The Chapters

Chapter Nine

You've used 9+ chapters on a single day.

Is this the ninth chapter?

I think that's what I just said. But I guess that doesn't matter. What are you up to now, Mr. Chapter-changes-aren't-time-skips?

I don't get your abrupt changes of topic.

Well, I'm abruptly changing the topic. Learnt anything new yet?

Do you know how much time it's been since lunch?

Two days.

What if I said you were correct?

... I'd say it was bull.

And if I said you were wrong?

Where are you going with this?

Nowhere.

I noticed. Seriously, what are you doing?

At this point in time, I am reading a book. You're probably going to ask what it's called, so I'll just tell you. The book's title is Little Brother.

Never heard of it. What's it about?

Government corruption, technology, lots of things I'm still trying to understand. It's pretty good.

Sounds intense.

Mhm.

I'm guessing your not reading this in Rey's room, are you?

No. I'm reading in the barracks. The others are off doing their own things right now, and most of the other guys are out, so it's just a few of us in here.

Wait, slow down. Barracks, as in where soldiers sleep?

I nod. I can't really speak out loud, even here, but slight motions won't alert anyone. I'm laying on my back on the lower cot of a bunk-bed, reading my book. This used to be an army base remember?

Right. So what have you been up to for the last...

For the last few hours? Good Freedom and Keon and Rey dragged me all over the Kin to see if I recognized everyone (which I didn't), we checked back with Ruka (who is doing much better, thanks for asking), and we assessed the damage in Wing C. Also, did you know that we live in a place that used to be a country called Canada?

Who told you that?

Ruka.

How did that come up in conversation?

I was asking questions.

You don't say anything for a while, so I turn another page in my book. I mean, the book I'm reading. Little Brother. Not The Chapters.

You're really into reading that, aren't you?

Mhm.

Gee, do you want me to borrow you another time?

Don't you dare time-skip on me. I want to remember the book.

Are you almost done the book, then?

I have a couple more chapters left.

Are you a fast reader?

I've finished about five pages in the time that we've been talking.

Christ.

I just finished twenty more pages.

Yeah, right. You can't distract me with any sort of flashback or something while you finish reading, can you?