"Are you sure you didn't miss place it? And how do you even know if this 'cure' works?" I ask him. "Well, first I know it was stolen because it's not in the place where I always leave it..." "And where would that be?" He turns around and walks to a spot on the floor. He bends down and removes a board that has a safe under it. There are obvious signs of attempted break-in. The key hole is surrounded in scratches. "Ok, well, how do you know it works? Hmm? If you know for a fact that it works then you would have had to test it." "Right, follow me." He says as he walks out of the back door. He crosses the backyard to a shed. He pulls out a dozen keys from his pocket and unlocks the door. "Come on, in here." He says as he walks through the door. I bend down and pull my dagger from my boot hiding it in my sleeve. "Down here." He says as he starts to walk down a metal staircase. I waver at the staircase for a long moment. "You coming?" He says as he pops his head up. "Yea." I say as I slowly make my way down with him.

As I make it to the bottom of the stairs I watch Daxton light more lamps. As he does it reveals a large room with small windows at the tops of the walls. There are two autopsy tables. Beside each table are scales hanging from a pole. The room is cold and unusually clean. There are several types of equipment on the side trays. Objects that appear to be knives and scissors lay side-by-side sparkling clean. As I examine the room I hear a banging coming from the wall behind me. I turn around and let out a small scream as I jump back from the wall. I draw my sword out with the dagger still in my other hand. "What is that?" Why do you have soul-less trapped down here?" There are four rooms side by side. Each room is divided by a stone wall with and a piece of glass separating Daxton and I from them. An observation window. The souls look different from others. Their skin isn't as rotten as it should be. They keep banging on the window begging for help. "How are they talking?!" "I gave them the cure. Octavia, they're human. They're still in transition, but human non-the-less. They have heart rates now, blood flow, they put off heat, and clearly, they can talk. I still have to run more test, but just look at them. This is the closes we've come to ridding ourselves of the souls." "Look, if I can find the cure ingredients then this could be the biggest thing to happen since the war." He says as I lower my sword. He grabs my arms and looks into my eyes. "Please, Octavia, if I don't find that list then who knows what will happen." He says pleading with his eyes. "Fine, you and I will go back to headquarters and request for help. Ok?" "Yea, that's fine, the more help the better." "We'll rest here for the night and head out at first light." I say as I head for the stairs.

That night was a long one. I stayed watch, and not because I was afraid someone would try to come in, but because I still didn't know if I could trust him. But, alas I fell asleep.

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*Flash Back*

"Octavia, wake up." Someone whisper yells in my ear. "Just leave her, if she wants a hot shower then she'll learn after today." Someone else says. "Now, come on, or we won't get one either." They say. "Octavia, WAKE UP!" Someone screams in my ear. I start with a jolt. "What?!" I say as I glare at my three roommates. "If you don't hurry up then you won't get a hot shower." Lydia says. "Which one of you shall I be sending the bill to from my doctor, now that I'm deaf?" I ask them as I quirk one of my brows. "That would-be Lexie." Jess says as Lexie gives a small smirk. "Now hurry up." Lexie rushes me.

I climb out of my warm bed and grab my uniform from my dresser, along with other necessities. We were the first ones in there so we had our choice of showers. After I got out I blow-dried my hair and got dress. "Well, I'm done. Are y'all coming with me to breakfast?" Lydia asks. We all shout out variation of yea's and just a minute's. I quickly French-braid my hair and follow the others.

Breakfast consisted of oatmeal, toast, bacon, and you had the choice of milk or juice. The first day of class was far from easy. As soon as we got into the class room they started. Just about every class made us run laps or lift weights, even our strategic thinking class. I had most of my classes with Lydia, Jess, and Lexie. Jess states that someone has already received a solo mission, but we won't know till it's completed. Lydia has already made friends with at least half of the other students. Lexie has been moved to advanced strategic thinking. First day and she'd completed half of the classes assignments. Jess managed to pull off a perfect score during target practice. They say they've never had a newbie pull that off. And as for me, I got first place for track. My whole life I've ran, never thought it would come in handy. By the end of the day all my limbs felt like noodles. Our lunch was just as small as our breakfast, but when dinner rolled around the meal was bigger. For dinner, we had steak cooked to perfection, with mashed-potatoes, and green beans. We had our choice of soup and beverage. And by the time my head hit the pillow I was out.

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🔱 So, what did ya think?🤔
🔱 What do you think about the soul-less?💀
🔱 Could this really be the end of them?❌
🔱 Anyways, if ya liked this chapter remember to Vote!🌟
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With Much Love,

Loving_Bookworm📚🐛