Bella couldn't sleep. She kept tossing and turning, changing sides again and again. After a while, she sat up, swung her legs off the bunk, and quietly climbed down. Moving softly, she slipped out of the room.
Outside, the night was heavy and dark; the dim yellow wall lamps flickered, struggling to push back the shadows. Bella walked slowly, her steps echoing faintly as she made her way toward the back — toward the vacant rooftop. But instead of going up, she turned and headed toward the open ground behind the dorm.
That ground was usually empty, reserved for functions and special events. Beyond it, a narrow path led into the forest. In the middle lay a lake, and a little farther in stood an abandoned factory — once used to store weapons and other equipment.
This whole compound, the Special Investigation Headquarter, which now served as a training camp, was a mystery in itself. The forest path was strictly forbidden to cadets, and the only source of light across the backfield was the pale glow of the moon.
The cold breeze and the chill of the night sent shivers down Bella's arms. She stood there for a while, torn between curiosity and fear, debating whether to take the forbidden path into the woods.
"Cadet Bella!"
The sudden voice behind her made her freeze. Slowly, she turned around — it was Officer Becky.
Officer Becky's gaze was stern as she asked, "What are you doing here at this hour? Have you even seen the time?"
"I… I was just… I mean…" Bella stammered.
Officer Becky raised a hand, cutting her off. "Enough. Go back to your room. And be ready for punishment tomorrow. After the morning exercise, you'll run thirty additional laps around this ground."
Bella lowered her eyes. "Yes, Officer."
Then she turned quietly and walked away, the moonlight following her retreating figure.
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The next morning, after the exercise session, all the cadets were gathered in the cafeteria for breakfast.
"What has Bella done this time? I just don't get it—what's Officer Becky's problem? Why does she always target Bella?" Norah complained, frowning as she stirred her oatmeal.
Harry, with a boiled egg half in his mouth, mumbled, "Maybe in a past life, Officer Becky and Bella were sworn enemies," then chuckled at his own joke.
Ellena rolled her eyes and smacked him lightly on the head. "Shut up and eat your breakfast," she said. Derek, sitting across from them, just smiled and shook his head.
Meanwhile, Officer Ethan, after finishing his own meal, left the officers' mess and took the path that led past the cadets' cafeteria. His eyes scanned the room as he walked, searching for one particular face.
He stopped by Bella's group's table. "Cadet Ellena," he said, "where's Bella?"
Ellena straightened a little. "Officer Ethan, she's on the vacant ground, running laps. Officer Becky gave her punishment."
Ethan's brows drew together. "Why?"
Ellena hesitated. "Last night… she went out after nine. Officer Becky caught her outside."
Ethan nodded slowly, a shadow crossing his face. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the cafeteria, heading toward the back of the ground.
There, Bella had just finished her punishment. She sat on a bench, breathing hard, wiping the sweat from her face with a towel. The morning sun glimmered faintly on her damp hair, and though her body ached, her eyes held that same quiet defiance.