Chapter Three.
1283 Words
Chapter Three.
Jolene's POV.
High gates loomed in front of me, tall made of thick iron bars that curled at the top like claws. The walls seemed to stretch endlessly on both sides, made of stones stacked high and covered in patches of moss. It looked a lot less like a school and more like a prison.
This was Agua Academy.
The place where I would hide.
I adjusted the straps of my bag. My clothes were already covered in dust, and my hair, uneven and messy, stuck to the sides of my face from sweat. I was exhausted. My legs ached from walking, and boy was I hungry!
But I made it.
The line of recruits moved slowly, one by one stepping forward to sign their names in the thick leather bound book that the academy's registrar held. I kept my head down. No one here knew me. No one was looking for Jolene Shining.
I was Silas now.
The boy in front of me stepped away, and it was my turn.
The man behind the desk squinted at me. He was old, with deep lines carved into his face and small, sharp eyes that missed nothing. He smelled of ink and sweat.
"Name?" He asked me, his voice rough.
I swallowed.
“Silas Shining."
His eyes flicked up to meet mine, scanning my face. I held my breath.
Did he see through it already? Would they call my people?
Then he nodded and dipped his quill into the inkwell.
“Alright. Age?"
"Turning eighteen soon." I lied. I was only sixteen, but I needed to be older, stronger. Less of a risk.
"So seventeen. Any prior training?"
"Some.” I answered vaguely.
The man grunted.
“You'll need more than 'some' to survive here." He turned the book toward me and tapped the blank space beside my name. "Sign."
I picked up the quill, my fingers tightening around it to stop my hand from shaking. I was used to working with a pen, but this would do. I scrawled the name I had chosen.
Silas Shining.
It was real now.
The man slammed the book shut.
“Take that door.” He said, pointing to a heavy wooden door behind him. "Sergeant Briggs will handle the rest."
I nodded and turned, my heart thudding against my ribs.
The room beyond the door was smaller, darker. A single light bulb was on the wall.
And standing in the middle of the room was Sergeant Briggs. At least that’s what was written on his shirt.
He was massive. Taller than any man I had ever seen, with arms thick as tree trunks and a chest so broad I wondered if he could even fit through normal doors. His uniform was stretched tight over his body, and his head was shaved clean, making his sharp features even more terrifying.
He looked at me, then scoffed.
"Great. Another runt."
I stiffened but said nothing.
"You're lucky we take anyone who can hold a weapon.” He continued, circling me like a predator. "But you? You don't look like you can even lift a damn sword."
"I can fight.” I said.
He stopped, raising a thick eyebrow.
“Oh? That so?"
I nodded once.
Briggs grinned. It was not a kind smile.
"Prove it.” He said.
Before I could react, his fist shot out, aiming straight for my stomach. I barely moved in time, and the punch grazed my ribs instead of hitting my gut dead on. I clenched my jaw and stayed on my feet in spite of the pain in my side.
Briggs let out a short laugh.
“Not bad. But not good enough."
Then his leg moved.
I didn't see the kick coming until it was too late. His boot slammed into my chest, and I flew backward, crashing onto the cold stone floor. The air rushed out of my lungs.
I coughed, rolling onto my side, feeling everything in me screaming to run for my life.
Briggs stepped forward, looming over me with a frown on his face.
"Lesson one.” He said. "No one cares if you fall. They care if you get back up."
He waited.
I gritted my teeth and pushed myself up. My arms trembled, my ribs hurt, but I didn't stop pushing myself until I was back on my feet, standing tall.
Briggs studied me for a moment, then gave a slow nod.
“You've got some fight in you. Good. You'll need it."
He turned and walked toward the other door in the room, opening it.
“Go through here. You'll get your uniform and be assigned a barracks."
I didn't hesitate this time. I moved, walking past him.
"Welcome to Agua Academy, Silas.” Briggs said behind me. "Try not to die too soon."
Yeah, like he didn’t just try to kill me.
-
The dormitories were worse than I expected.
There were giant rooms lined with rows of bunk beds, each one filled with recruits in various states of exhaustion. The air stank of sweat, damp clothes, and… blood?
I walked carefully, holding my small bag tightly. My new uniform was stuffed inside, rough black trousers, a stiff white shirt, and a dark vest with the academy's insignia stitched into the chest. It was plain, practical. But it didn't feel like mine.
A few boys glanced at me as I passed, they looked bored. One, however, looked at me with open amusement.
He was lounging on his bunk, arms folded behind his head. Blond hair fell into his eyes, and his smirk was lazy, like he had all the time in the world.
"New runt?" He called out as I passed his room.
I ignored him and kept walking.
He laughed.
“Hey, I'm talking to you, tiny."
Tiny.
I clenched my jaw but didn't stop. I couldn't afford to start trouble on my first night.
Too bad he had other plans.
Before I could react, he slid off his bed and blocked my path, standing right in front of me. He was taller than me, but not as broad as some of the others. His uniform was already slightly torn, and he had bruised knuckles.
"Name?" he asked.
I met his stare.
"Silas."
He tilted his head.
“Silas what?"
"Just Silas."
He let out a low whistle.
“Mysterious. I like it. I like you.”
I went around him, but he moved again, his grin widening.
"You look soft, Silas.” He said. "Like you've never thrown a real punch in your life."
I exhaled slowly.
“Move."
“Really?” He laughed. “Or what?"
My patience snapped. I dropped my bag and, before he could react, drove my fist into his stomach.
He stumbled back, coughing. Shock flashed across his face before he let out a wheezing laugh.
"Damn. You've got a temper, huh?"
I picked up my bag and went past him. This time, he didn't stop me.
"This is gonna be fun."
I turned back to him, realising that I had lost my way.
“I need to get to room A12.” I said, turning back to him. He looked a bit surprised before he answered.
“Your dorm is in A? Who are you?”
I raised a brow.
“This is C. A is two buildings over. You can get to 12 yourself.” He stated before turning back. “Pity, now you have to climb a lot of stairs back down.” He said.
I sighed. I had escaped an unnecessary marriage. Now, I had to survive Agua Academy.
That already looked like it was going to be much harder.
- Writer
