The Apprenticeship

Journey

Later in the day, long after lunch, Gen shows up to take me back. I say goodbye to my family and walk out the door with Gen.

"How'd the week go?" Gen asks me.

"Off and on. Half of me wanted to come back, half of me wanted to stay. I thought at one point, what would happen if I ran away?"

"You don't want to go down that road Avery. I tried to run away once. I was put on probation for blowing up the labs. Understandable. The me of then didn't think it was far. I ran."

"You did?"

"Yes. Daniels sent out a search team. They found me four days later. I was hiding under an old bridge."

I listen intently to Gen's story. She really messed up too.

"Avery, don't run away. When you came I was finally taken off of probation. They figured that if they trusted me enough around you then, I should be trusted in general. Daniels still acts like I'm on probation though."

"Wow. All because of a few simple things."

"I was only on probation for so long because of that incident."

We walk silently the rest of the way. When we return, Daniels is waiting for us.

"I hope your week was enjoyable," he says, "because it's about to get even harder."

I nod and push past him. I have to find Bell or Anne.

"Avery! We're not done here." I don't listen to the yelling. I keep running.

He comes inside and chases after me. As much as I actually want to care, I don't.

Down the hall and to the left. When I get there I run into a tall boy and fall.

"I guess you can say, you're falling for me."

I pick myself up off the ground, "who are you?"

"Jordan, you?"

"Avery."

"Well, Avery. I think Daniels there is trying to get your attention."

"I know." I don't want to talk to him too much. I just met him, I don't trust him.

"You better get going."

I brush past him and keep running. Left, left, right. Right, left, right.

Eventually I reach the end of the building. I stop and make my way to the end of the hall. I don't see Daniels. I slowly make my way to the dorms.

When I open up the door to the room, Gen is there waiting.

"Avery," she begins. I really don't want to talk, "you ran? You just came back."

I remain silent.

"I get it," somehow she always understood my silence, "but why?"

I am not talking today, not about this.

"It's okay Avery. Daniels is looking for you. I'm supposed to send you to him but, I can say that I went to the bathroom when you showed up. Then you left as I was coming back."

I nod saying a silent thank you.

I quickly gather my stuff and open the door. I look back at Gen and take one step out the door and run into someone. When I look up it's Daniels.