Early that morning, the Saturday sun cast a pale light through the windows of the academy's laundry room. It was a day that was laundry and clean-up day, a chore that seemed to drag on forever. The laundry room was a large, utilitarian space with rows of industrial washing machines and dryers lining the walls. The air was thick with the smell of detergent and fabric softener, and the sound of churning machines filled the air. The room was bustling with activity, as students from Wren's block worked together to complete their assigned chores.
Some students were sorting clothes, separating the lights from the darks, and folding the clean laundry with precision. Others were ironing uniforms, their steam irons hissing as they smoothed out wrinkles and creases. The tables were cluttered with piles of dirty clothes, towels, and bedding, and the students worked efficiently to sort, wash, dry, and fold the laundry. Wren and Ashley were among them, working side by side as they tackled the mountainous pile of dirty clothes.
The clothes were piled up mountainously, a towering heap of dirty uniforms, socks, and underwear that seemed to mock them with its enormity. As they worked, Wren couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment towards the never-ending chore. She hadn't believed that just their block alone could generate so much laundry. But Ashley, on the other hand, seemed to take it all in stride. She worked with ease, gathering and throwing the clothes into the machine, then folding the dry clothes with precision and packing them away with a sense of satisfaction.
It was as if she was born for this task, her movements economical and efficient. Wren watched her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. She began to ponder how tough Ashley's life must have been for her to be able to work like this without complaint. Wren thought her own life was hectic, but the more she interacted with the people in the academy, the more she realized that her problems were nothing compared to others. Everyone's past seemed to be connected in some way, their backgrounds a tangled web of hell, disaster, betrayal, and family issues.
It couldn't be a coincidence that no one had a happy childhood, no, it was connected somehow. As she worked alongside Ashley, Wren's mind began to piece together the puzzle. She started to see patterns and connections that she hadn't noticed before. And then, suddenly, it clicked into place. This establishment was more than just a training ground for assassins or troubled children. It was something majestic, cruel, and horrific, a place where the broken and the battered were molded into instruments of darkness.
The realization sent a shiver down Wren's spine, and she felt a sense of unease settle over her. She glanced at Ashley, wondering if she too knew the truth, but Ashley's face was a mask of calm efficiency, giving away nothing. By the time Wren was done with chores, the aroma of lunch wafted through the air, enticing her growling stomach. The scent of roasted meat and steaming vegetables filled her nostrils, making her mouth water in anticipation.
However, her enthusiasm was dampened by the realization that she felt stinky from sweating and working so much. The fabric of her clothes clung to her damp skin, and she could smell the pungent odor emanating from her body. She felt uncomfortable as she walked to the lunch table, her eyes scanning the seating arrangement with a mix of hope and dread. On the table, Ashley and Kelvin were engrossed in a brief conversation, their voices hushed as they discussed something in private. They spoke in urgent whispers, their eyes darting around the room as if checking for eavesdroppers.
Kai and a random boy, whom Wren didn't recognize, were interacting with ease, their laughter and banter filling the air. The boy's smile was infectious, and Kai's eyes crinkled at the corners as she laughed. The only person who was alone was Elsa, who sat with an aura of menace, her eyes flashing with hostility as she gave death glares to passerby. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the air, daring anyone to cross her path.
Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her shoulders were tense, radiating an air of aggression. Wren didn't want to sit in front of or near Elsa, but as she scanned the table, she realized that was the only seat available. With a sinking feeling, she trudged over to the seat, her eyes avoiding Elsa's glare. As she sat down dejectedly, her gaze inadvertently met Elsa's, and the air seemed to thicken with tension. The sound of clinking utensils and muted conversations seemed to fade into the background as the two girls locked eyes.
"What are you looking at, punk?" Elsa sneered, her voice dripping with venom. Her lips curled up in a snarl, and her eyes seem to bore into Wren skin, but Wren was not intimidated.
Wren rolled her eyes, the gesture a perfect blend of disdain and boredom. "Do you think I would destroy my sight by staring at you?" Wren retorted coldly, her voice laced with a quiet confidence that belied the unease she felt. Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and Elsa's gaze narrowed, her eyes flashing with anger.
For a moment, the two girls stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, Elsa's gaze flicked away, and she turned her attention to her food, her movements abrupt and angry. Wren let out a silent breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she realized the confrontation had been avoided, for now. She picked up her utensils and began to eat, her eyes scanning the room as she wondered what other challenges the day might bring.
As she ate, Wren couldn't help but notice the dynamics between the students at the table. Ashley and Kelvin were still engrossed in their conversation, their voices low and urgent. Kai and the random boy were laughing and joking, their banter lighthearted and carefree. And Elsa, well, Elsa was still radiating hostility, her eyes flashing with anger as she glared at Wren.
Wren sighed inwardly, wondering how she was going to navigate this complex web of relationships. She knew she couldn't avoid Elsa forever, and she wasn't sure she wanted to. There was something about Elsa's aggressive demeanor that sparked a sense of curiosity in Wren. She wondered what lay beneath Elsa's tough exterior, what secrets she might be hiding.
As she finished her meal, Wren felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had survived the confrontation with Elsa, and she had even managed to eat a decent meal. She stood up, her eyes scanning the room as she wondered what the rest of the day might bring. And then, she saw it. A notice on the bulletin board, announcing a special event for the students. A competition, with prizes and recognition for the winners.
Wren's eyes narrowed as she read the notice, her mind racing with possibilities. She wondered what kind of competition it was, and what the prizes might be. And then, she saw the name of the competition organizer. It was a name she recognized, a name that sent a shiver down her spine. This could be interesting, Wren thought, a small smile playing on her lips. She turned to Ashley, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Hey, have you seen this?" she asked, nodding towards the notice. Ashley's eyes followed hers, and she raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I saw it earlier," she said, her voice low. "It looks like it's going to be a challenge."