Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 9

9

When dinner was over Mason and Peter met at the door of the room and went inside. As Peter got ready for bed a bit later Mason noticed the wounds on Peter's legs, they hadn't been there when he had carried him back to the room during training and he became concerned. "What happened?" he asked remembering that he had been asked to look out for the boy and he felt a sudden surge of guilt.

"I tripped...I tripped over a tree root," Peter said quietly, he didn't want to lie so he told part of the truth.

"Why don't you look where you're going next time," Mason said grinning to take out any sting that might be in his words but Peter just looked down at his feet so he changed the subject. "Look kid we're going to be roommates for quite some time, I'd like to get to know you."

"There's nothing to know," Peter said sitting down on his bed and looking away from Mason.

"There has to be something, what school did you go to before you went here," Mason asked desperate for conversation, he didn't want to dwell on what had happened.

"Sunrise View Orphanage," Peter said.

"When did you end up there?" Mason said and then regretted it immediately, it was the same as asking when the other boy's parents had died and he didn't want to pry. It was obvious that Peter was very fragile and he didn't want to hurt him.

"I was nine, I was too young for here so they put me there when my folks died," Peter said staring into the distance. "Please don't ask anything else, I don't remember and it hurts to try, it hurts a lot and I just don't want to talk anymore I'm going to go to bed now," he said talking fast and by the time he had announced his intention to turn in for the night he was already curled up.

Mason stared at the boy curled up in the tight huddle, it was the longest the boy had spoken for and the first time he had spoken above a whisper but what really got him was the panic that was so obvious, if the boy wasn't lying about not remembering the events that had orphaned him they were almost certainly lurking just below the surface of his mind, it gave Mason the first indication that there was something very wrong with the boy, that he wasn't just shy but suffering from something locked up inside. Because he lay awake to think things over that night he saw what he had missed on the first and when Peter stood up he looked over at him and decided to follow knowing that he would worry if he didn't.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 8

8

Peter sat huddled under a tree in the hospital gardens just as was predicted; he was so lost in his little world that he didn't notice that he was no longer alone until he was brought back to reality by the sound of a snapping twig. Immediately the quiet of the garden, the very thing that had attracted him in the first place, became oppressive and made him feel unsafe. "Hello Peter," a voice said behind him and he turned slowly towards Phillip trying hard not to cower away.

"Hey...Phil...Phillip," Peter stammered as he lost the battle with his fear and backed against the tree. "What are...what are you… what do you want?"

"Oh I just want to talk," Phillip said pulling Peter to his feet by the collar of his uniform. "I want you to understand something very important, just because you've got a gorilla for a roommate doesn't mean that you can go back on our deal, do you understand?"

"Yes...yes Phil I understand...I really do," Peter said trying to break away but if he pulled too hard he would rip his collar so he dangled there helplessly.

"Good, now can you repeat the deal back to me just so I know that you haven't forgotten it was?" Phillip said looking down at the small boy.

"I give you these and you don't hurt me as much as you used to," Peter said holding out a bottle of pills which Phillip took and put in his pockets.

"That's right," Phillip said. "And what would I do if I caught you snitching huh?" he asked and Peter flinched away from him and he grinned savouring the other boy’s fear.

"You'd...you'd kill me," Peter moaned hanging limply in the grasp, Phillip had been waiting for just that and he let go letting Peter fall to the ground. Phillip grinned as he watched Peter get to his feet before he punched him in the stomach, laughing as the smaller was propelled two steps backwards and landed on his knees on a jutting tree root skinning them badly.

"I won't kill you, you're way too profitable for that" Phillip said grabbing Peter by his hair and pulling him to his feet. "If you tell anyone I'll make you wish you didn't, you thought before was bad just wait til you see what can do if I really try," he said as he walked away patting the bulge in his pocket that the pill bottle had made, he sold the pills to people outside the Academy through the gates at night and it earned him more cash then the measly stipend that the Academy provided. Peter was given his pills once every couple of days and he gave them straight to Phillip, they were strong and the blonde always found buyers, all and all a very profitable situation and now he had frightened Peter so badly he knew that the boy wouldn't go snitching to his new roommate.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 7

7

Mason opened up the door too his room and looked inside finding it empty, shrugging he closed the door and started back down the hall. The thought of being alone didn't appeal to him, he knew that if left alone he would dwell on what had happened and that was the last thing he wanted to do, he wanted to get on with his life and dwelling on the unchangeable past didn't accomplish that. When he reached the main quad he heard laughter and it drew him towards the door of one of the largest buildings in the Academy grounds. As he had done before entering the classroom earlier that day Mason hesitated at the doorway but the sounds of people having fun soon pushed him through the door.

