Mikeal had finished unpacking and was now sitting around looking at his room. There wasn't much to see—the room was pretty empty. Apart from the single bed and counter, nothing seemed relevant.
He glanced around, noting the room's similarity to his old apartment before he'd moved to the military quarters. The military room was bigger, though, with enough space to store anything he wanted. It was a suite, unlike his cramped former home.
His eyes lingered on the walls. They felt dull and hollow, needing something, but he couldn't remember where he'd put it. Mikeal rummaged through his neatly packed belongings.
"Where the hell is it?" Mikeal muttered, growing desperate.
The room, initially tidy, was now a disaster: clothes strewn across the floor, the white duvet stripped from the bed, drawers hanging open, and single socks spilling out.
Frustration mounted. The item he sought was nowhere to be found. He was certain he'd packed it—had he lost it? Worse, had he left it behind?
Retrieving it would be impossible. Even if the military allowed students to leave, he'd never navigate back—the bus windows had been lead-covered, and they'd been drugged during transport.
Hector, hearing the commotion outside, knocked on Mikeal's door.
"Knock, knock. Mikeal, you okay, bud?" Hector let himself in, shoving past the clutter blocking the door.
"Hector, how did you get in?" Mikeal asked, startled.
"Sorry—knocked a bunch, no answer," Hector said, surveying the chaos. "Whoa, you throw a party in here?"
"Huh?"
"Your room's a mess! Clothes everywhere!"
"Oh… I was looking for something important. Can't find it," Mikeal said, sinking onto the bed.
"Need help? I'm bored anyway," Hector offered, picking up a shirt.
"Nah. Probably misplaced it. I'll find it later," Mikeal replied, defeated.
"O-kay. Wanna grab food? I'm starving," Hector tried.
"Not hungry. Go ahead—I'll catch up," Mikeal said, gathering clothes.
"See you later, then," Hector said, leaving.
He returned within a minute.
"Forget something?" Mikeal asked.
"Alexia told Celine she's coming for you. Wants answers," Hector warned, blocking the door.
"What?"
Mikeal reluctantly agreed to join Hector. It wasn't fear of Alexia—he just lacked answers. She was relentless, like a dog with a bone.
He still didn't understand his memory blackouts or his superhuman feats. The military hadn't given them any serum yet.
"Is she out yet?" Mikeal crouched.
"Hear her door jiggling," Hector whispered, peeking out.
"Run!"
They crept out silently—the door was soundproof—and tiptoed toward the elevator. Alexia's door creaked open.
"You really think he's hiding something?" Celine's voice echoed.
"He's acting weird, even for Mikeal," Alexia replied.
The boys bolted down the stairs, hearing the elevator ding. Thirty minutes later, they reached the first floor.
"Phew… Never run that much in my life," Hector panted, drenched in sweat. Mikeal stood unfazed.
"H-how… are you… not dying?" Hector gasped.
"Dunno," Mikeal shrugged.
A Grade 4 student glided down the escalator. "Hey, guys," they greeted, passing by.
Mikeal spotted the sign: 'Escalator Option.'
"Seriously?" He glared at Hector.
"What? What?" Hector trailed behind.
Outside, students flooded toward the cafeteria. Inside, the space stretched impossibly large, defying its modest exterior.
"Whoa… This place is insane!"Hector gaped.
"Come on," Mikeal said, heading to the floating menu.
"What're you getting?" Mikeal asked.
"Too many choices…" Hector mumbled, eyeing hotdogs, cakes, and more.
Sharon, a gray-haired woman with a prominent mole, took their orders.
"Large pizza," Mikeal said.
"That's 800 credits!" Hector hissed.
"Grade Fives get unlimited credits, sweetie," Sharon winked.
Hector ordered half the menu. Mikeal nibbled two slices before pushing his plate away.
"Why're you not eating?" Hector asked, mouth full.
"Tastes bland," Mikeal said.
Hector stole a bite. "Tastes fine!"
Mikeal drowned his pizza in every sauce available.
"You'll get sick!" Hector groaned.
Ignoring him, Mikeal took a sip of soda—still awful.
"Hey, Hector… What do you know about systems?" Mikeal asked.
"Systems?" Hector frowned.
"Yeah."
"Game systems?"