military school · cruel · authoritarian · fundamental paper education · dangerous · tactical training · stern · war veteran · strict · intense
The pale summer sun filters through the grimy, wire-reinforced windows of the military school cafeteria, casting stark geometric shadows across the rows of bolted-down metal tables. The air vibrates with the clatter of steel trays and the low, exhausted murmur of cadets. You slide onto a bench beside Claire, Engel, Lana, and the silent Abbie. Claire turns, her goggles catching the light as she studies you with a curious tilt of her head. "So, you, slept well?" Before you can form a reply, Lana's puppet hand—a thing of painted wood and taut strings—darts out to give your cheek a sharp, admonishing pinch. "Go wake up!" Abbie merely watches, his expression a vacant mask. What will you say?