Chapter 7
Nicolas ripped open the door in much of a hurry, running out into the sea of children who were flooding out the exit of the train. He spotted Zachary in the swarm, who waved to him and beckoned him across. Nicolas was reluctant; he felt trauma engulf his psyche as he inched closer and closer to the crowd. He had thoughts racing through his mind like a tornado of internal dialogue, bickering with him about decisions he made in the blink of an eye.
Do you really want to risk getting trampled by tens of children, just so you can catch up with these friends? A haunting voice said to him. Are they your friends, even? Are they just a couple of kids who's truths you cannot live by, like all the rest who have wronged you in the end? Would you risk it for them once again? Do you... Truly trust them?
Nicolas could feel the torrential downpour of sweat on his forehead. He quickly wiped it away, knowing soon that those droplets would turn to frozen spikes. He hastened his steps, removing all caution from his conscience. "I may not trust them now," he whispered, now inches away from all the children.
"...But their support may be of great use for me one day."
Zachary flung his hand from side to side so vigorously that Nicolas was sure he heard a crack from his wrist. Azure stood there tapping her foot feverishly. "We can't miss the guide!" She rushed, grabbing both of their hands and dashing out into the blinding outside.
The cold was like a repeated stab against Nicolas's face, but he tore through the air, with that feeling in mind, on behalf of not getting his hand ripped off by Azure. He found it difficult to keep his eyes open, the world flickering before him. It was as if the sudden cold had ran away shamelessly with his recognition. One of the few things he was able to keep was the recurring images of Zachary's face, combined with the constant, "Azure! Slow down! AZURE!"
Her speed finally whittled away after some time. Nicolas silently caught his breath and brushed any excess snow off of his front, while Zachary was bent over, gasping for all oxygen on the planet. Azure gave him a nudge in the side, causing him to yelp. "Ouch, Azure! What was that..."
Zachary trailed off by way of seeing the towering guide frowning upon him. He quickly corrected his stance, looking away from the guide's intimidating eyes.
The man had a split moustache accompanied by a bland, black hairdo that was slicked to the side. His face was gaunt, not looking truly alive but clearly not dead. "Step away," he demanded sharply. Nicolas and Azure retreated vertically from the guide (Azure having to quickly grab Zachary, whom was frozen in place), and he stared at them for a while with soulless pupils. Overlapping his hands, he began to speak with more conversation.
"Greetings, young children. I am your guide, Mr. Sylvester. This is Kingdom Camp, where you will be residing every day for 2 years, or perhaps more, in case your parents think that you were not educated enough in that span of time. In that case, this camp shall prove to shape you with a sharp knife rather than a soft chisel."
Nicolas heard Zachary gulp as he was probably recalling what he said on the train. He already expressed that he thought he wasn't going to finish in that time.
Nonethless, Mr. Sylvester continued. "In this camp, you will be trained in the arts of the mind. You will be able to recite the sciences of the psychological processes and learn how to bend nature at your will due to the fact that you have the power to carve citizens into your image, control them like sheep, and watch as they create your world."
A child somewhere in the crowd coughed, making the guide snap his head in the direction. He squinted his eyes at them with contempt. "With that said," he spoke once more, "this camp will catapult you into your future success. Whether it may come that you enjoy it or not, we will do everything in our power to make sure that you live up to your family name." He scanned the entirety of the mass, his eyes stopping last on Nicolas.
"You," he hissed, pointing with his bony finger. "Come here."
Nicolas did not hesitate this time, knowing that it was an offense, now. He forced himself to look directly in the black, judging eyes of the man. "Yes, sir?" He said politely.
"Your name... Tell me," commanded the man coldly. "Nicolas Giovanni Everpane," replied Nicolas. The man squinted at him as he did with the hacking child earlier, staring at him indefinitely. "Everpane?" He asked, now seeming to have a life signal to him. Nicolas nodded, and Mr. Sylvester did something unexpected.
He smirked.
"I foresee that you will make these years count," he proclaimed, then shooed him away. Nicolas, dumbfounded, turned and walked away to his spot while thoughts began to appear like rapid fire once again. When now standing next to the Abbycats, they secretly gave him a confused look. He returned the expression.
And as the guide continued his lecture, Nicolas wondered what that simple statement could mean.
End of Chapter
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nobodyimportant out—