The scene that greeted Mason as he entered the building was chaotic, hundreds of boys of all ages milling around all the latest VR games. The huge front room was filled to the brim with people and it made him hesitate, he hadn't wanted to be alone but to be surrounded by so many strangers suddenly felt a whole lot worse and he made to leave. Just as he made the first step back to the door he heard his name called by a familiar voice and he turned around to see JT. Happy to see a familiar face he made his way to over to the older boy. "Hey, nice to see you again," JT said. "Care to join us?" he asked and Mason sighed inwardly in relief, he didn't have to be alone after all.

"Sure," Mason said keeping the sheer relief that he felt out of his voice. "This isn't what I expected."

"Cool huh?" JT said. "Only the best for the future cannon fodder," he said turning suddenly serious, this was his last year in the Academy and although he understood the reason he was required to serve regretted the need and the thought gave him a bitter taste in his mouth but he pushed the feeling away and focussed on the present. "Anyways, these two are Pacey and Jonesy," he said introducing his two companions as a way to change the subject.

"We're in the same class, but we haven't been introduced til now, I'm Jonesy" Jonesy said. "You can tell because I'm the better looking one."

"Mason," Mason said holding out his hand which Jonesy took.

"Pacey," Pacey said taking Mason's hand. "Don't believe him; he's just jealous 'cause not only am I more good looking I'm older."

"Wrong on both counts brother mine," Jonesy said.

"You're mistaken," Pacey said rolling his eyes as if to say ‘See what I have to put up with’.

"Guys, we don't care," JT said and then turned to Mason. "They've been arguing about that since I met them, you'd think that a couple of minutes wouldn't matter all that much."

"You know what they say about small things," Mason said smiling slightly, it was the first time he had since the time he woke up an orphan and it made him feel warm inside. "What’re we going to do, there's so much here."

"We're waiting for Awakening to be free, we're also looking for the fifth player," JT said.

"Is Peter anywhere around," Mason asked. "What about him?"

"You've got to be kidding," Pacey said snorting and Mason scowled at him, he hadn't expected that kind of attitude and it made him want to leave.

"What he meant was that you wouldn't find Peter here, this many people would give him a heart attack, he keeps to himself, and you’d probably find him in the gardens somewhere," JT said.

"Most likely huddled up staring into space," Jonesy said. "The boy's not much for the social scene."

"Looks like we're on but we've got to get another man," JT said.

"What about Darth," Mason said as he saw his former opponent walking close by.

"Good idea," JT said before turning and calling out Darth's name. Darth looked over at them before making his way over, when he reached them he looked Mason up and down and Mason followed suit. "Mason here wants to know if you want to play," JT said and Darth grinned slightly. "I guess that's a yes."

"Sure is," Darth said. "Lets see if you're as good in VR as you are in real life," he said to his former opponent.

"You're on," Mason said and the five of them made their way to the game. They spent the rest of the break going from game to game and by the time they had to leave for dinner Mason had sampled probably a fifth of the games available on the first floor and he couldn't wait to have a go at the rest.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 section 6

6

Mason shifted Peter's dead weight and opened the door to their room. Walking through he made his way to Pete's bed and placed him on top of the covers before running back to where the sparring continued he stopped in front of where Iceheart stood and waited as Iceheart looked at his watch. "Eight minutes means eight laps, get to it," Iceheart said and Mason started off, despite the fact that he had sprinted from the barracks he managed the first four laps easily and he thanked his father having instilled the love of physical exercise into him at a young age. On the last four laps he slowed to jogging pace and it took the rest of the training period to finish.

After training was finished Mason was about to leave the field when Iceheart called him over, he sighed sure that the man was going to berate him for his lousy performance during the second half of his run but when he reached the man's side he saw that he had been wrong. "Yes Sergeant?" he asked. "Do you want something?"

"Let's get something out of the way first," Iceheart said. "I want you to understand that as you drill instructor it's my job to make your life a living nightmare, I bet after the blood you hate my guts, is that right? Tell the truth."

"Yeah I do, I can understand the laps and all but that was harsh," Mason said.

"Good, you've got fire," Iceheart said nodding. "What I called you over here for is so that I could ask you a favour."

"A favour? I just finished saying that I hate you and you ask me a favour?" Mason asked incredulously. "Can't you just order me to do whatever it is?"

"In my capacity as Drill Instructor yes I can but this is outside that," Iceheart said. "It's Peter, you saw what happened to him today and it’s happened a couple of times, all I'm asking is for you to keep an eye on him, make sure he doesn't get hurt."

"I'll do it but not for you," Mason said.

"As long as you do it at all," Iceheart said. "Look you've got two hours before you you've got to go to Dinner so why don't you go and check on him now?"

