Previously

"But tell me, why are you being so kind to us?"

"That's what I would like to know, as well."

Everyone in the room jumped at the sudden voice. No one noticed General Smith had returned and was standing in the doorway.

Fear permeated the room, worried what General Smith would do or who he would hurt next. No one moved or even dared to breathe.

*********************************************

Smoot opened his mouth to reply, but a soldier arrived, cut him off. 

"Sir! We are back. There were not many Blanks in the other houses. We are all waiting outside for you both. I have orders to inform you that we need to go soon, or else we won't be able to return to the castle on time."

General Smith nodded and wordlessly stood up, walking rigidly towards the front door.

Smoot let out a sigh, "Alright. Everyone who is a Blank Slate, please step forward."

Stephany was the first to take a literal step forward, but then remained where she was and held her ground in front of Chiara. With a motion of his hand, everyone exited the house aside Ana, Chiara, Stephany, Smoot, Minerva, and General Smith. Ana pulled herself up and made her way to Chiara's side. Once Stephany saw Chiara was safe, she turned to Smoot.

"What's your name?" she asked, her eyes meeting his.

Smoot hesitated, "Horatio. Horatio Smoot."

"General." Minerva muttered under her breath, "General Horatio Smoot."

Ana's eyes widened at the news but kept her mouth shut as she continued looking over Chiara's side.

Stephany nodded and turned back to Chiara.

Ana moved around and stopped at Stephany's side. With a sad sigh, she sat down.

Stephany frowned and whispered, "Are you hurt, Ana? Call."

Anastasia paused for a moment in thought, "maybe four," she whispered back, "I shall be fine..." and gave Stephany's head an affectionate pat.

Stephany turned back to Chiara, "Chi, are you okay? Call."

"Close to an 8," she muttered, her tone almost inaudible. 

"Let me see your arm." Stephany said, kindly.

Chiara sniffed, but obediently held her arm out for Stephany to examine.

Stephany turned an amusing shade of green as she looked closely at the wound. "Y-you should have someone look at this. It's gotten really bad, even with the potion..." Stephany turned around, walked off a few steps and regurgitated her just eaten breakfast.

That made General Smith turned away, disgusted, and leave the house. 

Smoot's communicator began to ring again. He quietly excused himself as he got up and answered it.

"Ugh... I've never been able to stand blood." Stephany moaned and continued to throw up. Chiara took her good arm and soothingly rubbed Stephany on the back.

Chiara smiled sweetly despite the pain, but otherwise remained silent. 

General Smoot quietly returned back into the house and glanced towards Stephany, Ana and Chiara. With a sigh, he spoke, his voice full of remorse, "I'm sorry, but I just received word from my Leader. We need to get moving."

Stephany stood, but looked concernedly towards Chiara, "Why?"

As she asked the question, Ana began helping Chiara stand. Together, they made their way towards the front door.

General Smoot sighed and walked behind them, bringing up the rear end of the group. "Because, as I said before, one of the seven Leaders is on his death bed. If he does die, some of the Blank Slates will be put through Seven."

There's that word again... Seven. Stephany thought to herself. Almost all of the adults flinched when he mentioned it. I wonder what it is...