Characters:
@PandaAn'Stuff - Panda Alexandria
@HelloColdWorld - Wren Claren
@SilentHowl - Saskya Sunshine
@Winter_Wonder - Aaron Reaper
@_HeyImJack_ - (Jack) John Wells
@Hyrotis - Loki Uso-Tsuki
@AWPlays - Luis Moreau
@IAmBoriiiing - Pandora Erye
@Mareritt - Julies Kat Mareritt
@Grizzly -Jay Harmth
@PhilipRoses - Talia Avion Everton
@Glyphynx - Niji Nintai Sutoraiku
I have decided to do a little challenge for all of you, you have to pick three songs that best fits your character I'll start of with "Lupus" and Isaac.
Lupus - Wolves by Sam Tinnesz ft. Silverberg. Warriors by Imagine Dragons. Battlefield by Jordin Sparks.
Isaac - My Demons by Starset. Flares by The Script. Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab.
Wren -
Saskya - Cherry gum is by Dolly Style (nightcored by MarMarChan). Hello Kitty is by Avril Lavigne. Lay me down is by Sam Smith (covered by Diamond White).
Jules - Papaotoui by Stromae. All Star by Smash Mouth. Full circle by George Fitzgerald
Loki - Under Pressure by Queen. How far we’ve come by Matchboxtwenty. Pompeii by Bastille
Aaron -
Talia - Photographs by Ed Sheeran. The Story Of Us by Taylor Swift. Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin.
Panda - NF - Let you down. Sam Smith ft. Naughty Boy - LaLaLa. Selena Gomez + Marshmello - Wolves
Niji - Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin. Thunderstruck - AC/DC. I'm gay - Thomas Sanders
Luis -
Pandora -
Jay - Sick boy by the Chainsmokers. Future Me by Echosmith. Die for you by Starset.
Jack -
|==============================================|
@PandaAn'Stuff - Panda Alexandria
@HelloColdWorld - Wren Claren
@SilentHowl - Saskya Sunshine
@Winter_Wonder - Aaron Reaper
@_HeyImJack_ - (Jack) John Wells
@Hyrotis - Loki Uso-Tsuki
@AWPlays - Luis Moreau
@IAmBoriiiing - Pandora Erye
@Mareritt - Julies Kat Mareritt
@Grizzly -Jay Harmth
@PhilipRoses - Talia Avion Everton
@Glyphynx - Niji Nintai Sutoraiku
I have decided to do a little challenge for all of you, you have to pick three songs that best fits your character I'll start of with "Lupus" and Isaac.
Lupus - Wolves by Sam Tinnesz ft. Silverberg. Warriors by Imagine Dragons. Battlefield by Jordin Sparks.
Isaac - My Demons by Starset. Flares by The Script. Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab.
Wren -
Saskya - Cherry gum is by Dolly Style (nightcored by MarMarChan). Hello Kitty is by Avril Lavigne. Lay me down is by Sam Smith (covered by Diamond White).
Jules - Papaotoui by Stromae. All Star by Smash Mouth. Full circle by George Fitzgerald
Loki - Under Pressure by Queen. How far we’ve come by Matchboxtwenty. Pompeii by Bastille
Aaron -
Talia - Photographs by Ed Sheeran. The Story Of Us by Taylor Swift. Nobody Compares To You by Gryffin.
Panda - NF - Let you down. Sam Smith ft. Naughty Boy - LaLaLa. Selena Gomez + Marshmello - Wolves
Niji - Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin. Thunderstruck - AC/DC. I'm gay - Thomas Sanders
Luis -
Pandora -
Jay - Sick boy by the Chainsmokers. Future Me by Echosmith. Die for you by Starset.
Jack -
|==============================================|
UK - 9th April
People laughing down the street of night time Oxford, the voices echoed as if nobody was there to tell them shut it. In the background carhorns and sirens went off, a usual night. All was calm until a white cat, which was twitching unnormally and acting strange, which was walking up to the laughing drunks. An idiotic drunk went up to stroke the cat.
"Hello kitty cat, you want a HIC drink?" said the drunk, lowering down his bear, the cat looked up at at the man and mewed a croacking meow. Ten other cats of various fur colours walked up behind the cat.
They formed a circle around the man, the other cats twitching. All the cats had blue liquids coming from their mouths.
USA - 13th April
News Reporter: "The virus, Ios, has spread across the UK, Ireland and West Europe. It will keep spreading to the birds getting infected and migrating/moving from country to country. The virus makes the animals see humans as prey, messing with their minds, the virus makes the animals endlessly hungry. The blood turns blue, nothing is good in this world, the virus is wildfire."
People walked the cirty streets, all had a knife or gun strapped to their sides, any way of defense would do. A scream hit hte ears of everyone, birds on the lamp posts or on signs started twitching, all had a strach mark, blue blood oozed from the body.
People screamed, scattering as rats, snakes and mice came from the sewages, kids knocked down by adults unable to get up, eaten by large street dogs that quickly caught Ios.
Parents sending kids on trains to the only hope they could think of, the coutryside or if they knew about the training base camp, Alpha Rein Base, sending the kids there instead. The parents promising to see the kids soon but the promise breaks as coyotes, boars and wild dogs killed the parents as the train started.
Asia - April 10th
They thought the moutains would be ok to hideout, they forgot about the birds and snow leapods. Thousands dead, ones in the moutain covered in snow.
Africa - April 13th
Elephants pushed against the houses of the people. Camals killing their owners. Nothing is ok.
Greece - April 10th
People sailed to the islands, trying to survive. Dolphins jumped powerful enough to fly onto the boats and knock people off. Quickly moving back to the side for water.
People laughing down the street of night time Oxford, the voices echoed as if nobody was there to tell them shut it. In the background carhorns and sirens went off, a usual night. All was calm until a white cat, which was twitching unnormally and acting strange, which was walking up to the laughing drunks. An idiotic drunk went up to stroke the cat.
"Hello kitty cat, you want a HIC drink?" said the drunk, lowering down his bear, the cat looked up at at the man and mewed a croacking meow. Ten other cats of various fur colours walked up behind the cat.
They formed a circle around the man, the other cats twitching. All the cats had blue liquids coming from their mouths.
USA - 13th April
News Reporter: "The virus, Ios, has spread across the UK, Ireland and West Europe. It will keep spreading to the birds getting infected and migrating/moving from country to country. The virus makes the animals see humans as prey, messing with their minds, the virus makes the animals endlessly hungry. The blood turns blue, nothing is good in this world, the virus is wildfire."
People walked the cirty streets, all had a knife or gun strapped to their sides, any way of defense would do. A scream hit hte ears of everyone, birds on the lamp posts or on signs started twitching, all had a strach mark, blue blood oozed from the body.
People screamed, scattering as rats, snakes and mice came from the sewages, kids knocked down by adults unable to get up, eaten by large street dogs that quickly caught Ios.
Parents sending kids on trains to the only hope they could think of, the coutryside or if they knew about the training base camp, Alpha Rein Base, sending the kids there instead. The parents promising to see the kids soon but the promise breaks as coyotes, boars and wild dogs killed the parents as the train started.
Asia - April 10th
They thought the moutains would be ok to hideout, they forgot about the birds and snow leapods. Thousands dead, ones in the moutain covered in snow.
Africa - April 13th
Elephants pushed against the houses of the people. Camals killing their owners. Nothing is ok.
Greece - April 10th
People sailed to the islands, trying to survive. Dolphins jumped powerful enough to fly onto the boats and knock people off. Quickly moving back to the side for water.
The World
Day 1: 7.8 million
Day 2: 7.5 million
Day 6: 6.7 million
Day 12: 5.3 million
Day 1: 7.8 million
Day 2: 7.5 million
Day 6: 6.7 million
Day 12: 5.3 million
USA 20th December
Ios was in control here, the Navy, FBI and government teamed up to set order and security. Animals had to be locked up, no going outside unless with a gun with a lot of bullets. The FBI used deliver food twice a week, but now it's once a week. Everyone went to the gun stores and raided them. When the news rules were made, people boarded up everything like it was World War IV.
It was another day, everyone was preparing for the night. The Claren house were having their food for the night.
"Make sure you eat your vegetables," the mother said kindly to the younger sister. There were four people who were at the table, two girls and two parents. "It will make you big and strong and able to last another day."
"Please that's a lie... We all are gonna die so there's no point trying to become big and strong," said the oldest girl, who had her right foot on the chair and her left leg resting on the table.
"Wren," the father warned, it was a silent stand off. Suddenly, cups starting shaking, glass, bowls, forks and spoons also shaking. Paintings and photos fell from the walls, a loud boom hit their ears. The father got up first and looked outside to smoke pouring into the sky. He turned to his family, "We need to go. Now. Australia seems go-"
He never finished his sentence. A slab of concrete squashed the dad with a scream that pierced everyone's ears. A rodent went through the crack in the roof, the government lied. A scream from the people down the street and in the house hit Wren's ears. Wren already running to grab food, Wren grabbed all the things she thought she needed to survive, a week worth of food, water, clothes. When she got ti the dining room her mum and sister were gone, most likely running off.
Wren ran out of the of the back door going into the garden. Wren ran for the other side of the garden, quickly climbing up the fence and jumping off the top.
Ios was in control here, the Navy, FBI and government teamed up to set order and security. Animals had to be locked up, no going outside unless with a gun with a lot of bullets. The FBI used deliver food twice a week, but now it's once a week. Everyone went to the gun stores and raided them. When the news rules were made, people boarded up everything like it was World War IV.
It was another day, everyone was preparing for the night. The Claren house were having their food for the night.
"Make sure you eat your vegetables," the mother said kindly to the younger sister. There were four people who were at the table, two girls and two parents. "It will make you big and strong and able to last another day."
"Please that's a lie... We all are gonna die so there's no point trying to become big and strong," said the oldest girl, who had her right foot on the chair and her left leg resting on the table.
"Wren," the father warned, it was a silent stand off. Suddenly, cups starting shaking, glass, bowls, forks and spoons also shaking. Paintings and photos fell from the walls, a loud boom hit their ears. The father got up first and looked outside to smoke pouring into the sky. He turned to his family, "We need to go. Now. Australia seems go-"
He never finished his sentence. A slab of concrete squashed the dad with a scream that pierced everyone's ears. A rodent went through the crack in the roof, the government lied. A scream from the people down the street and in the house hit Wren's ears. Wren already running to grab food, Wren grabbed all the things she thought she needed to survive, a week worth of food, water, clothes. When she got ti the dining room her mum and sister were gone, most likely running off.
Wren ran out of the of the back door going into the garden. Wren ran for the other side of the garden, quickly climbing up the fence and jumping off the top.
“WE CAN MAKE IT!” screamed Jules, as they ran faster towards the end of the dark hallway, their companions trying to reach the same speed as them. The rabbits, rats and other rodents were catching up, the rodents had foam at their mouths and looked like they had been eaten by away but still managed to walked, and their once soft fur now a scruffy blood covered mat that is uncomfortable to touch or stand open. As for the three people, they wore black body suits with armour to cover their body. A black mask covered their faces, only their hair was visible.
“Jules! HELP!” cried out Saskya, as Jules turned around to Saskya, Jules ran quickly towards them. Jules grabbed Saskya by the arm and pulled them up by the arm and started to run as the rodents almost caught up to them. Aaron was at the first door and was yelling at them to hurry.
A squirrel rodent jumped and climbed up Jules`s leg and bit them. Jules cried out, Saskya turned and ripped the rodent off and then tries to pull up Jules, but failed because they couldn’t get enough momentum. A bunch of the rodents jumped onto Jules and Saskya, Aaron yelled out. Lights turned on and the rodent holograms turned to cubes and fell on the floor. The walls became glass with people watching them laughing at them and snickering, a proud voice filled the hallway, “Congratulations, you failed for the fourth time. Please make your way to the changing rooms then towards Apprentice Gould`s office.
The three companions grumbled and then got up from the floor. Sour expressions filled their eyes, as they sulked towards the changing rooms, as Aaron split off from the others Saskya stopped them, “Wait.”
“What? I hate wearing this thing,” grumbled Jules.
“Yea, it stinks, plus I need to prepare to be kicked out,” Aaron moaned, Jules nodded his head to that.
“I just want to say, I loved working with you. I will miss running down that hallway, the days at the cafeteria were we threw a pizza at Apprentice Gould and blamed it on the people next to us, and they got into so much trouble. The time we were assigned to our group and I fell on the slippery floor," Stated Saskya.
“It’s been great. I will miss it as well; you guys are my best of friends," Jules agreed, they were taking off the face mask but which was a bad idea since a General came walking down the hallway of the changing rooms and started to tell Jules off, the other two walked off slowly trying not to laugh.
As Jules walked into the girls changing room, annoyed at Saskya for not helping her, whilst a new person was being introduced to the army base.
*
Jules walked out of the changing rooms after getting changed quickly, she waited outside for her friends outside. She was an average height for a teenager, she wore the female side of the uniform, a white skirt with a buttoned shirt which had a grey jacket over it but wasn’t buttoned up, and Jules hated the uniform, having to tie up her long black hair so it can’t cover her forehead and big grey eyes. In her eyes, there was sadness but friendliness.
Jules waited and waited, until a bell hit her ears, she was about to run into the changing room to hurry up Saskya but Saskya came out along with Aaron. Jules complained about them being slow and then turned with the others followed, they walked quickly and quietly avoiding people’s eyes as they walked towards Apprentice Gould’s office. When they got there a boy was sitting on a chair of furthest away from the door out of the six chairs present. Jules took a seat with her friends either side of her on second to first chair closest to the door. Aaron grumbled as he sat in the first chair.
Saskya looked at the boy at the chair near them, her eyes filled with remembrance, “Justin, how are you? I haven’t seen you forever! I remember when you were in my group before Jules joined and you went to a higher group!”