"Is that an order Sergeant?" Mason asked crossing his arms and glaring at the man.

"A suggestion," Iceheart said. "You're dismissed," he said and Mason walked away, as he left Iceheart again remembered his old friend.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 5

5

After lunch there was training and arriving on the field Mason lined up with all the others, carefully looking around to see what they were doing. For three minutes Mason waited in line until he was startled from his thoughts by a presence directly in front of him. "Mason Reid," the man standing before him stated and Mason nodded, unable to say anything, suddenly intimidated, although he was only 2 inches taller then Mason's 6ft the man seemed twice as large, his long black hair was tied back, his skin was a dark bronze, and his eyes were like those of a hawk. "Come over here," the man said and Mason stepped forwards. "I'm sure you've been made very welcome by Miss Prince, that's her job, me, my job is to prepare you for war" he said, suddenly he picked up a bucket he had had sitting at his feet and without warning he threw the contents at the new boy. "That is blood, you'll be encountering it a lot and you better get used to it," he said. "How do you like your first lesson?" he asked but Mason just stood there his mouth opening and shutting, dripping blood. "Hayes," the man said turning to one of the boys still standing in line.

"Yes Sergeant Iceheart?" Hayes asked stepping forwards and saluting, he didn't look at the boy-giant; he stood looking forwards and waited for a command.

"Take Reid here and get him cleaned up," Iceheart said. "Use one of Schadenfreud’s uniforms until they issue him with more," he said and Hayes nodded before finally turning to look at the boy at Iceheart's side. Seeing that Mason was still shocked Hayes walked up and led him away. "Okay let's get on with it," Iceheart said as the two boys left.

"You okay?" Hayes said looking over at the Mason when they had gotten out of ear shot.

"Fuck," was all Mason could manage as he looked down at himself.

"He did that to everyone," Hayes said.

"Fuck," Mason said again but then he forced himself to say more. "What did he do that for?" he asked.

"Like he said, he wanted to teach you about the reality of war," Hayes said. "Look Reid, he's the best trainer in there is, he's got the record for the most people entering the service and better yet he's got it for the most people making it out of it alive as well."

"He's...he's a psycho," Mason spluttered.

"You don't know the half of it," Hayes said. "But think about it Reid, don't you think that's the best way to be? He spent 14 years on the field, before coming in to train us recruits, he's got to be doing something right...he believes that the best survivors are the ones that have been put through the toughest training," he said. "Some of the other instructors see us as children, children that need to be protected from the harsh realties of real life,” he said rolling his eyes. “Icy on the other hand see us as the future soldiers that we’ll someday be and I think I prefer that-," he said but then he grinned. "Though sometimes I'd give anything, anything to get into one of the other squads, let me tell you Reid."

"Call me Mason, Dad was Reid," Mason said. "So this guy believes in tough love then?" he asked.

"The name’s Jacob," Hayes said before going on with the original conversation. "You could say that," he said as they arrived at the showers and he led the way inside. Walking up to one of the lockers he opened it and drew out a uniform which he chucked at Mason who caught it deftly and made his way to one of the cubicles. "We're doing hand to hand today, which means you'll be paired up with the owner of that uniform."

"Schadenfreud’s? What kind of name is that?" Mason asked from inside the shower.

"A German one…at least it’s a German word…his parents were Neo-Goths," Jacob said rolling his eyes. “Schadenfreud means something like taking joy in others’ pain and is first name is Darth which means dark”

"Shit, dark sadist huh?" Mason said. "So does he live up to that name?"

"Not really, he’s a nice guy, always says that his parents were try-hards," Jacob said. "Still I wouldn't want to meet him in a fight. I think the reason that they got you was because he was the only giant on the squad, now he has an opponent."

"Why bother teaching us to fight other Giants?" Mason asked. "It's not like we'll be fighting any."

"That's true but you have to learn hand-to-hand, it's part of the training," Jacob said. "You're not going to be fighting him all the time, you'll be using us as Guineapigs to simulate what an adult Giant can do to an adult Norm," he said. "You nearly finished in there?"

"Yeah, chuck us the uniform," Mason said and got dressed when Jacob complied.

"Great! Back into the fray," Jacob said as they made their way back to where Iceheart was waiting. "You took your drenching well, some don't. Peter was the worst, he saw the blood and collapsed, he was a gibbering wreak for hours, Iceheart looked real guilty, ever since then he's been more gentle with him."

"I bet he is," Mason said as they started off towards the others. Jacob left him to his thoughts on the way back and when they got back he went to stand in line while Mason waited for Iceheart to notice him.

