19 Hunger

After the commander's departure, an eerie silence settled in the room for minutes, stretching for what felt like an eternity. It was enough time for him to be too far away to hear them. 

After the commander's departure, an eerie silence settled in the room, stretching for what felt like an eternity. Five minutes passed, allowing a sense of distance to form between them and the lingering presence of their authoritarian overseer.

In a hushed whisper, Zack voiced his doubts, as if still suspecting the commander to be lurking in the hallway, eavesdropping on their every word. "Are we still going to escape?" His eyes darted around the room, seeking any glimmer of affirmation. Zino responded with a nonchalant shrug, while Szedra remained quietly contemplative.

Lanse, never one to mince words, expressed his skepticism, dismissing the commander's words with disdain. "I don't buy into that load of crap I heard back there," he declared, his voice carrying a tone of defiance.

"Don't we all?" Zack asked rhetorically. 

ess, however, sensed that attempting an escape at this moment would be futile, not because of the commander's discouragement or fear, but due to the lack of information about the place to make a proper escape plan. Information like how to work the teleporter would be great since they needed to get back to the big gate. She sighed. 

Meanwhile, Zack rose from his seat, a determined glint in his eyes, and made his way to the table. He claimed one of the canned drinks for himself, swiftly prying it open with a satisfying pop. As he took a swig from the can, he voiced his rationale, "Guess that's a no. Besides, it's past the global curfew as the commander said—and I have no intentions of getting eaten alive by a Sybervirian." His words held a blend of determination and self-preservation.

Those were his last words before he lifted the can to his mouth to drink.

"We're staying for now," Tess said, stressing the word 'now.' 

Szedra got up and said in a serious voice, "First we need to see what our rooms are like. If I don't like what I see I'm getting the hell out of here tonight." Szedra's determination to assess their rooms compelled her to take the lead towards the archway. 

Tess and the others followed suit, embarking on a journey to explore their assigned quarters. They followed Szedra down the hall, made their way up the stairs, but no one dared to step above the last step as they observed the distinct red tape on the upper ground. 

Damn, that man was serious. They either went left or right from there which could be done without touching the tape. 

"There really is a tape there? I thought that part was an over-exaggeration," added Zack. 

"Which side is the female side again?" Szedra asked.

"Males on the left was all I heard," said Lanse as he put one foot onto the floor on the left side of the tape. He looked around before saying, "There's no alarm. I must be right." 

He continued on the left down the hallway and Zack followed him while Tess, Szedra, and Zino continued on the right. The hallway did not continue straight but bent at a corner so they could no longer look behind to see each other. The absence of a direct line of sight to the boy's section rendered the presence of the red tape justified.

"Remember if anything happens scream and we'll come bursting in," said Zack who was no longer visible after he went around the corner. 

Lanse added a touch of cynicism to the statement, hinting at their differing levels of commitment. "Speak for yourself." 

With their shadows concealed by the bend in the hallway, Tess felt a sense of separation but trusted in their promise to come to each other's aid.

Continuing down the new corridor, Tess noticed their luggage stacked neatly, indicating their respective rooms. Oddly enough, she saw no grilled-off sections anywhere from the time she was there, not even the large automatic ones that dropped down from the ceiling. It was common practice for public places like her Academy and the clinic to have. 

Coming to a halt in front of her designated door, Tess's eyes widened in disbelief as she noticed her bag placed on the ground. The lack of consideration for her belongings irked her, and she briefly imagined the solder's torture. They could have fixed it on top of her two suitcases or something.

She averted her gaze from the bag, searching for a way to open the door. Surprisingly, there was no door knob or handle on the outside, perplexing her further. With curiosity tinged with frustration, she pondered how to gain entry.

Szedra, positioned in front of the adjacent door, provided a solution to the mystery. "You have to put your hand on it," she informed Tess, pointing out that Zino had already successfully gained access to her room.

Behind Szedra, Zino's long plaited hair vanished through the doorway before the door automatically slid shut behind her. After waiting for a scream and getting none, Szedra placed her hand over the black screen on the right side of her door. 