Justin looked up; he had sadness on his face, tears in his eyes. His left eye was swollen, not to mention his arm was in a sling, “Hey Saskya… I’ve been great… Since now.”
“What happened? You look awful, where’s that smile?” Saskya said sadly her light blue right eye and light pink left eye filled with sympathy. She got up and when to sit with this Justin, but before she could start talking with him, Apprentice Hender came out, he is the second longest Apprentice and helps Apprentice Gould out all the time, he walked tightly, he was tall and muscular, he had the dark blue Apprentice uniform. He was the third highest out of ranks. First the Admiral, who is first in command; the Generals, those you don’t want to tangle with, then there’s the Apprentices, who are also very strict. The coaches and staff next, who train the novices/cadets and deliver messages for higher up, the training coaches the person who helps out the coaches, not that special but they have their own quarters. Then there are the novices/cadets, they appear with injuries, scars and homeless, the staff takes them in and heals them, and try to train them against the animal we call Rokita, which is rodents in Greek.
“Apprentice Gould would like to see you. Behave,” said the deep and booming voice of Apprentice Hender, who never really liked the three friends.
“Jules! HELP!” cried out Saskya, as Jules turned around to Saskya, Jules ran quickly towards them. Jules grabbed Saskya by the arm and pulled them up by the arm and started to run as the rodents almost caught up to them. Aaron was at the first door and was yelling at them to hurry.
A squirrel rodent jumped and climbed up Jules`s leg and bit them. Jules cried out, Saskya turned and ripped the rodent off and then tries to pull up Jules, but failed because they couldn’t get enough momentum. A bunch of the rodents jumped onto Jules and Saskya, Aaron yelled out. Lights turned on and the rodent holograms turned to cubes and fell on the floor. The walls became glass with people watching them laughing at them and snickering, a proud voice filled the hallway, “Congratulations, you failed for the fourth time. Please make your way to the changing rooms then towards Apprentice Gould`s office.
The three companions grumbled and then got up from the floor. Sour expressions filled their eyes, as they sulked towards the changing rooms, as Aaron split off from the others Saskya stopped them, “Wait.”
“What? I hate wearing this thing,” grumbled Jules.
“Yea, it stinks, plus I need to prepare to be kicked out,” Aaron moaned, Jules nodded his head to that.
“I just want to say, I loved working with you. I will miss running down that hallway, the days at the cafeteria were we threw a pizza at Apprentice Gould and blamed it on the people next to us, and they got into so much trouble. The time we were assigned to our group and I fell on the slippery floor," Stated Saskya.
“It’s been great. I will miss it as well; you guys are my best of friends," Jules agreed, they were taking off the face mask but which was a bad idea since a General came walking down the hallway of the changing rooms and started to tell Jules off, the other two walked off slowly trying not to laugh.
As Jules walked into the girls changing room, annoyed at Saskya for not helping her, whilst a new person was being introduced to the army base.
*
Jules walked out of the changing rooms after getting changed quickly, she waited outside for her friends outside. She was an average height for a teenager, she wore the female side of the uniform, a white skirt with a buttoned shirt which had a grey jacket over it but wasn’t buttoned up, and Jules hated the uniform, having to tie up her long black hair so it can’t cover her forehead and big grey eyes. In her eyes, there was sadness but friendliness.
Jules waited and waited, until a bell hit her ears, she was about to run into the changing room to hurry up Saskya but Saskya came out along with Aaron. Jules complained about them being slow and then turned with the others followed, they walked quickly and quietly avoiding people’s eyes as they walked towards Apprentice Gould’s office. When they got there a boy was sitting on a chair of furthest away from the door out of the six chairs present. Jules took a seat with her friends either side of her on second to first chair closest to the door. Aaron grumbled as he sat in the first chair.
Saskya looked at the boy at the chair near them, her eyes filled with remembrance, “Justin, how are you? I haven’t seen you forever! I remember when you were in my group before Jules joined and you went to a higher group!”
Justin looked up; he had sadness on his face, tears in his eyes. His left eye was swollen, not to mention his arm was in a sling, “Hey Saskya… I’ve been great… Since now.”
“What happened? You look awful, where’s that smile?” Saskya said sadly her light blue right eye and light pink left eye filled with sympathy. She got up and when to sit with this Justin, but before she could start talking with him, Apprentice Hender came out, he is the second longest Apprentice and helps Apprentice Gould out all the time, he walked tightly, he was tall and muscular, he had the dark blue Apprentice uniform. He was the third highest out of ranks. First the Admiral, who is first in command; the Generals, those you don’t want to tangle with, then there’s the Apprentices, who are also very strict. The coaches and staff next, who train the novices/cadets and deliver messages for higher up, the training coaches the person who helps out the coaches, not that special but they have their own quarters. Then there are the novices/cadets, they appear with injuries, scars and homeless, the staff takes them in and heals them, and try to train them against the animal we call Rokita, which is rodents in Greek.
“Welcome, Saskya Sunshine, Julie Kat Mareritt and Aaron Reaper,” said the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, he was smaller than Apprentice Hender but he had more scars, he looked like a kind man if he wasn’t in the Apprentice uniform. His office was full of medals, photos of higher up ranking, photos of war and terrains of the world. On his desk is had papers and a desk bell, a picture of a man who was smiling brightly showing a golden ring. Opposite him on a chair was a person, they had a red jumper with a hood covering their head and wasn’t looking the way of the three friends but was looking at a whiteboard, writing quickly with a red marker pen. Apprentice Gould pointed to the three chairs next to the hooded person, “Please take a seat next to them.”
The companions took their seats, Saskya happily taking the seat next to the person with the hood, who shuffled further away from their seat. Gould smiled faintly at the four teens/pre-adults, his eyes turned from person to person slowly, then he started his talk, “Hello, I have heard you just came from hallway run. Did it go well?” All three of them shook their head. Gould pointed to the person with the hood, “This person will become your fourth and final group member. As you know since Saskya came to the base and Justin was ranked up, Saskya joined your group and you have been one of the smallest groups. This person is new and needs a group; they talk but prefer not to, that’s why they have the whiteboard. Don’t lose the whiteboard.
“They have no name; you need to give them one. Look at their eyes and tell me what you see, then you can find their name,” the three companions looked at each other a silent vote, Aaron loses. He sighs and turns to the girl who isn’t facing hid away. Gould quickly said, “Face each other.” The person turned and started to face Aaron, you could only see their eyes, and a bandana covered their mouth and nose. Aaron tried to focus but get snickering at the fact he had to do this. But then he stopped smiling as he looked better into their eyes.
“I see… A leader, a warrior and a kind of fire, it’s like they want to prove something to someone,” said Aaron, he turned to the others who were watching the staring contest.
“Like an alpha wolf?” Saskya snorted, Jules snickered.
“Yes, what’s the Latin version? Lupus?” Aaron asked Gould, replied with a simple yes. The person turned back to Gould, writing something on the whiteboard and showing Gould, he just chuckled.
“I like it. It maybe sounds strange, and we don’t know their gender but eh…” Saskya shrugged, Jules agreed.
“Lupus,” said Gould he turned to look at “Lupus” smirking, Hender smirked as well writing down their profile for registration which they do every dinner, which is somewhat soon. Gould’s faced turned serious, “Now, they have their name and profile for registration. Every lunch or breakfast they must go with this note,” handing them a cyan envelope with the words “Unbanned Wolf” written neatly on it, “Don’t draw attention to them, it may cost their identity. As you know you are on the lowest hallway, it is nothing to be ashamed of; Lupus will help you if you don’t annoy them. You will take them to your dorm and answer questions about Lupus, but do not lie and don’t make rumours. Good luck with the tournament.”
With that Hender went up and pulled Lupus up by their arm and grabbed their bag then shoving it into their chest, the others watched and nervously got up slowly then looking at Gould for permission. Gould nodded and allowed the three to go, Lupus was the last out of the door but before they went the voice of Gould followed them, “Remember the promise, if you reveal yourself with your problems I will cause problems, hurting her and him.”
The three friends glanced at each other trying to process what they heard, Lupus didn’t hesitate they walked up to the three with no emotion in their eyes. The four stood as Justin went through the door after them. They stood awkwardly, looking at the door they just left; Aaron cleared his throat, “So… Lupus, how about Jules can show you around going the long way around, Saskya and I will go the shorter way. That ok?”
Lupus nodded and turned around started walking away, Jules rolled her eyes then bid Aaron and Saskya goodbye. Saskya and Aaron made bets on what the turn out will be like, Aaron bets Lupus will be lying on the floor knocked out. Saskya saying they will be fine…
*
Aaron and Saskya were talking about Lupus when they bumped into a group of people, one of them had to be the second best on the leader boards and the reining chap at everything, Panda Alexandria, the guy who everyone hates but is the best in classes. Saskya was looking at Aaron as she bumped into Panda; she got knocked back at impact.
“Watch where you’re going, punk,” said the squeaky deep voice of Panda, he had a strong build, a jock type of build, he was technically a jock, good at sports but extremely dumb at science, maths and plant analyses. Saskya went to go to move but Panda got in the way, smirking.
“Leave them alone Panda, we don’t have time for these idiots,” a posh voice came from the back, everyone moved so Panda had a clear view of the speaker, a girl with black hair and pale skin that looked unhuman, she had fire like silvery eyes, she was somewhat tall. “Can we go? My idiotic roommates need me in our room, something about stealing. That I may or may not be the reason for, so hurry this up I got stuff to do.”
“Wren, shut it, Isaac can’t do anything against me,” Panda replied sternly, Aaron snorted, Panda turned to Aaron anger in his eyes, walking closer to him fists clench. Aaron stared back, not dropping gaze, “What’s so funny?”
“The fact you can beat Isaac, so you’re second best but he’s the best, it’s just funny,” Aaron smirked, Panda pushed him to the floor, Saskya stepped forward then stepped back as a boy came from the end of the hallway.
The boy had blonde hair with a quiff, a strong build, skinny tall and tanned, white shirt and grey trousers, a brown jacket with a white hood rested on top of the white shirt. Behind him was a girl who was an average height, brown hair and big blue eyes, she was extremely attractive if you are in to thin, “popular type” of body, a pink crop top and small shorts with white converse and another boy who had a green and white shirt on, a green band around his dark brown hair, black leggings and green plus white converse shoes. “Wren, how are you? Were you actually going to come join us, since you were the one who stole the knife, was it to torment a newbie?”
“Why Isaac, who would say that I do that kind of stuff,” replied Wren a smirk spreading across her face, Isaac smirked back walking up with his two friends behind him. He looked at Aaron then at Panda then Saskya who was near Panda and Aaron, he sighed and put out a hand for Aaron who looked at his hand then grabbed and got up.
“So, what’s happening here?” Isaac gestured around at the Aaron and Panda, who were glaring at each other. A guy stepped forward, a tall lean 17 year old, with hardly any muscle but hard any fat either. He's tall; he has dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and always wears a rainbow bandana. He wears simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans, along with that all he wears black trainers.
“Isaac what are you and your idiots doing here? Is it because you were scared of Wren getting in trouble? Just want to be the best dorm, well newsflash not everything be good, you just wait for the tournament,” he said cockily.
“Niji, kind as normal,” Isaac replied sarcastically before Niji could reply Apprentice Hender came striding down the hall anger on his face. He was glaring at Aaron and Saskya, the others stepped out of the way. Even Niji and Panda moved back hastily, the people moved back slowly and Hender looked down at Aaron, Saskya moving towards him to stand next to Aaron.
“So you do exactly what Gould told you not to do? Draw in attention, especially since the new person just arrived,” barked Hender, he turned to everyone else, “Everyone get back to dorms, Wren for once in your life be nice to your dorm mates and give them back their bloody knife! As for you two you need to get back to your dorms before you start getting into more trouble!”
Everyone disported at the order, Aaron and Saskya stood there until Apprentice Hender left yelling at Niji and Panda to walk faster.
The companions took their seats, Saskya happily taking the seat next to the person with the hood, who shuffled further away from their seat. Gould smiled faintly at the four teens/pre-adults, his eyes turned from person to person slowly, then he started his talk, “Hello, I have heard you just came from hallway run. Did it go well?” All three of them shook their head. Gould pointed to the person with the hood, “This person will become your fourth and final group member. As you know since Saskya came to the base and Justin was ranked up, Saskya joined your group and you have been one of the smallest groups. This person is new and needs a group; they talk but prefer not to, that’s why they have the whiteboard. Don’t lose the whiteboard.
“They have no name; you need to give them one. Look at their eyes and tell me what you see, then you can find their name,” the three companions looked at each other a silent vote, Aaron loses. He sighs and turns to the girl who isn’t facing hid away. Gould quickly said, “Face each other.” The person turned and started to face Aaron, you could only see their eyes, and a bandana covered their mouth and nose. Aaron tried to focus but get snickering at the fact he had to do this. But then he stopped smiling as he looked better into their eyes.
“I see… A leader, a warrior and a kind of fire, it’s like they want to prove something to someone,” said Aaron, he turned to the others who were watching the staring contest.
“Like an alpha wolf?” Saskya snorted, Jules snickered.
“Yes, what’s the Latin version? Lupus?” Aaron asked Gould, replied with a simple yes. The person turned back to Gould, writing something on the whiteboard and showing Gould, he just chuckled.
“I like it. It maybe sounds strange, and we don’t know their gender but eh…” Saskya shrugged, Jules agreed.
“Lupus,” said Gould he turned to look at “Lupus” smirking, Hender smirked as well writing down their profile for registration which they do every dinner, which is somewhat soon. Gould’s faced turned serious, “Now, they have their name and profile for registration. Every lunch or breakfast they must go with this note,” handing them a cyan envelope with the words “Unbanned Wolf” written neatly on it, “Don’t draw attention to them, it may cost their identity. As you know you are on the lowest hallway, it is nothing to be ashamed of; Lupus will help you if you don’t annoy them. You will take them to your dorm and answer questions about Lupus, but do not lie and don’t make rumours. Good luck with the tournament.”