"Nice of you to join us," Iceheart said looking over to where Mason stood. "You're with Darth, Darth show him the ropes," he said and Darth nodded indicating that Mason should follow him. The two Giant boys moved slightly off to the side of the rest of them and stood facing each other while Iceheart walked from fight to fight correcting mistakes or with less frequency congratulating those that got it right.

Both Darth and Mason moved into the starting position at the same time and Darth smiled. "You know this already," he said looking at his opponent with new respect.

"Dad taught me, he said that it was good exercise," Mason said shrugging, he felt a tug of sadness at the thought of his dad but then he pushed it away. Pull yourself together, he'd of hated it if all I did was whinge, he would want me to get on with my life, he told himself. I can almost hear his voice, damn I miss him...I've got to concentrate, he thought looking up at Darth who was waiting patiently for his opponent to make the first move. Got to remember that not everyone is going to be so polite, got to keep my mind on what I'm doing.

"My Dad died when I was young, lost mum when I was born" Darth said countering Mason's first blow and watching Mason duck his own, he dodged the kick that came in return and soon they were fighting in earnest. Neither of them was holding back and the fight that resulted in this fact caused everyone else to turn and watch, even Iceheart stopped and focused on what was happening trying to picture what the two of them would look like when they had reached their full growth.

Everyone was so focused on the fight that no one noticed Peter groan and slowly collapse into a heap but at the sound of him hitting the ground Iceheart looked over. "Shit," he cursed going over to where Peter lay. Bending down he quickly checked the unconscious boy over and then turned to where the fight continued. "Reid," he called but still the fight went on. "Boys, break it up," he said walking up and forcibly separating the two. "Reid," he said again and this time Mason paid attention.

"Yes...Sergeant," Mason said catching himself just in time, not wanting to know what would happen if he left the honorific off.

"Calloway's indisposed, take him to the room and come back here," Iceheart said and Mason looked over to where the limp form lay, he was just about to ask something when Iceheart shook his head. "No questions," Iceheart said. "Hurry, you're going to be doing a lap for every minute you're gone," he said and Mason nodded as he shouldered the limp form and hurried off to the barracks.

"Pathetic," Phillip said turning to watch Mason leave. "Absolutely pathetic."

"He shouldn't even be here! After all this is an Academy not a nursery," Phillip's redheaded sparring partner said.

"You know that there's a chance that people might actually care what you say but it's very slim," said an African-Strain boy who stood next to his identical twin.

"What do you mean?" Phillip's friend asked.

"What my dear brother means Max is that you should really save your breath isn't that right Pacey?" Pacey's identical twin asked looking at him.

"Couldn't of said it better myself Jonesy," Pacey said grinning back.

"It's Maxwell," Maxwell said. "How many times have I told you two that?" he asked and the two boys just shrugged.

"Let me see...no idea Max," Pacey said grinning, he and his brother always loved tormenting Maxwell, he got annoyed so easy and the fact that he made others suffer made the feeling even better.

"It's Maxwell," Maxwell said again exasperated.

"Damn, you're beginning to sound repetitive," Jonesy said. "Just give up while you're ahead Max."

"Shut up," Maxwell said.

"Why Max?" Pacey asked.

"Stop that," Maxwell snapped, he hated the two brothers and their habit of talking one after the other drove him mad.

"We're not doing anything," Jonesy said looking innocently at Maxwell, the both of them knew that how they talked was disconcerting but they didn't get it, it wasn't as if they were finishing each other's sentences or anything, they were merely taking turns.

"Yes you are and you know it annoys me so stop it," Maxwell said, he had forgotten what had started the conversation in the first place all he wanted was for the two of them to shut up.

"Stop what Max?" Pacey asked widening his brown eyes and looking innocent.

"I SAID STOP IT," Maxwell yelled, if it hadn't of been for Phillip's restraining hand on his shoulder he would have rushed forwards.

"All of you stop it," Iceheart said and all four of them looked over at him. "Get back to sparring,"

"Yes Sergeant," they said nearly in unison as they turned back and began to fight again. Iceheart went back to watching the fights noting everything, making corrections and giving grudging praise to those who deserved it, as he watched he went over some of the things he meant to teach them in the coming weeks, because of their ages they weren't able to practice with weapons so he instead had them learn the art of hand-to-hand, something that an old Asian-Strain had taught years ago when Iceheart had himself been a student. Watching the moves Iceheart's mind wandered back to those days, thinking about his contemporaries, most of them now in their graves, the thought brought to mind the squad's newest member, Jeffery Reid had been a good friend and much of him lived on in his son.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 4

4

Mason walked up to the classroom that he had been shown the previous day but he hesitated before he walked through the door instead he stood looking over his classmates for a couple of moments before taking a deep breath and entering. "Mason Reid?" the small African-Strain woman at the front of the class asked. "Come up here Sugar," she said when Mason nodded and gestured for him to move to the front before waiting patiently for him as he manoeuvred himself through the tables. "I'm Miss Prince," she said smiling up at him. "Class, I want you to welcome Mason Reid," she said turning to the class; the class complied with various degrees of enthusiasm. "Here's your PEC ," she said handing Mason a small computer console. "Why don't you sit down, Sugar, so we can start working?"

