Chapter 6 Worries

Aelin.

“Did I not need to be consulted before his group member choice was concluded?” This was a grouping against my will. Betis never told me things like this happened in here.

“It is assumed that everyone enlisted in a group is fully aware that they were chosen.”

“But I am not aware, can it not be revoked?” 

“It can, but not today. Complains about grouping would take place next week. After settling in and all groups have been tagged. Any new arrangements today would only lead to a further confusion and I don’t want anyone complicating my work.” He did not sound offended, instead, he sounded like he was daring me to ask to be changed again today.

“Next week? And I’ll be changed?” I needed the assurance. There were no activities or actual necessary competitions for the first month. So I could survive just a week.

“Return to my office by then and we can work on it.”

With a nod, I turned back to Seren who was keenly listening to the conversation. “What are you going to do?” I asked her.

With a shrug, “I’ll find someone else to join me. Our groups must not be complete on the first day. They are aware we barely know each other enough to form alliances. I’m more worried about you being in Kael’s group.”

I couldn’t place my own worry on a scale. “Is it because I bumped into him?” Can he not differentiate between an accident and intention?

“I think it’s because he realized you’re from Grimm Alley. He picked you first before anyone else could get the opportunity to.”

“How would that be of benefit to him?” How would I be of use to his group?

“One down, forty nine more to go?” It came out as a question, but it was a statement. 

The easiest to kill got attached to the strongest wolf in the room. 

“Miss Moonveil, if you could go up to your room. You are causing a queue.” Major Qin patted on my shoulder, and turned to the rest of the contenders, “if you have been assigned a group, kindly leave the hall.”

“I’ll see you soon.” Seren chimed in and went closer to the stage. It was time for her to focus on her own self.

Heading for the door next to the stage with my box and backpack, I looked back to the crowd in the hall to know if I may find any familiar faces. Not like I expected to find anyway, as the only person from the omega territory.

Only when I got outside the hall did I realize I had no idea where I was going. I stood still for a moment and waited for the next group of people to pass by, so I could follow their lead.

There were no maps to this place and unless they gave a tour prior to today, I don’t think anyone else really knew the environment.

Then again, there were the warriors who had trained in the academy and applied for the games. Those were the ones I expected to be acquainted with the environment.

“Day one in the academy and I am confused.” I whispered to myself as I leaned against the wall in the brief moment of silence. Waiting for an unknowing wolf to lead the way.

The thought of Betis crossed my mind and it gave me a new sense of motivation. He did not spend the last ten years training me, just for me to feel overwhelmed on my first day.

I heard the shuffling of feet and saw a group of five people pass by. That was my cue to follow their lead.

As they moved with their sparse luggage, I noticed I was the only person with a large box and a backpack. Right from the hall.

Well, if I didn’t need oxygen cans and scent masking oils, maybe a backpack would have been enough for me too.

The wolves went down the hall and up a flight of stairs that led to a long corridor with rooms on either side. I saw the tag ‘group one’ hanging on the first door to my left.

I didn’t realize when I inhaled sharply, but it was loud enough to cause the wolves I had been following to find the source of the noise.

After seeing it was me, I heard a snicker from their midst and something that sounded like ‘omega’ . It would not be strange to know they were laughing at me. 

Paying them no mind, I approached the door that concerned me. Bracing myself for their presence, I knocked.

When there came no reply, I knocked again. 

And listened closely for any sound of shuffling feet from the other end.

There was a still silence that made me wonder if anyone was within. With that suspicion, I pushed open the door.

I had expected it to be locked, but it gave way so easily. No one was inside. Not even their properties. It looked like they were yet to move in.

Walking into the room, I took a moment to drink in its features. There was a six seater dining table to the left. Next to it were a refrigerator, some stove tops, a sink and cupboards.

Directly in front of me, was a five settee sofa set with side stools surrounding a centre table.

Across that, were five doors that probably led to the actual rooms. A word of gratitude embedded in my heart at the fact that I would not be having direct contact with these people during the night hours.

The other tapestries of the room were quite elegant. A random visitor may miss out on the surety that, from the moment you step into this room, you begin to count your days.

I went for the first door in the room and discovered it was locked. 

And so was the second.

And the third.

The fourth gave way, and it made me check on the fifth door to know if it was also open as well.

It was locked.

The rest of the team had actually been in here and chosen their rooms. Where did they go?

I walked into the only unlocked room and shut the door behind me. Double checking to make sure it was sealed. 

It was a simple space. A bed, a table and chair to the left, an air conditioner and a sofa at the far end.

Before settling in, I headed for the only other door within the room. It led to a bathroom.

Security check proved the bathroom was empty. 

It was then easier to toss my bag onto the floor and join it there as well.

The truth took this moment to dawn on me.

I was finally in the academy and I was here to fight for the rights of the human race. My people.

To be returned back to Frostville. Their true home.

I was in the den of the kind that hated humans, pretending to be like them, just so I could win them.

My plan had a chance of sending me to an early grave before the challenges of the game ever did, if I was discovered.

But there was no turning back now.

My stomach released a growl that reminded me of the only meal I had today was a bowl of oats at three AM when I was having trouble falling asleep.

The adrenaline rush had finally worn off and now my appetite was back at the worst time because I had no idea where to get food and I doubted there was anything edible yet in those drawers and fridge.

Even if there was, it was unsafe to try it now.

That aside, there was a stronger feeling of exhaustion that overrode the hunger.

I needed to catch some sleep. Staying up almost all night did not have any benefits.

Checking the door for the third time to be sure it was locked, I looked around the room for any cameras. From scanning the ceiling, to running my fingers along the headboard of the bed.

It seemed like I was good to go.

I unzipped my box, pulled out a bar of soap, stripped out of my white tee and blue jeans, then went into the bathroom.

It was a quick wash, but well needed. The water was warm. Like there was a heater somewhere I couldn’t see. That did not ease my nerves because it meant there were aspects to this room that had direct impacts on me but I had no control over.

On a regular day, I would have tried to trace the warmth on the wall, with hopes that the pipes won’t be rid of their temperature fast enough.

But today was not a regular day. Today, I was tired. And needed to rest before the rest of my teammates came back.

The word teammates even sounded sour on my tongue.

“Just a week and I’ll be free to switch.” I comforted myself, as I stepped out of the bathroom and found a loose dress in my box to put on.

Making sure I applied enough of the scent masking oil. I climbed into the bed that felt too soft and slipped away into dreamland almost immediately.