Tess followed to do the same. Thin blue glowing lines moved up the screen behind her hand followed by a robotic voice, 'Hand signature locked.'

With a seamless motion, the door automatically slid to the side, granting Tess access to her room, only to close promptly behind her, sealing her inside. A surge of adrenaline coursed through her veins, causing her heart to beat faster. She reminded herself that it was merely an advanced door, designed with security in mind. It was the only door that seemed impervious to the threat of Sybervirians.

Zack's remark about its lavishness echoed in her mind. Her rationalization helped quell her unease, allowing her to regain composure and take in her surroundings.

The room sprawled before her, more than twice the size of her former living space back home before it was tragically destroyed. She pushed away the memories of the meager accommodations she had endured at Jeremy's parents' place, knowing it couldn't compare to this newfound space. 

Advancing toward the wall adorned with a peach-colored curtain, she noticed a controller mounted beside it. With gentle pressure, she pressed the button on the controller, prompting the curtain to gracefully part in the center, revealing a small opening. She withdrew her hand from the controller, leaving the curtain in its partially open state.

Through the gap, Tess caught a glimpse of a thick pane of glass, measuring approximately two inches in depth. Beyond the glass, she beheld a breathtaking vista of the starry night sky. 

However, the realization dawned upon her that attempting to break the glass as an escape route would be an exercise in futility. Moreover, a sense of vertigo washed over her as she recognized the considerable height at which her room was situated. Leaping from such a distance would undoubtedly result in serious damage to her legs. 

The commander was also right, it was also past global curfew. She began to wonder if there was some spiteful reasoning behind the late time stated in the letter. With a slight turn away from the curtain, her curiosity grew.

The customary commencement time for the Mid-Sentry was renowned for being nine o'clock in the morning. However, the letter they received indicated a three o'clock afternoon start. Moreover, the additional hour wasted waiting outside the gate felt deliberately orchestrated, leading her to a resolute conclusion of intent.

Momentarily diverted, she found herself drawn to the allure of the king-sized bed, adorned with four plump pillows on the verge of bursting at the seams. She envisioned a single touch transforming them into spongy explosions, releasing a sense of indulgence. Adjacent to the bed lay an opulent dark red carpet, inviting her feet to greet the morning's embrace of luxurious softness.

Bright lights from a door left ajar sized her gaze. Driven by curiosity, she approached and gently pushed it open. To her astonishment, every wall, including the ceiling, boasted intricately tiled designs. One corner of the room housed a beckoning jacuzzi, adorned with an array of buttons longing to be experimented with. Nearby, a secluded shower area revealed itself, complete with a handheld showerhead.

Observing the innovative water-conserving sink situated atop the toilet's tank, she marveled at the attention to detail. A comprehensive set of controllers added a touch of modern convenience. The immaculate cleanliness and sparkling surfaces were so pristine that her every movement reflected in the glistening surroundings, transforming her into a living part of the radiant environment.

She swung open the grand double doors of the closet and furrowed her brow at the vast expanse before her. It was clear that Zino would have more than enough room to store all her luggage, leaving her with no hope of claiming any free space for herself. Darn it! Disappointment tinged her thoughts.

Moving towards her bed, she removed her cap, revealing a cascade of tousled hair, and collapsed backward onto the inviting surface. As anticipated, the bed yielded beneath her weight, offering a luxuriously sinking softness that emphasized her profound exhaustion. The realization dawned upon her, highlighting just how drained she truly was.

She hadn't gotten proper sleep since Petra passed away and the train ride was unbearable even as she gained distance from the place that brought on new nightmares. Seeking respite, she closed her eyes tightly, immersing herself in the enveloping darkness, yearning to block out the tumultuous thoughts.

Three hours later her growling belly woke her up. She had fallen asleep and the lights had automatically turned off. Recalling her time at Jeremy's house, she needed silence and complete darkness to fall asleep after three hours of laying still. Kudos to the bed.

Rising from the bed, she stood upon the plushness of the carpet, relishing the velvety sensation against the soles of her feet, before sliding them into her trusty boots. Her growling tummy prompted her determination to seek sustenance, prompting her to affirm her mission to find food.