With that Hender went up and pulled Lupus up by their arm and grabbed their bag then shoving it into their chest, the others watched and nervously got up slowly then looking at Gould for permission. Gould nodded and allowed the three to go, Lupus was the last out of the door but before they went the voice of Gould followed them, “Remember the promise, if you reveal yourself with your problems I will cause problems, hurting her and him.”
The three friends glanced at each other trying to process what they heard, Lupus didn’t hesitate they walked up to the three with no emotion in their eyes. The four stood as Justin went through the door after them. They stood awkwardly, looking at the door they just left; Aaron cleared his throat, “So… Lupus, how about Jules can show you around going the long way around, Saskya and I will go the shorter way. That ok?”
Lupus nodded and turned around started walking away, Jules rolled her eyes then bid Aaron and Saskya goodbye. Saskya and Aaron made bets on what the turn out will be like, Aaron bets Lupus will be lying on the floor knocked out. Saskya saying they will be fine…
*
Aaron and Saskya were talking about Lupus when they bumped into a group of people, one of them had to be the second best on the leader boards and the reining chap at everything, Panda Alexandria, the guy who everyone hates but is the best in classes. Saskya was looking at Aaron as she bumped into Panda; she got knocked back at impact.
“Watch where you’re going, punk,” said the squeaky deep voice of Panda, he had a strong build, a jock type of build, he was technically a jock, good at sports but extremely dumb at science, maths and plant analyses. Saskya went to go to move but Panda got in the way, smirking.
“Leave them alone Panda, we don’t have time for these idiots,” a posh voice came from the back, everyone moved so Panda had a clear view of the speaker, a girl with black hair and pale skin that looked unhuman, she had fire like silvery eyes, she was somewhat tall. “Can we go? My idiotic roommates need me in our room, something about stealing. That I may or may not be the reason for, so hurry this up I got stuff to do.”
“Wren, shut it, Isaac can’t do anything against me,” Panda replied sternly, Aaron snorted, Panda turned to Aaron anger in his eyes, walking closer to him fists clench. Aaron stared back, not dropping gaze, “What’s so funny?”
“The fact you can beat Isaac, so you’re second best but he’s the best, it’s just funny,” Aaron smirked, Panda pushed him to the floor, Saskya stepped forward then stepped back as a boy came from the end of the hallway.
The boy had blonde hair with a quiff, a strong build, skinny tall and tanned, white shirt and grey trousers, a brown jacket with a white hood rested on top of the white shirt. Behind him was a girl who was an average height, brown hair and big blue eyes, she was extremely attractive if you are in to thin, “popular type” of body, a pink crop top and small shorts with white converse and another boy who had a green and white shirt on, a green band around his dark brown hair, black leggings and green plus white converse shoes. “Wren, how are you? Were you actually going to come join us, since you were the one who stole the knife, was it to torment a newbie?”
“Why Isaac, who would say that I do that kind of stuff,” replied Wren a smirk spreading across her face, Isaac smirked back walking up with his two friends behind him. He looked at Aaron then at Panda then Saskya who was near Panda and Aaron, he sighed and put out a hand for Aaron who looked at his hand then grabbed and got up.
“So, what’s happening here?” Isaac gestured around at the Aaron and Panda, who were glaring at each other. A guy stepped forward, a tall lean 17 year old, with hardly any muscle but hard any fat either. He's tall; he has dark purple eyes, with red-ish copper hair and always wears a rainbow bandana. He wears simple tops and hoodies to go with dark jeans, along with that all he wears black trainers.
“Isaac what are you and your idiots doing here? Is it because you were scared of Wren getting in trouble? Just want to be the best dorm, well newsflash not everything be good, you just wait for the tournament,” he said cockily.
“Niji, kind as normal,” Isaac replied sarcastically before Niji could reply Apprentice Hender came striding down the hall anger on his face. He was glaring at Aaron and Saskya, the others stepped out of the way. Even Niji and Panda moved back hastily, the people moved back slowly and Hender looked down at Aaron, Saskya moving towards him to stand next to Aaron.
“So you do exactly what Gould told you not to do? Draw in attention, especially since the new person just arrived,” barked Hender, he turned to everyone else, “Everyone get back to dorms, Wren for once in your life be nice to your dorm mates and give them back their bloody knife! As for you two you need to get back to your dorms before you start getting into more trouble!”
Everyone disported at the order, Aaron and Saskya stood there until Apprentice Hender left yelling at Niji and Panda to walk faster.
Lupus and Jules walked into the room, tour bus like beds, six of them bunk bedded, three looked used. The sections were dark and had a curtain to the slide shut and open, the walls were a pink peach. The ones used were, the bottom closest to the door, top and bottom 2nd section of beds, the last section was tidy covers and pillows and looked untouched, a vent swished air through loudly, a piece paper was duck taped in front of the vent but still had a loud sound coming through.
“This is going to be your “sixth quarter”,” Jules said to Lupus directing them to the section by the vent, everyone else hated that bed. Lupus dropped their back with a heavy thud and picked up the whiteboard. Jules went to get her schedule and came back to Lupus holding their whiteboard up for Jules to see.
Do you know sign language?
“Er… No… Yes, some of it,” Jules replied confused, Lupus rubbed the whiteboard clean with their sleeve and place it down on their new bed. They raised their hands and started signing,
Do you ???? I haven’t ??? the vent?
“Do you, question mark, I haven’t, question mark, the vent?” Jules repeated Lupus dragged their hand down their face as they turned to pick up the whiteboard. Saskya came in with Aaron who was pouting; the argument with Panda got him in a bad mood.
Do you think I haven’t noticed the vent?
Jules read it then looked up her face in a scowl, Saskya picked up what was written down and said in a kind manner, “She didn’t mean to offend, that’s where the newcomers go and they move once settled down.”
Jules turned to Saskya a silent message on her face, thank you, “Do any of you know sign language?” Jules asked Aaron and Saskya.
“Nope,” grumbled Aaron, since getting back he didn’t seem much for talking but he talked anyway.
“Yeah, my mum was partly deaf and used sign language, I might be rusty it’s been about two years since I used it,” Saskya replied happily at the start, sad at the end.
Lupus started signing Jules only understanding 5% of it. After Lupus stopped Saskya replied speaking. Saskya translated, “They're asking what time it is and when lunch if.”
“It's 5:34 pm, lunch has already past dinner is in an hour and a half,” replied Aaron looking at the clock next to him, Aaron turned to his sixth then fell into bed. On the wall there was a photo of a lady, it must be Aaron’s mum, the lady was holding up a glass of what looked like wine a joking smile was on her tired face. Also on Aaron’s wall was his schedule, some were highlighted, some were underlined, some were untouched.
“I can show you around more Lupus if you like,” Saskya happily said turning to Lupus at their sixth, but they weren’t there. Jules turned to look at Lupus as well then looked around the smallish room and spotted the door closing, “Or not,”
“Lupus wait up!” Jules grabbed Saskya’s arm and pulled her along with her. Lupus wasn’t on their corridor; they split up searching for Lupus. After some time they both found Lupus standing in front of the doors of the Male and Female toilets.
When Lupus saw Jules and Saskya they walked into the male toilets, causing Jules and Saskya looked at each other then walked down the corridor waited outside the toilets awkwardly. A half an hour past, the patient two got impatient.
“Maybe we should start getting changed for dinner,” suggestion Jules Saskya needed and walked with Jules looking over her shoulder every two steps to check if Lupus was there.
When they got back Aaron’s sixth had a curtain across and they could hear Aaron shuffling about. The other two went to their sixths and drew the curtains, Saskya climbing up to her sixth, they didn’t talk for about a minute then started talking about what food will be.
“Hey, where’s Lupus,” Aaron brought up he got out of his sixth, a grey shirt with long sleeves was covered by a white hoodie with his hood down to show his brown hair. He wore black trousers and wore black Nike shoes.
“They went to the toilet,” a muffled grumble came through Jules’ curtain.
“Male or female?”
“Male,”
“Huh so they’re male,” said Aaron with somewhat smiling as it was a question.
“They have kept their gender private, we got to respect that,” Saskya said angrily, they were arguing about the new person, that’s bad.
“I mean they don’t talk, keep themselves hidden and like to be rude, who knows they could be an ape,” stated Jules getting out of her curtain Jules wore a light grey hat on top of her hair, a dark grey jacket over a pinkish white top, jeans, and white trainers, the door opened as she was talking to reveal Lupus, their eyes in an angry expression, Jules stopped moving, “Ah, jeez sorry Lupus I didn’t know you were here…”
Lupus went to their sixth and pulled the curtain, not taking of Jules apology. Aaron, Saskya, and Jules glanced at each other than pretending to be busy, like cleaning their hands or tiding their sixths, chatter started again but not about Lupus, about food and the “Tournament”
Lupus got up and left, leaving the others confused, about five seconds after a bell hit their ears as they quickly then placed their items in the hands on to their beds, Aaron got up from his bed by rolling out, he hit the floor Jules walking over and lifting him up before hurrying off to follow Saskya and get into the lunch cue. They fast walked to the door, left, right, right and forward and then they reached the food hall, a modern lunch room, plastic tables around the room, blue rounded plastic seats. People dotted the tables in groups of four to sixes, chatter filled the room, a long line of chattering people waiting by a table covered in bowls and lots of different foods, a lady was dishing up food along with a man who was helping out.
The three went into the line, talking about the food; Jules was looking down the cue to see Lupus near the front, the cyan envelope was in their clothed hand. They looked awkward as people bumped into them, they shuffled up the cue. They finally got to the front, they handed the cyan envelope to the lady who looked confused but then opened the envelope to reveal a letter, the lady scanned through it, and her eyes filled with shock and started putting the letter back into its cage.
The lady quickly handed the envelope back then grabbed food and shoved it on to a plate then grabbed a tray and placed the plate with a slam, and pushed the tray into Lupus' arms. Lupus turned raising a hand in a “thank you” kind of way and then took the tray and themselves to a table far end, another person was sitting at the end, and Jules recognized the person.
Quicker than expected Jules was in the front of the cue, she looked behind her Saskya and Aaron was few people behind her, they must of have people pushed in front of them because they both had sour expressions. The lady looked shocked still, she moved quickly her eyes darted around the place quicker than usual; she grabbed food and shoved it on to the plate.
Jules collected her food, an orange, some carrots, and meatloaf. Not the best meal they serve better than the slop like stuff. The food was on plates that rested on top of a grey plastic tray, Jules looked around looking for someone familiar faces dotted around, she wasn’t looking for them. Jules started walking towards the table with a few people, she took her seat next to someone.
She had black hair, pale skin that made her dark brown, she had checked shorts, she had brown shoes. A cream jacket was on top of her chrisom top, she had perfect eyes-brows and a nice look nose, that sounds weird.
“Hey, Jules, who is that they just sat down here?” Pandora asked nodding her head towards Lupus who was sitting close by looking at their food. They pulled their bandana down to their bottom lip and ate one carrot, Jules and Pandora shouldn’t have been staring because Lupus pulled the bandana up to their nose again with eyes glaring daggers. Jules turned towards Pandora and started explaining.
“They are called Lu-” Jules was cut off, seven more people came to sit next to them, Saskya, Isaac, Aaron, Wren and three more people. Saskya had the pleasure of sitting next to Lupus who shifter uncomfortably as Isaac sat next to Jules and Wren sat next to Isaac. Three other people sat opposite Pandora and Jules, Aaron sat next to Saskya and the other three people.
“Hi you lot,” Isaac said picking up his knife and stabbing his meatloaf and eating like it an ice-cream.
“Jules you were saying something,” Pandora said cutting up her meatloaf, Jules glanced at Lupus who was glancing at Lupus who was glancing at Jules; they had a worry in their eyes.
“Yeah, I wonder what the challenges for the tournament will be,” Jules said picking up a piece of carrot and chewing it as she looks around at the faces on the table. The boy with the green and white shirt spoke up.
“I heard rumors of level 15 hallway and plant analyses, I personally went survival training,” the boy before grabbing his apple and biting into it with a loud crunch.
“Jackson, you can barely survive for ten minutes,” Wren snorted.
“Wren let’s be nice,” Isaac said firmly pushing a mouthful of meatloaf down his throat.
“I’d rather eat mice,” countered Wren smirking, Isaac snorted an inside joke past between them. The others had a confused faces spread across them.
“Anyway, Aaron how are you,” the girl from the other side batting her eyelashes at Aaron who shifted back on his seat.
“Fine, so if it is going to be level 15 hallway, I guess well be again, also Talia leave me alone,” He replied turning to look at the others.
“Oh don’t be so upbeat we have a chance this time,” Saskya jumped encouragingly.
“How?” Wren asked a suspicious grin on her face. Jules made eye contact with Saskya shaking her head with her hat fell off, “I mean, to be rude, you always fail level 1 of the hallway and there’s three of you and five of us and we’re level 10.”
“A new person is supposed to join us, that’s all we known,” shifting her body so her back is facing Lupus, just as she said that Panda a seat next to Lupus, Niji and two other people starting behind him.
One of them had brown hair with a black band around his hair, black trainers, white leggings, a black and green separated by a white ribbon. A white symbol on top of the black part, the boy had forest green eyes and tanned skin. He had mid-length, glossy, black hair neatly organized to follow his hairline. His black spectacles sit comfortably part way down his nose and cover his dark blue eyes, wearing a checked red shirt and black trousers.
