New Generation

Hiding Things

((Max's POV))

        After the long explanation and my genius connection between the girl and Sky, Mitch and Jerome leave her to get her head together and process what she's been told. I don't hesitate to leave her, I need to find a proper place to store dad's spell book. I think Mitch knows I'm hiding something. 

        Yesterday, I got a tour of the place. There are a lot of different levels, and a lot of people. Apparently, most of the people here are my age. They're kids of the soldiers, kids of the war's end. Sadly, most of the older kids are here because they were born during the war, and their parents didn't make it. The kids my age and younger... I'm not sure I want to know. 

        Oh, and there's Indy. Turns out- surprise!- that's not his real name. He's a damn fanboy, hates his real name, and goes as Indy. Of course, as my dedicated enemy, I make the best out of it. 

        "Hey Indiana Jones, what's up?" I ask as I pass him. I assume he's scowling at me, but I can't tell because of that stupid bandana. What is with that? 

        "I don't trust you, remember that." he hisses. I just smile, and say, "I know! See ya around!" Than skip off to my dedicated room. Somehow, a lot of this place is empty. It wasn't hard to find me a room. Now that I'm here though... How can I hide the book? 

        Just from listening to everyone, I've learned that the seemingly cheerful and nice Mitch and Jerome know at least twenty ways to kill you and will not hesitate to do so if you turn bad. Mitch is a profound archer, and Jerome has an ax. if dad say they don't like him, my guess is that they shouldn't learn about me. But where to hide the book? 

        Of course, the stereotypical place to hide something is under the bed or in the mattress. Yeah, I'm not that stupid. I look around, but the walls are one layer and picking up the floorboards would be putting a hole in the floor. What to do what to do...

        Then I notice something. The walls are made roughly from planks, so the gaps are just big enough to put your hand on. 

        "There we go, perfect. I am such a genius." I say out loud. What? I deserve some credit now and again. I tuck the book under my arm and go out of my box-room. Looking over the ledge, I can only think of how badly this could end if I fail. I climb over the railing and make my way to the outside of my wall. Then, I climb up it like a ladder. 

        "There. Now you stay here and it'll all be good." I say to the book. Yeah, I know it's about as bad as talking to yourself, but hey, everyone does! Right? 

        "Max, why are you on the roof?" I crawl to the edge and put my legs over the edge. Indy crosses his arms, not amused. 

        "Why not? Trees are meant for climbing, and this place is literally a giant tree! Where is your humor?" As usual, he shakes his head, glares at me, and walks off muttering things. I jump down and run up to him. 

        "Oh, the girl woke up! Her name is Alice, and she is much cooler than you!" Indy stops, probably to say something insulting to be, but just shakes his head and glares at me.         

        "Aw, is Indy being salty? That's okay, I'm sure you'll be yelling at me again in no time!" I run off to find somewhere to be useful before he can start yelling at me. I find myself back at Alice's room, and decide to see if I bother her. Of course, I knock first. 

        "Uh, come in?" I open the door, and she looks slightly relieved to see me. I pull my stool back over to the corner and sit down. 

        "Hi, we didn't really get to talk much, I was wondering if we would be friends. Or, you know, if I bother you." She laughs. 

        "You look like a medieval child and have the most hyper personality of all time. Trust me, the world needs more people like you..." Okay, sweet. I'm not hated. I notice something sitting on her bed, an envelope. 

        "Whats that?" She looks at it, and seems lightly surprised. 

        "I... Don't actually know. I kinda stole it from a hidden place in the floorboards before dad told me to run for it. There were budder swords and some broken stuff, too. Guess I should have taken those..." Okay, I need to question this. 

        "By budder, do you mean gold? You corrected Mitch earlier, I thought you were just rying to be silly." To my surprise, she shakes her head. 

        "Naw, not being silly. Dad calls it budder, mom puts up with dad calling it budder... I miss them." She sounds like it. I feel a cold feeling in my heart. I've tried to avoid thinking about my parents, I don't want to think of the sudden change... 

        "Hey, you alright?" Alice asks. I nod, then shake my head. My face feels hot and I realize I'm crying. 

        "I'm not crying." I say immediately. She laughs lightly, and pats the end of the bed. I hesitate, then walk over and sit down, covering my face with my cloak. 

        "You know, you don't need to put up this show about how happy you are. You're allowed to be upset. I cried when the thought of my parents... But they're not dead, and yours aren't either. Why? Because they are our parents, and they are not going to leave us behind. We will find them, and they will tell us how happy they are to see us, then probably ground us forever for some stupid thing we did in trying to get them back." I laugh and look at her. Even in this state of weakness, she sounds strong. I can see her as the leader of this place.

        "You're right. Before I ran, dad made a promise I would see him again. I'm holding him to that." She nods. 

        "That's the spirit. Now, if you don't mind, let's look at what I stole from dad."