Zero to Infinity

Word had got out in a very short period of time about madam missing. Within the hour, there was a string of people to report the incident to. Well aware of the condition of madam, and that they were underprepared to deal with a matcher, they knew they had to act quickly. They also knew that they needed all of the councilmen to get her back. In order to handle this in the opposite way of a debate, there was something that had to be done.

Jenny sat on the bed of the guest room next door to the matrix room. While in, she started to think about how selfish she had been lately. Here she was on this semi-exciting adventure with a semi-attractive man preparing to take her on a semi-awesome journey. The fear and worry and Connor and zeros face made her realize that this wasn’t going to be about her. She had to put on her big girl pants and suck it up. This wasn’t going to be fun. It was time to get serious and focus on something other than herself.

Just then, Connor bursts into the room.

“Jenny, we ask for your presence downstairs and the dining hall. They’re important matters to discuss and we need your presence.”

“My presence?”, question Jenny

“Yes ma’am”

Jenny had never been treated so nicely. It was hard for her to tell her she was dreaming or if this is really how people act. Jenny had been teased so often that the kindness of a person almost felt like a joke. She stood from the bed and began walking toward Connor. As I walked down the hall she could hear the chatter happening in the dining area. Upon arrival, the room went completely silent. Everyone seemed to be staring at Jenny. She didn’t know why and she didn’t like the feeling of the silence either. She was used to people continually chattering about her as she approached a room. Well, at least that’s what she thought. She thought for sure that people were talking about her at all times. Because typically, they were.

Has she entered the room, everyone continued to stare and begin to bow. As she walked toward Zero’s table, many people would grab her hands and bow in front of her. Placing the back of her hand on their forehead. Eerie and special, Jenny did not know what to do. She sat at the table with zero who didn’t seem to budge. He didn’t seem to make any kind of grand gesture like the rest of the people in the room.

“What’s going on”, Jenny whispered.

“We must discuss what the next steps are. We will have to prepare for the rescue of the matriarch, or the next steps.”

“The next steps?? questioned Jenny.

“Yes”, zero said with no enthusiasm or facial expression.

“I heard our new matriarch has been reclaimed.”

“Are we going to leave madam to Gordon?”

Voices from the back yelled out. There was lots of chatter and Jenny had a hard time making sense of what was going on. Zero stood up

“Quiet down everyone. Our new matriarch has been reclaimed. But she is not ready. I will take stands against Gordon and rescue madam. When she is returned, she can begin training with our new matriarch. We must try”.

“Who will watch over us until then.”

“Who stands to take the throne.”

Zero places his hands in the air and begins to speak again. With so much chatter and so many questions, Jenny didn’t know where to start. But she continued to sit in silence.

“Connor will maintain the space. As we know it is orthodox for a man to hold the position, we must do what is necessary.”

“Where is Marcus?. Who has seen November?” voices continued to chatter.

The chatter became a whisper. Connor stood and said, “let us break bread and make peace. This is our home and we will protect it.”

With that, the room seemed to settle. While chatter still consumed, it was as though the statements were just enough to ease the people in knowing that zero was going to save them and Connor was going to guide them.

As music began to play in the background, Jenny turned to zero and asked, “so who’s the new matriarch.”

“You are”

“WAIT WHAT”, Jenny said with a hint of fury and concern.

“I came to reclaim you today because you are taking over as the new matriarch. And I know that you’re not ready because... Well you’re immature. But we must move forward. I was expected to bring you here so that the matriarch could begin teaching you our ways and principles. You would have the ability to learn straight from her and how to rule.”

“But I didn’t ask for that. I mean I wanted an adventure and everything but that’s a little bit more than I was expecting” Jenny said to Zero. Except mumbling so low, she was sure he couldn’t have heard her.

“Well expect more because this is just the beginning, Jenny.”

“That’s great”, Jenny said sarcastically. She sat back in her chair and began thinking. Was this the adventure she really wanted? Was she going to be able to rule actual people? Who really is Gordon and why is he so angry with them? Is this the way of life that she is come to live?

The music played on for hours and Jenny spoke little to few words throughout the night. She was intimidated and scared because for once, she knew, this was not a laughing matter.