“So you must be the new person Hender was grumbling about when we heard him over talking with Coach Hannah,” Panda said looking Lupus up and down from the side, Lupus went to reach in their jumper, they started panicking. Saskya sighed and reached into her jacket and got out the whiteboard, she must have taken it when they were leaving. She handed over the whiteboard then got the pen out of her pocket. Lupus signed “Thank you” before taken it.
They scribbled something down and placed down their whiteboard before grabbing their fruit, a banana, before swapping it for Saskya’s orange, Saskya nodded.
“Oh, we have a funny one now do we?” Panda said after what was written on Lupus’ board, this caught everyone on the table’s attention, “you think I didn’t know that I shouldn’t be here?”
Lupus nodded, Wren snorted which received a glared from Panda. Aaron was eating his apple trying to ignore Panda, the girl who was flirty was eating the girl next to her carrot slices, Loki was playing “Tic Tac Toe” with Pandora, who was winning by a lot of wins.
“Ok, ok I like the way you act why don’t you join the actual popular people. I mean Saskya could be classed popular since everyone seems to know her, which is extremely sad,” Panda smirked one of the boys behind him muttered something like “That wasn’t nice” Lupus stopped writing and looked up at Panda who got up unexpectedly and stepped back with fright before the others could react and see what’s happening Panda started yelling, “YOU FREAK! GET AWAY FROM ME, YOUR SCARS ARE UNNATURAL. GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!”
Lupus started feeling around their face and noticed they could touch their scars and the bandana had fallen off their face, Lupus panicked and pulled their bandana up to their eyes covering most of their face. Saskya stood up, so did Aaron and a girl who was opposite Jules and Pandora, the girl went up to Panda, grinning at him, the girl dark brown hair, green eyes, white skin, black shirt little red heart and roughly about 5 foot 7 inches.
“Hey Panda, how about ya calm down? Some scars are about as ugly as your face, but some things can’t be fixed. Now let’s not draw attention to this person, they could be trained assassins,” the girl said cheerfully, her voice was calm, relaxed and old fashioned what accent is that 2000s? Panda glared down at the girl who had a devilish grin that matched Panda’s jaw clenched into a frown.
“Jay how nice of you to show up,” Panda replied gritting his teeth, Jay was making herself taller and was trying to not back down, Isaac stood up, Panda looking his way.
“Jay, Panda, Niji, Luis, and Loki,” Isaac grumpily and lazily who was trying not to stare at Lupus, “Can we stop fighting, my life is already boring I don’t need people fighting.”
“This is going to be your “sixth quarter”,” Jules said to Lupus directing them to the section by the vent, everyone else hated that bed. Lupus dropped their back with a heavy thud and picked up the whiteboard. Jules went to get her schedule and came back to Lupus holding their whiteboard up for Jules to see.
Do you know sign language?
“Er… No… Yes, some of it,” Jules replied confused, Lupus rubbed the whiteboard clean with their sleeve and place it down on their new bed. They raised their hands and started signing,
Do you ???? I haven’t ??? the vent?
“Do you, question mark, I haven’t, question mark, the vent?” Jules repeated Lupus dragged their hand down their face as they turned to pick up the whiteboard. Saskya came in with Aaron who was pouting; the argument with Panda got him in a bad mood.
Do you think I haven’t noticed the vent?
Jules read it then looked up her face in a scowl, Saskya picked up what was written down and said in a kind manner, “She didn’t mean to offend, that’s where the newcomers go and they move once settled down.”
Jules turned to Saskya a silent message on her face, thank you, “Do any of you know sign language?” Jules asked Aaron and Saskya.
“Nope,” grumbled Aaron, since getting back he didn’t seem much for talking but he talked anyway.
“Yeah, my mum was partly deaf and used sign language, I might be rusty it’s been about two years since I used it,” Saskya replied happily at the start, sad at the end.
Lupus started signing Jules only understanding 5% of it. After Lupus stopped Saskya replied speaking. Saskya translated, “They're asking what time it is and when lunch if.”
“It's 5:34 pm, lunch has already past dinner is in an hour and a half,” replied Aaron looking at the clock next to him, Aaron turned to his sixth then fell into bed. On the wall there was a photo of a lady, it must be Aaron’s mum, the lady was holding up a glass of what looked like wine a joking smile was on her tired face. Also on Aaron’s wall was his schedule, some were highlighted, some were underlined, some were untouched.
“I can show you around more Lupus if you like,” Saskya happily said turning to Lupus at their sixth, but they weren’t there. Jules turned to look at Lupus as well then looked around the smallish room and spotted the door closing, “Or not,”
“Lupus wait up!” Jules grabbed Saskya’s arm and pulled her along with her. Lupus wasn’t on their corridor; they split up searching for Lupus. After some time they both found Lupus standing in front of the doors of the Male and Female toilets.
When Lupus saw Jules and Saskya they walked into the male toilets, causing Jules and Saskya looked at each other then walked down the corridor waited outside the toilets awkwardly. A half an hour past, the patient two got impatient.
“Maybe we should start getting changed for dinner,” suggestion Jules Saskya needed and walked with Jules looking over her shoulder every two steps to check if Lupus was there.
When they got back Aaron’s sixth had a curtain across and they could hear Aaron shuffling about. The other two went to their sixths and drew the curtains, Saskya climbing up to her sixth, they didn’t talk for about a minute then started talking about what food will be.
“Hey, where’s Lupus,” Aaron brought up he got out of his sixth, a grey shirt with long sleeves was covered by a white hoodie with his hood down to show his brown hair. He wore black trousers and wore black Nike shoes.
“They went to the toilet,” a muffled grumble came through Jules’ curtain.
“Male or female?”
“Male,”
“Huh so they’re male,” said Aaron with somewhat smiling as it was a question.
“They have kept their gender private, we got to respect that,” Saskya said angrily, they were arguing about the new person, that’s bad.
“I mean they don’t talk, keep themselves hidden and like to be rude, who knows they could be an ape,” stated Jules getting out of her curtain Jules wore a light grey hat on top of her hair, a dark grey jacket over a pinkish white top, jeans, and white trainers, the door opened as she was talking to reveal Lupus, their eyes in an angry expression, Jules stopped moving, “Ah, jeez sorry Lupus I didn’t know you were here…”
Lupus went to their sixth and pulled the curtain, not taking of Jules apology. Aaron, Saskya, and Jules glanced at each other than pretending to be busy, like cleaning their hands or tiding their sixths, chatter started again but not about Lupus, about food and the “Tournament”
Lupus got up and left, leaving the others confused, about five seconds after a bell hit their ears as they quickly then placed their items in the hands on to their beds, Aaron got up from his bed by rolling out, he hit the floor Jules walking over and lifting him up before hurrying off to follow Saskya and get into the lunch cue. They fast walked to the door, left, right, right and forward and then they reached the food hall, a modern lunch room, plastic tables around the room, blue rounded plastic seats. People dotted the tables in groups of four to sixes, chatter filled the room, a long line of chattering people waiting by a table covered in bowls and lots of different foods, a lady was dishing up food along with a man who was helping out.
The three went into the line, talking about the food; Jules was looking down the cue to see Lupus near the front, the cyan envelope was in their clothed hand. They looked awkward as people bumped into them, they shuffled up the cue. They finally got to the front, they handed the cyan envelope to the lady who looked confused but then opened the envelope to reveal a letter, the lady scanned through it, and her eyes filled with shock and started putting the letter back into its cage.
The lady quickly handed the envelope back then grabbed food and shoved it on to a plate then grabbed a tray and placed the plate with a slam, and pushed the tray into Lupus' arms. Lupus turned raising a hand in a “thank you” kind of way and then took the tray and themselves to a table far end, another person was sitting at the end, and Jules recognized the person.
Quicker than expected Jules was in the front of the cue, she looked behind her Saskya and Aaron was few people behind her, they must of have people pushed in front of them because they both had sour expressions. The lady looked shocked still, she moved quickly her eyes darted around the place quicker than usual; she grabbed food and shoved it on to the plate.
Jules collected her food, an orange, some carrots, and meatloaf. Not the best meal they serve better than the slop like stuff. The food was on plates that rested on top of a grey plastic tray, Jules looked around looking for someone familiar faces dotted around, she wasn’t looking for them. Jules started walking towards the table with a few people, she took her seat next to someone.
She had black hair, pale skin that made her dark brown, she had checked shorts, she had brown shoes. A cream jacket was on top of her chrisom top, she had perfect eyes-brows and a nice look nose, that sounds weird.
“Hey, Jules, who is that they just sat down here?” Pandora asked nodding her head towards Lupus who was sitting close by looking at their food. They pulled their bandana down to their bottom lip and ate one carrot, Jules and Pandora shouldn’t have been staring because Lupus pulled the bandana up to their nose again with eyes glaring daggers. Jules turned towards Pandora and started explaining.
“They are called Lu-” Jules was cut off, seven more people came to sit next to them, Saskya, Isaac, Aaron, Wren and three more people. Saskya had the pleasure of sitting next to Lupus who shifter uncomfortably as Isaac sat next to Jules and Wren sat next to Isaac. Three other people sat opposite Pandora and Jules, Aaron sat next to Saskya and the other three people.
“Hi you lot,” Isaac said picking up his knife and stabbing his meatloaf and eating like it an ice-cream.
“Jules you were saying something,” Pandora said cutting up her meatloaf, Jules glanced at Lupus who was glancing at Lupus who was glancing at Jules; they had a worry in their eyes.
“Yeah, I wonder what the challenges for the tournament will be,” Jules said picking up a piece of carrot and chewing it as she looks around at the faces on the table. The boy with the green and white shirt spoke up.
“I heard rumors of level 15 hallway and plant analyses, I personally went survival training,” the boy before grabbing his apple and biting into it with a loud crunch.
“Jackson, you can barely survive for ten minutes,” Wren snorted.
“Wren let’s be nice,” Isaac said firmly pushing a mouthful of meatloaf down his throat.
“I’d rather eat mice,” countered Wren smirking, Isaac snorted an inside joke past between them. The others had a confused faces spread across them.
“Anyway, Aaron how are you,” the girl from the other side batting her eyelashes at Aaron who shifted back on his seat.
“Fine, so if it is going to be level 15 hallway, I guess well be again, also Talia leave me alone,” He replied turning to look at the others.
“Oh don’t be so upbeat we have a chance this time,” Saskya jumped encouragingly.
“How?” Wren asked a suspicious grin on her face. Jules made eye contact with Saskya shaking her head with her hat fell off, “I mean, to be rude, you always fail level 1 of the hallway and there’s three of you and five of us and we’re level 10.”
“A new person is supposed to join us, that’s all we known,” shifting her body so her back is facing Lupus, just as she said that Panda a seat next to Lupus, Niji and two other people starting behind him.
One of them had brown hair with a black band around his hair, black trainers, white leggings, a black and green separated by a white ribbon. A white symbol on top of the black part, the boy had forest green eyes and tanned skin. He had mid-length, glossy, black hair neatly organized to follow his hairline. His black spectacles sit comfortably part way down his nose and cover his dark blue eyes, wearing a checked red shirt and black trousers.
“So you must be the new person Hender was grumbling about when we heard him over talking with Coach Hannah,” Panda said looking Lupus up and down from the side, Lupus went to reach in their jumper, they started panicking. Saskya sighed and reached into her jacket and got out the whiteboard, she must have taken it when they were leaving. She handed over the whiteboard then got the pen out of her pocket. Lupus signed “Thank you” before taken it.
They scribbled something down and placed down their whiteboard before grabbing their fruit, a banana, before swapping it for Saskya’s orange, Saskya nodded.
“Oh, we have a funny one now do we?” Panda said after what was written on Lupus’ board, this caught everyone on the table’s attention, “you think I didn’t know that I shouldn’t be here?”
Lupus nodded, Wren snorted which received a glared from Panda. Aaron was eating his apple trying to ignore Panda, the girl who was flirty was eating the girl next to her carrot slices, Loki was playing “Tic Tac Toe” with Pandora, who was winning by a lot of wins.
“Ok, ok I like the way you act why don’t you join the actual popular people. I mean Saskya could be classed popular since everyone seems to know her, which is extremely sad,” Panda smirked one of the boys behind him muttered something like “That wasn’t nice” Lupus stopped writing and looked up at Panda who got up unexpectedly and stepped back with fright before the others could react and see what’s happening Panda started yelling, “YOU FREAK! GET AWAY FROM ME, YOUR SCARS ARE UNNATURAL. GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!”
Lupus started feeling around their face and noticed they could touch their scars and the bandana had fallen off their face, Lupus panicked and pulled their bandana up to their eyes covering most of their face. Saskya stood up, so did Aaron and a girl who was opposite Jules and Pandora, the girl went up to Panda, grinning at him, the girl dark brown hair, green eyes, white skin, black shirt little red heart and roughly about 5 foot 7 inches.
“Hey Panda, how about ya calm down? Some scars are about as ugly as your face, but some things can’t be fixed. Now let’s not draw attention to this person, they could be trained assassins,” the girl said cheerfully, her voice was calm, relaxed and old fashioned what accent is that 2000s? Panda glared down at the girl who had a devilish grin that matched Panda’s jaw clenched into a frown.
“Jay how nice of you to show up,” Panda replied gritting his teeth, Jay was making herself taller and was trying to not back down, Isaac stood up, Panda looking his way.
“Jay, Panda, Niji, Luis, and Loki,” Isaac grumpily and lazily who was trying not to stare at Lupus, “Can we stop fighting, my life is already boring I don’t need people fighting.”
“Can I eat my meatloaf without people fighting or being rude to new people,” Isaac asked sitting down as the others stared at him except Lupus who was collecting their stuff, then grabbing the orange and leaving the other looked confused. Saskya noticed Lupus getting up and leaving then picking up the meatloaf with a fork and stuffing it into her mouth, Saskya grabbed hers and Lupus’ tray and walking to a bin dumping leftovers in, a bell hit everyone’s ears, everyone complaining about how short dinner was how short dinner was. Jules was about to leave when a voice called over dinner chatter.
