Those Who Lose All Feel No Pain

Part 3 (Updated)

"You're being reassigned; get ready." Getting reassigned was never a good sign. It usually meant one of two things:

1. Your work on this assignment is terrible, and we are going to use fear tactics on you and place you in a more dangerous environment.

2. You're going to be a bodyguard. I can never decide which one is worse.

I glance around the tiny dorm that I call "home." Although "home" never seemed like a good enough word for it. It felt too warm. Too welcoming to possibly be in my life. "Prison" might also be a word to describe where I live. That one seems the most accurate; I like to be more optimistic.

In five minutes, I have all my stuff. After children are updated, they're given a "care package" to help them "adjust" to their new surroundings. All of my belongings are what was in the package. 1. An updated program practical uniform (leggings, tunic, boots, hand warmers)

2. An updated program formal uniform (short skirt, dress shirt, boots)

3. Hygiene pack (toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, deodorant)

4. Book

 5. International Updated Program Credit Card

6. Duct Tape

7. One Cinderella (whatever that is) Backpack to hold all other items

I slung the backpack over my shoulder and looked back at my dorm.

"Goodbye," I sighed. I turned and walked straight out of the dorm without looking back.

The train purred under my feet. There were about five other updated children on the train with me. We all looked at each other; our stares were a mix of nervousness and hatred. But I wasn't surprised, our expressions were always like that. I looked at the boy next to me, and I took a double-take. Tears, real tears, were falling down his face. I've never seen anyone cry before. The boy wasn't making a sound, but still, those tears sparkled in the light of the train like liquid diamonds. Although I don't know why, right then and there, that small boy crying was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

The bullet train came to an abrupt stop, and I saw my picture flash across the screen. I got up and glanced back at the boy, but he had vanished in the swarm of updated children loading onto the train. I looked around me and saw a castle with a giant moat in the distance. A couple of men in black suits came up to me, and I saw the badge on their coats."Oh shit," I murmured to myself. I knew what this meant. And I didn't like it.

"Hello there," One of the men said to me. "You must be the updated sent to us. Please, let us help escort you to the castle."