This place… is so fucked up,' Austin thought to himself, clenching his fists. There was so much death. Maybe if Austin had his memories, he'd known what the hell this place was in purpose.
"I know that face," Aaron interrupted Austin's thinking. "Cuz we've all had it there — The rage, it tells a story."
"What face? What story?" Austin deflected. "Who had what?"
"I've been here for about a little over a year, Newbie," Aaron said, smirk gone, gaze afar. "The only people who's been here longer than me are Ceasar, Reya and Stryker — Stryker being the first person finding this place, followed by his sister, Reya, a day later. Two months after that, Caesar came around. Since my arrival a week after, I've seen some fucked up shit happen to good people in this horrible place. I know the look of fear when I see it. There's a reason why the Taboo exists. If we didn't have it, well, our Greylands would be even more crowded than it is now."
Austin looked away, his fists still clenched. — Something that Aaroon picked up on.
"Look Austin, I get it. I do. You're frustrated and confused man — As you should be," Aaron said, grabbing Austin's shoulder. "I saw the fire in your eyes earlier. The fact that you aren't scrawny means you do keep in shape. Tonight, when you have your initiation ceremony, I want you to choose me as your mentor and become a scouter."
"But you said that was the most dangerous job to pick, though Austin said, eyes wide. Fixing inquisitive eyes at Aaroon, Austin didn't sense any malicious intent on the guy, though.
"I did, yeah, and only the most capable of us choose it, and the most capable of those who do choose it survive it," agreed Aaroon. "But something tells me you'd make one hell of a scout. I can see it in your eyes."
Austin looked at Aaroon, still not picking up any insincerity; he meant this. Austin wasn't even sure how this guy came to this conclusion, nor was he sure what exactly he meant.
Nevertheless, they stopped in front of a small, blue tent, but Austin remained staring in ponder at the boy before him. He couldn't help the urge to agree with his earlier statement; they were going to be good friends. He was definitely one of the more laid back people he's met since escaping his cell yesterday.
"Look, newbie, we're here at your tent," Aaron brought back his cocky smirk. "Your stuff is already there inside. Just make sure no one sees your Owl crested jacket or you'll likely regret it."
"Alright, thank," Austin said before widening his eyes. "You knew?!"
"Duh, I was one of the ones who was there when we found you dumbass," Aaron chuckled. "You're not very bright are you?"
Austin choose to ignore that last statement. "Um, thanks…I guess." Austin said, sheepishly before shifting uncomfortably on his feet before asking "And what is this initiation ceremony, by the way? Stryker was talking about something, too."
"You'll see," Aaron said. "Just don't be late. It's vital the newbies are present during the event n' stuff. Starts at dusk. In the meantime, feel free to explore more of the Meadows, observe the duties so when you pick yours tonight, you will have a better idea of what you wanna do. Give my advice some consideration, yea?
"Um, what else? Right, Cleo and Zether are our only Bandagers, along with 2 others, are our only Bandagers —We only have about 4, and, considering that the Herderers are always getting injured, dealing with the wild stock, I'd only get injured if I know they have the time and aren't busy. Still they are good, so feel free to go to them if those injuries of your swell too bad. They possess powerful healing Traits."
"I'm sorry," Austin said. "Healing what?"
"Traits," Aaroon said, as if it were obvious. "Like a special about, or, in my opinion, a mutation power — You're an Owl, right? You should possess something of a Trait yourself, right?"
'What the hell?' Austin thought to himself, still processing everything. "So we have Savagers and Annihilators inside a giant maze full of kids with special abilities? Because why the hell not."
"Yeah, well, try not to think about it too much. Its easier just to kind of go with the flow of things for now," Aaron said, walking away, the n pausing with "The Initiation Ceremony starts at first dark. Don't forget. And don't be late. I don't need to deal with Caesar's bitchin' again."
With that, Aaroon left.
Austin had no other choice but to enter his small, blue tent.
Inside was bare, except for a bedroom on one side of the stone ground and his bag he'd stuff with supplies in his cell the day before. Beside his bag was a jar with purple cream; a note rested against it.
Curious, Austin picked up the note and, letters scriggly and barely readable, read:
____________________________________________________
Your injuries stopped bleeding, and are mostly healed, but if you feel any pain, rub this on your bruises. It's a numbing agent with healing properties that the Bandagers wiped up. Apparently, you can still suffer internal bleeding.
—Reya
P.S: This means nothing. I still don't like you, nor do I trust you. It's just for the best that you don't die.
______________________________________________________
"At least there's that Austin," Austin thought to himself out loud. 'Maybe I should be a scout. If I became one, I could help find a way out of this hellhole.'
Austin had no idea where the thought came from, but he knew it was influenced by the Voice somehow — Or whatever this subconscious alter ego of his was. But he couldn't help but agree with its logic.
"I'll decide what I'll do after I find out what the other tasks are for," Austin decided verbally. 'After all, I wanna know all my options.'
And, with that thought, came a sense inside Austin. Something told him he'd been here before — Something about this place was familiar. There was a familiarity to this place —he could feel it in his gut. It was as if his mind couldn't remember but his nose and body can remember the scents of this place and the feel of the air and ground here.
Shaking his head, Austin dismissed the feeling of deliria. It would be impossible. He's never been here. He was in a cell far away from this place in the Labyrinth somewhere. Reya and Stryker confirmed this. Aaron confirmed this. Those three months confirmed this.
But, as Austin sat down on his bed bag, preparing to apply the medicine he'd been given to his wounds, he couldn't shake the feeling that he might have actually been here before.