The Purge
Chapter 4: Halley

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out ’til sundown, for going out, I found, I was really going in.”

John Muir

“Welcome to Wyvern Army.”

Wow. It still felt like a dream to me. I was floating the whole time when they told me that I’m in an army. My training for years has been paid off. If only my dad could see me now. He’d be proud of me. But then… maybe not. I miss home and soldiers who belong to an army don’t miss home.

My supervising officer thinks I’m a flaw of some kind, an imbalance to the force of nature. He stares me down as if I’m an ant and my comrade beside me was the only who actually passed the trials. I was meant to put his mouth into a gape when my comrade decided to talk a lot about how cool it is to be in an army. Yeah, like we already know that. She really talks a lot and I don’t even know her name yet. But our supervising officer keeps on glancing at me like I need to be sent home.

Yes, I know I am small. I fight like a girl but I can defend myself. My size has an advantage. I’m small that’s why I’m very hard to catch. I wanted to yell at him that I got the highest score in our batch but then it still wouldn’t matter to him. The way he looks at me, it’s like I’m a bug he wants to step on.

My display told me he’s Conleth Argent from Sector 2. He belongs to the second batch of Addonexus who came in Battle Camp. I’m starting to think that the virtuals weren’t so bad at all since I won’t look so rude if I refuse to shake anyone’s hand. The displays tell you everything that you need to know. For example, my talkative comrade here.

SIGOURNEY CROFF

ADDONEXUS 3

REPUBLIC OF ARGOS-SECTOR 1

LEVEL 23

TOTAL SCORE: 13, 128

She kept on beaming at me but it was really hard to tell whether she’s a friend or a foe. They couldn’t blame me if I think of them that way. I didn’t trust my bunk mates. I was actually glad they weren’t with me. They have a thing for secret slaughter like they were Gladiators since birth. Especially that girl, Phyllis. She’s dangerous to be around anybody.

“They only gave us two?” I turned around to see another boy in the hall. He made his way to us. He fell in place with Conleth. His name is Athren Knox and he has the darkest hair I’ve ever seen in my entire life span. It looked like you’re staring at midnight without the stars. His hair made his skin look like ashen white and his blue eyes glow.

“What are you doing here?” Conleth’s eyes narrowed upon seeing him.

“Picking.” Athren answered without a blink. He looked from me to Sigourney then back to me. His stares could freeze anyone. I wonder what he specializes in.

“I think I’ll pick this one.” He pointed Sigourney who gasped loudly beside me. Conleth’s frown deepened.

“You can take care of the little one.” He winked at me and my face burned. Not because he winked at me but because I was furious. He called me little one like I’m five!

Conleth let out a brittle laugh. Athren gave him a challenging look with a cock of his eyebrow.

“You have something to say, Con?”

“Yes, I have, Athren.”

Athren snorted. “Bri has asked me to supervise. As the second in command, I believe I have the right to choose my apprentice.”

“Bri and I have an understanding.” Con pointed out. Athren continued to smirk at him like the whole “understanding” thing didn’t mean much when it comes to position.

Conleth’s jaw tightened. His anger surge into the surface like an angry whale. Athren sure knows which buttons to push to infuriate Conleth. Boys. They really love to play games against each other and I really don’t get them.

Athren smirked at him before he turned around with Sigourney trailing like a pup behind him.

“And by the way, Con,” he turned and looked at Conleth. “I’ll take the training room first.”

As soon as he disappeared from sight, I thought Con was going to release his anger towards me by yelling at me. But he didn’t. I think he had considered it but then he decided not to. Instead, he let his hands brush away the frustration off of his hair.

“Should the commander be here?” I asked in our sudden silence. He looked sharply at me and I flinched despite myself. “Are you the commander?”

“No.” he prompted. He looked away from me. “She has other errands.”

She. So our commander’s a girl. Wow. Well, I bet she could kick more asses better than me. Conleth snapped his fingers at me and I straightened up.

“Come on, training starts now.” He started to walk and I followed.

“I thought Athren said he’d use the training room.” I pointed out just in case he forgot.

“He meant the drills.” He said without much of a look at me. Oh my god he despises me. Well, to hell with that, I don’t care if he thinks I’m the one making his life miserable.

“Where are you taking me then?” I asked him instead of blurting out that he treated me unfairly. I wouldn’t be so dramatic in my first day. Most especially not in front of this boy.

To my surprise, he stops; he turns to me, and smirks. My eyebrows rise at him.

“I’m teaching you how to shoot.”

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