With a newfound familiarity with the control panel, she navigated effortlessly outside her room, past her luggage that remained stationed in the hallway, and down the corridor. She progressed down the stairs without having to step over the red tape. 

The faint blue light bouncing off the wall in front of the archway gave away its occupancy. She took a deep breath, savoring the anticipation, and used her eye ability. The second she made out Zack's distinct features, she blinked and headed through the archway to enter the room. 

The only light in the room came from the large hologram projected from the television emitter. She overlooked Zack who she already saw to focus on Szedra's silhouette. She stood still on the couch directly facing the large screen. Each blink brought forth a new sequence of flickering channels, captivating and elusive. 

Her attention fixated once again on Zack, who occupied a couch far away from Szedra. His face lit up like a ghost from reflecting the light from the laptop on his lap. Softly, he muttered to himself, "Fake, fake, fake..." The words hung in the air, conveying a sense of disillusionment and deception.

Tess couldn't shake the intuition that he was referring to the Primus Mid-Sentry website, a realization that struck her like a thunderbolt. It had been an eye-opening experience for her, as she had meticulously examined every detail, convinced of its authenticity. She cursed under her breath, lamenting her own gullibility.

Tess left that room for the other one with a bright light shining from it. Stepping into the kitchen, her movement halted abruptly as her gaze fell upon Lanse She gritted her teeth at the eyesore.

He stood against the counter, an incongruous sight that marred the surroundings. Beside him, a glass beer bottle rested, while his unwavering gaze remained fixed on the device he had been engrossed in earlier. His cheek moved in synchrony with the rhythm of his chewing, casting an unappealing visual display.

Someone was taking advantage of the legal age to drink. Iced-coffee was the only thing that could get her drunk. Suddenly, a tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, tantalizing her senses and igniting a rapturous excitement in her stomach. Drawn closer to the source, she couldn't resist the pull. 

Zino's back faced Tess as she leaned forward towards the oven.

"You can cook?" Tess exclaimed with marvel evident in her tone. 

Startled by Tess's exclamation, she jolted, her posture straightening as she pivoted to face her. The corners of her lips stretched into a wide smile, relief washing over her as she recognized Tess. Swiftly, she pushed her leg back, shutting the oven behind her.

"Phew, Tess. It's a good thing I wasn't handling a knife," Zino exclaimed, a mixture of amusement and gratitude in her voice. She moved gracefully to another counter, presenting Tess with a tray filled with cookies. Handing it over, she explained, "The chicken won't be ready for a while, so I whipped up these treats for us to enjoy."

Tess found herself taken aback—a rich girl that knows how to cook? Her gaze fell upon the four cookies nestled amidst a scattering of crumbs. Acting on impulse, she scooped up all four with her hands and stuffed one into her mouth. Her eyes widened in sheer delight as the flavors exploded on her taste buds—it was, without a doubt, the most exquisite raisin cookie she had ever savored.

"You didn't make these," she declared, staring intently into Zino's eyes, her skepticism palpable.

Zino met Tess's gaze, her own eyes brimming with sincerity. "I did, and from scratch too. There's a freezer and pantry the size of a room, filled with an array of ingredients," she exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. "There are so many dishes I can't wait to create. Perhaps this place won't be so bad after all."

In that moment, Tess realized that if her demise were to come, it certainly wouldn't be from starvation. A wave of relief washed over her as that was a very unpleasant way to go out. 

Taking a seat on the stool, Tess couldn't help but notice a tablet mounted to the counter. With a single touch, the screen flickered to life, showcasing an array of mouthwatering dishes. Her senses awakened, and she couldn't contain her excitement as she blurted out, "Please tell me you're making Almatchy-chicken?" The image of the savory meat on the screen made her mouth water in anticipation.

Engaged in a low conversation, Tess and Zino's voices intertwined in the air. However, Tess's attention occasionally wandered to L, who remained engrossed in his tablet, his focus dedicated to the words on the screen. The question that nagged at her mind was the reason behind the multitude of scars that adorned his body.

