𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔢𝔢

"Would you like an entire cow to go with that?" A snobby voice questioned from above me.

"I would, actually," I replied, wiping my face delicately with the napkin laid across my lap and looking up at Theo's piercing glare. "I like my meat medium rare. Thanks." I turned back to my burger, picking it up and stuffing a huge bite into my mouth. His death glare pierced through me, but I just allowed it to phase by.

I finished my burger a few minutes later and when I looked up, Theo was still staring daggers at me. "Can I help you?"

"Where does all the food go?" he asked. He gave me a once-over.

"You know, you shouldn't ask a lady that." I dabbed my napkin at the sides of my lips and rose to my feet.

"Good thing you're not a lady."

I laid down on the line of cushioned chairs behind me and placed my hands on my stuffed stomach. "Rude," I stated.

He pushed me off with his foot and I fell to the ground with a thump. I kicked the chairs away and stormed out from under the table. "Double rude."

He turned and walked off. I was going to yell something after him, but just then the lunch rush began and people started swarming in like wasps. I quickly scooted back under the table and used it as a path to make it to the door without getting trampled.

When I made it back to the dorms, I noticed the door was fixed. Luckily, my id let me back in and I headed straight to my dorm. I let myself in and immediately noticed Wren's empty bed. I looked over and saw her writing vigorously on her desk.

"That was a quick nap," I said, closing the door behind me and walking over to her.

"It was a power nap," Wren explained. She didn't look up from her work. "They are a way for you to rest without allowing you to fall into the whole sleep cycle and wake up drowsy. They are perfect for gaining lost energy. Like perhaps from waking up at three in the morning to finish plans for a mission to make a point to a bunch of adults who do not care."

"That's pretty smart," I said. "Maybe I'll take one too."

"If you can sleep with the light on."

"I can just wear an eye mask or something."

Wren swirled around in her wheelie chair to face me. "I got confirmation that they are increasing security. To prevent a rise of panic, they have decided to not tell anyone."

"Pfft. Like that's going to work."

"They enjoy making their attempts," she replied, pushing off the floor and lining herself back up with her desk.

I yawned and walked over to my bed, flopping backward and staring up at the ceiling. "I can't believe my dad's fallen for their charade. I can't believe anyone fell for it. Let alone the entire city."

"You do not know that."

"You're right. They're probably just a bunch of cowards." I threw myself onto my side and sighed. "At least there's one smart person on my team."

Wren cocked her head. "Who?"

"You, of course. You're number one in your class. Theo's been trying to catch up to you for years."

"All I do is choose to accept the knowledge instead of denying it. It is simple enough for anyone."

"Yeah...so simple..."

There was too much on my mind for sleep. I swung my leg up and then brought it down on a hidden button on the smooth wood making up my bed, activating a drawer and sliding it open. I got up to fetch the folded paper inside and laid it down on the comforter in front of me. "So what should we do next?" I asked Wren, finally looking over to her on her desk.