G.U.A.R.D. Book #3: Recusant

-23-

    News of my new home came in the form of a letter. Station 4. The head instructor was a guy named Sebastian Tiago. It had a list of names of other people who would be going to Station 4 this year; it wasn't very long. Just a little less than twenty or so. But, then, that meant there were around twenty new recruits going to this station when there were three other stations out there. It made me wonder how many recruits G.U.A.R.D. got yearly—and if they only hired that many people because the others died off too quickly.

With my clothes all packed in a suitcase, my necklace under my shirt, and letter in hand, I waited out in the fields with several other people. Jackie, going into her freshman year, was one of them. She was going to Station 2.

Everyone else were adults.

"Remember what I said?" Slade asked by my side.

"Respect authority and don't think for yourself," I responded.

"I didn't say that last part."

"Yeah, well, you implied it."

There was a pause. Then: "I'm glad I got to know you, Natasha. You'll do well there."

I glanced to the man, wondering how sincere he was being. For the briefest moment, I felt my insides soften. But, just as quickly, I looked away.

"Thanks," I said shortly.

I noticed Daniel come up behind Jackie and touch her shoulder. The girl was practically jumping with excitement. When she saw him standing over her, she gave a grin and hugged him tightly. My brow furrowed. That was an odd sight.

Daniel grinned, returning the motion. When she pulled away, Jackie gazed up with stars in her eyes. The two were a little far away, but I could still hear them.

"Any tips?" Jackie asked.

"Nah, you don't need any. You'll do great." He gave her hair a little ruffle. "Just don't wear the headband all the time, okay?"

"Jackie!" Leslie called, walking through the front doors. "Why are you so irresponsible? You forgot your water bottle!"
Before Leslie could give Jackie the object, the younger girl threw her arms around her. Okay, that was even weirder.

"Too bad Knife and Jay aren't here, eh?" Slade asked. I had momentarily forgotten he stood there.

I looked to the man. Then back at Daniel, Jackie, and Leslie. A memory came back to me. Sarah and Justin saying that Daniel and Leslie were in a relationship. Jackie claiming she didn't believe it.

Daniel and Jackie with their black hair and blue eyes. Leslie with her honey-brown hair—hair that could almost be blonde, like Knife's.

"They're all a family?" I asked.

I looked to Slade.

"Don't tell them, okay?" was his response.

I couldn't think of anything else to say besides, "Leslie's British."

Slade snorted. "She grew up in Base 8. It's in England."

A man suddenly stepped up from the group of agents conferencing. They stood in front of four black vans. He held up a megaphone.

"Station 1 goes with Winslow." He pointed to a man in front of the first van. After pointing out the next two stations, he said, "and Station 4 goes with Rockwell."
An older woman with a stern mouth waved.

"See you in a year, kid," Slade said, clasping my shoulder.

I, along with four other people, walked to Station 4's van. Rockwell pulled out a clip-com and nodded to the first recruit.