"Yes Miss," Mason said moving towards the seat in the back of the room that had obviously been set aside for him next to another Giant who nodded briefly at him. Looking around he noticed that Peter was two rows up from him with Phillip right behind, remembering what JT had told him he decided to keep an eye on the two boys and see for himself. Some of the stuff that they went through he had covered already at school but other things were new and he forced himself to concentrate, he had promised himself to succeed in his new environment and that is what he was going to do.

Throughout the lesson Phillip kicked the back of Peter's chair, leaned over and whispered in the smaller boy's ear, chucked things at him and basically did anything that could annoy someone but all through this Peter continued to stare forwards flicking through the pages of the texts seemingly unaware of anything else. Although Peter didn't seem aware of the constant barrage it was getting to Mason, it soon got to the point that he had to force himself to stay in his seat when all he wanted to do was grab Phillip and shake him. By the time the class had finished Mason's already tattered nerves had frayed and he wanted nothing but to sit down in the quiet and gather himself and when it came for lunch he retreated into one of the remote corners with his food and spent his time breathing deeply.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 3

3

When morning came Mason started from his sleep, shocked rudely from his deep slumber by the sound of a trumpet, looking around in confusion he realised that it must have been played over the P.A. system. Sitting upright he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked around, seeing his silent roommate ready to face the day, his uniform clean and pressed, his black hair wet from his shower. The boy sat there staring at him warily flinching slightly every time Mason moved. “Hey there,” Mason said and the boy paled. “We haven’t been introduced, I’m Mason,” he said and waited for a reply but the other boy just looked down at his hands. “What’s your name?” he asked.

The reply didn’t come for a long time and Mason thought that his new roommate was mute but then the boy peeked upwards and cleared his throat. “Peter, Peter Calloway,” he said in a small slightly hoarse voice.

“Nice to meet ya,” Mason said holding out his hand, straight away he regretted it, when the hand came close Peter flinched away. “It’s okay; I was only going to shake your hand I won’t if you don’t want me too.”

“I don’t like people touching me,” Peter said quietly.

“Okay I’ll remember that,” Mason said. He decided that it was time to get ready so he picked up the uniform that had been laid out at the foot of his bed and walked out into the hall and located the shower cubicles.

When he had finished showering Mason made it back to the room and found Peter waiting, as soon as he entered Peter left leading the way down to the Mess-hall. They made their way in complete silence, Mason at first found that slightly unnerving but then it became comfortable, he knew that he didn’t actually want to talk to anyone, that someone chatting away at him would disrupt the new calm he found in himself. A light touch on his arm brought back and he looked at his roommate. “What?” Mason asked.

“I think you should go in first,” Peter whispered not looking at him.

“Why?” Mason asked looking down at his companion, at first Peter didn’t answer and Mason continued to wait.

“It wouldn’t be good…it wouldn’t do you any good if you look like you’re my friend,” Peter said looking down at his carefully polished shoes.

“Why?” Mason said again but this time Peter didn’t reply, it seemed as if the last words had drained him so he sighed before walking forwards into the Mess hall making his way to one of the tables that had only a couple of people sitting at it and chose from the selection of cereal on the table. Ignoring the other occupants of the table Mason began to eat but he soon noticed that someone didn’t return his indifference, instead they loomed and finally he couldn’t stand it anymore. “What in the fuck do you want?” he asked.

“That’s not very polite, here I was going to give you some friendly advice and this is how you repay me?” the intruder said brushing back his blonde hair and shaking his head.

“Friendly advice?” Mason asked raising his eye brow. “What advice could you give me huh?”

“Well for one I could tell you that you are being rude to the wrong person, how about that for starters,” the boy said.

“You?” Mason said looking the smaller boy over, he was handsome and for a thirteen year old, as the marking on his shirt declared him, he was well built but compared to Mason he was tiny.

“Yes me, you may not realise it but you are talking to the son of the late General Phillip Conrad,” the boy said.

“The important word in that sentence is late, he’s dead” Mason said. “It doesn’t matter even if he was the fucking Grand Marshall; you’re still a recruit so you should start acting like one.”

“That might be true, but at least I don’t look like a demon hey Mutie?” the General’s son said smugly.

“It’s Mutate you arsehole,” Mason said quickly losing the little patience that he had, the difference between the two words might be minor but they were worlds away in meaning.

