Reveille (The Hybrid Disasters, Book One)

Chapter 18: Cruel Summer

I didn't see Lolly until dinner time. She and Chen never captured the flag because Chen was 'killed' (in reality only subdued) by a Griffin two-thirds of the way through the final obstacle. Apparently, the Griffin was the supe I would have faced if I made it past the water obstacle. Also, Lolly informed me that that stream I stopped at was full of Grindylows, which were practically water-Imps that bit with razor-sharp teeth instead of proded with fire pokers. I was suddenly very grateful for Ember's timing.

Lolly also explained the schematics of the Simulation Vault to me, because she had called her DPO agent mentor immediately after her exam and demanded she tell her everything about the simulation's operation. In addition to the use of some pretty sophisticated virtual reality technology, DPO enlisted the help of several DPO Agent Witches and Warlocks to manipulate the environment as trainees moved through the vault. The vault itself operated as a giant green screen, so that's why the imagery through the helmet looked so real. The enemy supes weren't supes at all. They were robots that Witches and Warlocks portaled in and out of the room; which explained why that flying Imp I jumped on felt like its legs were made of metal. The robots were designed to mimic the enemy supes in size, movement, and sound, but the agent Witches and Warlocks were the ones replicating their magic, if that particular enemy supe had any. DPO utilized the same image programming through the helmet, as with the environment, to project the enemy supes' detailed appearances.

Lolly was frustrated with her loss, but she was genuinely happy that Ember and I made it through. I had told her about my episode with Ember just before bed last night, so she'd been really worried I was going to fail. Which, likewise feeling, but it actually ended up being okay. Ember and I even had a bonding moment. Although, something told me that moment was going to be forgotten as soon as possible on his end. I hadn't seen him since our exam, and honestly the thought of running into him had me on edge. I could never get a good read on the guy. The pizza, hand squeezes of encouragement, and hug of triumph were all indicators of potential friendship, but then everything out of his mouth proved opposite. He was unnerving but not in the blood-sizzling, "touch me now" kind of way that Lyric was. Ember was unnerving in the sense that he made me feel like everything I did was unworthy. Normally, I wouldn't care what someone thought of me, so for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why his opinion of me seemed to matter so much.

A familiar face was putting up his tray as we got in line for dinner. "Ladies," Trap greeted. "I have to admit, I'm not too fond of you two being in the program after all. I miss my meal buddies. It's lonely not having you two here to argue with me about something," he grinned.

"We miss you too," Lolly agreed. "We had our simulation exam today, so we're both beat. We were just going to get something to go and head back to the room.

"Yeah, I wish I could've warned you both about that one," Trap said. "Unfortunately, we all signed a NDA regarding that particular exam. I am legally bound to keep any information regarding the Simulation Vault from anyone that hasn't taken the exam."

"Yeah, we signed one too. Totally understand the lack of a heads-up," Lolly replied.

"How'd it go?" Trap asked. "No one in my class completed all three rounds. I'm pretty sure there's only been like two teams ever to complete it."

"I didn't make it, but Addy and her partner did," Lolly informed him.

Trap looked impressed. "That's my girl!" he exclaimed so loudly that my face reddened. I knew without looking that several heads throughout the cafeteria had swiveled in our direction.

"Wanna meet up tomorrow?" Lolly suggested after a moment of awkward silence. "It's Saturday, and we no longer have catching up to do for our class. Right, Addy?"