MERCENARY

Chapter two: Surprise Surprise.

Days turned into weeks. It had been exactly one month since Madison was taken, which meant that any day someone would be shipped out. members of houses Taurus and Aries 1-4 were the most on edge. This was only because it was them who usually got sent to whatever hell was outside those gates.

At breakfast no one said a word, and it wasn't just because house mistress Laila was around. Infact she was not. everyone was fear stricken with the possibility of it being them.

The institute was a peculiar place, to say the least. The staff wouldn't talk to you unless they had orders for you or the Mistress sent for you. They all radiated an aura that would make one think twice about being defiant. As a result of that malevolent energy no one ever dared to test that theory. The were allowed anywhere on the grounds except the gate and the path that led to it. the day that Valentino, Elijah and Aurelia trespassed was a memory best left forgotten. .

While everyone was outside during free time, the belled tolled. Everyone except the little ones was stunned. The bell never ever rang off schedule. Lisa, who was the oldest started to walk towards the doors. Seeing this, everyone followed suit. They all gathered in the den. Chattered filled the house as they all discussed why the bell rang off schedule.

All of the sudden, the chatter stopped and eerie silence fell over the entire room. The only sound was that of heels clicking. Her heels. Apprehension floated around the room as House mistress Laila walked down the stairs. She had a poker face on and that was worse than her sinister smile because you would never know what would come out of her mouth.

"Good morning children, I know you must all be confused as to why you're here" "Well, it has been a month since the last child was adopted and so we've given another family the chance to adopt one of you." Elijah felt the bile rise in his throat. it would be better if they told them that there were being sold off or whatever it is they did instead of constantly trying to shove a petty lie down all their throats.

She continued, "you are all special to me, and it pains me to see you go but you have the right to be with real families." "This month there's been a change on the system you all know, instead of one child, three have been adopted."

Every face paled. There was pin drop silence. The only sound was that of over 200 hearts beating frantically. "Now from house Cancer one, the lucky ones are Valentino, Elijah and Aurelia." Blood drained even more from Aurelia's delicate face. Her knees gave out and she would have fallen had it not been for Valentino.

The Mistress dismissed them and went about her business. The children however, remained stunned. "There...has...to...be...some...kind of... mistake," Elijah whispered to himself, denying the reality before them. Aurelia regained her balance and bolted for the door. It took the two boys a few seconds to recover from the shock after which they followed her to wherever she was going.

She ran and ran even though her legs begged her to stop. tears blurred her vision as she reached her stop. It was a small lake that she found while wonderful around the woods two years ago. Her knees buckled, memories of a time before the estate tried to resurface but they were all blurry. Of course she can't remember, she was too young. All she carried with her, was her overwhelming fear dark amd cramped spaces.

Two sets of footsteps were approaching her fast. She made no attempt to wipe her years as she knew only two people would dare come after her. Valentino and Elijah sat down in front of her. Her face met theirs. Two hands simultaneously wiped her face, and she held them to her. "So this is it huh?" "It's finally our turn, " Elijah said outloud what the two refused to admit.

They sat in silence for many moments, until Valentino broke away and went to the little lake. His hand scoured the bottom until he found whatever he was looking for. When he turned, he had a sharp stone in his hand. we walked to them and sat down again.

"Better have something to remember each other by, who knows what'll happen on the outside world?" He took Aurelia's hand and cut her palm, making her wince. He did the same to Elijah and himself. it was a symbol of their friendship. "Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same," they all said quietly. "Promise me guys, " Aurelia said "that if we ever get separated we'll find each other," the other two nodded.

If only they knew what they were being thrown into.

The trio sat there for the better part of the day, until it was time to head back. When they arrived at the house, their dorm mates all looked relieved. Goodbyes were said as they awaited their fate.

At sunset they made their way down the stairs and got today's second surprise. House mistress Laila, standing at the door. Everyone's blood ran cold. She never accompanied anyone to the gate. She smiled at them at walked out, leaving them to follow.

They walked to the gate, feeling numbed of all emotion. Even Valentino who never cried had done so today. On the other side they were met by the same tunnel as Madison and all the other kids before them.

The men looked starlted. "O1, what an unexpected surprise." At the sight of these men, a familiar and old feeling of fear made it's way into Aurelia's mind. As if exposed to the freezing tundra she began to shake. Unknowingly she started walking backwards, unable to place wherever this soul snatching fear came from. Elijah noticed this after ripping his eyes away from the men and their keeper.

"Aurelia," he called but she was already in too deep. The man noticed this as well and made a move for her. This called her to let out a a scream that resembled a dying animal. Tears flowed down her cheeks as Valentino had Elijah dtared at her in concern. The tablet was held in front of her and the results left the collector stunned. "Rank Jupiter," he whispered.

"What?" his colleagues asked and went to check the results for themselves. He checked Elijah and Valentino as well, they were just like her. "Six Jupiter ranking products in one day..." he trailed off. O1 had a smirk on her face, she has no doubt the other three were from the sister estate. However, that was not all. The instructions on thw tablet were clear, all six were to be taken to Santorini, Greece. Otherwise known as Headquarters.