“You no longer have the head to wear the uniform given to you when you stay for a month, it must be hard for old comers since you have grown used to it,” the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, loud “Woops” and “yes”. Spread across the hall, Isaac and Wren looked overjoyed, maybe because they are longest remaining people in the group of friends. Everyone shuffled out talking about no more uniforms, some talking about the tournament and the rumours that followed it.
The groups with Isaac and Aaron walked down the corridor Lupus ahead of them with Saskya talking in sign language when they reached their dorm they left the talking group still communicating in sign. Everyone departed into the two dorm groups. Aaron and Jules went in Lupus were sitting on their sixth with knees tucked in; Saskya was sitting next to them, talking in hushed tones with Lupus who signed in reply. When Aaron went to sit on his sixth, Saskya woke up and climbed up easily on to her sixth.
Everyone pulled their curtains shut, shuffling started getting louder as the four changed into night clothes, and they took it in turns going into the toilet to clean themselves. It was 9:30 when lights were told to be switched off; Jules being the closet switched them off. Each sixth had a lamp in the ceiling with a switch on the wall, Aaron, Jules, and Saskya turned theirs on and opened their curtains and started talking about training and the tournament, stuff like that. By 11:27 Jules was the only one awake, though she turned her lamp off and pulled her curtain hallway. Jules stared at the blank wall opposite her bed, the pinkie peach. She was about to drift off to sleep when a light appeared on the wall revealing the colour, the light from Lupus’ sixth.
Clicking and an “shh” sound came from the light source, shuffling and movement started, Lupus stood up and went past Jules and towards bathroom, leaving the door open with the light on, a shadow, an outline of Lupus, they were tall, they were already tall but they looked taller, they looked like they had a skinny but strong frame, they turned to their side, shadow moving with them, the shadow showed they had long hair tied into a high ponytail. Lupus reached up and did something with their face, Jules couldn’t tell in the shadow.
A flat chest? Jules pointed to herself in her head, Aaron yawned stopping Lupus, their hand dropped their shadow growing bigger and Jules started panicking and closed her pretending to be asleep. A shuffle of movement and then something pulled Jules’ blanket up to her neck, the sound of the curtain closing and a click of a light what Jules saw was over.
*Group 2*
Loki was already having a bad morning, Panda was complaining about the new kid and Niji were suggesting beating them up. Which was declined by Panda and Loki, though Panda said not until after the tournament? Luis was shaking his head with his hand on his forehead; his head tilted making his black hair sway from side to side whilst leaning on a light cyan wall that had medals and papers of accomplishments and praise was taped on the walls.
Leaning over the side of his bed he looked down at Niji’s head which was also facing down but he was looking at his schedule, Loki could literally feel his grim expression. Loki swung his legs over the bed and jumped down next to Niji with a thud, Niji not reacting. Loki checked the time with the clock on Niji’s wall then walked to the door, turning to the others, “You coming or what, I’m starving and I heard its English breakfast day.”
The others stared at the open door where Loki was, Luis leaned off the wall and looked at Niji and Aaron smirked, started walking back towards the door before awkwardly waving before disappearing down the corridor.
The cue was longer today, the usual groups of friends were cueing talking as they shuffled up the cue, Loki noticed the largest group were talking the loudest, Isaac’s and Jules’ groups, the winners and the losers, the best of friends, Loki envied them how they agreed easily on things, they had good communication. Jules’ group had all of that but they don’t know each other’s thought patterns like Loki’s and Isaac’s. This would lead them to failure like they have many times, they had a new person with them but the person wasn’t going into convocation, like normal they had that bandana and hood on covering anyway to show their identity.
Like normal people were dressed in their sports clothes, the usual girls wearing crop tops, not every girl wears this but most do, and the shorts that went to just above the knee, the boys wearing the bicycle long sleeves and the shorts like the girls. Loki was wearing the male sports clothing like everyone else to blend in, Luis came next to him at the doorway and looked around as well his eyes scanning the other two groups that were relevant to their lives. He muttered something in French then carried on walking towards the line with Loki on his trail.
Niji and Panda came from the hallway no longer than a minute after and pushed into the cue behind the new person and in front of the bigger group, Loki and Luis looked at each other then walked over to Niji and Panda. Niji smirked at their confused faces and Panda turned to face Lupus. Then turned back to the others, whispering their plan, “Try to sit next to the new kid, no matter what, don’t let their friends sit next to them, I need to talk to them, understood?”
The others nodded and turned back to the cue, sooner then they imagined they were at the front, the two dinner servers served both the new kid and Panda at the same time. The new kid took longer, no meats and only vegetables or eggs. Panda finished and was standing awkwardly by the tables when the new kid was done they took a seat where they sat yesterday. Panda sat right next to them, they looked up then looked down at their food and started eating by pulling the bandana up to under their nose. The group behind Luis and Loki started pointing it out, soon after Loki, Luis, Panda, and Niji were sitting down around the new person.
“So new person what’s your name, Scary, Scarry, McScarFace?” Niji asked smirking but a questioning look etched on his face. The new kid got out their whiteboard and started writing down with a squeak of the marker. They pushed it over to the middle of the table so the group could see.
Even if I had to tell you, I wouldn’t.
“Funny one here, funny indeed,” Niji replied nodding his head sarcastically. Someone else took a seat, a seat next to Niji. Wren rested her elbows on the table then laced her fingers together to make a rest for her chin; she looked around the table looking bored. Today was a chill day but most people were training for tomorrow, the biggest event that happens only 3 times a year, most people have been 2 or 1, some like Isaac, Wren and Niji has had 6 or 4, nobody knows but themselves.
“So what will you do today for training, our team has a good plan indeed so has Jules’ they involved this one as well,” Wren nodded towards the new kid, staring a little longer before turning her eyes back at the others, the group glanced at each other think what to say without spoiling what they had in mind, to be honest they hated the plan but they were going to do it, training in the weak areas which isn’t that much but high in terrible zones.
The new kid stood up trying to leave, but Panda grabbed their arm and pulled them to sit down, they twisted their arm around to loosen the grip then pulled freeing their arm. They went to a free table, alone, Saskya tried to sit with them but they just moved further away, random people took seats next to them but didn’t talk to them.
Loki, Wren, Luis, Niji, and Panda looked at each other than at their food. Panda rolled his eyes then started talking about random staff, Wren being herself, wasn’t listening so when he asked her a question so he had to ask twice. Luis muttered something in French when Niji said something idiotic. Isaac came over and took a seat next to Wren with his back facing away from the table and started talking in hushed tones with Wren, the other four talked quietly trying to listen in but were unsuccessful because when they were about to hear some words Isaac got up and waved from behind as he took a seat with his groups.
Breakfast ended at 8 am, everyone trudged to their dorms to quickly change or washed their face and hands, then at 8:15, then walked to the amphitheater to hear to hear today’s announcements and the challenges for the tournament tomorrow. The amphitheatre is a large room able to fit 1000 people on the stair-like seats, Loki and his group came out of the top hallway entrance, he gazed around, the stage was on the edge of the semi-circular room, Apprentice Gould was standing in front of a stand with a microphone on the top. The lower hallway had a bunch of people spilling out turning either left or right to go claim seats, the chatter was all could be heard.
The group went to the left and walked up the stairs to the fourth to last section of seats like stairs, which happened to be right next to the group with Jules in.
“Hey look, the new kid is on the stage,” Niji pointed out, sure enough, they, they didn’t look comfortable by the way, they kept fidgeting with their bandana and clothes. Jules must have noticed as well because Loki who was sitting next to her saw her leaning in talking to someone better.
“Isaac, Lupus is on the stage, do you have any idea why?” Jules asked her voice muffled to Loki who was listening in. Isaac voice was way more muffled so Loki only caught “I hope I’m wrong.”
“AGH Jules get off me!” Talia whined, as per usual, if it was a boy she knows is into girls she wouldn’t have complained but if it’s a girl she’ll complain and complain. Jay yawned at Talia's complaining earning a scowl. With that Gould cleared his throat, talking died down almost instantly. All eyes were on Gould who stood up straighter and gazed around the crowd.
“Cadets… It is with great pleasure your all able to join us, I and the Apprentices have chosen the six challenges for each group,” Gould’s voice echoed from the speakers, everyone started sitting on the edge of their seats as he plucked a red envelope from his sleeve and opened it slow to build suspension, he looked back up, “the theme is Solo Survival, the challenges as followed:
Climbing wall level 10,
Survival hour, Freezing Cold,
Traps,
Hide and seek two from each group,
Hallway Level 15.”
A groan was passed through the crowd, then people hushed other people waiting for the last challenge, Gould read the last challenge smiled and looked back up still smiling, “Combat five times your natural level. These are your challenges, work as a team to pick a person for each challenge, right person for the right task. The scoring system is as followed, first 20 points, second 15 points, third 10 points and finally fourth 5 points. The prize for the winning team is no chores for a month; you can choose a team to do them for you.
“Before we start chattering we must remember, cheating is not tolerated, remember the person who lashed out, who broke the rules. They had no regard for the rules, even after what happened they are still our best cadet and the one who still is top of the leaderboards. They beat most levels single handily, watch the videos of their success to improve your own,” Gould warned, his voice carrying over everyone like a disease. Of course, everyone knows why he warns them every time before the tournament, “No more announcements for today or tomorrow except it’s no schedule day.”
Chatter started again, excitement buzzed around as groups got up from their seats making their way to the training hall, Loki and his group got up quickly so they could share information about other stuff, Loki told them about how the new kid is called Lupus.
The training hall is a large hallway type building, different sections on either side with survival tips and training of different verities. Most groups surrounded screens that were dotted around the place for help or the Hallway. Loki’s group split up going to the sections they most need to work on, Loki traps, Niji climbing, Luis and Panda on general survival tips.
It wasn’t till 6:30 pm there was no more people in the Hallway so they could go train there.
“You no longer have the head to wear the uniform given to you when you stay for a month, it must be hard for old comers since you have grown used to it,” the gentle voice of Apprentice Gould, loud “Woops” and “yes”. Spread across the hall, Isaac and Wren looked overjoyed, maybe because they are longest remaining people in the group of friends. Everyone shuffled out talking about no more uniforms, some talking about the tournament and the rumours that followed it.
The groups with Isaac and Aaron walked down the corridor Lupus ahead of them with Saskya talking in sign language when they reached their dorm they left the talking group still communicating in sign. Everyone departed into the two dorm groups. Aaron and Jules went in Lupus were sitting on their sixth with knees tucked in; Saskya was sitting next to them, talking in hushed tones with Lupus who signed in reply. When Aaron went to sit on his sixth, Saskya woke up and climbed up easily on to her sixth.
Everyone pulled their curtains shut, shuffling started getting louder as the four changed into night clothes, and they took it in turns going into the toilet to clean themselves. It was 9:30 when lights were told to be switched off; Jules being the closet switched them off. Each sixth had a lamp in the ceiling with a switch on the wall, Aaron, Jules, and Saskya turned theirs on and opened their curtains and started talking about training and the tournament, stuff like that. By 11:27 Jules was the only one awake, though she turned her lamp off and pulled her curtain hallway. Jules stared at the blank wall opposite her bed, the pinkie peach. She was about to drift off to sleep when a light appeared on the wall revealing the colour, the light from Lupus’ sixth.
Clicking and an “shh” sound came from the light source, shuffling and movement started, Lupus stood up and went past Jules and towards bathroom, leaving the door open with the light on, a shadow, an outline of Lupus, they were tall, they were already tall but they looked taller, they looked like they had a skinny but strong frame, they turned to their side, shadow moving with them, the shadow showed they had long hair tied into a high ponytail. Lupus reached up and did something with their face, Jules couldn’t tell in the shadow.
A flat chest? Jules pointed to herself in her head, Aaron yawned stopping Lupus, their hand dropped their shadow growing bigger and Jules started panicking and closed her pretending to be asleep. A shuffle of movement and then something pulled Jules’ blanket up to her neck, the sound of the curtain closing and a click of a light what Jules saw was over.
*Group 2*
Loki was already having a bad morning, Panda was complaining about the new kid and Niji were suggesting beating them up. Which was declined by Panda and Loki, though Panda said not until after the tournament? Luis was shaking his head with his hand on his forehead; his head tilted making his black hair sway from side to side whilst leaning on a light cyan wall that had medals and papers of accomplishments and praise was taped on the walls.
Leaning over the side of his bed he looked down at Niji’s head which was also facing down but he was looking at his schedule, Loki could literally feel his grim expression. Loki swung his legs over the bed and jumped down next to Niji with a thud, Niji not reacting. Loki checked the time with the clock on Niji’s wall then walked to the door, turning to the others, “You coming or what, I’m starving and I heard its English breakfast day.”
The others stared at the open door where Loki was, Luis leaned off the wall and looked at Niji and Aaron smirked, started walking back towards the door before awkwardly waving before disappearing down the corridor.
The cue was longer today, the usual groups of friends were cueing talking as they shuffled up the cue, Loki noticed the largest group were talking the loudest, Isaac’s and Jules’ groups, the winners and the losers, the best of friends, Loki envied them how they agreed easily on things, they had good communication. Jules’ group had all of that but they don’t know each other’s thought patterns like Loki’s and Isaac’s. This would lead them to failure like they have many times, they had a new person with them but the person wasn’t going into convocation, like normal they had that bandana and hood on covering anyway to show their identity.
Like normal people were dressed in their sports clothes, the usual girls wearing crop tops, not every girl wears this but most do, and the shorts that went to just above the knee, the boys wearing the bicycle long sleeves and the shorts like the girls. Loki was wearing the male sports clothing like everyone else to blend in, Luis came next to him at the doorway and looked around as well his eyes scanning the other two groups that were relevant to their lives. He muttered something in French then carried on walking towards the line with Loki on his trail.