“Whatever but in my books you’re just a step above retards like Peter over there,” the boy said pointing to where Peter sat by himself.

Mason had had enough so he rose to his feet and stared down at the other boy who took a step back. “Look, fuck off or I’ll show you what a “Mutie” like me can do, I’ll even have fun doing it,” he said and grinned when the boy retreated. Great, Mason thought. I was beginning to think I’d actually have to hit him to get him out of my face, he thought to himself as he sat down again and returned to his interrupted breakfast. He had just finished his first bowl when another shadow interrupted him, this time he looked up to find a tall youth of the African-Strain who grinned. “What now?” he asked.

“The name is JT and I came over here to welcome you to the Sunrise View Academy,” JT said holding out his hand and Mason took it.

“Thanks, Mason’s my name,” Mason said letting go of the hand. “You’re a vast improvement on the last welcoming party.”

“What? Phil?” JT said. “I bet he can’t even spell welcome let alone make someone else feel it, especially if that someone falls into certain categories,” he said.

“I guessed that,” Mason said nodding. “You can smell one of them a kilometre away and look they come in packs,” he said gesturing to where Phillip sat with a group of boys, all of them Euro-stain, all of them looking like they ruled the world.

“That’s a sad fact of life,” JT said. “The ugly red head next to him is his best friend, it’s way obvious that Phil is the brains of the two and that’s not saying much, the others are a bit better but not by much.”

“There’s one good thing about all of them grouping together,” Mason said thinking. “At least it’s easy to know your enemy.”

“Yeah I guess so” JT said. “You’re Peter Calloway’s new roommate aren’t you?” he asked as he too looked over to where the small boy sat, but Mason noticed a completely different expression on the dark face, something like pity.

“Yeah I am,” Mason said. “Why’d you ask?”

“'Cause he's Phil's main target and he needs someone to look out for him,” JT said. “The little guy's every move just screams out target, someone like you keeping an eye out might stop those little snots.”

"I'll do my best then," Mason said. "Thanks for the welcome and the tip."

"Why don't you come and sit down with us huh?" JT said nodding over to a table.

"Thanks but no thanks, I don't feel like mingling," Mason said and JT nodded understandingly and went back to his table leaving Mason alone with his thoughts, where he remained until breakfast finished and everyone began to leave.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 section 2

2

Mason was deemed ready to leave the hospital after a few days, he was physically fine and he had obtained at least a veneer of stability when it came to his emotions, so it was decided that he should go onto the next phase of his life.

The morning of his release from the hospital he was told to go down to the front sitting room and wait. As he entered the sitting room he saw a tall man in uniform stand up and walk towards him. “Mason Reid?” the man asked and Mason nodded, he had known what was going to happen, everyone, even the youngest of children knew the fate of the Federation orphans. Since the virus struck down all but a third of the world’s population 300 hundred years before and an enemy of unknown origin appeared the Federation of the Remnants had been running out of troops. In desperation the Federation formed the first Academy where the growing number of orphans were housed, for the privilege of living under the government’s roof the boys and girls were required to first train for and then serve in the military for five years. “Sergeant Pike,” the man said holding out his hand, half his face was a patchwork of scars and he was missing his right leg, he had been sent to serve at the Academy until his Five was over and he was content to do the small tasks he was given. “I’ve been asked to escort you to the Academy, are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Mason said ignoring the proffered hand and Pike nodded, he moved off with the boy behind him moving awkwardly on his crutch. Leading the way out of the Hospital and through the gardens Pike stopped at the gate that separated the Hospital Grounds from that of the Academy, there he had Mason put his right palm on the scanner. “If you want somewhere nice to sit, you can come here…that’s as long as you play nice, if you make trouble the right is revoked, got it?” he said and Mason nodded.

After they passed through the gate Pike led the way up to the Administration building and followed him inside, waiting while Mason entered the office of the Commander. When Mason walked into the room he found the Commander on the phone so he waited patiently until the man looked over to him and gestured to a seat. “I’ve got a new recruit, I’ll talk to you later,” he said into the phone and then hung it up turning to face the waiting boy. “You must be Mason Reid,” he said. “I’m sorry for your loss, you’re father was a great man and much deserved his retirement, I’m sorry that he didn’t get to enjoy it.”

“He…he enjoyed it while he could sir,” Mason said his eyes distant. “He always said that he was thankful for being home,” he said.

“At least he had some time then,” the Commander said. “Now as to you, you do understand that from now until the end of your 18th year you are in the state’s charge? Do you also understand that after that time you are required to serve five years in the Federation Army before being giving the chance to either join normal society or re-enlist?” he asked.

“Yes Sir,” Mason said nodding.

