A Wonderous Welcome to ZLevel

"Julia!"

"Hm?"

"What does the director mean by 'this is a problem'?", I asked, matching her long stride. She wouldn't look me in the eye though. Bad sign. Especially from grown-ups.

"Nothing. Focus on other stuff. You got put in ZLevel! Thats the highest level there is! Most kids there are at least fifteen. Wait how old are you again?"

"I'm turning fifteen in a month's time. And you are changing to subject", I accused her frowning.

"Yes, I am changing the subject. Want to meet the rest of your level?"

I was obviously going to get nothing out of her. Might as well, see these other kids. I mean, how bad could they be exactly?

As soon as I stepped into the incredibly spacious ZLevel dorms, I realized exactly how bad they could be.

"Julia? What happened? Why are you with a kid?", one girl asked. She had an air of authority about her. The kind of authority one feels they deserve simply by being senior to someone.

"Ah, Soahban. Nice to see you. Where is Jason?", Julia asked. I see she chooses what question to answer with everyone. Good to know.

"Jason went to look for ID at the office. Something about the enchantment?", Soahban said rolling her eyes, she obviously did not consider this matter important.

"Well then Akane. I'll leave you to it. I must speak with him", and then she rushed out without saying another word. Leaving me in the most awkward situation in ever.

"Um, hi?", I mumbled.

"Hello, go stand over there and wait for Julia", the girl said, dismissing me at once. "I expect you're in ALevel?"

"Um, actually... I'm in ZLevel", I said nervously.

The authoritative girl actually started laughing, "Oh sweetie, very funny. You must have heard wrong."

I shook my head, slightly annoyed now, "No. The ID said I'm to be in this level."

"You just like what... twelve?", she asked giggling.

"I'm fifteen in a month's time!", I nearly yelled at her.

"Must be small for your age then. Come on, follow me", she said tuning around with a wish of blond hair.

I followed her deeper into the building, it was beautiful. The building was at least fifteen feet high and two floors up. People were moving around all over, yelling from balconies and leaning over stairs to talk to others. There was a burst of heat here, a chill of air there and every few moments you had to dodge a floating ball of water. It was chaos.

What's not to love?

"Over there you have the dorms. Each room has about fifty beds split into two smaller rooms. Yea you have to share a room with an older girl. There must be an empty room for you, somewhere. What's your name again?"

"Akane"

"Right, Akane. What's your element?"

"Um. Mist", I muttered. Perhaps her reaction won't be the same as everyone else's has been?

I was badly mistaken.

"M- mist? You have to be joking", She said her eyes wide.

"Well, I'm not. And it's starting to tire me with people always reacting like this," I added folding my arms.

"Oi, Jason. You hear what she's saying?", Soahban suddenly called speaking to someone completely different.

Jason? How cliche would it be for this Jason guy to be a total knockout?

And so, my lesson on how cliche life could be exactly started.

"No, Soahban. I just got back from the ID's office. She's here", He said. His voice sounded so grim I couldn't repress a slight shudder.

Did I mention how intimidating this Jason figure was?

His storm gray eyes reflected off his ivory skin in a manner that would normally be incredibly handsome, if his features hadn't been arranged for fear at the moment. His auburn hair was short and scattered in beautiful curls around his head. He was rather bulky, but his height compensated for it. Making him look gangsterly instead of gorrillaish.

"So. You must be Akane. My name is Jason Gomez. I am senior captain here. Soahban is my vice. Welcome to ZLevel", he said holding out his hand to shake mine.

As I took his hand, I noticed how un- welcomish his welcome was.

"Nice to meet you I guess."

"Great. Soahban, I think you should join us. Is there any empty room?", Jason asked. completely averting his gaze from mine. Is this normal protocol?

A silent look of understanding passed between them and without a word, Soahban turned and led us towards a tiny room on the left of the first floor. It was very quiet and musty. When the lights flickered on and Soahban and Jason came into view, I gasped and ran for the door.

Why you may ask?

I'll tell you.

The room was full of weapons and they were armed.