ch

ut of th

the echo of his words clings to my

you in the snow the

es even

my other hand, my breath hitching-shallow and fast. My chest tightens. Not from

of his voice st

the last. Every sentence

ring myse

at Eleven. But my body shakes. Quiet tremors that I can

e a m

thought

e hallway is empty-just shadows, and the low hum of a wall light flicker

choing in my mind. Even y

uld go check on Elias, then go to the medic. But I can'

d pressed hard against the floor to ground myself. I whisper the soldier's code in my head

urvival. Pain

rrected throu

bedience

me for a fle

't tell myself this, I might remember that Elias is just a littl

rying. And if I cry, I

yone sees it, t

ways te

ve to protect

f it k

g in on me. I try to stand, but I can't. The weight and

here. Whoever it is

ach

ater, causing me to tremble. Not that I'm sca

are you s

form the medic about your condition fo

.. consider

ather's men who is genuinely ki

ash

y father shot for not carrying out her mission according to orders. She fell

mbat classes. when papa called for a meeting that day to welcome the new

on his almost pale skin, zigzag jeans. White hairs that make his green gla

why this guy was smiling to the point that I

acking, tracking, infiltration and stealing of some noteworthy information. He w

nning me in confusion for minutes, if not hours.

at is a foreigner doing in our domain? And he looks like his ears are still wet. Wh

oked from the soldier to Dave.

o across the hall. The soldier

d him for doubti

s, D

uestions? Does anyone el

ne said

. You are all

turning to their

ttention returned to me, staring with that same look. "You'll be receivi

, pa

ll take good care of h

ing away and le

was doing here," Dave says. " Turned out yo

ady kno

quiet, sta

l be your tutor...

p saying nonsen

. Why don't you just foc

good. For a kid your size,

dliness and smiling side of yours to yourself when you are around

wards him, he never stops be

ese

right

the medic." He said, gent

o go check on

coming here. He is s

I'll have to se

he lifts me up, like I wei

eyes serious not listening to my word

ach

g voice-a tone I've never heard from hi

o as I say. Because right now, you look like you could die any se

ree, not pre

easily, and besides, I know my body more th

l check on Elias afte

nk y