By then William was used to lying on the floor, groaning in pain. There was a slight difference on that fourth day, however, as he was on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

His horn didn't ache, most of his muscles were fine, and he wasn't feeling the strain of extended use of his empathetic senses. His wings however, were on fire. The tiny, paper-thin appendages burned so intently inside their protective casings that it felt like they had been doused in gasoline.

“At least they didn't fall off,” William murmured. “Unlike that poor girl with the big horn.”

He was once more distracted by the sound of hooves, though this time he was able to detect the approaching changeling before she even got close to his door. For a moment he considered telling her to fuck off, or at least to leave him alone for so much as a single day. Then that anger, that resentment, passed and he took a deep, steadying breath, banishing the foul mood that had threatened to cover him.

“Come in!” He called before she even had a chance to knock on the door.

Sure enough, the sphincter-like opening parted to reveal the nervously smiling face of Threes.

“Well hey there little guy,” she greeted, stepping inside. “I see our empathy training helped.”

“I just heard you. I still can't pick up emotions worth a darn. Plus I got my head on the ground,” William replied.

“Well still. Maybe that might help ya,” Threes optimistically exclaimed. “Lings with sharp senses are always needed for the scouts.”

“Hmm,” William murmured, rolling onto his back and looking up at the large female. “So what did you have in mind for today?”

“I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I took what you said yesterday to heart and decided to change things up,” Threes declared. “I think you’re really gonna excel at what I had in mind.”

“Alright. Lead the way I guess,” William exclaimed.

William looked down at the wooden pole laying on the ground in front of him, and then up to the changeling standing across from them. Around them were the abandoned barracks they had practiced in once before, its halls just as empty as they had been last time. The only change had been that they now faced one another, with Threes holding her rod out with a forehoof.

“Well don't just look at it, come on now,” Threes encouraged.

“How does this have anything to do with me being empathetic and good at conflict de-escalation,” William retorted.

“The best fighters in the hive are also the most empathetic ones around,” Threes began. “They got real good sniffers. So good that they can never get snuck up on, and they always know what's comin'.”

“How does being able to taste emotions really well have anything to do with fighting?” William pressed, picking up the wooden pole.

“Think about it,” Threes began, jabbing the air with her weapon. “If I do that I don't feel no sense of victory or any kind of thrill but if I attack someone I don't like, I’d feel those things.”

“That makes some kind of sense,” William muttered, sniffing the air and detecting only trace amounts of emotion. He still couldn't identify something as granular as the thrill of victory as it was the same as any other eruption of positive emotion. It felt almost like emotion was a language all its own, and he was barely able to ask the time, or where the nearest bathroom was located.

“Right, so attack me. Maybe you’re a fighter after all,” Threes pressed on.

“I still don't think this is a good idea, but I guess I should learn how to fight,” William remarked, even though he knew that things would end poorly, likely with him getting his butt kicked.

“Come on then, take a swing,” Threes encouraged.

“Here goes,” William whispered to himself, raising his weapon into the air.

“Surely that ain't all you got,” Threes exclaimed, trotting up to a panting William lying out of breath on the ground. “We’ve barely been down here for more than an hour.”

“And I’ve spent…” William paused to catch his breath. “Nearly half that time exhausted.”

“Look I know you’re a bit on the small side and you ain't quite as strong as you’re brothers and sisters but-” Threes began.

“They are no siblings of mine,” William interrupted, spitting in disgust. “They merely the creatures that spawned alongside me.”

Threes sighed. “That ain't a very nice thing to say Little One,” Threes stated, shaking her head. “We don't get to choose our family, and like it or not they are your family.”

“Family members don't mercilessly bully each other for fun,” William retorted, pushing way back up into an awkward, shaky stand. “They don't ignore their cries for help, and they sure as shit don't kill them in order to get back the tiny shred of love it took to make them.”

“It ain't murder, it's just… recycling,” Threes replied.

“It's murder and you know it,” William accused. “Unless all those poor innocent children you pushed into the furnace came out the other side just fine and dandy then what you're doing is killing.”

“Hey, I don't make the rules around here mister,” Threes exclaimed.

