Too Late To Save Time

Round Two

I was woken up the next morning with a crick in my neck and an aching back. Moans and groans filled the air, and someone's sneaker-clad foot kicked my head.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, heaving myself up. Some kid- Gregory Diez- shot me an apologetic smile before shaking Taylor-Jean awake. She was wearing his shirt, the loose tee covering her baby blue tank top.

Another groan joined the others and I looked at Miranda burying her face into Casey's side. Casey was still asleep, laying on his stomach, his head on his arms. I nudged Miranda with my toe.

"Mmmm! I wan go back tslep." She slurred out, rolling over and curling up to save her body warmth.

"Miranda, wake up!" I crooned, shaking her. She opened one eye and an eyelash fell into it. Letting out cries of pains and frustrated groans, Miranda jumped up, blinking her eyes rapdily to try and rid her iris of the lash.

"Cold!" Casey whined. I grabbed hold of his shirt and tried to lift him up, but Casey was heavy. He whined in protest. Eli kicked his shoulder and shoved Casey away.

"Shut up!" He complained. Casey's hand found a rock and he wound up to throw it but I grabbed his wrist.

"No throwing rocks." I reprimanded sternly, helping him up. Casey pouted and kicked Eli's side.

"Wake up!" He whined. I crouched next to Eli and shook him. Eli glared at me but got up anyway.

"I'm not a morning person." He grunted. Lucas stumbled into him.

"Sssooorrry." He stammered, "Dizzzzzy." I backed away from the drowsy boy.

"We're all actin druuunnnnnk!" Some random kid yelled, his voice raspy and cracking. Drowsy and lazy cheers followed. I laughed.

"Itssssthhha badllle plan fr da rebels! They intoxicated us inner sleep!" Some other kid yelled. Giggles swept through the group as Michael tried to calm us down.

"Kids enough! Stop! We need to get to school!" He shouted.

"Everyone shut the fudge up!" Eli roared. Silence descended upon the cluster of children.

With that Michael sorted us into our groups. I was in a five-person group with Eli, Lucas, Jezebel, and Gregory.

"Alright kids, I can't help you anymore. Proceed to the school and assume your positions! I bid you all good luck, and farewell." With that the teacher disappeared and we al trekked off towards the academy.

When we came to a dark, shadowed area surrounded by dense brambles, our group stopped. My predatory senses made use of themselves and I heard a rustle from under one of the bushes.

"An ambush: A surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position. To ambush: make a surprise attack on someone from a concealed position." I said. A lot of people looked at me like I was crazy, but a group of others nodded, a solemn expression taking over their faces.

"Smart girl." A kid said, stepping out form where I had heard him. "You're surrounded with nowhere to go. Give up now and now one gets hurt." He threatened. Our group clustered together, the stronger making their way to the front ot protect our weaker recruits.

"You're outranked with nowhere to go. Give up now and no one gets hurt." Levi fired back. Jezebel high-fived her, and then they crossed their arms. Eventually the rest of us did too.

"Fine. Your ambush starts now." And a swarm of children sped from the shadows. The boys were shirtless and had mud and black stuff smeared over their exposed skin. Girls had their hair in tight ponytails and braids, and they had rolled up their own shirts. Why did they leave so much open skin? That's dangerous in battle.