My body was still raw from the past weeks' rigorous training... And yet, here I am running on the field thinking about the book that lies inside the library.            Private Diaz was scolding us about how flaccid our baby muscles had become just by giving us a day of rest.             "You lousy losers!" he shouted, and that did it. "I heard some of you lost against the other class the other week?!" I thought this soldier had decided to drop that incident, but I guess I was wrong.            I groaned ruefully. And when I turned at the others, I found them with grim expressions.             "I am teaching a bunch of loser

              For days the patrol lasted. Still, there was no sign of any of the missing soldiers. In the forest, there lies a lake where all the patrolmen gather to exchange reports. At the lakeside, they camped. More and more from the bases soldier arrive each day, reinforcements as they seem, the kids see no immediate danger to be wary of. Perhaps, amongst the leaders, there was an exchange of Intel regarding an attack. Lieutenant Margeary sends them the awaited reinforcements only to discover that they were sent kids to work with. Most adults were appalled for what these kids, small, weak, and inexperienced, could do but hinder progress?           Ace watched the camp with keen and stern interest. Being the best of the best amongst his age, he can't help but sympathize with the

"She's going to be fine," said an unfamiliar voice. "The lieutenant handled her quite well." Then, I heard footsteps walking away.           I opened my eyes and saw Loki and Ace standing by the foot of my bed. I sat up. Loki grinned at me, and Ace just pursed his lips, looking a bit stern.           "What happened? Why am I here? Where's Minnie?" I asked. I was about to jump off the infirmary bed when my neck throbbed.           "She's still unconscious. She's resting in the room right next to yours," Ace answered and folded his arms. He leaned back on the wall and watched my reaction.           "How is she?" I asked.

The Clique           We walked further inside and up the great hall. We were welcomed with a carpeted floor and hotel-like ambiance when we reached the third floor.            "That way is the Captain's quarters and office," the Sergeant said. "They made it look grand because sometimes, the country's leaders visit us. We can't make it look barbaric."           I stared at the door a couple of meters away from us.           The Sergeant signaled us to follow him. We found ourselves in the middle of another hall. I looked to the right, and there's a door, t

Minnie walked beside me as we headed to the underground classroom. She's commenting about how we would learn to fly war planes underground. She's also talking about how Bee's starting to get on her nerves again.           I stayed quiet the whole time.           We met with the other guys on our way. Loki approached me, looking a little confused.           "Why are you wearing a jacket?" he asked. "It's not that cold."           "Leave me alone," I told him, and he shrugged.            At last, we've arrived.