For The Greater Good-World 1: A Corrupted Cove || World//Zero ||

1. Nervous

Alec was sitting alone in his room when he heard a knock on the door. He lifted his head as his mother invited herself inside. After giving the room a once-over, she had a startled, and slightly annoyed, look on her face. He couldn't blame her, though, as it wasn't exactly what she expected. He watched as she carefully stepped around what was left on the floor, like she was following footprints in 6-inch snow.

"What...happened in here?" she asked once reaching the bed, her hands going straight to her hips. Her tone was soft but still having that maternal sternness.

Alec didn't look up, already understanding what she meant. He knew that his room was a mess, practically being surrounded by all his belongings in an unnatural, reckless state, the majority being his clothes scattered on the floor, and other necessities for the trip ahead.

His mother then smirked and looked at Alec "Did a mage sweep in here or something?"

He shrugged. While he would normally joke with his mom, he didn't laugh.

As his mother began to pick up his clothes, she turned to him. "Still a little nervous, huh?"

Once again, Alec hesitated to respond. He didn't expect her to see right through him. (Then again, what did he expect? She was his mom after all.) However, while he was nervous about the trip, and what came after, he didn't want her to worry about him, no matter how inevitable it might've been. He wanted to be strong for her. As unbelievable as that felt right now. He kept his head down.

He barely caught his mother's gentle smile, and listened to her sigh quietly. "Don't worry about packing the rest of this. Why don't you go downstairs and get some breakfast, hm? I'll take care of it from here."

Alec waited on the edge of the bed for a few moments before standing up, heading downstairs into the kitchen. He rummaged through the cupboards and the fridge, grabbing what he needed to make himself something to eat. Once everything was prepared, he took his plate to the table. However, rather than instantly digging in, he stared blankly at the food instead, his mind completely elsewhere and his appetite gone, replaced with nerves.

The thought of leaving, being away from home, so far away...it almost left him asking, 'Do I have to?'

Soon, his mother joined him downstairs, a couple suitcases in hand. Seeing him alone at the table, she walked over and pulled out a chair, sitting down next to him. He still hadn't touched his food. She took his hand in hers, rubbing it comfortably. "You know," she said, "I was nervous at first, too."

Alec glanced up from his food, just a smidge. "...Really?' he asked, his voice small.

"Yeah." She kept holding his hand. "I went to World Zero when I was about your age. I remember begging my parents not to let me go. But once I was there, I felt a lot better. In fact, some of my best memories are from when I went there. That was where I met your mother, after all."

Alec nodded slowly, but still looked a little unsure, his brows knitted together in wariness. "I...I'm scared. That I'll never see you guys again. What if...I can't come home?"

His mother looked at him sympathetically. "Oh, Alec." She took the side of his face, making him turn his head to her. "Of course, you'll see us again. It's not like they'll force you to stay. Once you finish your training, you are free to come and go whenever you like. The path to World Zero may not last that much longer for me or your mom, but we are still able to communicate with you whenever you want to. I promise that we'll write to you as much as possible. That's only if you're willing to write back to us." Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Even then, your room will be filled with letters by your second year, I'm sure."

At that, despite his dread, Alec smiled. He hoped his mother was right.

His mother brushed his dark hair back and kissed his forehead. "Go and finish getting ready. I'll wait for you in the car."

The journey to the station, located near the city's outskirts, seemed to drag on forever. Neither Alec nor his mom spent much time talking either, occupied by their thoughts. By the time the train station came into view, Alec's mother had finally spoken. "Remember what I told you before. Once you get there and get situated, your mentor will be there to help you. Okay?"

Alec didn't respond and continued to stare out the window. As his mother searched for a parking spot once they got there, Alec shrunk in his seat, his legs feeling weak. He didn't want to move, but as his mom stopped the engine and got out of the car, taking his suitcase with her, he pushed himself off the seat and followed his mom to the underground train station. However, rather than getting on where they normally did, where the train transported them to different parts of the city, she led him deeper into the ground. After going down a couple more levels, Alec felt his hands getting sweaty, wondering why they were going so down. As soon as they stepped off the staircase, though, he seemed to find out.

Before him was what appeared to be another station, only they were reserved for people like him. There were a lot more trains than just the average one or two, and they waited as crowds of people got on. A sign displayed the time schedule for each of the trains. There looked to be at least eight trains in total, though Alec felt that there were more than that.

Like the others who were saying their goodbyes to their friends or families, his mother turned to him and knelt in front of him, grasping his shoulders and meeting his gaze. "You're sure that you'll be okay?" she asked.

Alec gave her a weak smile. Even though he didn't feel ready to leave just yet, he didn't want to keep his mother any longer. "Yeah, I'll be fine," he reassured.

She patted his shoulder lightly, her expression suddenly turning serious. "Be safe, okay?"

He nodded.

"And promise that you'll write to me?"

Alec stifled a laugh before nodding again. "I promise."

His mom sighed quietly before pulling him into a firm hug. Alec nearly fell into her embrace and felt a lump well up in his throat. When they pulled away, Alec's mom stood up and handed her son his suitcase. "Have a good time, kiddo," she said. "I love you."

Alec looked up at his mother before breaking into a sad, teary-eyed smile. Before he turned to go to his train, he gave his mom another tight hug. "I love you too."