“Do you remember how the boys would pick on the younger ones, or the weaker ones? I mean, hell, they even killed a couple kids. But anyways, did your teacher go into any depth about that? I don’t know if everyone learns the same stuff from that.”
Axel cocked an eyebrow. “What? We didn’t learn that?” To be completely honest, he wasn’t sure what she was asking.
She leaned back. “Sorry. Should’ve phrased that better. I meant, I don’t know how in depth other schools go into Lord of the Flies. My teacher was very enthusiastic about literature though and we got very technical about it. But you know how the boys hurt and even kill each other right?” She straightened her legs and started waving the tips of her boots back and forth.
Axel nodded, understanding. “Right, sorry. I’m just super dense. I do know how animal-like they’re like. Why?”
“Think about it. Why do you think they hurt the other kids hmm?” She started to slowly relax, enjoying the discussion. This was her passion. This was something she was good at.
Axel chewed on his lip in thought. “They needed to survive! Because of where they were and all.”
Ember tipped her head thoughtfully, “You got part of the point I think.” She looked at him straight in the eyes and said, “They killed the weak.” She looked out the window quite calmly. “Now think about animals. It’s the weak who are generally preyed upon right? Why?”
“Natural Selection. It’s how it… oh…” He nodded. “Right. Right. Makes sense.”
She looked at him and said plainly, “We are still animals. You’ve probably heard that before, but it’s true. And, being animals, we have natural instincts like any other. When people look at me, or a homeless person, or someone with an illness, their instinct of natural selection kicks in. They immediately think, ‘A waste of food and space! She needs to go!’ But these days, we’ve developed a society where the weak aren’t easily rid of [I should thank my lucky stars- she added.] And so we do the next best thing. We put them down. Make them feel bad about themselves, make sure that they don’t get things they need to survive, etc. We’re a very competitive species. When we finally see someone dying that is obviously a weak link, we think ‘Thank God. They’re finally leaving for good.’ But we also feel guilt, so we avoid the situation at all costs, to make ourselves feel better.” Ember lay back on the floor, looking at the ceiling as she continues, “That’s why I’m curious by anyone’s generosity. It goes against our very instincts. So why be nice to those who we can gain nothing from?”
Axel stayed silent through her reel. He chewed on his lip with a head tilted, listening with an occasional nod.
“I don’t think that. I do it for my personal gain. It helps me sleep at night. It makes me know I’m a good person. I know it sounds tacky, but it’s what makes me happy.”
Ember suddenly brightened, sitting up quickly. “So there is a motivation behind it! Huh, why didn’t I think of that one before? Though it does still go against instinct.” She hummed quietly. “Then what’s a motivation for the weak to keep living?” She mumbled to herself. She suddenly realized that she had been there for a while and got up to her feet. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bore you with that schpeal.”
Axel stuck his tongue out. “Instinct shminstinct. What? You’re leaving already?” He sat up a bit. “You didn't bore me!”
Ember smiled, “I’m glad I didn’t bore you. But why do you still want me here? I don’t get it.” She crossed her arms and looked confused. “Everyone generally wants me out of their hair as soon as possible.”
Axel laughed. “I like having intelligent people around. I love discussing things with them, seeing how their minds work… It’s fascinating.”
Ember grew more confused. “Huh. I don’t get called intelligent a lot. Stupid, yes. Intelligent, almost never. You puzzle me.” She started scanning over Axel as if trying to see into his soul and examine every piece of him for some sort of clue to his existence and sanity.
“You have to be somewhere in there. You just went on this whole speel that would confuse the majority of the guys in this damned University.”
Ember ducked her head and chuckled, a small blush on her pale face. “I guess so..” she looked back up at him, grinning. “Thanks.” Suddenly she thoughtvof something. “Hey, I told you one of my majors. What’s yours?”
Axel grinned. “No problem.” He perked up. “Technical Writing. I also have a few minors, but they’re just eh.”
She raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Would one of those minors possibly be Journalism?” She put her hands on her hips, shifting her weight to one side. “That’s my other major.”
Axel laughed. “Yep, Journalism and Creative Writing. I’m prolly not going to be able to get jack from it, though.” He sighed softly.
Ember walked over and sat on the floor next to his feet. “Can you see the future?”
Axel raised an eyebrow and looked down at her. “No I can not. But I can predict my job will be ass.”
She repeated. “Can you see the future?” A determined expression on her face.
Axel huffed. “No, I can’t predict the future.”
Though according to the economy my job will be ass.
Ember put a hand on his knee. "You're job won't be ass if you actually enjoy it. Even if it doesn't make you a lot of money, it's better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable." She grinned, "And it's a hell of a lot better than poor and miserable. I would know."
Axel laughed gently. “Suppose so. Though, I would like some money…”
Ember thought about this. Then she laughed, suddenly remembering something her mother had said to her when she was in her mid-teens. She looked at Axel, "You know what my mom told me when I was younger when I said I wanted to get a job and support myself and not rely on a man?"
Axel beamed down at her. “What did she say?” He was prickling with curiosity.
Ember replied, "She had laughed in my face and said that a woman couldn't survive without a man and I'd better marry rich even if he was a bitch." Ember laughed almost humorlessly. "That just made me tell her I would prove that I could make it without a guy. …That pretty much blew up in my face. Kicked out of the house less than an hour later." She laughed again. "But I'm still determined to prove her wrong."
Axel leaned back in the seat. “Really? Why are ya telling me this?” He smiled a bit.