Conquer

Chapter 22:

I woke to the sound of a faint alarm. Time to wake up.

I opened my eyes tiredly. Everything was still blury. My left eye hadn't improved whatsoever, but I was getting used to it at this point. I looked around; everyone was stirring awake. The awakening sounds filled the cool and silent morning air.

There was no point in hurrying, I was already dress for the day. I slowly sat up, hanging my feet from the side of the bed. I stretched my limbs, letting out a long yawn before standing. I felt anxious to see if Max was awake.

I reached down, slipping on green socks that I found in the black shoes. Then I placed the shoes on.

The shoes were long, allowing me to tighten the laces up to my knees. Everything I wore fit well enough, but the shoes were a little too big.

I made my way to the front of the room. I passed other female Conquerors who also tried to wake from their grogginess. I even past Allyana, who was switching shoes with someone else.

I checked my watch, it was 9:03 A.M. I walked to the door that led into the hallway. I rested against the door frame, staring at my feet.

When I looked up, Max was standing in the doorway of the boys dorm. I tried smiling, but I was exhausted. Max seemed to be as well.

I met Max in the middle of the hallway. He looked worn out, almost like a starved zombie. And his right eye remained just as colorless as my own.

Max yawned before saying, "Good sleeping?"

"About as good as three hours get. How'd you sleep?"

"Much better than I expected..." he replied with a slight smirk. I tried to keep myself from turning red at his slight smile.

"Where do we go?" I asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Not sure."

Together, Max and I made our way to the blue door that lead us into the hallway. I walked through the door without thinking, as if I had done it a million times. It was an odd and simple thing. I tried to act like it hadn't shocked me as much as it did. I'm too comfortable. Max even seemed to notice.

"Are you okay?" he asked as we walked into the busy room. I didn't respond. Instead I stared at the people walking through the gigantic room of working people. One in particular had caught my attention.

Madame Lambert.

I walked to her, unsure of what I had planned to do. I weaved my way in and out of rushing people.

They all seemed to be wearing dark blue clothing, making a dark haze around me. However, it was hard to be sure. I could barely see as they pushed their ways past me.

I finally approached Lambert. "We need to talk." The words came out before I had the chance to choose them more wisely.

A smile slowly spread across Madame Lambert's face. A familiar smile that someone would have given to a close friend. Madame Lambert seemed to give the expression easily, comfortably. And surprisingly, she gave Max the same smile as he approached us.

"Ravi de vous voir," Madame Lambert spoke strangely.

"What?" Max asked, not in the mood for her French.

"Nice to see you. I'm assuming you would like breakfast?" she replied.

The mention of food made my stomach turn, sending a pain into my sides. I was starving and food didn't seem like a bad idea.

"Don't worry, we can talk after you fill your stomachs," she spoke.

I looked at Max and he seemed to agree. I watched as he gestured behind him. I followed his hand back to the blue door.