I woke up the following day, and everyone was gone. I didn’t know what to do or why everyone would leave me. We always traveled in groups to most of the places inside Camp Walker. Unless on a detail, given specific instruction, or a limited number of other activities, traveling in a group was mandatory. Everyone got punished if someone wasn’t in a group and didn’t have a good reason. I felt abandoned by the other Carpenters and utterly alone.

My disorientation only lasted a moment as the truth slowly dawned on me about why I was by myself. I didn’t have to be at physical training because I was exempt after my fight. I had just received my ranking from Sergeant Michel, and with that came additional privileges. I had permission to move around the camp without direct supervision and was exempt from having to move in groups.

My breathing quickly became less shallow as my panic subsided. I was alone, but I could move around the camp by myself. My bunkmates didn’t leave and forget about me, and that thought made me feel a lot better. That feeling was a surprise since I tried to not be so close to them. I didn’t want to risk anyone finding out about my escape plan.

I quickly changed into my uniform to do my basic morning hygiene. All rooms in the hallway, and therefore all the cadets in those rooms, shared a latrine. With my shower kit in hand and my towel slung over my shoulder, I walked to the latrine. Usually, being a Carpenter, we were forced to shower last, so I was used to the smell of water and soap. Today, since everyone was still at physical training, the latrine smelled of bitter mildew that lingered in the air.

Since my ability is based on my sense of sight, I wasn’t technically limited to manipulating the things I touched. Although, the only thing I found I could influence without touching was air, which was a phenomenal ability at that moment. I caused the air to shift and move in front of me to dissipate the smell.

Being alone while showering was jarring but a pleasing experience since it had been years since I could do it. The best part was actually getting a semi-hot shower. Usually, the only water left was freezing cold. After finishing my hygiene, I returned to my room, put my stuff away and headed out. I had a few details I had to take care of in the Garden before doing anything else.

My next fight was already scheduled for three weeks later. With my first fight behind me and the results better than anticipated, I could relax a little while working. The good thing about being a Carpenter is that we could get a glimpse of the outside and see the seasons pass when in the Garden. It was only through the sky and clouds due to the massive stone walls, but it was more than the Welders and Sirens experienced - except for those who went on missions. Sometimes, it felt like I had lived at the camp my whole life, but it had only been a little over four years. Although, in reality, that was a good chunk of my life.

I was alone in the Garden, everyone was still doing physical training or getting ready, and I just looked up at the sky. It was still too early for the sun to peek over the walls, but the sky was bright, and a small cluster of fluffy clouds floated along like a family on a lazy river. Most of the Garden was still covered in the shadow of the walls, but it was bright enough that the fruit trees lining the far wall had their own wisps of shadow.

I walked along the line of trees containing a smorgasbord of fruits. There were oranges, apples and a couple others. At the end of the aisle of trees was the pride and joy of the Carpenters. It was a mixture of fruits that Sarah and a couple of others helped to create.

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I took care of the trimmings and leaves of all the trees. It was one of my main details since I couldn’t do as much as the other Carpenters. After taking care of that, I went to the other side where all the vegetables were growing. I cleaned up the lines and trimmed stray plants, so they didn’t affect each other’s growth. Although, that wasn’t much of a concern with the skill of Sarah and the others.

I took my time, enjoying the quiet and solitude. After I was done, I realized that I was late for breakfast. After four years in the Garden, it was easy to tell the time with the shadows. Although we usually went together, so I wasn’t used to thinking about the time.

I quickly left and hurriedly walked to the DFAC. I was lucky enough to make it before they stopped serving food. After I got my food from the chow line, I noticed a group of kids gathered around our assigned table in the dining facility. Unlike the numerous green badges of the cadets sitting, I saw the silver badges of Welders on the ones who stood.

When I realized they were Welders, my chest tightened in anger. The Welders had always acted smug and taunted us from afar, but the taunting increased ever since every other Carpenter lost or dropped out of the matches. I hoped that since I had just won a fight, whatever they were doing wasn’t some type of retribution.

So far, whenever the Welders bullied us, none of the cadres seemed to care. Most would look the other way, but occasionally, some would wait and watch for something to happen, as if they were hoping it would. I hoped that the two cadres watching at either end of the hall wouldn’t let a fight happen or stop it before it got too bad.

As I walked up to the table, I could see the faces of the Carpenters. Most weren’t looking and kept their eyes on their food. The only exception was Sarah, our official mother hen.

I usually kept to myself, but I definitely didn’t like anyone getting picked on, especially if it might be a reprisal for my actions. On the other hand, Sarah always went above and beyond with her protection. As I got closer, I could see her face was contorted in anger. Her auburn hair and freckles looked like boiling magma as they got redder from her rage.

I dropped my tray hard on the table to get everyone’s attention and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing that concerns you, green thumb,” came the reply. The boy, or bully, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone transitioned to the title, was my height with dark chocolate skin and a wiry build.

“But, you’re at my table, so it must concern me.” I stared at him without moving, forcing him to acknowledge me.

“Well, it doesn’t, so shut the hell up,” he snapped while looking at me.

I was on the same side of the table as him, and being the only person on that side, he must have been there before everyone sat down. I wondered who his target was. If he came for me or someone else.

I moved closer to him, and I could see him tense up. So, he knew about me and my fight and didn’t want to test me. If it was me, he wouldn’t have tried to dismiss me so quickly or be worried about what I would do. Therefore, his target must have been someone else. The whole time I was inching toward him, I never stopped staring.

“Why don’t you make me?” I whispered when I got close enough for him to hear.

He slammed his hand on the metal table, and I could tell he was concentrating, trying to manipulate the metal. I slammed my hand down on his and pried it off the table until he was no longer touching it.

“You might want to get better at using your power before you try to use it in a fight,” I said coldly.

He ripped his hand away but didn’t try to put it back on the table. “I don’t need it to beat you down anyway,” he said, straightening up a little.

I looked to one of the guards, and luckily, he watched the exchange. The bully saw where I was looking and also noticed the guard.

“You better watch it, Twig,” he said before turning and walking away. His buddies followed him over to their table.

I finally sat down and took a big bite of grits. “So, how’s it going,” I asked.