The Untouchables

Academy for the Untouchables

'Food...' The first thought that slips into my mind as I begin to regain consciousness has me grabbing at my stomach in an attempt to hold in my hunger, but a cool hand covered in what felt like a leather material stops me from doing so. I slowly cracked my eyes open to find the one person I was not expecting to be at my bedside looking down on me.

"Wraith?" I whispered, my voice cracking from lack of water.

"Shhh..." He responded, reaching over onto the nightstand and took a tall glass of water, helping me sit up so that I could drink some of it.

After I gulped down the rest of the cool liquid, I took account of my surroundings, noting that I was in a tiny white room with two other beds and nightstands lined in an orderly fashion, the only source of light coming from a lamp on the far corner of the room. Dillion was leaning against a wall near the entrance, his arm crossed over his chest.

"About time you woke up." He huffed, his fingers toying with a metal cuff absentmindedly.

"Where am I? And why am I here?" I asked, ignoring Dillion.

"The infirmary. You passed out when you and Dillion teleported here." Wraith answered, getting up from his chair and stretching his arms. It was then that I noticed that he and Dillion were wearing identical form fitting black jumpsuits that could also pass for a wetsuit. "And as far as we've been told, there's still some people on their way before everything can be explained to us."

"Do any of you smell something burning?" I asked suddenly, sniffing the air for the source of the stench.

"That would be your clothes. They started smoking when you passed out on me." Dillion replied, tossing a black object into my lap. "It's apparently a uniform of sorts. " He added, pushing himself off of the wall, and walking out of the room.

"Are you gonna be okay on your own?" Wraith spoke, breaking our awkward silence.

"Yeah, I think I should be fine for now." I said, gathering the bundle of clothes in my hand and looking around the room for some sort of bathroom.
~

After I had attempted to scrub off the built up grime from my skin using only a piece of cloth, soap, and a sink, I slipped into the uniform that Dillion gave me, admiring the way that it felt against my skin.

Upon further inspection, I observed the fine detailing of the gray lines that ran down either side of my body, and even on the long sleeves of the uniform. I slipped into the beat up ballet flats I had on before, hoping that they would suffice until I was able to get new shoes. Before leaving, I quickly tied my hair into a simple braid in hopes that it would hide the burnt hair stench.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, I was met with another body being thrown against mine, making me stumble back a little. "Light, I'm so glad you're okay!"

Pulling back in surprise, I grabbed either side of Maggie's face. "I can't believe you're here too!" I exclaimed, pulling her back into a hug and holding her like I haven't seen here in years. "But...why are you here? Why am I here?" I pulled away again, still wondering what the purpose in all of this was.

"May I have your attention please." A male voice spoke through the intercom. "Would all Newcomers please make their way towards the lunch room for Orientation. All Returners are to guide the Newcomers. See you guys there!"

"But how are we supposed to tell who's a Newcomer and who's a Returner? We're all wearing the same thing." Maggie asked, grabbing my elbow as people began to push forward.

"Typically, the Returners come to the Newcomers. It's easier to spot signs of a confused person than someone who knows what's going on." A girl said as she approached Maggie and I.