The Inhabitants of Cabin 4

Miles stood frozen, gaze fixed on his surroundings. The sand shore trailing off into green grass, the breeze, the beach, the surrounding pine trees. Even the building, which should have looked completely off in this sort of place, didn't. It had a familiar feeling, not unlike summer camp. It was almost like a vacation area. It would explain how the whole place was rounded off and guarded by the trees.

"Caspar, fetch Ian for me," Lancaster said, indicating that the moments given to Miles for admiration of the place were over.

"Yes, sir," replied Caspar, who then promptly teleported away. Miles noticed a blue surge of something emitting out from the area that used to be occupied by Caspar.

"Probably going to end up at the bottom of the ocean," Dawn shook her head, smirked, and walked off.

Dr. Lancaster put a hand on Miles' shoulder and said, "We're glad to have you here, Miles. You'll learn tons of useful stuff and be prepared for anything that might happen. This whole place was made for you and other kids like you. So let me know if there's anything you need. Ian will be along shortly to show you to your room and answer any questions you have about the academy. I have a feeling you'll do great things here." And with that he walked away. Miles was getting the odd feeling that he was joining a gang or something, but he decided to put that thought away. He'd been told the people here were like him, just as confused. They had strange powers too. If he was going to be anywhere, this was the place.

Just when Miles was starting to feel awkward standing by himself, a guy with glasses and curly hair walked up.

"So you're the new kid?" the boy asked.

"Uh... yeah," replied Miles, he didn't know what to think of this guy. "That's me, the new kid."

"Got a name, new kid?" he asked, looking Miles down from head to toe.

"Miles."

The guy nodded, "Nice to meet you, Miles. I'm Ian. You'll be staying in Cabin 4." As if that meant anything to Miles.

"Cabin 4?" Miles repeated, waiting for Ian to continue.

Ian pointed to a cabin that was to the left of the academy building, up against the bordering trees. To its left were three more cabins. Then, all the way to the right of the academy building were four more cabins. "It's the fourth one on the left. We call them by numbers. Cabins 1 and 2 are for the staff here. Cabin 3 just has me for now. Cabins 5 and 6 are the girls' cabins. Cabins 7 and 8 are empty right now, but they'll fill when we get more people here. Each cabin holds roughly four people."

Miles nodded, getting a feel for how everything was laid out, but something Ian had said had gotten him thinking. "How many people are here?"

"Good question. I'm not exactly sure, since I'm fairly new myself. From what I've heard, some people have been here for awhile."

"Like Caspar and Dawn?"

"Yeah, I think they were the first two recruited. Been in more sticky situations than anyone else. Actually, no one here has had much experience outside Fandomania besides them two," explained Ian. "They're on Dr. Lancaster's field team. Going to get recruits, if they're needed. Sometimes they aren't."

Ian nodded curtly and stuck his hand out, signalling the end of the conversation, "Nice to have you here, Miles. I'll be in Cabin 3 if you need me."

Miles nodded and headed in the direction of Cabin 4. His head hurt. He had never moved anywhere before, and had never really lived away from home. So this was a big step. His whole life had just changed, and it was still changing. Miles couldn't stop it, so he figured he'd just better adjust.

"Oy!" Caspar was ahead, in front of the cabin, waving at him. Beside him stood a Canadian boy and an African American, both of whom looked friendly enough. Miles walked over to them.

"This is Jason, your bunk-mate," said Caspar, pointing to the Canadian boy, who smiled at Miles. "And this is Kane, my bunk-mate. We're the inhabitants of Cabin 4."

Miles peered in the open door of the cabin. It was all wooden: the doors, the bunks, everything. Just like a place you'd stay in at summer camp. The two bunks were lined up on either side of the cabin, leaving an open space in the middle that contained a couple chairs around a small table that held a pack of cards. To the sides of the door, there were other doors leading to closets. At the back of the cabin, another door led into a decently sized bathroom. Overall, it wasn't bad. Miles nodded to the other guys, indicating his approval. Caspar grinned and said, "We have our fourth man. Our cabin is complete."

"Does that mean I'll finally have a teammate in basketball?" asked Jason, looking Miles up and down, perhaps trying to diagnose his skill level.

"Sure does, but it doesn't mean you're gonna win," replied Kane, nodding to Caspar, who did a shooting motion with his arms.

Caspar put his arm on Miles' shoulder, "Kane and I are going to shoot some hoops for a bit. Jason can help you set up camp here. You fetch me if you need anything, yeah?"

Miles nodded and Caspar and Kane walked off.

"You'll get used to them two," Jason said when they were out of ear-shot. "They like to mess around, but they're good guys."

"So, do you know how many kids are here?" Miles asked. He hadn't gotten an actual number from Ian, so he figured he'd try again.

"Well, Dr. Lancaster's still recruiting the best he can. There aren't that many kids here at the moment. I'll try listing them for you. You've met Caspar and Dawn, the first two recruits. They're literally made for each other, if you ask me. You'll never get bored if Caspar and Dawn are in a room together. Kane is a tad bit intimidating at times, but he's a softy deep down. Don't get him angry though, Caspar's the only one who can calm him. I'm guessing you met Ian, he's real nice. There's Lilly Spring, she's Fandomania's resident cheerleader. And then a couple more girls that I haven't had the courage to introduce myself to."

Miles nodded, going through all the names in his head. "And these kids, they all have powers like me?"

"Every single one of them."