“Because this is your first day you will not be required to attend classes or training until tomorrow, instead Sergeant Pike will take you to meet the Principal of the Education section of the Academy and then proceed to give you a tour, do you have any questions?”

“No Sir,” Mason said shaking his head.

“Good, now listen to Sargent Pike, he was once where you are now,” The Commander said.

When he had left the office he was met by Pike who lead him through the administration building until they reached another office, again he waited outside as Mason entered. The man behind the desk was the Commander’s polar opposite, bespectacled and podgy where the Commander had been lean and keen eyed. Looking up from his desk the short man smiled.

“Hello,” the Principal said. “You’d be Mason Reid,” he said looking at a book that lay in front of him. “It says here that you’re thirteen so that means that in another school you will have been year nine, is that correct?”

“Yes Sir,” Mason said, this all felt so strange, somehow unreal and he forced himself to pay attention. This was real and he had to put aside his feelings of grief that made everything distant.

“No, no not Sir,” the Principal said. “That’s all well and fine for the Commander but I am a civilian, call me Mr Tomas,” he said adjusting his glasses. “Because of your age we will place you in with some of the other first years, the Sergeant will show you where to go. I guess that’s all,” he said dismissing the boy and Mason walked from the room and allowed Pike to lead him where he will. After he had finished the tour he was led to the largest building in the compound, the Barracks stood 8 stories tall and his room was located on the 5th floor.

After being shown the code to unlock the door Mason entered the room that would be his home for the next five years and said goodbye to Pike. Looking around the room the first thing he noticed was that the farthest wall was covered completely in pictures, the next thing that came to his attention was that a familiar suitcase was resting on one of the other beds, walking over to it he sank down onto the floor. The grief that he had held away from himself as he tried to get through the day overwhelmed him and he started to cry, harsh sobs wracked his frame and he put his head onto his drawn up knees and sat there shuddering.

The door opened but Mason didn’t look up, even when someone else entered the room, for that moment he was beyond caring. The boy who entered stood silent and watched, he was small and painfully thin, dark of hair and eye with a nervous manner. Standing silently he was reluctant to interrupt the other boy’s grief, he himself couldn’t clearly remember the loss of his parents but he knew that there wasn’t any way to make the pain go away. Minutes past as the boy stood, caught between wanting to leave the other boy alone and wanting in some way to help until he sighed and began to walk forwards grabbing a box of tissues on the way before kneeling beside the sobbing boy. Pulling out a tissue he handed it to Mason and sat quietly as the larger boy blew his nose.

After a while the sobbing subsided and a change came over Mason, his eyes opened and the other boy winced, there was something other than grief in the other’s gaze, it seemed as if the grieving was done replaced with a scary kind of resolve. “They’re dead, I miss them but I can’t live mourning them, I can’t so I won’t, I’ll get on with my life,” he said wiping was his tears, he was talking to himself but the other boy nodded slightly at the words and offered another tissue which Mason used to wipe up the last of his tears. “Thanks,” he said to the boy who hastily stood up and went to the bed with all the pictures. “You’re right, it would be a good time to go to bed, we’ve got a long day ahead of us,” he said walking over to where his suitcase waited, he decided against unpacking and instead put it on the floor and lay down on the bed, he was asleep before his head even touched the pillow.

In the middle of the night Mason’s roommate sat up, threw the bed covers off before rising slowly to his feet and walked across the room with a loose limbed, slow gait, his eyes open but unseeing. Reaching the door, he opened it and stumbled out into the hall, all through this process Mason slept, caught in the sleep that only those who were both emotionally and physically exhausted ever experience.

Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 1

Part 1
In my beginnings is my end

-T. S. Eliot

1

The light hurt, it tore at his muddled brain forcing him to shut his eyes against the onslaught. He lay in this self imposed blindness for as long as he could bear until sheer desperation forced him to open them once more. This time he sought the light with more caution, millimetre by painful millimetre his eyes opened and finally they adjusted. Only then did he see that he wasn't, as he had thought at first, lying safely in his cluttered and comfortable room but somewhere almost it’s polar opposite.

Trying to make sense of his surroundings the boy sought to rise from his prone position only to be gently pushed back into the embrace of the pillows. "Don't try and sit up yet, you've got a head injury,” a woman’s voice whispered gently breaking the silence. Turning his head slightly on the pillows the boy looked over to see a beautiful woman in white sitting beside him. "How are you feeling?" she enquired brushing a lock of hair away from his eyes and smiling kindly.

He opened his mouth and tried to reply, at first nothing came but a faint croak but after clearing his throat he managed to force out a word. "Confused," he rasped, his throat hurting slightly. "What am I doing in the hospital?" he asked having realised his whereabouts.

