and Adam couldn’t shake the heavy guilt weighing on his shoulders. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t insisted on going to see the sequel of his favorite action movie. Maybe the officer, as unpleasant as he was, had the right idea.
“I know what you’re thinkin’ love.” Zahra says softly, before eating a small bite of ice cream from her cup. “You don’t gotta say it. I ruined the day for you, didn’t I?”
Adam blinked in surprise, quickly shaking his head. How could she come to that conclusion?
“What? No, I had a lot of fun.”
Zahra’s smile turns into a slight grimace. “I can tell when you’re lying.”
“I’m not lying mum, I mean it!” Adam insists, no matter how unconvinced her mom looked. “That festival you took us to was fun too! Even if we did miss the movie.”
Zahra looks at Adam fondly as she tilts her head. “Even if it had that really cool fight scene you wanted to see?”
Adam glances to the side a bit, swinging his feet. “Yeah, I guess. But that’s only because my friends were talking about it.”
Zahra chuckles, and for some reason Adam feels embarrassed. “It’s okay to enjoy things, love. And it’s also fine if you’re disappointed.”
Adam doesn’t say anything at first. He starts thinking about how he is disappointed, but then about how stupid that is. He thinks about how his mom was away from home more often than usual and had arguments with his dad about ‘cutting back’ on spending whenever they went shopping.
He looks down at his ice cream that’s about to melt, and he doesn’t want to eat any of it.
“Uh, mom? Do you know if there are any…” He hesitates, uncertain if he should even bring it up. “Any jobs at the place dad works at?”
Zahra presses the spoon in her cup and pauses. That bright smile that was on her face fell again. Adam didn’t mean for that to happen. She gazes at him for a moment.
“Don’t be ridiculous Adam. You’re way too young to be worrying about—”
“But I can help!” Adam pleads, a little too loudly. “Also, plenty of Vaits my age start working early too. It’s normal!”
Zahra closes her eyes and rubs her forehead. “Look love, just because it’s normal in our Sector doesn’t mean I want you doing it.” She lets out a shaky sigh, reaching out to take Adam’s hand. “I want you to be a kid. For as long as you can. Alright? Please.”
Adam starts to say something but stops once he sees tears in the corner of his mother’s eyes. He nods. She finally smiles again.
“Good.” She nods with satisfaction, voice quivering as she holds her son’s hand. After a long moment she releases it. “Now, let’s enjoy this ice cream, yeah? And get ready to head back home.”
Adam doesn’t want the day to end. But he does as his mom asks and eats another scoop.
“I’d say we’d be spoiling our dinner but, with your father’s cooking?” Zahra winces playfully, which makes Adam laugh a little in spite of everything. “We’re lucky if he doesn’t burn the whole place down by the time we get back.”
“Or worse,” Adam says in between bites. “There’s no seasoning.”
Zahra bursts out into laughter and Adam thinks the detour was all worth it in the end. He laughs along with her, forgetting about their worries even if it’s just for a while.
Adam’s eyes are wide open as he wakes up with a jolt. He’s lying on the floor mattress still, and his head aches a bit. He slowly raises himself up.
He touches the small bracelet on his wrist, the only thing he had left. The door opens and someone walks in, turning the lights on.
“Adam? Is everything alright?”
It was Nicole holding a bowl of fruit. Apparently Diego was out on the lookout for today. Both of them insisted that Adam took a break, and it took him nearly passing out from exhaustion to actually accept the offer.
“I’m fine. Just woke up.” Adam looks back down at the bracelet. “What are you doing up? Thought you were resting.”
Nicole shrugs, smiling awkwardly. “Couldn’t sleep.”
She doesn’t hesitate to sit right next to Adam, her long golden braids falling over the sheets as she offers the fruit bowl to him.
“Not hungry.” Adam murmurs, shoving it away. Nicole looks at him with worry.
“You haven’t eaten in a while, Adam. I really think you should take at least one piece.” She picks out a small piece of mango and hands it to him. He stares at it before taking it and throwing it in his mouth.
“Thank you.” Nicole says with a relieved expression. “You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to, but I’ve been a bit worried about you lately. Did you have a bad dream?”
Adam scoffs at the question, pondering it for a bit. He isn’t even sure. “I don’t think it was. But I can’t say if it was a good one either.”
“Ah…That makes sense. I mean, dreams can be pretty complicated. I know I’ve had plenty.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Adam tries to avoid Nicole’s gaze. He doesn’t want a conversation about this.
“You always say that.” Nicole shifts a little on the mattress, trying to study the look on Adam’s face. “But I won’t push you. Just let me know if you ever want to talk okay? I’m here for you.”
Adam wanted to believe that. And it probably was true. Nicole was the most compassionate woman he knew, next to his mother probably.
But he wasn’t ready. Not now.
“Thanks.” Adam tries to smile a little to reassure his friend, and whether Nicole believes it or not she smiles back.
Maybe he can figure out a way to take his mind off of today. Along with that dream.
