At World's End

Entry 10

Hah, it’s fine I guess.

Can’t keep on hating every doctor I came across, it’s too much work.

Taking a deep breath, I retained my composure.

With that, the doctor blitzed through the checkup, going as far as to ask about my medical history and if I had any problems up there.

“No.” I answered bluntly.

She nodded as she penned down something.

After that, she took my blood and urine for some more tests before coming back out with a smile on her face.

“You are quite healthy, Jeremy.”

“...I try my best.”

“Here you go.” She handed over an ID card with my face and basic details on it. “Welcome to the Academy for the Gifted.”

“Thank you.”

“I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“I hope so too.”

After I took possession of the ID card, she allowed me pass the door behind her which led me to yet another hallway, even though this one was shorter than the previous one.

I walk down the hall until I got to a split.

Following her direction, I took the left split and walked down till I got to another door.

Ugh, how many doors are there?

Knocking gently, I placed my other hand on the door handle.

“Come in.” a gruff voice answered.

I opened the door and walked into a classroom with over 50 chairs which looked pretty worn out.

Everyone seemed to be here, including the rude man from earlier… is he really going to be our instructor?

My stomach churned at the thought.

“Have a seat.” He said without bothering to look up, casually going through the file he had in his hands.

I quickly took a seat like the others as we waited for the rude man to address us.

A few seconds passed before he finally closed the file roughly and turned to face us.

With a smirk, he counted. “1,2… 30.”

Uhmm, I don’t think that’s how you count… also, what are you counting?

“You must be wondering why I skipped the rest of the numbers between 2 and 30. Well that’s because 1 and 2 represent the number of candidates that managed to pass the first test in flying colors.”

I furrowed my brows as the man made eye contact with me.

Did he read my thoughts?

Shit!

Wait a minute… he said something about a test.

What happened in the registration room was a test?

That messed up shit?

What the fuck!

Also, only two… that meant…

I glanced over to where the pale girl sat before switching to the red head.

Now that that I think about it, those were the only ones still standing after the light came on.

No, actually, the red head looked nauseated. The only person that was unaffected was… my gaze landed on the pale girl.

How the hell did she go through that without flinching once?

Is she some kind of monster?

She seemed to notice my gaze as she turned to meet my eyes.

Shit.

I quickly turned away while gulping.

This is crazy.

Just then I heard the rude man chuckle. “My name is Rodger Smith. I will be your physical therapy instructor. I hope you all give me a good show while we are at it.”

“…”

“Whenever I talk, I expect your reply to be, yes sir.”

“Yes sir!”

“Good. Now tell me, what do you know about Explorers?”

Huh, what kind of messed up question is that?... Also, why is he asking?

Suddenly, the skinny kid from earlier put up his hands. “Explorers are people that leave Haven to reclaim the outside world for future generations.”

“Hoh, that’s a pretty nice one.”

Yet another hand went up. “They are heroes of humanity.”

“Oh wow, Heroes. That’s neat.”

I noticed another hand go up when Rodgers added without remorse. “If you all believe that nonsense, then I believe this set is made up of a bunch of fools!”

What?

I don’t think I heard that correctly.

He continued without bothering to check our expressions. “Explorers aren’t heroes neither do they champion some worthy cause. They are fools willing to risk their lives to figure out the truth behind the collapse of civilization.

“I mean, why else would someone place himself at the hands of madness and death when he could stay in the Tower and live a peaceful life?”

Was he mocking those willing to risk their lives for the greater good?

Did he see them as fools?

No… that’s not right, if not for them, there’s no way we would be able to recover the outside world.

I mean, is he not aware of the current state of the Heart?

How could he say something like that?

“You should think carefully if you want to come into this academy because once you get in… there’s no way out.” Rodgers remarked with a snicker. “Whatever goal you want to achieve…is it worth placing your life at risk?”

“Yes.” I answered without thinking.

Rodgers and I make eye contact as the others turn to me as well.

Oh well, there’s no going back now.

“I don’t care what you think about Explorers but there’s no way you’d ever be able to convince me that they aren’t Heroes. Unlike deadbeats like you that remain here in the Tower, they are willing to risk their life to return the outside world to their future generations.

“They know just how terrible it is to live your whole life in a Tower when there is a wider world out there waiting to be reclaimed. So yes, to fulfill my father’s dream of reclaiming the world… I am willing to sacrifice my life.”

… Wow, did I just say that out loud?

Fuck, that was cringe.

But that was my belief.

Dad always told me stories about that world with a blue sky, ocean, wildlife… he never experienced any of that but he believed that one day if he worked hard enough… we’d be able to experience it together.

For his sake… for my sake, I will complete his wish and reclaim that world.

Clap…clap

“Interesting.” Captain Rodgers said smilingly. “I like people like you. People with fire burning in their hearts. But the question remains… would that fire keep burning after you experience what lays behind the fog?”