I exited the Garden into the darkened hallways that permeated the camp. In the four years since I had been there, zero effort was put into improving the facility. There were places where the lighting was good, like the gym and DFAC, but no one really cared about the long hallway to the Garden. The stone walls were dark from years of neglect and the constant touching by cadets with nothing else to do. The damp, earthy scent was still present but interspersed with a tangy funk of teenage sweat.

Through years of living with the smell, I was desensitized but thinking about it always brought it about. The same as with the intermittent umbrellas of light and the numerous exposed wires running along the walls and ceilings. The halls were hushed since most people were still at physical training. The only sound reverberating off the walls was the steady clopping of my boots.

I was in an anger-fueled haze as I made my way to the library. I was pulled from my thoughts when I arrived at the bottom of the steps leading up. The top steps were clad in darkness since the last light was directly overhead. The steps weren’t numerous, but they were enough to just be outside the light’s reach. Usually, the door to the library was open, and light spilled out to vanquish the gloom. I had never been to the library that early, so seeing the door closed and the area dark was surreal.

I hadn’t thought about it on the way there, but I figured the door was locked. I decided to check it out anyway. I walked up the stairs and into the gloom. The metal doorknob didn’t give as I jiggled it, just as I thought would be the case. I didn’t feel like going back to the Garden, nor anywhere else.

I turned and looked the way I had come. I could see the top of the light hanging from the ceiling. It was attached to a small chain that was bolted to the ceiling.

The bulb was screwed in at the base with red and green wires that twisted around the chain, disappearing down the hallway toward the next light. More importantly, I didn’t see cameras or anything else that could be used as a monitoring device. Just to be sure, I activated my ability and scanned the area again.

The walls and ceiling were dull gray, almost mimicking how they looked in my real sight. The only difference was that they were brighter using my ability, and there were tiny flecks of different colors due to the composition of the stone. The light bulb and wires all gave off intermittent streaks of blue electricity. I couldn’t see anything else that stood out to my power, so I turned and focused on the door handle.

The library has a book on how locks work. The book wasn’t all about locks. It was a book on how lots of different things work, but I read the part about locks.

The knob had a dull copper glint reverberating through the smooth exterior to the internal components. It was a simple lock, not meant for essential security measures. I focused on the internal glints of light as they crossed the tumblers. I moved the tumblers until they were in the positions, each one locking into place. I turned the handle, and the door opened smoothly.

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The lights were off, but I still had my power activated, so it wasn’t a problem. The books all gave off a faded green glow like large translucent lima beans. I closed the door behind me and flipped the lights on. I considered leaving them off, but it would be suspicious if someone came in and I was in there with the lights off.

I also pondered locking the door but didn’t feel like hiding. The library was suffocating without anyone in it. Without Claire, it quickly revealed itself to be a tiny, pathetic place. I stared at the table where Claire and I usually sat. It seemed small and cramped. I couldn’t fathom how I had spent so much time there.

Someone tapped my shoulder.

I spun in fright while my skeleton stayed rooted in fear. That fear eased as I realized Claire was the one who tapped my shoulder. She had a questioning look on her face and looked as if she was about to say something but remembered at the last moment she couldn’t.

“How did you get in here?” she signed.

“It was unlocked,” I lied. Claire frowned and looked thoughtful again. “I’m glad you’re here,” I said. That took her mind off trying to figure out how I broke in.

“Why? What’s wrong?” She walked over to our table and sat down. She knocked on its surface just as she had done the first time we talked.

As I stared at her, I forgot why I was so angry. I walked over to the table and sat down across from her. She smiled and indicated for me to tell her what was going on.

It seemed ridiculous, and I didn’t want to say it aloud. Plus, there were aspects of my conversation with Sarah that I didn’t want Claire to know. I told her a watered-down version of the fight with Sarah. I focused on Sarah, not thinking I did enough and wanting me to help her look out for everyone.

“Why can’t you?” Clair asked.

“Help take care of the others?” She nodded her consent. “I’m focused on taking care of myself.”

“She must really need your help if she is mentioning it.”

“Maybe,” I said unenthusiastically. “She seems to be doing fine by herself.”

“I don’t think anyone can make it through this alone.”

“I’m doing just fine.”

“Are you?” she signed and stared deadpan at me.

I wasn’t, and the conversation was proof. I had been an ass when Sarah told me she needed help. I wished I could tell Claire about the other parts of the conversation. Like how Sarah and the other Carpenters thought I sold out, but how I felt they did the same long ago. Since I was calmer, I gave that issue some thought.

I could trust them if they were still unhappy in the camp. Maybe not with everything, but certainly more than I did. I could get them to help me gather more information, or perhaps we could all escape together. It didn’t make me feel good, but I also considered that if we were caught, then they could share some of the punishment. I didn’t want that to happen, though. However, I could think of a way for us to work together.

“Thank you. I have to go talk to Sarah. I’ll come by later and let you know how it went.”

Claire nodded, and I left. The library looked brighter and more open as I exited and returned to the Garden.