Niji and Panda came from the hallway no longer than a minute after and pushed into the cue behind the new person and in front of the bigger group, Loki and Luis looked at each other then walked over to Niji and Panda. Niji smirked at their confused faces and Panda turned to face Lupus. Then turned back to the others, whispering their plan, “Try to sit next to the new kid, no matter what, don’t let their friends sit next to them, I need to talk to them, understood?”
The others nodded and turned back to the cue, sooner then they imagined they were at the front, the two dinner servers served both the new kid and Panda at the same time. The new kid took longer, no meats and only vegetables or eggs. Panda finished and was standing awkwardly by the tables when the new kid was done they took a seat where they sat yesterday. Panda sat right next to them, they looked up then looked down at their food and started eating by pulling the bandana up to under their nose. The group behind Luis and Loki started pointing it out, soon after Loki, Luis, Panda, and Niji were sitting down around the new person.
“So new person what’s your name, Scary, Scarry, McScarFace?” Niji asked smirking but a questioning look etched on his face. The new kid got out their whiteboard and started writing down with a squeak of the marker. They pushed it over to the middle of the table so the group could see.
Even if I had to tell you, I wouldn’t.
“Funny one here, funny indeed,” Niji replied nodding his head sarcastically. Someone else took a seat, a seat next to Niji. Wren rested her elbows on the table then laced her fingers together to make a rest for her chin; she looked around the table looking bored. Today was a chill day but most people were training for tomorrow, the biggest event that happens only 3 times a year, most people have been 2 or 1, some like Isaac, Wren and Niji has had 6 or 4, nobody knows but themselves.
“So what will you do today for training, our team has a good plan indeed so has Jules’ they involved this one as well,” Wren nodded towards the new kid, staring a little longer before turning her eyes back at the others, the group glanced at each other think what to say without spoiling what they had in mind, to be honest they hated the plan but they were going to do it, training in the weak areas which isn’t that much but high in terrible zones.
The new kid stood up trying to leave, but Panda grabbed their arm and pulled them to sit down, they twisted their arm around to loosen the grip then pulled freeing their arm. They went to a free table, alone, Saskya tried to sit with them but they just moved further away, random people took seats next to them but didn’t talk to them.
Loki, Wren, Luis, Niji, and Panda looked at each other than at their food. Panda rolled his eyes then started talking about random staff, Wren being herself, wasn’t listening so when he asked her a question so he had to ask twice. Luis muttered something in French when Niji said something idiotic. Isaac came over and took a seat next to Wren with his back facing away from the table and started talking in hushed tones with Wren, the other four talked quietly trying to listen in but were unsuccessful because when they were about to hear some words Isaac got up and waved from behind as he took a seat with his groups.
Breakfast ended at 8 am, everyone trudged to their dorms to quickly change or washed their face and hands, then at 8:15, then walked to the amphitheater to hear to hear today’s announcements and the challenges for the tournament tomorrow. The amphitheatre is a large room able to fit 1000 people on the stair-like seats, Loki and his group came out of the top hallway entrance, he gazed around, the stage was on the edge of the semi-circular room, Apprentice Gould was standing in front of a stand with a microphone on the top. The lower hallway had a bunch of people spilling out turning either left or right to go claim seats, the chatter was all could be heard.
The group went to the left and walked up the stairs to the fourth to last section of seats like stairs, which happened to be right next to the group with Jules in.
“Hey look, the new kid is on the stage,” Niji pointed out, sure enough, they, they didn’t look comfortable by the way, they kept fidgeting with their bandana and clothes. Jules must have noticed as well because Loki who was sitting next to her saw her leaning in talking to someone better.
“Isaac, Lupus is on the stage, do you have any idea why?” Jules asked her voice muffled to Loki who was listening in. Isaac voice was way more muffled so Loki only caught “I hope I’m wrong.”
“AGH Jules get off me!” Talia whined, as per usual, if it was a boy she knows is into girls she wouldn’t have complained but if it’s a girl she’ll complain and complain. Jay yawned at Talia's complaining earning a scowl. With that Gould cleared his throat, talking died down almost instantly. All eyes were on Gould who stood up straighter and gazed around the crowd.
“Cadets… It is with great pleasure your all able to join us, I and the Apprentices have chosen the six challenges for each group,” Gould’s voice echoed from the speakers, everyone started sitting on the edge of their seats as he plucked a red envelope from his sleeve and opened it slow to build suspension, he looked back up, “the theme is Solo Survival, the challenges as followed:
Climbing wall level 10,
Survival hour, Freezing Cold,
Traps,
Hide and seek two from each group,
Hallway Level 15.”
A groan was passed through the crowd, then people hushed other people waiting for the last challenge, Gould read the last challenge smiled and looked back up still smiling, “Combat five times your natural level. These are your challenges, work as a team to pick a person for each challenge, right person for the right task. The scoring system is as followed, first 20 points, second 15 points, third 10 points and finally fourth 5 points. The prize for the winning team is no chores for a month; you can choose a team to do them for you.
“Before we start chattering we must remember, cheating is not tolerated, remember the person who lashed out, who broke the rules. They had no regard for the rules, even after what happened they are still our best cadet and the one who still is top of the leaderboards. They beat most levels single handily, watch the videos of their success to improve your own,” Gould warned, his voice carrying over everyone like a disease. Of course, everyone knows why he warns them every time before the tournament, “No more announcements for today or tomorrow except it’s no schedule day.”
Chatter started again, excitement buzzed around as groups got up from their seats making their way to the training hall, Loki and his group got up quickly so they could share information about other stuff, Loki told them about how the new kid is called Lupus.
The training hall is a large hallway type building, different sections on either side with survival tips and training of different verities. Most groups surrounded screens that were dotted around the place for help or the Hallway. Loki’s group split up going to the sections they most need to work on, Loki traps, Niji climbing, Luis and Panda on general survival tips.
It wasn’t till 6:30 pm there was no more people in the Hallway so they could go train there.
Isaac couldn’t sleep, he was leaning against the wall opposite the sevenths was closest to the door, above his seven the seven was empty, but someone’s presence was missing. Some dorms had seven beds instead of six mainly because most of the dorms with seven were bigger. Unlike he grew up in an orphanage. He stared at the empty sixth, his head tilted upwards on the wall, his blonde hair rubbed against the wall making scratching like sounds. His legs were lying in front of him, he wasn’t tired, and his heart ached. Isaac needed to clear his head, he needs to let out the frustrations, and he needs to go to the training hall.
Opening the door he looked as far as he could, leaning outwards checking if there was anyone there. No one was. He crept out, his trainers making a faint sound on the floor. Isaac walked down the dim eerie hallway, a faint thud from the door closing and he was already a quarter from his dorm. Dorms were to his left and his right every six steps; Dorm 37 was near him when he heard footsteps, knowing whose dorm this is he went inside quietly and quickly.
He heard the footsteps pass and two dorms nearby doors opening and closing, most likely a couple coming back from training together. Isaac himself used to be in loved, he came with his lover and another person to Alpha Rein but they were kicked out for a really bad reason after four months of being there. The sound stopped outside, time to go. He looked behind him at Jules’, Saskya’s and Aaron’s dorm just checking if he hadn’t woke them up, he barely see anything in the dim light but eyes adjusted quickly.
Three of six curtains were closed, wait three? Isn’t there supposed to be another one closed, Isaac wasn’t sure. Soon after checking he left, closing the door and walking down the hallway, he had memorised the layout, how many feet something is away or how big a room is, he knew it, maybe because he’s been here for 1 year and two months.
Believe it or not being at Alpha Rein for longer than most didn’t change that fact you knew everything about it, most long timers have left or turned into a coach. Isaac hasn’t chosen yet, in five weeks he would turn 21 that’s his deadline, stay and teach kids how to not to kill themselves, truly tempting, or leave with the best chances of survival, learning would cost his friends, staying would cost his mentality.
Isaac finally arrived at the training hall, he opened one of the double doors, leaving a gap for his head to look through, peering through making sure nobody. The sections had their lights still on but the main hallway had no lights on like per usual at night. He stepped in and made sure the doors were closed and secure before walking quietly just a case someone was there. When he reached the combat section his body froze, someone was using the shooting range.
Lupus was picking up each gun and checked it by aiming it when they picked the sniper then checked it then walked over to the soundproof glass surrounded shooting range. Isaac moved behind the wall panicking, he peered from behind the wall, Lupus was wearing the hood/big bandanna thing, they wore the tight leggings and the long sleeved crop top. They were tanned, easily shown by the beams from the lights, from Isaac’s angle they had back in an acute angle, they had a fit body type, scars visibly seem, some scars massive and some tiny.
The muffled shout of the sniper snapped Isaac back from staring; he looked at the dummy in front of Lupus, a headshot. Another shout and the dummy next to the other one had also been given a headstone. Three shots in a row in the space of 5 seconds all the dummies were headshot-ted. Isaac gaped at Lupus as they shot the last dummy, all six dummies headshot-ted. Isaac was good with a shotgun but Lupus they were amazing.
Isaac, after watching Lupus like a pervert, plucked up his courage to move to the shooting range with a combat shotgun in hand. Lupus heard the door open behind them because they twirled around sniper pointing at Isaac’s head.
“Easy, I’m a friend, sometimes,” Isaac said hands in surrender. Lupus’ eyes narrowed then huffed lowering the sniper and moving around back at the dummies, “I think you headshot-ted the dummies enough Lupus.”
Lupus rolled their eyes then looked at Isaac who moved next to them. A loud bang startled Isaac; in response Lupus’ eyes glistened with humour. Isaac and Lupus looked at the dummy, the shot hit its stomach. Pleased, Lupus lifted the sniper so it rested on their shoulder, their right hand near the trigger whilst the left did a mocking salute before falling to their side.
“Did you sniper pose me?” Isaac scoffed overreacting dramatically, Lupus nodded in a mocking way. Isaac could physically feel their smirk; Isaac smirked as well then turned to the shooting range then shot after aiming. A shot in the dummy’s right lung. Pleased with himself, Isaac turned smiling smugly at Lupus. Lupus looked at the dummy and snorted, they aimed the sniper and shot the same dummy but it’s left lung.
Isaac shot again, hitting the neck, turning towards Lupus who wasn’t there, the sound of the door closing behind him. Isaac turned to see through the glass wall, to see Lupus reloading then placing the sniper on the gun rack. Isaac shot some more at the dummies then went to find Lupus, to find them putting on fingerless cloves by the combat cube. Isaac walked over gesturing at the combat cube; the combat cube is like shooting range but bigger and less sound replant, the floor of the cube is dark grey and looks like stone but is made of a bouncy material that is still hard if you hit it. There are different levels of height, high beams, climbing and poles used for support or for swinging on.
Lupus looked up at Isaac than the combat cube then shrugged in “I don’t mind” manner. Isaac started stretching so his muscles so it is easier to move. Lupus stretched their arms before turning away from Isaac to readjust their scarf/bandanna.
“Why do you wear the bandanna?” Isaac said tying his on his trainers. Lupus turned, they had their bandanna just to below their nose, lifting their hand to cover their face of “To hide” Lupus let their arms fall in a shrug, “Huh, anyway ready to be beaten up?”
Lupus walked through the glass door and placed themselves in the centre of the combat cube, Isaac went for a higher up sections to have more of a chance of winning. Lupus stretched their arms once more than got ready, raising their fists Isaac as well, then he called out, “on the count of three we start. 1, 2, 3!
Isaac run forward and placed himself in front of Lupus and tired hitting them, they dodge fluidly another try, dodged. Then Isaac hit for Lupus’ stomach Lupus rolled to the side than standing up almost instantly. Isaac tried to kick them but Lupus grabbed his leg and tugged making him fall. A thud of Isaac’s head hitting the floor instead of his back was not what he was expecting that. Groaning Isaac lifted his head, Lupus had their hand stretched out for Isaac to grabbed, Isaac accepted the offer then put his hand through his hair trying to process what just happened, which also messed his quiff.
“Wanna go again?” Isaac asked stretching his back then repositioning himself, all he got from Lupus was a snort and a nod, next thing he knew he was a few inches apart from Lupus and was hitting at them. Lupus blocked and hit back, Isaac blocked and then tried to kick but Lupus deflected it with their thy. Isaac went for a high kick and Lupus dropped down and used their left arm as a support beam and twirled around, knocking Isaac down again. “Oh jeez, you know your stuff? How hard are you trying?”
Lupus recovered themselves then turned to Isaac, they lifted their hand and made the sign of “little amount” Isaac snorted and stood up shaking off the stiffness.
“Again,” Isaac commanded bravely, rolling his head to. Lupus nodded and took some steps back; Isaac readied himself but by the time he looked up Lupus was running past him.
Lupus ran up to a horizontal beam and jumped up, whilst still running, and grabbed it, swinging themselves up to the platform in front. Lupus turned to see Isaac running up as well but instead of swinging he pushed off a wall and jumped, he landed his arms landing on the platform and the rest hanging off the side.
Lupus backed up as Isaac pulled himself up in front of them, raising his fists once up stepping forward and swinging his arm making Lupus duck under his arm and go behind him, switching his and their places. Isaac swung again but he forgot to recover his balance and he tripped and fell on top of Lupus who was standing by the edge.
Isaac opened his eyes, his head was resting on something comfortable, he pulled himself up into a push-up position, to see himself face to face with Lupus, Lupus opened their eyes and stared at Isaac, him staring back forgetting what an awkward position he was in. Lupus’ eyes looked so familiar it
was scary but Isaac wasn’t focusing on that. Isaac stared intothe different coloured eyes for too long. Lupus shook their gaze then pushed Isaac off with so much force he hit the wall of the combat cube. Rubbing his head, he looked up to find Lupus walking out of the cube ripping off their cloves then running out of the training hall.
