Special

The threat

Noah, Ashley, and Stephanie were eating breakfast at the table. Blake and Joshua came to the table next to them. After a few minutes, Ashley and Noah left with their plates. As soon as that happened Blake and Joshua sat down next to Stephanie. 

Blake: Steph.
Stephanie: Blake. 

She looked at him with no exact reason. He looked the same as always, happy. She didn't know what was she thinking she'll see...

Blake: Wanna come today evening with us? We're going for some burgers in the city. 
Stephanie: Sure, I'll be there.  
Blake: Great, see you then. 
Blake left with Alice and a few more people, leaving her alone with Joshua.
Joshua: Hi Steph.
Stephanie: Hi. 
He leaned more towards her, whispering:
Joshua: After leaving the top room yesterday, I heard Zachary and Vixen...
Stephanie: Vixen?
Joshua: The main leader of the smart, one with the red dress?
Stephanie: Oh, I didn't know she's called Vixen. 
Joshua: Anyway, they were talking about the pressure of the adverse. They want her to open the border. 
Stephanie: They want to run before she kills them. 
Joshua: Might be. 
Stephanie: This is all too much. 
Joshua: What?
Stephanie: Josh, there will be a war between two communities. Lots of people will die innocent, don't you think it's too much?
Joshua: You're probably right. Anyway, I think Zachary will make your program quicker than the last generations. 
Stephanie: I don't care about my program. I just don't want innocent people to get killed. Another theme, will you be there today?

He looked more relaxed now.
Joshua: You mean with, Blake?
Stephanie: Yeah. 
Joshua: No way. He's crazy. 
Stephanie: Why do you think that?
Joshua: Steph, he jumped from the moving train.
Stephanie: I did that too. 
Joshua: That's what am I talking about, crazy. 
Stephanie: Funny... For real now, will you come?
Joshua: What difference does it make? Will you go if I don't?
Stephanie: Yes.
Joshua: Then it's all settled. You're going and I don't. 
Stephanie: What if I give you something in return...
Joshua: There's no way you could find something like that...
Stephanie: What about another dance?
Joshua looked at her with amusement in his eyes,
Joshua: I'll think about it.
Stephanie: Okay, see you tonight.
Joshua: I said I will think...
Stephanie made a step as she was walking away,
Stephanie: I can't hear you anymore... 
Joshua laughed quietly. What did he get himself into? 

Stephanie was walking toward the training room. She was the last one there, but there was no sign of Zachary so she was saved. 

Zachary: Well. well, well. Miss Stephanie? Were you the last one here?
Stephanie: Yes. 
Zachary: You're late. 
Stephanie: It won't happen again. 

Zachary was looking angrier than ever. Stephanie just wanted to throw a dagger at him. It would give her satisfaction because he's torturing them constantly. 

Zachary: You'll be extra long here today.
Stephanie: Okay.

The training started. Daggers, guns, and fight. Stephanie pretty much mastered all those things and that made Zachary mad. He wanted her to be the last one on the board. He could feel her weakness and she could feel his anger. After everyone left, Zachary was alone with Stephanie. She wasn't scared of him. The only thing he could do is to kill her. And that wasn't fear in her simulation. 

Zachary: Why were you late today?
Stephanie: I was eating longer than usual. 
Zachary: What do you think the punishment should be?
Stephanie: I don't know. 
As soon as she said it, Zachary had an idea. There was an excitement in his eyes, the little twitch of his eyes when he realized...
Zachary: I will think about it. You may go. And don't let it happen again. 
Stephanie: I won't. 

She said it with the flattest voice possible. What did Zachary think by "I'll think about it," He could have killed her already. 

At night, Stephanie was standing in front of the headquarter. She was asking herself if she could ask Ashley to come with her. It's not like she would feel the excitement or happiness, but maybe, it could be changed. 

Blake: Hi. You're early.
Stephanie: You're all late. 
There was a group of people running from the headquarters, yelling and screaming. 
Stephanie: Where are we going?
Blake: I told you, hamburgers. 
Stephanie: For real. 
Blake: Little trip with a train, but still hamburgers. 
Stephanie: If you say so.

The train was coming. Joshua wasn't here. Everybody started running while Stephanie was watching the doors. They didn't open. With the train almost here, she started running. Grabbing a handle and jumping up was now normal. She could do it with her eyes closed. 
The train was driving toward the city. Stephanie was the only one sitting on the edge of the train with her legs in the air. After some time, she saw a movement in the grass in front of her. It was somebody in black, grabbing the handle, Joshua. He jumped on the train with easiness and sat down away from the edge. 
When they were close to the city, Stephanie got up, still watching out of the train. The city looked gorgeous with all those lights. There was a hand holding hers on the edge of a train. 

Stephanie: You came...
Joshua: Well, I can't miss those hamburgers. 
Stephanie: I have never tried one before. 
Joshua: Seriously? Not even once?
Stephanie: No.
Joshua: I'm glad I came, you have to try that deliciousness. 
Stephanie: I'm sure I do. 

As they were driving, Joshua's grip on her hand wasn't any weaker. She could feel their fingers crossed with the same strength and pleasure as when they started driving. 

"We're here!" someone shouted through the train. 
They started jumping. 

Joshua: You know, I only did this a few times. 
Stephanie: Great time to tell me. 
Joshua: I pick the right moments, don't I?
Stephanie: Think of hamburgers. 

They jumped at the same time. Warm grass was under Stephanie's feet. She was still holding Joshua's hand. They all started walking towards the place with hamburgers. When they entered, Stephanie could feel the smell of meat, cheese, and warmness in general... It was perfect. As they took their hamburgers everyone sat down on at the table there, except Stephanie.

Stephanie: Let's her out of here.
Joshua: Where do you wanna go?
Stephanie: Somewhere heigh?
Joshua: That dance has to be really long, you know...
Stephanie: I promise, it will be.