The building we went into was the old IT block and it seemed to be half blown out. The whole first floor was full of blankets, pillows, and people sleeping on them, though most of the make-do beds were unoccupied. I noticed that there were guns next to most of the kids who were sleeping, apart from some really young ones who were huddled in one corner.
"We had to sort stuff out pretty quick when the P.E.F. attacked, so we retreated to this side of campus and camped out here." Ash explained briefly.
"Wait, how did the P.E.F. get in?" I frowned - the college had charms on it made by a group of magic spirituses to prevent anyone but spirituses from getting in.
Ash cringed and stopped to look at us. "One thing you have to know is that the P.E.F. invaders are not adults. The only people here are..." She sighed and turned to Paul for support.
"They're spirituses that have turned over to the other side." he confirmed.
I gasped. "But surely they wouldn't have enough people."
"Oh, get real, River." Tefia rolled her eyes. "The P.E.F are obviously pretty persuasive, I mean, they have those stupid persuasive spirituses on their side and you have to be pretty resilient to resist them. Some people might be prepare to leave their friends... and maybe even loved ones."
"Wow, Tefia - that was pretty serious for you." Ash chuckled.
Tefia shrugged and glanced at me. "It could happen, and they've proved they can do it."
We caught each other's eye for a moment and I thought first about her experience, then whether she had realised about Adam. If she did, she didn't show it on her face - but then she never did.
At that point she smiled and continued her giggling, crouching over in her mirth. Ash moved on.
"They hit us hard and fast, and we had to retreat to these few buildings. See, their army is smaller, but we have more weak and un-trained people, plus the babies, that we need to protect. So we sorted out duties: we have front line, which is trying to hold back the P.E.F., lookout, which is air and flying spirituses that let us know what is going on, the mind readers and Speeds are doing search and rescue - the mind readers can also find things and people, a couple of people are doing babysitting, and then there's a break for sleep. Luckily, the teachers and head were prepared for an attack, apparently, even though they said we were safe, but that meant that we were able to edit it quickly due to... missing people," she blinked a couple of times and rubbed her eyes, then continued, "and everyone nine or over has to have guns."
"So ten year olds have guns."
"And nine year olds." Paul helpfully pointed out.
"It's the best we can do, we had to have an age limit somewhere and they are all well trained enough to sort themselves out."
"They can shoot the gun, that's not what I meant. Are they mature enough to face the consequences?"
"No-one ever is." Ash mumbled this user her breath and apparently only I heard.
"What was that?"
"Don't worry." Ash sighed. "Do you mind, guys - we were just heading for the beds and I don't know about Paul but I'm shattered." Paul nodded his agreement. "You can try and find a teacher if you want. There's a couple who just came back from duty with us."
I glanced around, suddenly noticing the lack of attention we were getting. "Why does no-one care about us?" I said.
"Because they don't love you." Tefia snickered.
"Because people keep showing up and going away still, loads of airs have just ditched and some of the ones who can transport. Plus, more spirituses are getting here as they're getting their powers, and people are going out to fetch them."