Isaac got up after five minutes when his head stopped throbbing, and started to walk back to his dorm when something caught his eye, Lupus’ bag. He picked it up before leaving for his dorm. Isaac dropped the bag the open door of Dorm 37 and closed it then trudged back to his dorm for once tired and needing sleep.
Opening the door he looked as far as he could, leaning outwards checking if there was anyone there. No one was. He crept out, his trainers making a faint sound on the floor. Isaac walked down the dim eerie hallway, a faint thud from the door closing and he was already a quarter from his dorm. Dorms were to his left and his right every six steps; Dorm 37 was near him when he heard footsteps, knowing whose dorm this is he went inside quietly and quickly.
He heard the footsteps pass and two dorms nearby doors opening and closing, most likely a couple coming back from training together. Isaac himself used to be in loved, he came with his lover and another person to Alpha Rein but they were kicked out for a really bad reason after four months of being there. The sound stopped outside, time to go. He looked behind him at Jules’, Saskya’s and Aaron’s dorm just checking if he hadn’t woke them up, he barely see anything in the dim light but eyes adjusted quickly.
Three of six curtains were closed, wait three? Isn’t there supposed to be another one closed, Isaac wasn’t sure. Soon after checking he left, closing the door and walking down the hallway, he had memorised the layout, how many feet something is away or how big a room is, he knew it, maybe because he’s been here for 1 year and two months.
Believe it or not being at Alpha Rein for longer than most didn’t change that fact you knew everything about it, most long timers have left or turned into a coach. Isaac hasn’t chosen yet, in five weeks he would turn 21 that’s his deadline, stay and teach kids how to not to kill themselves, truly tempting, or leave with the best chances of survival, learning would cost his friends, staying would cost his mentality.
Isaac finally arrived at the training hall, he opened one of the double doors, leaving a gap for his head to look through, peering through making sure nobody. The sections had their lights still on but the main hallway had no lights on like per usual at night. He stepped in and made sure the doors were closed and secure before walking quietly just a case someone was there. When he reached the combat section his body froze, someone was using the shooting range.
Lupus was picking up each gun and checked it by aiming it when they picked the sniper then checked it then walked over to the soundproof glass surrounded shooting range. Isaac moved behind the wall panicking, he peered from behind the wall, Lupus was wearing the hood/big bandanna thing, they wore the tight leggings and the long sleeved crop top. They were tanned, easily shown by the beams from the lights, from Isaac’s angle they had back in an acute angle, they had a fit body type, scars visibly seem, some scars massive and some tiny.
The muffled shout of the sniper snapped Isaac back from staring; he looked at the dummy in front of Lupus, a headshot. Another shout and the dummy next to the other one had also been given a headstone. Three shots in a row in the space of 5 seconds all the dummies were headshot-ted. Isaac gaped at Lupus as they shot the last dummy, all six dummies headshot-ted. Isaac was good with a shotgun but Lupus they were amazing.
Isaac, after watching Lupus like a pervert, plucked up his courage to move to the shooting range with a combat shotgun in hand. Lupus heard the door open behind them because they twirled around sniper pointing at Isaac’s head.
“Easy, I’m a friend, sometimes,” Isaac said hands in surrender. Lupus’ eyes narrowed then huffed lowering the sniper and moving around back at the dummies, “I think you headshot-ted the dummies enough Lupus.”
Lupus rolled their eyes then looked at Isaac who moved next to them. A loud bang startled Isaac; in response Lupus’ eyes glistened with humour. Isaac and Lupus looked at the dummy, the shot hit its stomach. Pleased, Lupus lifted the sniper so it rested on their shoulder, their right hand near the trigger whilst the left did a mocking salute before falling to their side.
“Did you sniper pose me?” Isaac scoffed overreacting dramatically, Lupus nodded in a mocking way. Isaac could physically feel their smirk; Isaac smirked as well then turned to the shooting range then shot after aiming. A shot in the dummy’s right lung. Pleased with himself, Isaac turned smiling smugly at Lupus. Lupus looked at the dummy and snorted, they aimed the sniper and shot the same dummy but it’s left lung.
Isaac shot again, hitting the neck, turning towards Lupus who wasn’t there, the sound of the door closing behind him. Isaac turned to see through the glass wall, to see Lupus reloading then placing the sniper on the gun rack. Isaac shot some more at the dummies then went to find Lupus, to find them putting on fingerless cloves by the combat cube. Isaac walked over gesturing at the combat cube; the combat cube is like shooting range but bigger and less sound replant, the floor of the cube is dark grey and looks like stone but is made of a bouncy material that is still hard if you hit it. There are different levels of height, high beams, climbing and poles used for support or for swinging on.
Lupus looked up at Isaac than the combat cube then shrugged in “I don’t mind” manner. Isaac started stretching so his muscles so it is easier to move. Lupus stretched their arms before turning away from Isaac to readjust their scarf/bandanna.
“Why do you wear the bandanna?” Isaac said tying his on his trainers. Lupus turned, they had their bandanna just to below their nose, lifting their hand to cover their face of “To hide” Lupus let their arms fall in a shrug, “Huh, anyway ready to be beaten up?”
Lupus walked through the glass door and placed themselves in the centre of the combat cube, Isaac went for a higher up sections to have more of a chance of winning. Lupus stretched their arms once more than got ready, raising their fists Isaac as well, then he called out, “on the count of three we start. 1, 2, 3!
Isaac run forward and placed himself in front of Lupus and tired hitting them, they dodge fluidly another try, dodged. Then Isaac hit for Lupus’ stomach Lupus rolled to the side than standing up almost instantly. Isaac tried to kick them but Lupus grabbed his leg and tugged making him fall. A thud of Isaac’s head hitting the floor instead of his back was not what he was expecting that. Groaning Isaac lifted his head, Lupus had their hand stretched out for Isaac to grabbed, Isaac accepted the offer then put his hand through his hair trying to process what just happened, which also messed his quiff.
“Wanna go again?” Isaac asked stretching his back then repositioning himself, all he got from Lupus was a snort and a nod, next thing he knew he was a few inches apart from Lupus and was hitting at them. Lupus blocked and hit back, Isaac blocked and then tried to kick but Lupus deflected it with their thy. Isaac went for a high kick and Lupus dropped down and used their left arm as a support beam and twirled around, knocking Isaac down again. “Oh jeez, you know your stuff? How hard are you trying?”
Lupus recovered themselves then turned to Isaac, they lifted their hand and made the sign of “little amount” Isaac snorted and stood up shaking off the stiffness.
“Again,” Isaac commanded bravely, rolling his head to. Lupus nodded and took some steps back; Isaac readied himself but by the time he looked up Lupus was running past him.
Lupus ran up to a horizontal beam and jumped up, whilst still running, and grabbed it, swinging themselves up to the platform in front. Lupus turned to see Isaac running up as well but instead of swinging he pushed off a wall and jumped, he landed his arms landing on the platform and the rest hanging off the side.
Lupus backed up as Isaac pulled himself up in front of them, raising his fists once up stepping forward and swinging his arm making Lupus duck under his arm and go behind him, switching his and their places. Isaac swung again but he forgot to recover his balance and he tripped and fell on top of Lupus who was standing by the edge.
Isaac opened his eyes, his head was resting on something comfortable, he pulled himself up into a push-up position, to see himself face to face with Lupus, Lupus opened their eyes and stared at Isaac, him staring back forgetting what an awkward position he was in. Lupus’ eyes looked so familiar it
was scary but Isaac wasn’t focusing on that. Isaac stared intothe different coloured eyes for too long. Lupus shook their gaze then pushed Isaac off with so much force he hit the wall of the combat cube. Rubbing his head, he looked up to find Lupus walking out of the cube ripping off their cloves then running out of the training hall.
Isaac got up after five minutes when his head stopped throbbing, and started to walk back to his dorm when something caught his eye, Lupus’ bag. He picked it up before leaving for his dorm. Isaac dropped the bag the open door of Dorm 37 and closed it then trudged back to his dorm for once tired and needing sleep.
“Should I draw on his face again?” Jay asked reading her pen.
“NO!” the other said in unison.
“Especially since the last time you got us in trouble with Hender, no one likes Hender,” Wren pointed out. She was sitting in her separated seventh, reading a book looking up only when she wants to. Her bed was built into the wall opposite the other six beds, when she and two others arrived she claimed it first.
“Ok, I’m sorry Hender can’t see the difference between a smiley face and a-” Jay was cut off.
“OK, why don’t you tickle his foot?” Suggested Jackson who was sitting on his seventh opposite Wren’s, Jackson had his curtain drawn so only his legs were visible because they were sticking out from behind the curtain. Talia tickled Isaac’s foot, who was half off his bed half not, his right side off and his left on with his face slowly sliding off his pillow. Isaac didn’t even wriggle when Talia tickled his foot.
“Isaac isn’t ticklish I thought I should mention that,” Wren called out from her bed.
“Could have said that earlier,” Talia snapped.
“Could of, would of if I didn’t want to watch you fail, but alas I did.”
“You are extremely unhelpful! Why are you second in command of this group?” Pandora countered her legs hanging from the bed above Jackson’s. Wren sighed and put her book down getting up and pushed Jay, who was drawing a smiley face on Isaac’s foot, and Talia, who was brushing Isaac’s quiff which he hates, aside and hovering over Isaac’s head.
“Isaac, they have been unbanned, they’re coming back,” Wren said miserably, Isaac woke up too late and fell off his bed. Wren turned to Pandora and bowed, “thank you for the kind words.”
“Isaac for once you woke up after all of us, normally you’re up and changed, I guess the table has turned for Trickster Mcgee,” Jay grinned, Isaac stood up and behind down at Jay.
“I guess they have,” yawned Isaac rubbing the back of his head and looked around at the clock on Talia’s seventh’s wall. Wren was back at her 2nd and was reading still looking miserable. “Ok I can’t be bothered to read the clock, what time is it?”
“Our fearless leader, can’t be bothered to read a clock?” Wren said sarcastically raising an eyebrow, Isaac shrugged, “7:45. Panic mode, go.”
“WHAT! Oh god, I’m not ready! I need to shower and get dressed, oh cr-”Isaac started panicking but was cut off.
“Relax, beanpole, go shower now,” Jackson said from behind the curtain, Isaac nodded grabbing his towel the running into the, slightly bigger than the others, bathroom then slamming the door, a few seconds later the sound of the shower buzzing appeared. Jay sighed climbing up onto her bunk, Talia sat on hers and brushed her brown hair, Pandora just sat there looking into space and sometimes the rewards, photos and medals on the wall by Wren’s bed.
“How much sleep do you think Isaac got?” Jay asked mostly aiming at Wren.
“He hasn’t slept like that since… you know,” Wren replied shutting her book and thinking, the others nodded, they knew the story,
“Well by the looks of thing one to three hours not least he had enough for the tournament.”
“Talking about the tournament, everyone knows what they’re doing correct we don’t want another Jay day,” Pandora asked everyone Jay snorted sniggering loudly making Wren smirk. There was a knock on the door, Talia answered it.
“Aaron, love, what do I bring the pleasure?” Talia flirted batting her eyelashes making Wren groan and Pandora sigh.
“We came to ask if we can stay till breakfast, Jules and Saskya are arguing,” Aaron said pushing Talia away so she didn’t hug him.
“Sure, why the hell not? I mean more the more the merrier,” Wren called out before Talia could reply, “By we, who is with you?”
“Lupus, do you mind?” Aaron said walking in with Lupus behind him; Aaron was wearing his black sports shorts, a white t-shirt and white trainers. Lupus was wearing a crop top which showed their stomach, a lot of scars, and the leggings. In Lupus’ hand they had the whiteboard, the others a cyan envelope.
“More I don’t have to listen to talk about cute boys from Talia or Isaac’s sleeping problems.”
“Sounds great,” Aaron said leaning on an empty spot of the wall, Lupus took a seat opposite Talia’s bed, leaning on the wall, “Saskya and Jules are being annoying, arguing about what was it again?”
Lupus lifted their board for Aaron to see, “Oh yeah, thanks, on the goodness of people, Lupus and I couldn’t stand it. I swear I heard Lupus mutter a curse.”
Lupus showed Aaron their board shaking their head, Aaron snorted. Then everyone started conversations with each other, Jay jumped next Lupus and started drawing funny pictures on Lupus’ board, Wren and Aaron talked about the tournament and Pandora and Talia talking about food.
By near the end of chatter Lupus had a questionable smiley face on their shoulder and Jay with a streak across her cheek. Wren and Aaron were complaining about every Coach apart from Coach Hannah and Ben, who were the nicest because all the others Coaches are too strict and favoured people. A few minutes after the ended and everyone was in a comfortable silence Lupus got up and showed Aaron on their board.
“Its breakfast in a couple of minutes so Lupus and I are going, wanna come?” Aaron said halfway to the door with Lupus behind him, the others got up and followed Aaron and Lupus, Jackson finally revealing himself.
The bathroom door opened as Jackson was near the doorway to the corridor. Isaac called out to him, “Jackson wait a sec!”
“Er, sure,” Jackson called back then turned to the corridor and called to the others, “I’m waiting for Isaac you guys go ahead we’ll catch up!”
“So who came over?” Isaac said rubbing his wet hair with his towel before throwing it on his bed, his hair was still damp and it stuck to his forehead. He spead towards the door where Jackson waited.
