DOVE. A well-known organization, familiar to many, or at the very least, recognized by name. It serves as an orphanage that offers complimentary education and boundless opportunities for orphans of all age groups.
Numerous children and infants were regrettably abandoned at DOVE. You may wonder why I find this unfortunate. Beneath DOVEs benevolent facade lies a covert organization that takes lives in pursuit of uncovering the secrets of invisible portals that manifest at unpredictable locations. It has the stealth and a more rigorous discipline than that of a military unit.
Abandoned by the mother I loved and trusted, she left me at the steps of one of DOVEs orphanages, leaving nothing but her last name behind for me to remember her by. I couldn't recall what my mother looked like—her face remains a blur in my mind—but I distinctly remember that she never smiled. I have always known, even back then as a child, that I was unwanted in her life.
"Sentinel Dalton," A voice snapped me out of my daze. My eyes were trained on my Eclipse Overseer's face; however, my mind wasn't focused on his words. His brown bushy brows furrowed, squinting his dark brown eyes slightly as he scowled at me.
"Sir!" With my left fist, I pressed the side of my thumb against the right side of my chest, my right arm crossed my back horizontally, fist tightly clenched. It was a unique salute intended for the DOVEs. Despite my flawless salute, he wasn't pleased with my response.
It was obvious to him I wasn't listen.
"Sorry, Sir!" The apology seemed to irritate him further.
"At ease!" At his instruction, everyone in line, including me, positioned our hands behind our backs, palms outward, ensuring the webbing of our thumbs touched.
In my relaxed state, my Eclipse Overseer rammed his fist into my gut, knocking the wind out of me. For a moment, my eyes became hazy due to the sudden pain. My posture faltered as I struggled for breath.
Upon glancing up at him with my brows knitted in pain, a small smirk formed on his face as he watched as I fought to get my breath back. Overseer Brent was a tyrant, but Shadow-wing Marshal Gatt found no issue with him despite the many complaints. There was nothing any of us could do.
"The esteemed High DOVE Commander selected the four lucky Nightshade Sentinels, who shall be assigned to a Unit and earn the title of Voidwalker," Overseer Brent strode back and forth before us as he spoke. We all knew those chosen were anything but lucky.
"Sentinel Sylas Dalton," he gazed at me with a self-satisfied expression before naming the rest on the list. "Sentinel Sam Lancaster, Sentinel Leah Winn, and Sentinel Marie O'Hara."
Overseer Brent dismissed us, marching back to his fancy new office. He recently got promoted to Eclipse Overseer by mooching up to the last Eclipse Overseer, and now he steps on those underneath him, like he got there on his own.
'Teacher's Pet.' My eyes saw the inside of my eyelid briefly. I couldn't roll my eyes any harder.
He's become one of the leaders who hate me, but most of the leaders appreciated my skills—my adaptability and swift learning—well, most of them. Perhaps that's why they suggested to the Dove Commander that I be assigned to a Unit. I'm glad. "Why?" you might ask.
There are some Orphans who are happy to be part of DOVE, brainwashed, thinking that they're special and that the Dove Commander cares about them, which they don't. While most dread it, I yearn to go into the field and to be assigned to a Unit, but I do hate that they force us into a category by using a testing system. When you reach a certain grade in one of their Orphan schools, you are sent here to the DOVE's nest—an undisclosed underground facility—where they thoroughly test you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Then, they train you to your limit in whatever category you get until you either break or bend under the pressure.
I crave knowledge and adventure.
'What greater unknown and thrill than the VOID?'
The VOID, those mysterious portals that appear across the globe. Each portal transports you to a unique location, yet all are situated on the same otherworldly planet.
~~~~~~~
"I was assigned to a Unit," My friend told me. I lifted my head from the tablet I was looking at, and I observed my Scottish friend. His teary, pale green eyes stared down at a picture of his girlfriend, Anneliese, as he sat at the small desk within this small two-person room.
"Oh, what shall I say to Anne?" he pressed his head to the picture frame with a shaky sigh. Angus was one of the lucky ones who were able to roam outside the facility under strict observation, but was at least able to have a life outside.
I don't know what the DOVE Commander was thinking, sending Angus out in the field in a Unit. If Angus were to die or go missing, there would be questions. Angus knows people, and Anne would cause chaos to find out what happened to him, though that Drama Queen already does that without something tragic happening.
"Perhaps you say you went on a business trip?" I offered. He let out a heavy sigh as he placed the picture down on his side table.
"Have ye been assigned to a Unit yet?" he shifted the subject away from Anne.
"Yeah. Today, right after Overseer Brent gut-punched me," Letting out a chuckle, I shook my head. "He certainly looked proud of himself."
"Ye ought to quit annoyin' 'im. Sooner or later, he might just kill ye," he warned me, but I chortled.
"He could try, but he'd have to go through the Dove Director," My finger swiped the tablet screen, showing another picture of a VOID mammal. There were pictures and information on species of flora and fauna that were noted by other Voidwalkers.
"The Director can't protect ye from everythin'," Angus reminded me.
"Yeah, I'm sure he can't, but I doubt the Dove Commander hates me either," I grinned.
"Don't get cocky. You haven't even met 'im," he paused. "Or her. Could be a Lass. No one really knows besides the Director."
"Ask him if you're curious," I teased, knowing full well he is terrified of knowing anything about the Dove Commander in fear of his own assassination.
I lowered my head behind my tablet to hide my grin. It took everything in me to stay silent as he gave me a bewildered look with a hint of fear and discomfort. His eyes widened a little before glancing around the room.
"Ye're off yar rocker if ye reckon I'd want tae ken that! I've got-," his accent became thicker the more he got riled up, and the more he did, the more I chuckled. "Oh! Ye're a numpty, ye ken that? I'm going to bed." He put the picture frame down on the desk carefully before he pulled off his shirt in a huff.
"I'm- I'm sorry. I just can't get over your accent," I said, wiping a tear away from my eye as I calmed down my laughter.
"It's been years. Met when we were wee children, remember?" he told me. Angus and I are like brothers. Not one ounce of blood related, but we bonded like siblings at a young age.
Crossing my legs at the ankles on my bed, I spoke. "It's still just as funny. It's fascinating how thick it is even after all these years." He shook his head lightly as he stood up.
"Aye, aye," he waved me off. "Ye should get some sleep. We're finding out which Unit we're each being assigned to."
"Yeah, yeah," Mumbling, I glanced up as he tossed his shirt onto the chair and pulled himself up onto the bunk, disappearing from my sight. Resuming my reading, Angus leaned over the side of the bed, head upside down, his chestnut hair, which was usually lying against his forehead, was now being pulled down by gravity.
"I mean it," he pointed at me before disappearing again. Complying, I reached over and placed the tablet onto my bedside table before turning off the lamp.