Against The World

Children, Children Everywhere

Meg Rosairio stood in the doorway of the Hall 12, the home of her dorm room for the past three years and the next two. 

She stared. In the hall, running around, playing, drawing pictures on the floor, there were dozens of children.

Children weren't uncommon at Thorn Academy, the school taught all ages from from 5 to 18, but only a few of the children were actual borders at the school.

And Meg's hall was a part of the senior dorm block.

Scowling she turned to find someone to remove them.

Only to find the door to Rico's old dormitory - the guy who left to join the military somewhere, open and shining light into the hall.

She sighed.

Hall 12 was a happy group of weirdos. They kept out of almost everything unless it was mandatory, would often go for weeks without speaking and had exactly one thing in common. Their dorm hall.

Meg hated to think what the crazy new person could bring to the ever silent party.

She could go over there and find out for herself, but she suspected she'd find out anyway.

They'd be announced at the welcome back assembly, as always.

The kids were already beginning to give her a headache though.

She levitated a pencil tin a group of the children were using and flung it though the open room door.

There came a satisfying crash from inside.

"Kept the kids under control, will you." She bellowed.

The children fell silent.

There was a patter of footsteps and a boy appeared in the doorway.

"Hey!" He said, looking mildly pissed off. "What was that for."

"This is a corridor, not a playground." Meg scanned her palm on her door lock - she'd made it herself, the school locks were useless - and gave him a reproachful look.

The boy winced. "Well, yeah, but they're not hurting anyone so..." He trailed off.

She rolled her eyes as she flicked the light on. "Look, I know you're new, but they did give you a rule book. They're not even allowed here."

"We're villains," He grinned, "aren't we supposed to break all the rules?"

"Just get them out." She turned her back on him and entered the room, making sure the door slammed shut behind her.

The stress drained out of her shoulders at the familiar sight. The random bits of tech littering everywhere, the books set in stacks across the room, the perfectly set up kitchen, the power crystals.

This was home. Not some huge, cold pristine house full of expectations.

It wasn't like they had expectations here too, but at least they were achievable.

She sighed in content and dropped her bag onto her bed. The kitchen was exactly as she'd left it minus a bit of dust and she made herself a cup of tea leisurely, aware that in a few days the tea would be being chugged back on the way to class.

She chucked the tea spoon into the sink.

There was a crash from outside. She gritted her teeth. "Alexi, analyse damage done."

"Just a bit of chipped paint". Her computer system informed her in a monotone voice.

"Block all sound from the hallway."

"Process accomplished."