“Oh, Lupus and Aaron. They came around because Jules and Saskya were arguing, Lupus was with Jay from what I heard and Aaron was with Wren, as in talking wise,” Jackson told Isaac as they walked the corridor, at Dorm 37 Jules and Saskya came out. Both of them had scowls on their faces, Jules walked further ahead than Saskya who not talking to Jackson and Isaac, when the cue of was in view Jules pushed in and joined the others at the front of the group whilst Saskya and the others joined the back of the group.
“Oh come on Lupus I wanna hear you laugh!” Jay’s voice carried down the group as they moved slowly up the cue, people in the cue talked amongst themselves, Isaac peered down the cue to see Jay resting her arm around Lupus’ shoulders and Lupus covering where their mouth would be under their bandanna, Wren was sniggering next to the other two.
Everyone else were nervous, who wouldn’t be? Most were eating as much as they could whilst others not eating any food, to extreme nervousness. The tournament was made to prove your strength most people were too happy to prove theirs, others prefer keeping to themselves. It was a risk to win, get higher scores to win the prize and praise.
The food for breakfast was mixed, eggs, salads, toast and more, whatever you could think of. This is the multicultural day; there was more than just America here, French, British, Africa and more. Everyone’s favourite day. The most cultural day. It was around 7:55 when the cue started to move quicker, soon enough the group was sitting at a table, to their displeasure Niji, Panda, Luis and Loki were also sitting on the table.
“Ok Lupus eat a tiny bit of egg, you only eat vegetables and you hate it I can tell,” Jay complained trying to persuade Lupus to one of her many friend eggs, Jay had like six in a weird pile. Lupus wrote something on their board, along of the lines “I’ll get in trouble.”
“Fight the power!” Wren blurted making everyone jump a tiny bit; Jay repeated the line raising a fist in the air. Lupus rolled their eyes then stabbed an egg with their fork. Titling their head down, Lupus lifted the bandanna up to under their nose a shoved the egg in their mouth before pulling the bandanna down again.
“So that weird five minutes is over, thank whoever is in charge,” Jackson said after jay around the tables hands in fists expanded above her head, jumping over Niji’s expanded leg and throwing Niji’s cup filled with water at him then sitting down, a grin etched across her beaming face as everyone laughed. “Who’s doing what for the challenges today?”
Lupus, Aaron, Saskya and Jules glanced at each other having a silent conversation, apparently Aaron and Saskya won, Lupus slumped over and Jules sighed, “Me and Saskya are doing hide and seek, Aaron’s doing Traps, as for the once they're going to mention now we have an idea, that’s all we’re saying.”
“No fun” Jay complained crunching on an end of a carrot stick, chatter suddenly died down everyone turned to the front of the room, like every tournament they say the main team event before the tournament starts, Coach Ben and Coach Hannah were standing next to each other, both holding the same rainbow envelope whilst gazing around cheerfully.
Coach Ben was around 6 feet tall with chestnut brown hair, his skin was lightly tanned but visible, he was wearing the red tank top and black trousers to represent he was a Coach, a rainbow bracelet hanging loosely from his wrist. Hannah was a little shorter then Ben, around 5’10, she had the red tank top and black leggings, she had blonde curly hair tied in a loose ponytail, also light tanned skin but some freckles along the rim of her nose, a metal chained neckless with a rainbow flag in the middle hung around her neck.
The two Coaches were favourited, they hated rudeness, and got the job done but let the novices have 10 minutes of fun. They were both the go-to partners in crime Coaches if you needed help, both extremely kind. At the start, everyone thought they were a couple. HA! Until they started revealing their bracelets and necklaces, they were the gayest of gays. By 2035 every kind of gender, sexual or romantic attractions, religions and race were accepted as equals, now in 2347, you could see straight or not straight relationships everywhere.
They got everyone’s attention, they started opening the rainbow envelope, and they looked at it then looked at each other. Ben and Hannah turned to the novices and said Hannah first, “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND ALL THOSE NON BINARY PEOPLE!”
“THE LAST AND FINAL TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THE TOURNAMENT,” Ben countered
“IS: CAPTURE THE FLAG – JUNGLE GYM!” They welled together, some groups whooped, others slumped onto their tables groaning. The bell hit the ears of the novices and then nervously shuffling into the training hall and splitting up into groups waiting to find out what time the challenges will be held.
The TVs lit up, everyone turned holding their breath, the board read:
“NO!” the other said in unison.
“Especially since the last time you got us in trouble with Hender, no one likes Hender,” Wren pointed out. She was sitting in her separated seventh, reading a book looking up only when she wants to. Her bed was built into the wall opposite the other six beds, when she and two others arrived she claimed it first.
“Ok, I’m sorry Hender can’t see the difference between a smiley face and a-” Jay was cut off.
“OK, why don’t you tickle his foot?” Suggested Jackson who was sitting on his seventh opposite Wren’s, Jackson had his curtain drawn so only his legs were visible because they were sticking out from behind the curtain. Talia tickled Isaac’s foot, who was half off his bed half not, his right side off and his left on with his face slowly sliding off his pillow. Isaac didn’t even wriggle when Talia tickled his foot.
“Isaac isn’t ticklish I thought I should mention that,” Wren called out from her bed.
“Could have said that earlier,” Talia snapped.
“Could of, would of if I didn’t want to watch you fail, but alas I did.”
“You are extremely unhelpful! Why are you second in command of this group?” Pandora countered her legs hanging from the bed above Jackson’s. Wren sighed and put her book down getting up and pushed Jay, who was drawing a smiley face on Isaac’s foot, and Talia, who was brushing Isaac’s quiff which he hates, aside and hovering over Isaac’s head.
“Isaac, they have been unbanned, they’re coming back,” Wren said miserably, Isaac woke up too late and fell off his bed. Wren turned to Pandora and bowed, “thank you for the kind words.”
“Isaac for once you woke up after all of us, normally you’re up and changed, I guess the table has turned for Trickster Mcgee,” Jay grinned, Isaac stood up and behind down at Jay.
“I guess they have,” yawned Isaac rubbing the back of his head and looked around at the clock on Talia’s seventh’s wall. Wren was back at her 2nd and was reading still looking miserable. “Ok I can’t be bothered to read the clock, what time is it?”
“Our fearless leader, can’t be bothered to read a clock?” Wren said sarcastically raising an eyebrow, Isaac shrugged, “7:45. Panic mode, go.”
“WHAT! Oh god, I’m not ready! I need to shower and get dressed, oh cr-”Isaac started panicking but was cut off.
“Relax, beanpole, go shower now,” Jackson said from behind the curtain, Isaac nodded grabbing his towel the running into the, slightly bigger than the others, bathroom then slamming the door, a few seconds later the sound of the shower buzzing appeared. Jay sighed climbing up onto her bunk, Talia sat on hers and brushed her brown hair, Pandora just sat there looking into space and sometimes the rewards, photos and medals on the wall by Wren’s bed.
“How much sleep do you think Isaac got?” Jay asked mostly aiming at Wren.
“He hasn’t slept like that since… you know,” Wren replied shutting her book and thinking, the others nodded, they knew the story,
“Well by the looks of thing one to three hours not least he had enough for the tournament.”
“Talking about the tournament, everyone knows what they’re doing correct we don’t want another Jay day,” Pandora asked everyone Jay snorted sniggering loudly making Wren smirk. There was a knock on the door, Talia answered it.
“Aaron, love, what do I bring the pleasure?” Talia flirted batting her eyelashes making Wren groan and Pandora sigh.
“We came to ask if we can stay till breakfast, Jules and Saskya are arguing,” Aaron said pushing Talia away so she didn’t hug him.
“Sure, why the hell not? I mean more the more the merrier,” Wren called out before Talia could reply, “By we, who is with you?”
“Lupus, do you mind?” Aaron said walking in with Lupus behind him; Aaron was wearing his black sports shorts, a white t-shirt and white trainers. Lupus was wearing a crop top which showed their stomach, a lot of scars, and the leggings. In Lupus’ hand they had the whiteboard, the others a cyan envelope.
“More I don’t have to listen to talk about cute boys from Talia or Isaac’s sleeping problems.”
“Sounds great,” Aaron said leaning on an empty spot of the wall, Lupus took a seat opposite Talia’s bed, leaning on the wall, “Saskya and Jules are being annoying, arguing about what was it again?”
Lupus lifted their board for Aaron to see, “Oh yeah, thanks, on the goodness of people, Lupus and I couldn’t stand it. I swear I heard Lupus mutter a curse.”
Lupus showed Aaron their board shaking their head, Aaron snorted. Then everyone started conversations with each other, Jay jumped next Lupus and started drawing funny pictures on Lupus’ board, Wren and Aaron talked about the tournament and Pandora and Talia talking about food.
By near the end of chatter Lupus had a questionable smiley face on their shoulder and Jay with a streak across her cheek. Wren and Aaron were complaining about every Coach apart from Coach Hannah and Ben, who were the nicest because all the others Coaches are too strict and favoured people. A few minutes after the ended and everyone was in a comfortable silence Lupus got up and showed Aaron on their board.
“Its breakfast in a couple of minutes so Lupus and I are going, wanna come?” Aaron said halfway to the door with Lupus behind him, the others got up and followed Aaron and Lupus, Jackson finally revealing himself.
The bathroom door opened as Jackson was near the doorway to the corridor. Isaac called out to him, “Jackson wait a sec!”
“Er, sure,” Jackson called back then turned to the corridor and called to the others, “I’m waiting for Isaac you guys go ahead we’ll catch up!”
“So who came over?” Isaac said rubbing his wet hair with his towel before throwing it on his bed, his hair was still damp and it stuck to his forehead. He spead towards the door where Jackson waited.
“Oh, Lupus and Aaron. They came around because Jules and Saskya were arguing, Lupus was with Jay from what I heard and Aaron was with Wren, as in talking wise,” Jackson told Isaac as they walked the corridor, at Dorm 37 Jules and Saskya came out. Both of them had scowls on their faces, Jules walked further ahead than Saskya who not talking to Jackson and Isaac, when the cue of was in view Jules pushed in and joined the others at the front of the group whilst Saskya and the others joined the back of the group.
“Oh come on Lupus I wanna hear you laugh!” Jay’s voice carried down the group as they moved slowly up the cue, people in the cue talked amongst themselves, Isaac peered down the cue to see Jay resting her arm around Lupus’ shoulders and Lupus covering where their mouth would be under their bandanna, Wren was sniggering next to the other two.
Everyone else were nervous, who wouldn’t be? Most were eating as much as they could whilst others not eating any food, to extreme nervousness. The tournament was made to prove your strength most people were too happy to prove theirs, others prefer keeping to themselves. It was a risk to win, get higher scores to win the prize and praise.
The food for breakfast was mixed, eggs, salads, toast and more, whatever you could think of. This is the multicultural day; there was more than just America here, French, British, Africa and more. Everyone’s favourite day. The most cultural day. It was around 7:55 when the cue started to move quicker, soon enough the group was sitting at a table, to their displeasure Niji, Panda, Luis and Loki were also sitting on the table.
“Ok Lupus eat a tiny bit of egg, you only eat vegetables and you hate it I can tell,” Jay complained trying to persuade Lupus to one of her many friend eggs, Jay had like six in a weird pile. Lupus wrote something on their board, along of the lines “I’ll get in trouble.”
“Fight the power!” Wren blurted making everyone jump a tiny bit; Jay repeated the line raising a fist in the air. Lupus rolled their eyes then stabbed an egg with their fork. Titling their head down, Lupus lifted the bandanna up to under their nose a shoved the egg in their mouth before pulling the bandanna down again.
“So that weird five minutes is over, thank whoever is in charge,” Jackson said after jay around the tables hands in fists expanded above her head, jumping over Niji’s expanded leg and throwing Niji’s cup filled with water at him then sitting down, a grin etched across her beaming face as everyone laughed. “Who’s doing what for the challenges today?”
Lupus, Aaron, Saskya and Jules glanced at each other having a silent conversation, apparently Aaron and Saskya won, Lupus slumped over and Jules sighed, “Me and Saskya are doing hide and seek, Aaron’s doing Traps, as for the once they're going to mention now we have an idea, that’s all we’re saying.”
“No fun” Jay complained crunching on an end of a carrot stick, chatter suddenly died down everyone turned to the front of the room, like every tournament they say the main team event before the tournament starts, Coach Ben and Coach Hannah were standing next to each other, both holding the same rainbow envelope whilst gazing around cheerfully.
Coach Ben was around 6 feet tall with chestnut brown hair, his skin was lightly tanned but visible, he was wearing the red tank top and black trousers to represent he was a Coach, a rainbow bracelet hanging loosely from his wrist. Hannah was a little shorter then Ben, around 5’10, she had the red tank top and black leggings, she had blonde curly hair tied in a loose ponytail, also light tanned skin but some freckles along the rim of her nose, a metal chained neckless with a rainbow flag in the middle hung around her neck.
The two Coaches were favourited, they hated rudeness, and got the job done but let the novices have 10 minutes of fun. They were both the go-to partners in crime Coaches if you needed help, both extremely kind. At the start, everyone thought they were a couple. HA! Until they started revealing their bracelets and necklaces, they were the gayest of gays. By 2035 every kind of gender, sexual or romantic attractions, religions and race were accepted as equals, now in 2347, you could see straight or not straight relationships everywhere.
They got everyone’s attention, they started opening the rainbow envelope, and they looked at it then looked at each other. Ben and Hannah turned to the novices and said Hannah first, “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND ALL THOSE NON BINARY PEOPLE!”
“THE LAST AND FINAL TEAM CHALLENGE FOR THE TOURNAMENT,” Ben countered
“IS: CAPTURE THE FLAG – JUNGLE GYM!” They welled together, some groups whooped, others slumped onto their tables groaning. The bell hit the ears of the novices and then nervously shuffling into the training hall and splitting up into groups waiting to find out what time the challenges will be held.
The TVs lit up, everyone turned holding their breath, the board read:
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I'm already excited for more