Waiting Times

The days passed as if they were not counted. The group led by the mayoress of Luesia, Victoria, and the representative of the Valdelomar group, Lois, remained isolated from the outside, leaving the routine work to their lower-ranking subordinates; always alert to any sign of people passing near the residence.

Weeks went by and the investigations of what happened in the first operation did not give any satisfactory answer.

- ... Nearby residents have told us that, every few days, they have seen people walking at night or early in the morning in that place carrying sacks with them ... they mentioned that at the beginning they came in groups, but for the last three months they have been coming less and less. - Walter explained.

- ... For two weeks we have been on vigil to see if anyone else showed up ... but there are no more signs..." said Lisbeth who had a haggard face.

- My lady, our men are getting tired; I think it is better to use drones and leave a team resting near the place.

- Yes ... I think ...

Suddenly, the young woman collapsed on top of her desk. However, no one was surprised.

- Bruno, send for her to be taken to her room.

- Understood.

After a few minutes, only two men were left in the office.

- It's about time she went down... she's overdemanding herself as usual... - said Marcus.

- Yes...

- So what will you do? - asked Marcus.

- We will continue with the plan...

- Speak up... What are you worried about, Walter?

- ... One of the other team members said something to me when he was able to regain consciousness for a few moments ...

- Oh, yes... strangely they all remain unconscious most of the time, don't they... What did he say?

- Supposedly, the one we saw walking around that day was dead sitting on the floor and had a message that said: We're moving .... - Walter said.

- It's like ... it was a goodbye message.

- Yes, I think so too. It seems like that night was the last night they were going to show up, but something doesn't add up.

- ¿?

- If the neighbors in the area were saying that there used to be a lot of people bringing sacks to that place, where are the sacks now?

- ... Do you think there is another hiding place there? - Marcus asked.

- Yes ...

- Is that why you want to use drones? To inspect the area without endangering your people.

- Exactly... I know it will be more difficult, but it's better than sending them into the lion's den again. - Walter answered determined.

- I see, I agree with you ... I will give you my support, if you want to inform the princess. - replied Marcus coolly as he left the office.

Weeks passed, meanwhile Aren remained locked up in the Beltran residence, due to Emily's concern about what happened in the abandoned village, besides Aren was no longer necessary for him to go out, since he had Russel's phone contact. On the other hand, during this time, the young woman was visited twice by that old friend of hers, Eduardo, who in his last visit was accompanied by the two maids of the Gutierrez house.

On those occasions the young man again reminded her of that offer and, although he now knew about the contract signed by Aren and Emily, he unexpectedly never lost his composure again, but seemed more determined that the young woman would accept his proposal.

Emily never mentioned about her alliance with the princess, as well as what she now knew about the state of her house as a result of what her uncle, Count Beltran, had told her.

On the other hand, Melissa had shown signs of low-grade anxiety, but this was entirely worrisome to her parents who knew her. The strong and determined personality of their daughter similar to, but at the same time different from Emily which implied that the women of the Gutierrez family were strong-willed had waned.

As the questions were being asked, Roger and Gladis noticed that every so often their daughter who would not confess the reason for her condition would turn her attention to ask about Aren and occasionally turn her gaze to where he was.

A look of needing to know he was near.

It was as if while Emily was growing stronger, Melissa was now growing weaker. The only one who didn't change was Aren; no, actually, he had changed too, as he now spent hours stuck in an app he discovered, the social network Facebook and WhatsApp. It was as if he had forgotten his goals.

With almost a month having passed since the bomb blast incident, days were routine at ARET, or at least for the first-year students.

In one of the academy's libraries, two young men were studying with several books on the table.

- Hey ... I'm already tired of studying dates and names ...

The young man next to him seemed to be smoking out of his head.

- Daniel... Are you okay?

- Yes... yes... When is the second graded practice?

- In two days... - answered Renato.

- ... Do you think we will make it?

- Not really, no.

- I think so too. From here we have to study for the biology practicum...

Renato dropped his head to the table as if he was free falling.

- Hey, come to think of it ... Liam doesn't seem to be worried about the tests ... I think the first practice he got 9.5 out of 10.

- That brat ... He's supposed to be with us helping us ... - commented Renato somewhat frustrated with his head on the table.

In the surroundings they could see how the other students of the different specialties were not approaching the two of them; it was as if they were ignoring them.

- We can't even ask others for help ... it's been a month and we don't know anyone.

Daniel sighed with a slight smile full of tiredness when he heard that comment.

Suddenly, footsteps came to the table where the depressed pair was sitting; a young silhouette approached.

- Oh, it looks like they need help. - said the voice of a young blonde-haired girl.

- You...

- What's the matter, am I not welcome? - Ophelia asked smiling.

About half an hour passed and the three young people were gathered in that library where they had been trying to study.

- It seems that ... they are not doing well with these subjects, isn't it? - commented Ofelia trying to be sympathetic.

- I didn't come here to learn this; not even to be a student. - said Renato.

- What? - said Daniel and Ofelia.

- N-No ... I mean I didn't come here expecting to be studying at a table all day ... 

- Oh, I see...

 "Uff ... I almost screwed up ... that bad habit of mine to talk everything when I'm tired ... " thought Renato.

- By the way, where is your other friend, Liam? - asked the young girl.

- No idea... I don't remember what he told us. - answered Daniel.

- What does it matter? I'm sure he's making friends over there, since he's got plenty of time...

- Friends? ... Oh, I see ...

Was what Ophelia replied as she looked around as everyone was walking away from them and muttering from time to time.

- So they think you are part of them, do they?

- What? - the pair asked in surprise.

