Chapter V: Life in the Compound

Life inside the underground base was fairly calming. Nothing major happened often and when it did everyone thankfully didn't freak out. People went about their lives and jobs. The only disturbance was Isaiah and Milo loudly complaining and sweating everywhere. Milo and Isaiah had just completed yet another obstacle course and now they were allowed inside to eat. The obstacle course had taken them five tries total, but the last two just felt like Mr. Dean just enjoyed their suffering. In the cafeteria the breakfast for the day was pancakes. Not the packaged kind or the fresh-baked kind, that was one of the pluses of not being at school anymore. No more packaged foods that tasted of styrofoam. After eating they were sent to their "classroom" to learn what their grade was learning. Milo didn't know why they still had to learn school things, he also hadn't received a straight answer about why they had to. So he and Isaiah sat through boring video lectors on history, math, English, and biology. They did this while taking notes on the tablets that they were given. Halfway through they were allowed to order lunch, Milo choosing a sauteed steak and mushrooms while Isaiah as usual ordered a bacon jalapeno burger.

As they ate they received a notification on their tablets, from the principal. It was only addressed to Milo and Isaiah.

After lunch, please report to my office.

-Sir Palomides

Quickly finishing off their food, they walked to the principal's office. Milo looked at his screen, reviewing the message again. "I don't like it, Isaiah. It's completely random, and Zoë isn't included. What about her, we didn't do anything wrong. Did we?"

"No Milo we haven't, so let's just go down there and see." Isaiah placated

"Fine, but I still don't like it."

When they arrived they found the principal just sitting at his desk, looking at his phone. As the pair approached the desk the principal looked up.

"Hello, boys! Nice day isn't it?" He waved towards the two chairs in front of his desk. "Please sit."

After they settled themselves in Sir Palomidas began. "As you know you have been here for close to six months. So it's time for you to return to the real world as normal students."

Milo interjected, "But, it's been six months how are we explaining that?"

"If you would let me finish you would know," he said frowning at Milo "The story is that you were all chosen at random to be offered the chance for an exchange program. This program was based in France at the École Jeannine Manuel school. This is why you three know each other more, why you were gone for the last semester, and the fact you now know more languages. Now you can ask questions."

"Why do we have to go back?" Milo asked

"The main reasons are your mental health and to allay suspicions. If you were to just disappear without your different families freaking out. That would be very strange. Also, science has shown that lack of interactions with people your age can hurt you in the long run."

"What's our job?" Isaiah asked getting straight to the point.

"Right away nothing, you will be of course expected to come here every night for training. You mainly will just be waiting for us to find something for you to fight."

"So, are we staying with our parents? Not that I'm against it, but if Milo loses control of the wolf. You know." Isaiah asked

"You would still have a room with your parents, but you could also stay here. You'll be provided with a form of transportation that you choose."

"This seems important, so where is Zoë?" Said, Milo

"Zoë is currently finishing the final portion of her training and will be back soon. School starts in about a week, so you should probably get ready. Your school supplies will be in your room and use the company credit card for everything else you need."

Understanding they were being dismissed Milo and Isaiah rose and left the office. As they walked back Isaiah thought about what they learned.

We're gonna have to reconnect with the kids in our grade, not that we were connected in the first place, with the things we now know. Monsters exist and I'm a part devil with my soul waiting to be ripped out of me when I die. This will be interesting.

The walk back was silent, both of them processing. When they arrived both settled into their beds, pulled out their tablets, and started pulling up everything that wasn't one of the basic supplies. Like paper, graph paper, pencils, books, and notebooks. After they finished they finished off their day by ordering dinner and popcorn and settling in to finish the last few episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist.