The long conversation.

Merry handed the cup of water to Katie and sat next to her.

"Do you need anything else? Maybe food?"

"No, I had my lunch in the break," Katie replied putting the glass of water in the table after taking a big gulp.

"Perhaps you should lie down, it's uncomfortable in the couch. I will help you."

"Yeah, I should probably lie down. It would be better."

Merry took Katie to her room and helped her to lie down in her bed.

"I will leave now. You should rest," Merry said to Katie not wanting to disturb her and let her rest peacefully.

"No, don't go! I am not sleepy. I will be bored to death and there's nothing else to do here. Stay and keep me company. We can talk about random stuffs. These past days, we haven't been able to spend time with each other."

"Yeah, everything is so hectic," Merry said while taking a seat beside Katie on the bed.

"Is the training hard? It looks like they are pushing you guys real hard."

"Yeah, the physical training is quite hard but it is nothing compared to all the other classes. Psychology, politics, economics, communications, foreign languages, policies, governments, business practices, diplomacy, security and even literature. I can't even count them on my fingers."

"Really! you need to study all those things?" Merry asked getting surprised.

"Yeah, sometimes it is so tiring. We don't even know the purpose of all those lessons," Katie said sighing.

"Do you like here?" Merry asked suddenly.

"Of course, I don't. Who likes to be held against their will? You are asking a weird question."

"No, I was just wondering. Have you ever thought about leaving?"

"Yes, everyday. It's bearable because you guys are here but I want to see what's outside these walls. But, does it even matter what we want?"

"I mean, we could at least think about it. If you had the opportunity to leave, would you?"

"Yeah! I would. I am also curious about one thing. Why these questions?" Katie said.

Merry considered deeply whether to tell Katie or not but she thought the timing couldn't be more right than this.

So, Merry spoke,"In one of the sessions I had with Mrs. Miller, she told me that we were chosen for this program based on some tests. Don't you think that means we had life outside this place before? Although I don't know how long we have been here but still..."

"She told you that? Why? Aren't they all about being mysterious and stuff?" Katie said getting flabbergasted.

"I also don't know but she told me that. We don't have any choice but to take her words. She could be lying or telling the truth," Merry said.

"We could talk to the boys. We will ask them what they think about this information." Katie suggested.

"We could do that. Also, I think we should gather more information on this place and it's objective," Merry said.

"Let's talk to others first and come up with a plan. What do you think?" Katie asked.

"Okay, for now you rest. I will not disturb you further. You need to slow down and relax. And, if your ankle hurts more call me. I will alert the guards to bring you pain killer. I am just in my room," Merry said that and left Katie's room.