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for the entire journey. Oliver wondered if the man was not a police officer at all, but rather an android of sorts charged with transporting children. But, to where? The calm green had hypnotized him, and Oliver realized that he forgot the most important thing of all---he had no idea where he was going. Panic flooded his senses in a sudden tidal wave, leaving Oliver confused.
    "I want to call my mother." The words fell from his open mouth, as soon as he’d thought them up. The grass outside had taken on a sickly green tint, its presence causing near nausea for Oliver. The police officer tilted his head towards the rearview mirror, at which point Oliver was nearly certain that he was looking directly at him.
    "That won't be possible." The officer's response was sharp and deliberate. Oliver felt his will power wilting under it.
    "My mom put out an amber alert for me, I bet." His lip wobbled, and Oliver put his head down so the cop wouldn't see it.
    The police officer made a noise that sounded strangely like a stifled laugh. "Boy, Amber alerts only go out when someone has been taken. You, you were given up willingly."
    "My mother would never do that."
    The officer whistled in response. "You know, that's the hardest part about this job. People never want to believe what's right there in front of them. The parents and the kids."
    "I don't believe you." Oliver said.
    "That's fine. You'll see for yourself soon enough." The officer's last word ended on such a tone that Oliver knew the conversation was over. He flexed his hands, which were throbbing from the handcuffs.
    The van made a sharp turn and slowed down. Oliver pressed his face against the window in time enough to see the grass change from wild weeds to that of a carefully manicured lawn. A prim white sign sat in the middle of the lawn, surrounded by a bed of flowers. The Delafontaine School, it read. The van stalled for a minute before starting up a long driveway. At the edge of the driveway sat a large, brownstone building. The van pulled into the roundabout in the driveway, and as it shuddered to a halt, Oliver stared listlessly out of the window. The police officer hopped out of the van and disappeared into the building, leaving Oliver shaking. He wasn't sure whether or not he was shaking with rage, or fear. His eyes found the sign once more and noticed in small italics at the bottom that read Lux ex Tenebris .
    Everything was so well manicured. If Oliver didn't know better, he might have suspected the place was a pleasant assisted living facility, but a dark whisper in his head reminded him that he knew better.
    Several tense minutes later, a woman came strolling out of the front door. She wore a fresh suit, and her hair was tied back in a top knot. She reached the van and waited for the police officer to open the door. When he did, Oliver found himself face to face with her outstretched hand.
    "Hello, Oliver. I'm Dean Tenbrook. Welcome to Delafontaine." Oliver stared at her hands for a moment, panic rising within him. Her smile, bright and practiced faltered and her eyes shifted down to Oliver's hands.
    "Oh, I'm sorry. Yo u're cuffed. We'll shake later. Let's show you around first. How was the drive? You know, I've always thought that was one of the most striking things about Delafontaine. Those green pastures…The only thing we need now are cows, I think. Delafontaine is very interested in starting environmentally friendly initiatives…." Dean Tenbrook spoke a mile a minute, and it was clear to Oliver that she wasn't looking for anything from him but listening.
    Oliver stepped numbly from the van and followed Dean Tenbrook into the building. The front doors were grand and of cast iron. "These doors have been in the Delafontaine family for years!" Dean Tenbrook added as they swept through them. The doors banged shut behind him, echoing and final.
    They stepped into the atrium, a high-ceilinged introduction to the building. A white diamond chandelier hung over Oliver's