Before long, the delectable aroma wafting from the oven enticed the others from the telegraph emitter room into the kitchen. Szedra and Zack settled around the central table, exchanging murmurs about an unfortunate incident involving an entire can of juice and a couch.

"It's your fault," Szedra argued.

"You're right. Maybe I should have turned the light on," Zack admitted, accepting responsibility.

Szedra perched on one of the stools, inhaling the tantalizing aroma that permeated the air. "What's that smell?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Zino deftly removed the tray from the oven, placing it on the table alongside freshly baked bread and a thick, luscious red sauce. Zack, unamused by the banter, took the stool next to Lanse, who remained unfazed by his presence. With all five of them gathered around the counter, Zino began distributing the meals. Zack, ever helpful, joined in, while Szedra took charge of pouring out drinks.

Tess hesitated for a moment, considering sitting there like Lanse, but she knew she was doing them a favor. Cooking had always elicited a strong and explosive reaction from her.

"This is so much better than Mid-Sentry food," Lanse mumbled, his mouth full as he indulged in a big bite of chicken, his cheeks puffing out.

"Compliments to the chef," Zack chimed in.

"Same," Szedra agreed.

Tess nodded in affirmation, her expression conveying her satisfaction. Zino, in her typical modest fashion, shrugged shyly.

"There's certainly an abundance of food here," Zino remarked, observing the spread before them.

The group found themselves engaged in a hushed conversation sparked by Tess's wild suggestion of being fed to Sybervirians. The others dismissed it as crazy, but Lanse proposed that it could be some sort of Mid-Entry test, acknowledging its craziness while leaving room for possibility. Zino questioned the commander's integrity after ensuring their safety, and the mention of the commander left a sour taste lingering in the air.

As time passed, the group found themselves exchanging jokes about the commander in the kitchen, finding solace in humor amidst the uncertain circumstances. They laughed about their training being a race to gulp down cans of soda, but Zino, feeling disgusted, declared herself a failure even before the race began.

Zino's watch alarm chimed, signaling the late hour and the pressing need for sleep. The idea of retreating to their separate and unfamiliar rooms felt uninviting, prompting them to seek refuge on the couches in the room with the telegram emitter. However, their hopes were dampened by the realization that there were only three couches available.

Szedra corrected that illusion by stating, "Technically, it's two couches since that one is soiled."

Lanse, eager to secure a spot for himself, rushed and sprawled out on the couch. "First come first serve," he proclaimed. Spread out on a couch all to himself. "As he shut his eyes, he blurted "See you turds in the morning."

"Why don't us gentlemen take the floor?" Zack suggested. 

L opened eyes with hands folded behind his head. "Why?" he asked. 

Zack said not another word, knowing it would be a pointless argument. 

"I'm not moving," Lanse said with his eyes closed. "The three females aren't handicapped." He sneaked a mischievous glance at Tess before smirking.

Szedra settled for the soiled couch, occupying the dry end, while the three remaining individuals contemplated sharing the other couch.

Tess stepped back, voicing her incredulity. "What? Three adults sleeping on one couch." She stamped her foot down and folded her arms. "I refuse."

"Keep the noise down," Lanse demanded from his half-asleep state. "I'm trying to sleep." He rolled to his other side, facing the backrest of the couch. 

Tess's lips twitched with disgust at Lanse's behavior. Meanwhile, Zino, on the brink of sleepiness, settled on one end of the remaining couch, claiming it for herself. Zack resignedly took his place on the floor, and after a moment's consideration, Tess opted to join him on the floor, leaving the couch to Zino alone.

Tess saw the cold, hard floor as a strategic advantage, ensuring she wouldn't fall into a deep sleep and enabling her to remain vigilant for any potential threats or kidnapping attempts.

Szedra turned the telegram emitter off and darkness enveloped the room. Tess's mind drifted to Petra and the imminent upheaval in her life. Haunting screams echoed in her mind—people she had hurt, classmates she had wronged. Sleep eluded her, compounded by the discomfort of the hard ground beneath her. She longed for a cup of coffee to ease her restless mind.