- I'm talking about the ones who are bothering some freshmen....

While Daniel and Renato listened to Ofelia's story, outside the campus, a group of young uniformed men were walking around the place.

- Wow, this place really is like a mini-city. - said a girl's voice.

- ... No matter how many times I come here, it's still amazing to see, isn't it, Leandro? - said another young man from that group of three.

- I guess...

- Come on, stop being like that; aren't you happy that we got in?

- ... Yes, that's true ...

- Hey, Alexia. Say something to her too.

- Leandro, I know you're sad that we didn't all get in, but you should... - the words of the young girl named Alexia stopped when she saw who was passing in front of them.

The silhouette of a short young man who, like them, was wearing that white uniform and a patch over his left eye had appeared that afternoon.

- Hey, Alexia ... that's ...

- Yeah, that's...

- Enough, guys. Don't take what happened at the entrance exam personally. - Leandro said.

The faces of that group, though they tried to feign friendliness, their responses would not help them.

- Oh, it's you guys..." said Liam as he noticed them up close.

- Ah, yes... and what? - replied one of them.

- Hey, get a hold of yourself, Remus. - whispered Alexia.

- Taking a walk? - asked Leandro.

- ... Yes, something like that and you?

- I'd say the same...

Passing near them they could hear murmurings of students; however, strangely, the murmurings were mostly for Liam.

- Hey, I wanted to ask you something ... do you know about the students who have been admitted to the infirmary? - Liam asked as he noticed those comments from the other students walking around.

- ... What they all know ... it seems that there are some who have passed the rules ... But, why do you want to know about that? - Leandro asked.

- They must have already realized that I am one of those they have taken as a flank for their complaints ... many think that I am one of those who attacked those students ... And now as that instructor, the rock, was sent to who knows where, nobody seems to care about this.

- What is it you want to say? - Remus asked defiantly.

The mood began to darken and it wasn't because it was late afternoon.

- ...I don't really care what's going on, but I'm getting involved in the consequences of something I didn't do...I can't stand the thought of it. - Liam replied in an extremely hostile tone.

- I see ... but what does that have to do with us? - replied Leandro.

- That guy... Richard, his name was, wasn't it... What do you know about him? 

At the mention of that name, the group's disguised appearances seemed to vanish completely,

Silence reigned for a few seconds; however, before Leandro could respond, he noticed a group of students coming behind Liam talking haughtily and making fun of something they had done.

The young man noticed and turned to look immediately. Certainly it was a group of young men who looked like delinquents and one of them had in his hand a pair of broken glasses that he was playing with. However, Liam didn't mind too much because he didn't know who they were.

As he walked past Liam to the side where Leandro, Alexia and Remus were, a hand grabbed the arm of the man who was laughing and playing with those glasses.

- Hey, what the fuck do you think you're doing! - exclaimed the boy.

- Those glasses... Where did you get them from? - asked Leandro, totally serious.

- Ah! And who the fuck are you to tell me that ...?! - Before finishing his words, that young man of intimidating appearance was reduced when he saw the uniform worn by the one who stopped him.

 Quickly his eyes went to see the insignia on the uniform which showed a single golden star.

A quick smile full of pride could be distinguished on the face of that student; however, one of his group pointed out that there were three others with those uniforms.

- Damn ... - muttered that guy - Those are my glasses ... a while ago I fell when I was playing sports, so I was just going to throw them away. - replied the young man as if he was in front of a superior.

- I see... behind you there is a trash can... you can do it there. - Leandro replied, making it clear that he didn't believe that silly story he had just made up.

- Oh, I appreciate that.

- Yeah... I hope you don't drop them again. - were the words with which he said goodbye to the group.

 With that group gone, Leandro together with Alexia and Remus went in the direction where the vandals were coming from.

- Hey, we still haven't finished ... - Liam was interrupted as he spoke.

- If you want to know what's going on, then follow us. - said Alexia.

As the night came, inside the library, the faces of two young people were somewhat surprised by the story told by Ofelia.

- W-But... Why us?! - exclaimed Renato.

- Shh... - said a voice.

- Well, someone had to take the blame. - replied Ofelia.

- But why me? - exclaimed Renato again.

- Shh!" said a voice again.

- Well, of all the new students, some of you and the repeaters seem to be the ones who attacked the students. The others don't think they are the ones from PARET, nor the ones with influence like the two rich kids or people like me who come from the aristocracy.

- ... Eh ... usually you wouldn't think the opposite ... you who have power or recognition would use it to take advantage of others. - commented Daniel.

Ofelia smiled.

- It certainly happens in stories or comics, but, in reality, one must be more discreet... that's why I don't spend time with you. - Ophelia replied smiling with no bad intentions.

- Oh, thank you for your sincerity... - said Renato.

- So... How do we solve this? I don't like to be the center of attention in this. - asked Daniel.

- No idea.

Arriving to one of the places where less people were passing by, at the back of the amphitheater, Liam and the rest stopped when they saw a kind of dumpster where there were scraps of cardboard, fabrics and more disposable supplies.

- Hey, Leandro ... this place ...

- No ... it is too early to think it is ...

- Do not feel a strange smell ... as has fish ...

- Today's menu was seafood? I think it was pickled.

Walking along, Liam wondered what nonsense he was talking until he came in sight of something.

The boy's eyes as well as the rest except Leandro's were shocked to see on the floor envelopes of torn condoms. As they walked further they noticed spilled used condoms, but the most disturbing thing was to see out of nowhere a young student of about 17 years old lying on the floor all beaten and wet with his clothes battered.

As they got closer, they felt the stench of urine coming off all over his body.

The young man was unconscious.