Chapter 64: Warden (Part 2: Finale)

"And that’s where they might want us to shield ourselves from the wind."

On the map representing Aldous’ last Turning land, Rosaline’s fingertip rested on a well that no longer existed.

With the Studies examination behind them, Wednesday served as an intermission before Thursday’s Survey exam. Nobody knew the results, and nobody seemed eager to find out.

Though it was Milo’s first study group outside a lesson, he quickly learned that nearly all contributions came only from the class leader.

When Ollie was present, however, he always had an insight that the rest had missed.

"When was this map made?" Ollie asked.

"I don’t know. Whenever the cartographers bothered to review it, I guess." She lifted a corner of the canvas and squinted at the stamp. "616? 618? I can barely read it."

"Safe to say before the Turning."

"Gosh, couldn’t they lend us a digital one? If we’re supposed to..." The canvas slapped the table as she flattened it. "We should have access to better tools."

"Rose, yo. Leave the mapmakers alone for a minute." Ollie tapped the well. "What if that isn’t there anymore?"

Leaning against the wall, Milo crossed his arms. In an effort to look remotely engaged, he lifted his chin every now and then, pretending to peer past the students around the table.

They’d gathered close, but no one was much less of an outsider than he was.

Every pause sent someone back into their notes, and questions seemed to require more courage than answers.

Maybe he just hadn’t gotten as good at pretending yet.

Their backs made a convincing imitation of a group.

"Milo, we could use you."

The backs had angled sideways, and Ollie was beckoning him closer.

Milo straightened and stepped into the freshly made spot.

"He’s got some Survey experience," Ollie explained. "Goes picking through wreckage with another Survey student."

"Maybe there’s a reason nobody else bothers."

"You must’ve learned something, bro. You’ve actually been out there. The rest of us just sit on our asses and read about it."

Certainly, Milo knew more about this particular ground than anyone in the room. He could have drawn them a better map from the places he’d been thrown.

If the academy wanted them to read what the ground tells them, to examine what his Turning left, they’d have plenty to discuss.

But while everyone went on celebrating Aldous as the man who’d cured the school, Milo had sacrificed his sanity to do it.

Not that he considered himself insane to the full extent, but he’d have liked someone to acknowledge that it had cost him something.

Why should they get the useful parts for free?

As he shrugged, Ollie’s palm covered the well.

"So? What you think? Is the well there, or is it gone?"

However, there was no row of backs to hide behind now.

Milo laid his hands on the edge.

"I think—"

...

That moment marked his entrance into the social life of his class.

Nobody laughed or asked why he thought he knew so much.

They waited for him to go on.

He’d practiced talking people into things for selfish enough reasons.

Helping this lot get better scores might at least make him feel less rotten about Eve. It wouldn’t put her back in her seat, but there were people here he could do something for, and they were finally listening.

Receiving not as much as a thank-you after saving them was like a slap to the face.

Perhaps doing something where they could see him would go better.

"They will want us to use the terrain to our advantage. Like the principal said, read what the ground tells you."

Milo made an arc across the map with his finger.

"The currents may leave traces. Who’s to say Plague can’t infect the ground?"

He observed all of his classmates’ faces carefully, calling out those who seemed to have a question but were afraid to ask it.

"Great insight," he praised. "That nearly slipped past me, how—"

"Great question," he nodded. "We can think of it as—"

...

The next morning, Milo was looking at his palms, thinking back to how well he’d slept, when the capsule came to a halt.

"Ding, dong! Hollins Cross Academy."

Milo and Layla joined the students heading for the Fields instead of the academy doors.

"What do you think they’ve got for us today?" she asked.

"Could be anything. It’s Survey, though, so you get to show off. Maybe Henry’s trips will finally pay off... my class was in chaos yesterday, but I calmed them down somehow."

The girl, up to now leading the way with her brisk stride, slowed down and fell behind Milo.

"Wait. You calmed them down?"

"Yeah."

"Somehow, you bet!"

She jabbed his ribs with her elbow.

"Ow! What, good old Milo Zeuqe can never be social?"

"It’s great." Layla caught him by the arm, her grip a warm press against the morning’s breeze. "You’re finally listening. No, that’s not even... You seem happier. I don’t know how else to put it."

"I am happier. I’m fine." Milo closed his palm over her fingers before she withdrew them. "Honestly, it was Ollie who got me talking. Hold on... How does he know about Henry’s trips?"

"Uh-oh. I didn’t intend for you to find out this way..."

"Right! You just happen to be friends with the only person in my class who talks to me!"

They both stopped to laugh.

A classmate brushed Milo’s shoulder.

"Hey, what’s up?"

By the time Milo thought to answer, the boy had continued down the path.

Being quite unused to having friends, he forgot to greet him back.

"Kay!" Layla gave him a nudge. "Don’t stand here with your mouth open. Come on, almost everyone’s ready."

As they parted to join their respective classes, a whistle sheared through the chatter.

SCREEEEECH!

"Dear students!" Mr. Cald shouted, one arm up high in the air. "The first part of the exam is a sprint to the Turning site." The arm lowered, aimed at the white line painted in the grass. "The course runs two kilometers. Stay on it. Any attempt at sabotage will be penalized."

Two kilometers, huh. It wasn’t so much a sprint as a stamina test. Whoever kept a good pace the longest would win.

Milo turned his head to the right and to the left. Hundreds of other students had lined up, in parallel, along the white stripe.

With everyone crouched, Mr. Cald brought the whistle near his mouth.

"On your marks. Get set..."

...SCREEEEECH!

Back to the Warden’s land, it was.

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⋆˚࿔ Coming right up: "Any Time" ... ⤵︎ [!]