While Tom, Jo and Iuustin were waiting for all the kids to gather up to be taken to the morning lessons by some soldiers, after eating a breakfast that tasted like pills.

The man that usually woke them up and was also their coach was called Nathaniel Maverick, but people usually called him Nate including the kids and now he was coming towards them.

It was quite unusual to see him around there in the morning.

He was accompanied by two other men that did not look like they had anything with the military or with their tutoring.

Nate and these two men gather all the boys and start heading to what Tom assumed is the school.

While walking towards the “school”, at an intersection, normally here they would go straight ahead, but they turn right.

Tom, Jo and Iuustin are a bit confused, but go along with them without saying a word.

After a few minutes of walking they arrive at some place with a couple of buildings and a few soldiers taking out of some trucks green wooden boxes and furniture.

The boys are took into one of the buildings, then guided onto some stairs and then into a room with small windows just big enough to let some light in.

In this room there were lots of small benches with a few pieces of papers and a pencil on each of them. In the room there were already some other boys waiting.

Next to the entrance stood a soldier with a rifle and in front of all of those benches there was a chalk board.

They are seated and wait while another group of boys come in and three boys start running around.

Edward and Stefan were in this group and wave at Iuustin who saw them when they entered.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

After being yelled by Nate the three boys go to their benches and sit sillently.

Nate:”Today I will write a few exercises on this board and you will have to solve them on the paper on your desks. You are not allowed to ask anyone for help or look into someone else’s paper. If you do, you will be taken away.”

The boys, being 6-7 years old, did not fully understand some parts of Nate’s little speech, but since he was popular amongst them some tried to follow the instructions that they understood.

Nate:”Did everyone understand?”

Kids:”….”

Nate:”You may start when I finish writing your exercises.”

Nate starts to write on the chalk board with his back turned just so no one other than him could see what he was writing.

After he finishes he yells “Start!”.

After five minutes the class was almost empty, since no one understood the rules set out by Nate in the first place.

By now Tom, Jo, Iuustin, Edward and Stefan finish their work and go to Nate to give it to him.

He seemed pleased and they all go outside.

Outside, Tom, Iuustin, Jo, Edward and Stefan are grouped before a camera and take a photo, after that, Nate and the guy with the camera leave them without saying a word.

Confused, they all go and sit down somewhere near the building they took that test earlier.

Stefan :” Do you think they forgot about us?”

Jo:”Of course not! We are the special ones! Remember?”

Iuustin:”How many times do we have to tell you to keep your voice down in public?”

Jo:”Oops!”

Edward:’’ Anyway, are we supposed to do something right now? Or I wasn’t paying attention when they told us?”

Iuustin:”Well, I didn’t hear anything either. But, don’t you think they are a little disorganized around here? I mean… their the military. Right? I don’t think they would let some children loose, without direction, between soldiers that don’t have anything to do with them. Not to mention, in the first few weeks our activities felt random and just what are they planning to do with us...”

Edward interrupts Iuustin.

Edward:”True! I was thinking the same thing! But more important now is what the hell are we doing here and if we are supposed to be somewhere. Does anyone remember anything?”

Iuustin:” …”

Iuusti seems angry for being talked over and leaves the conversation, turning his back at the others.

Jo:”Well I didn’t hear of anything were supposed to do so...”

Jo then looks at Stefan and Tom to see what they will say.

They both say that they didn’t hear anything too and just keep waiting there for a while.

Finally a man dressed similarly to the two men that helped Nate and the rest of the boys get to the building earlier.

He points his finger to the alley they used to get there and on a somewhat commanding tone says:”You will go with me now. Follow me.”