"You poor, poor boy! You don't remember do you?" the nurse asked looking sad, biting her dark red lips.

"Of course I don't I wouldn't've asked if I did would I?" the boy snapped but then he shook his head and shrugged. "Sorry," he apologised knowing that taking out his confusion and growing panic out on the nurse was useless.

"Don’t worry, I understand, this must be very frustrating for you," the nurse said. “The doctor will be along soon to do an examination.”

"Sure but can he make it quick, I feel fine and I’ve got to hurry up and get home, mum and dad must be worried sick," the boy said and the nurse’s bronze skin went a deathly white. "What? What did I say?" he demanded but the doctor entered and he turned his attention on him.

"Thank you Lovely," the doctor said and the nurse smiled as she went out. "Hello, I’m Doctor Garlands," he said walking over to the patient and checking the boy’s pupils. "I’m the head of the Mutate Ward in this facility," he added jotting down notes as he looked at Mason’s chart.

The boy frowned when he looked down at himself. At only 13 years old he was 6 feet even, his hair and eyes were blood red which coupled with skin so dark it seemed to swallow the light made him look like something out of a nightmare, he definitely rated Mutate Status .

“What am I doing here?” Mason demanded.

"Why don't we make a deal?" Garlands asked. "I'll answer all of your questions after you answer mine, okay?"

The boy thought it over for awhile and then decided there was no use arguing. "You have a deal," he said his reluctance showing in his voice.

“Thank you Mason,” Garlands said "These are routine, just be patient while I ask you them,” he said looking down at the list. “Let's start simple okay? What's your name? Your full name that is."

"Mason Scott Reid," Mason said.

"Good, good, now another easy one," Garlands said. "How old are you?"

"13," Mason said aching for these useless questions to finish. “Why are you asking me? You know all this, you’ve checked my chip .”

"As I said this is just routine, we need to establish that you didn’t sustain any damage when you hit your head" the doctor said nodding. "This one is a little harder; some people don't need a knock on the head to forget this one, what's the date?"

"Unless I've been unconscious longer then a day its the 8th of February 600AV," Mason said then he hesitated. "Has it been more than a day?" he asked.

"A day and a night," Garlands said trying to reassure him but the attempt backfired.

"What? And my parents don't know?" Mason demanded this time succeeding to sit upright when he saw the doctor hesitate "They really don't know, do they? I answered your stupid questions now tell me what happened, and why haven't you told mum and dad?"

"I never said that they don't know," Garlands said in a tone he obviously meant to be reassuring though it in fact had the opposite affect.

"But when I said that they didn't you didn't correct me, and the nurse paled when I said I want to get home, something happened to them didn't it! WHAT HAPPENED TO US?" he demanded grabbing hold of the man's coat and pulling him down so they were nose to nose. "Tell me now."

"You're right, you are obviously coherent enough for me to answer your question," Garlands said as Mason let go of the coat and lay back. "You and your parents were involved in a car accident; you were brought in for shock, head injuries and numerous cuts and bruises."

"Car accident," Mason asked confused. "Mum and Dad, are they okay?" he asked looking up pleadingly.

"You father was driving, your mother was in the passenger seat," the doctor said, he looked at the young boy facing him and tried to find out how to tell him, finally he decided to come straight out with it. "Neither of them survived, they died in the crash."

"What?" Mason asked shocked. "How come I don't remember?" he asked. "I should remember something like that, I don't so it can't be true can it?" he asked but the look of pity on the doctor's face answered and his eyes started to shine with tears.

"It is sometimes the case with shock and head injuries like the one you have suffered that the person does not remember the event of the accident they suffered, sometimes they remember it later, sometimes never,” Garlands said

“Oh god, the date,” Mason said shutting his eyes and groaning. “It was her birthday, that’s why we were out,” he said trailing off, tears welled in the crimson eyes and ran down his cheek but then he looked up. “How can this happen… I mean what about the cars, they’re safe aren’t they?”

“The man driving the other car was inebriated,” Garlands said but the look of incomprehension on Mason’s face made him phrase it another way. “He was drunk and the auto system didn’t work …he didn’t think…he pleaded guilty.”

“Didn’t think?” Mason snarled blood red eyes closing tightly and jaw clenching. “Look what happens when you don’t think, If I could get hold of him I’d kill him for being so fucking stupid, he killed them, he-,” he trailed off as everything sunk in and he collapsed sobbing into his arms.

Introducing Sunrise View Academy

Welcome to The Academy Pages,

This is where you will find my books about the Sunrise View Academy and the people that live there. These books have been written and re-written over a period of years and are still being worked on. I have posted them here to get more of an idea about what people think so feel free to comment-- I want your feed-back.

Eve Langtree