Heathen Chronicles - Changed

Chapter 27 - The Desert Mirage

Dwayne's POV

I sat slumped in my seat, music pulsing through my headphones while I scrolled through the pictures on my phone. I offered a faint smile to no one in particular, waiting for the intercom to announce the official time for our departure.

After a long, painful couple of months defined by force and persuasion, the headmaster had finally managed to arrange the necessary flights for our "surprise" visit to the General's base—a base that wasn't nearly as secretive as the military would have liked. We were all genuinely impressed by the sheer level of connections our headmaster and homeroom teacher possessed; their global reach was the only reason this trip was happening at all. He had informed us matrics a week ago that we would be leaving today, warning us to be ready the second the intercom buzzed.

I sat there watching Tannah cringe at the sight of Jeydon and Victoria's constant, nauseating make-out sessions. They seemed happier than anyone would have guessed, though it was probably just for show.

Why are you even here? No one likes either of you, so why are you here?

"WILL YOU TWO STOP IT ALREADY, FOR FUCK'S SAKE, AND GET A DAMN ROOM!" Tannah finally yelled, her irritation reaching a breaking point.

"Whaaaat! C'mon, we're not that bad," Victoria stated flatly, feigning an innocence that didn't suit her.

"Yeah, you're right. You are MUCH worse!" Ntsakela added. She looked like she could genuinely stab Victoria with the bread knife she was using to prepare a quick snack.

"I just hope we don't have to share a room with the two of you at wherever the hell Raven is!" Tannah grumbled, her mood officially ruined.

BEEP!

"Can all the matrics please make their way to the buses? All bags have been loaded, and the vehicles are ready to leave. Thank you."

"FINALLY. Let's go! I can't watch that shit anymore," I exclaimed, already halfway out the door.

We all rushed onto the nearest empty bus. Our group filled most of the seats on the first one, forcing the other matrics to either squeeze into the back or board the second bus. I slumped into the seat next to the window, closed my eyes, and fell asleep almost instantly as the engine roared to life, beginning the trek to the airport.

I eventually woke up to Tannah's piercing screaming and shot her a lethal death glare. Why the hell are you always screaming?

I looked over to where she was pointing, lacking any real enthusiasm, until I saw the airplane that had been arranged for us. It was massive, painted a sleek, intimidating black, and ready for take-off.

Wow, we must be getting the presidential treatment. Raven should have joined the army a long time ago!

Once on the plane, the atmosphere was restless; the eagerness to reach the base ran high through the aisles. The Grade 12 teachers occupied first class, while the rest of the students filled up second and third. It wasn't as bad as we had expected—it felt remarkably like first class itself, with the glaring exception that no alcohol was allowed for the students. At all.

Our group claimed most of second class. I enjoyed the view of everyone we didn't like struggling with their luggage. I looked over at Taylor, who simply pushed up his glasses and shrugged. We had no desire to help anyone at this point in time.

The flight took three hours. Apparently, the pilots had decided on the quickest route instead of the scenic one, acting on the General's strict instructions. We arrived sooner than expected and disembarked, feeling a mixture of excitement and confusion. We scanned the area; it was scorching hot and bone-dry. We were at a coastal airport surrounded by nothing but... desert?