The Second Hand of Time

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

THEENEMIES ARRIVE

Weexpected an invasion in the evening, but nobody came. The day afterthat, the classes were suspended. We, the combat arts were assignedto different areas where the enemies might enter. Thankfully, Iwasn't separated from the other freshmen. We were assigned to theEast Gate, the area where the general college students enter everyday.

Wewere given with tents to sleep near the gate. We switched takingwatch of the surroundings.

Iwas surprised to know that Tom had a girlfriend. Her girlfriend isCriselda Evans, the third seat of the first year elites. Wow, now Iidolize Tom's courage. Hail Tom!

Anyway,the two of them stood guard for the first two hours while the othersare sleeping, then, Hana and Dan, then Maverick and Robbie, thenClifford and Vanistella, then me and Spencer then Drake Saxx, allalone. I felt sorry for the guy so I extended my shift. He wasn'ttoo happy about it, but I'm glad I had time to talk to him.

"Hey,"I greeted Drake who was sitting on a rock beside the firewood. He waswearing a parka over his T-shirt. He was wearing black jeans andblack combat boots.

Hescowled at me, as if suspecting that I'm playing some kind of prankon him.

"Whatdo you want?" He demanded.

"Nothing."I replied. "I just want to talk, before, you know..."

Beforewe fight, and assuming we live... Iswhat I was thinking, but I didn't say it.

"Huh?"He said. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Anything."I said, hugging my arms. "Man, it's so cold here. Are you sureyou'll just wear your parka?"

"I'mmuch more disciplined than you." He said. "I don't needjackets."

"Oh,that's cool." I commented. "Can you make a fire?"

Hepondered for a moment and nodded. He thrust out his hand and summonedfire from his gauntlets. He pointed at the sticks and set themablaze.

"Ooh."I said. "Thanks."

Morningcame and we took turns taking shower in the bathrooms. Miss Eupraxiaprepared us some toiletries and snacks.

Hanasummoned a demonic girl cook, who cooked our breakfast. I watched herhands slice the pork into slices. The knives looked like weapons ofpure destruction. Then she summoned fire to cook the food sheprepared.

Weate at seven o'clock. The first year elites joined us too(including Maverick), since they don't know how to cook the foodMiss Eupraxia gave them.

"Let'seat!" Tom said, raising his tumbler full of fruit juice.

"Yeah!"Spencer replied.

Webegan munching our food. I wolfed down my food and drank threeglasses of juice.

Iwondered if this would be our last meal before we fight.

Aftereating, we prepared our things for battle. Miss Eupraxia told us tokeep our eyes peeled, since we don't know when the enemy mightattack.

Tomand I were assigned by Dan to lay traps under the fences, just incase some of the invaders get through.

"Whendid you two start dating?" I asked. Tom was wearing his ninja gear.It made him look like a movie stuntman—those guys who were dressedin black. His butterfly blades hung at the back of his belt. His maskwas hanging on his neck. Written on the mask is CRISSY<3.