The Story of Phil

The Camp

A/N Fanart by @Orangejuice-Chan and she did an awesome job! If you'd like to have your   own fanart of Phil or another character featured in one of the next chapters, hit me up on here through PM or in the comments. 

And without further ado, onto the story 

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After eighteen long years at the home, I was finally free. A pack on my back, and a small loaf of bread was all Mrs. Agsten had given me for the trip. It was a small gift, but it was the nicest thing she had ever done for me. 

I made my way through the town carefully. Though I had grown up in it, I knew most of the other enders weren't going to take kindly to me. Too many times they had stared at me while the home bullies beat me, or worse. Not to mention how many would join in as well. The scars on my back from their claws itched as I passed each one. 

I hurried out of there without a backward glance. I knew I was never going back, not if I could help it anyway. 

It was my first trip outside the town in a long time, and I was surprised by the size of the chorus tree forest. When I had been younger, the first trip I had made by myself and one of my actual friends had been here, but as I looked around all I could think about was how small it seemed. It was more a cluster of trees outside the town than a fully fledged forest. But they stretched out behind themselves, and I couldn't see past most of the trunks. 

A horn blew me out of my thoughts and back to present. All the other bunks were empty in my tent, and I rushed to get ready for presentation. I made it out just in time and fell in line between Arie, a magic wielder, and Bull, a normal purple who had a knack for liking to press weights at all hours. If I remembered correctly, he was up to a thousand pounds total without breaking a sweat. 

"Listen up!" A shout drew our attention. The general sauntered out of his tent and walked up and down the line, quietly critiquing everyone on any little thing. 

"I bet you ten coins" I muttered, leaning over toward Arie "That he says something went wrong, and he walks over to blame me." Arie snickered slightly and shook his head.

"I'm not taking that bet" Arie smirked "Last time I did that you took my weeks pay" I shrugged and looked back toward the general. He sauntered up and down the line, looking at us all as he did. I couldn't hide a smirk as he passed by me. In return, he glared back. 

"There's been a report of someone stealing ration ballets" The general said. I nodded quietly. I'd put in my own report about that. 

"Some blame has been passed around" He continued, "But through an investigation we have figured out who it was" He stopped right in front of me, and turn to stare me in the eyes. I stared back, fighting to keep a straight face as anger boiled inside me.

"Phillis. would you like to explain yourself?" The general asked, smirking quietly. 

"No" I replied curtly. "There's nothing to explain. I didn't take them"

"Then why did we find these in your bunk?" He asked, pulling a large stack of ration tickets out of his coat pocket. I looked at them confused. 

"They must have been placed there sir" I replied "Because I've never seen those before" 

"Right" The general dragged out. I glared back at him as he turned to face the rest of the enders. 

"You're all dismissed" He said casually, and they all left without another word. I stayed as still as I possibly could as they passed, and ignored their whispers as best I could. Only Arie remained. 

"Do you really want to deny this?" The general asked, ignoring Arie. I nodded, keeping his gaze. 

"Yes. I didn't do it" I replied as calmly as I could "Just like I didn't clog the toilets, mess with the papers in your desk, or take your pet rabbit squiggles. You have just as much proof that I did those as you do with me doing this." The general glared at me, and I smirked back.

"That's where you're wrong Phil" He growled "Finding these in your bed, along with all those other offenses means I can discharge you" I stared back at. 

"You can't" I replied, more hoping than not that he wouldn't. 

"I can" The general grinned. "And I am. I want you packed and gone by morning" And with that, he walked away.

I stood there, numb, for several minutes just staring into the dark, ever shifting sky of the end.  Arie tried to say something to me, but I couldn't hear. Finally, after a long time, I walked back to the tent and began packing my things. It went silent as I walked in, and the people who I once thought were my friends left without saying a word. Many gave me dirty looks, or growled as they passed. I didn't give them the satisfaction of responding. 

I picked up my ruck sack and threw it over my shoulder. Arie stood in the doorway, and I stopped for a moment confused. His sack was slung over one shoulder, and he held two loaves of bread in his free hand.

"What are you-" I started, my voice quiet. 

"I'm coming too" He said with a small, sympathetic smile. "This place was never for me. I only came because my parents didn't want me" 

I laughed a little and walked over toward him. "Well, you can come, but I don't know how you'll hold up being with me" 

He shrugged "It's better than being alone" he replied. I smiled, and we walked out of the camp side by side.