I am awoken by a loud pounding on the door. Groaning, I roll over, pulling the blankets up to cover my head.

"Wake up, Frank," comes Charlie's commanding voice.

It takes me a second to realize where I am. At fighting school, we woke up at 8:00, but it feels earlier than that. I turn over to look over at the clock, and I'm surprised to see it reads 8:06.

"Time zones, sweetie."

Startled, I look to see Charlie standing in the doorway. She is fully dressed, wearing black combat gear, as well as a dirty leather jacket. "I suppose it's a bit early for you, but I let you sleep in. Get up."

I narrow my eyes at her, and she glares back. I've only known her for a day but I already hate her. Sighing, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stand up. My night hadn't been terrible, but there is a curious smell in the air that will take some getting used to.

"Clothes are already in the dresser," Charlie says. "Come out when you're done." Then she closes the door.

I hate when people don't give me a chance to reply.

Five minutes later I emerge from my room, wearing my classic combat outfit. Instead of the brown leggings however, I chose to wear a pair of black leather pants that had been stuffed into the bottom drawer of the dresser. My black boots have been worn so many times they're more of a gray color now, and fit very snugly around my legs.

The hallway outside my room is empty, and I realize everyone else must already be up. Remembering Charlie's brief tour last night, I make my way through the hallway and down the stairs, hoping to find someone. I've just reached the last step when a shadow in the corner moves. I freeze, my heart stopped.

Hael steps out, and I relax.

"You almost killed me," I accuse.

He smirks. "I thought you were supposed to be the best. No one sneaks up on Cammile."

I glare at him, but then turn around so he can't see my smile. There's something about that boy; I can't decide if I like him or if I want to murder him. "Where's everyone else?" I ask.

"I'll show you." He gestures for me to follow him, walking down the hallway. At a brisk pace, he leads me past the staircase and, turning a corner, to a large wooden door.

"This used to be the library," he tells me, swinging open the door. We enter a large, spacious room, the walls lined with wooden shelves that almost reach the ceiling. The shelves are filled with books, some tall, some the size of a hand.

"Why are we here?" I ask, turning to him. What's the point of taking me to a room full of knowledge? Is this how they're going to train me?

He doesn't answer but instead leads me to the side of the room. He takes a minute to scan the book shelf, and I hear him mutter something about Charlie and hide-and-seek. Finally, he reaches up at extracts a single book from the shelf and hands it to me.

Warily taking it from his hands, I read the title. A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. Looking back up at Hael, I raise an eyebrow.

"Open it," he commands.

Slowly, I turn the cover page, then the next three pages that hold the copyright information and dedication. When I come to the first chapter, I stop.

"Read it."

"You never answered my question," I complain.

"Just read it," he says, gritting his teeth.

I consider punching him, but I decide against it. Sighing, I begin read the first paragraph aloud. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness - "

I am cut off by a loud rumbling, then, suddenly, one of the bookshelves swings forward, nearly knocking me over. Charlie stands in the doorway that has just been created, arms crossed, a sly smile playing across her face.

"You really didn't need to do that Hael," she chastises.

"It was worth it," he says, pushing past her to enter the space behind the shelf.

"What did he do?" I ask Charlie.

She smirks again. "The passcode is only 'foolishness'."

My face contorts. "Are you saying he - "

"Honey," Charlie cuts in, putting her hand in front of my mouth. "Be grateful he didn't make you read any more than that. He could have found some book that didn't mention foolishness until chapter sixteen."

I open my mouth the contradict her, but she turns around and walks into the room. Stubbornly, I follow.

"This is another one of our training rooms," she tells me. "The one upstairs is used more regularly, but this one is more protected."

"Why would you need protection if you live in a town with only 2,000 people?" I blurt without thinking.

"You actually listened to something I said? You're improving, dear," she retorts.

I huff, crossing my arms, but instead of wasting my breath arguing, I look around. The room we have just entered is relatively large, though it's only half the size of the training rooms at fighting school. The walls are gray and lined with weapons of all kinds, resting on hooks.

At the other side of the room, there have been a few mats set up and a ring of rope surrounds them. More mats have been lined up alone the right wall, and many girls are standing around them, some stretching, some tumbling. I notice one boy mixed in with the group, and I'm taken aback. Wasn't it just women? How many more boys are there?

"Alright girls!" Charlie shouts, and the room grows silent. "You all know that our new recruit arrived here last night. It's time for her first day of training with the Diversions!"

The girls all cheer, and I notice Essie, the girl who had greeted us last night, clapping wildly.

Hael appears by my side, clapping me on the back. "They're a bit frightening at first, but you'll get used to them," he tells me, smiling.

The first girl that comes up has striking blue hair, and muddy brown eyes that have a slight slant to them. Her face portrays no emotion as she reaches out her hand. I uneasily take it in mine, and she gives it a firm shake.

"I'm Clyde Bleak. Pleased to meet you," she says.

Well you certainly don't look pleased, I think. Instead of saying this, however, I smile. "Likewise," I reply. I don't say my name because I'm sure she already knows it.

The next girl I recognize as Essie, and a shocks of worry rolls through me. Ignoring it, I straighten up.

"I know you got to meet me last night, but I'm Esmereldi Mendoza," she says in that horrifically high-pitched voice.

"Um, hi," I respond, not sure what to do.

"You're going to have so much fun working with us!" she squeals, proceeding jump in place as if she had a jump rope.

Another girl with smooth, dark skin, approaches from behind Essie, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Calm yourself, girl," she says. Then she takes her arm and pulls her away.

"Who's that?" I say, turning around. She didn't even acknowledge that I was there.

"I know you won't believe it," he says, chuckling lightly, "but that's Essie's girlfriend, Bella. She's like the chocolate to her marshmallow. Or her medicine she needs to take to calm down."

I laugh. I wonder why someone like Bella would go for such a freak. Essie's even worse than one of Exodus' girlfriends from second year who constantly was at her side. I remember having to wait for her to leave before getting within twenty feet of my friend or else she would verbally abuse me with personal questions. I'm sure how long I'll last with someone like that around again.

The next person approaches, another girl, one with pitch-black hair that she couldn't possibly been born with and hazel eyes. Her skin is a soft umber color, lighter an Bella's but just as beautiful. She walks smoothly with her back straight and chin lifted to the skies.

"I'm Raven Leverey," she says introducing herself. She doesn't shake my hand or anything, but she smiles a little, a small crack in her solid, fierce features.

"I'm Cammile," I stammer.

"I know," she says, then walks away. I can't help but stare after her.

"She's an interesting one," Hael says from next to me. Apparently he has to input his own comment on every person. "Beautiful, strong, but, unfortunately, asexual."

I look up to find him staring after the girl as well. Seconds later, he blinks and looks back to me, smiling. I tilt my head to the side, looking up at him, trying to find something in his face that gives away his thoughts. I find nothing.

I suppose I'll have to wait to find out more about Raven.

Glossary:
asexual: not sexually attracted to anyone (aromantic is similar but means no attraction at all, so no crushes or anything)