In Officer Ethan's Office
Officer Ethan and Officer Matthew were in Ethan's office, busy discussing a case when Ethan's phone rang. He picked up the call.
"Hello, Officer Noah," Ethan answered.
Noah laughed on the other end of the line. "No need to be so formal, Ethan."
Ethan smiled, leaning back in his chair. "What's up?"
Noah chuckled. "Same. What about you?"
Ethan laughed. "Taking care of cadets on the training ground isn't an easy task."
Noah cleared his throat before speaking. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
Ethan's expression grew serious. "What's that?"
Noah hesitated, then asked, "How's Bella doing?"
Ethan fell silent for a moment before answering. "Bella's fine."
Noah's tone softened. "Don't be too hard on her. I know the Special Investigation Department's rules—that the children of SID members face harsher challenges to prove that there's no bias toward non-SID children. And I know that Uncle Luke probably gave you instructions to be extra strict with Bella, but…"
Ethan interrupted him. "Rules and regulations in the SID are the same for everyone. Cadet Bella knows that very well. She also knows she's Chief Luke O'Brien's daughter, and she probably understands better than anyone what it takes to survive in SID, both physically and mentally. Don't worry. You know Bella better than I do."
Noah laughed lightly. "I know she's very stubborn. A wild cat."
Ethan smiled, placing his phone down on the table after the call ended.
Matthew, who had been quietly listening from the chair across from Ethan, took a deep breath before asking, "How well do you know Cadet Bella?"
Ethan looked at Matthew, raising an eyebrow. "Matt, when are you going to stop? You sound like one of those teenage girls who believe in shipping."
Matthew burst out laughing at that.
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Two weeks had passed since they arrived, and every day brought a new challenge. The training was getting tougher, and the place was starting to feel more and more like hell.
"Two weeks have passed, and every single day feels like a new challenge. This place is turning into a hellhole," Ellena said, irritated. They were heading to the Dining Hall after finishing their theory classes.
As they reached the Dining Hall, Harry put his lunch tray down on the table and groaned. "This food is so bland. No seasoning, just boiled stuff. After eating this, I've completely forgotten what real food tastes like."
Norah, staring at Harry, raised an eyebrow and said, "Then why don't you complain to Officer Ethan? Maybe he'll serve you the camp's famous drink."
Harry shuddered at the thought and quickly replied, "No, the food's fine."
Everyone laughed at that, the tension of the training easing just for a moment. After lunch, they were all heading back to their rooms when Sergeant Harris approached Bella.
"Cadet Bella, Officer Ethan wants to see you in his office," Sergeant Harris said.
Bella looked up at him and nodded, replying, "Yes, Sergeant."
As Bella turned toward the path to Officer Ethan's office, Ellena and Norah went to their room, and Harry and Derek headed toward theirs.