“You’re right. You just forcibly uphold them, and through tacit admission grant them power not only over yourself but over others,” William concluded, turning around. “We’re done here.”

“Now hold on young ling,” Threes shouted. “There are still more things we could try.”

But William was already gone.

“Sun and stars,” Threes cursed, kicking a loose rock. “That fella ain't gonna make it at this rate.”

“I hate this place, I hate this place, I hate this place,” William muttered to himself.

The changeling limped down the long passage that ultimately led to his room as well as the rooms of the others being trained alongside him. Like him, they were exhausted from a long day, their muscles aching, and their chitinous bodies sporting new, and ugly bruises. William wasn't an exception either, with the former human heavily favoring his right side due to the beating he had taken earlier that day.

“Nice to know my chitin is so tough,” William murmured. “Though a fat load of good that’s gonna do when they end up killing me anyway.”

Grumbling bitterly under his breath, William barely even noticed that there was someone already waiting for him at the door to his room. He recognized her immediately, gasping in shocked surprise the moment his eyes met hers.

“Threes?” He gaped.

“That is my name. Well, my nickname but y'all know what I mean,” Threes replied.

“I thought you were gonna give up after yesterday,” William answered.

“Look I’ve been thinkin' about what you said and well, ya ain't wrong but this is the world we live in,” Threes proclaimed firmly. “Ain't nothing we can do about that, so best we find at least something you can do.”

“It's hopeless,” William exclaimed. “I’m not the psycho killer this queen of ours wants. I’m small, I’m weak and I don't have an aptitude for anything combat-related.”

“I know!” Threes replied with a grin.

“But… what could you have in mind then?” William muttered in confusion.

“It's… look, it's hard to explain just fall in behind me and I’ll show ya what I was thinkin’,” Threes stated confidently.

“Well, alright I guess,” William blubbered.

“Great. You’ll see I got a great idea this time,” Threes proclaimed before trotting away.

William fell in behind the female, a frown creasing his face. He didn't expect to see her again, especially so soon. He still feared getting recycled, but what else was there for him to do other than to serve as a soldier in the queen’s army? Every other position in the hive was apparently getting either suspended indefinitely or repurposed into a combat role.

“Maybe there is something I can do,” William thought aloud.

“Hold on, say that again,” William murmured, gesturing to Threes.

“Say which part again?” Threes muttered in confusion.

“All of it,” William stated.

Threes rolled her eyes.

“You see those there beetles, don'tcha?” Threes began, pointing to a nearby wall.

William peered a little closer at the chitinous mass that covered nearly every stone surface in the hive. Down here, in the ill-used sections it was patchy, bearing large holes that exposed the stone beneath. The culprit was apparently the hoof-sized round beetle with a glassy green and black back that to the untrained eye appeared to be a small rock. It was only when it began to move, revealing its many small legs that its true nature was revealed, and the odd questions of what it was doing there were asked.

“Okay so… I see it,” William offered.

“Well that their critter eats love. Well, not love directly, but stuff with love in it,” Threes pressed on.

“That's where you lose me. You’re saying that they do not consume emotions like we do then?” William asked.

“Exactly,” Threes stated. “We use a little bit of love to make wax, and well, most things really. Everythin’ from garbage cans to pipes, to doors. It's all got at least a little love in it.”

“Which is what these things eat,” William picked up.

“You’re two for two,” Threes proclaimed.

“Okay, and why don't you just kill them?” William exclaimed, gesturing to the bug as it skittered around around, chewing silently on the walls.

“Cus its got love in it, of course,” Threes answered.

“Which means you want to recycle it,” William continued. “So is there some kind of strategy to this? Do we scare them into a corner? Maybe a net?”

“What? Nah. None of that fancy stuff. You just sneak up from straight behind it and grab it,” Threes declared. “I’ll show you.”

William didn't need to say anything, he just sat and watched as the other changeling crouched down like a cat. She then began to crawl forward until she was directly behind the beetle, with only a few feet between them. After a moment of focus, where her eyes narrowed, she leaped forward and grabbed the thing on either side.

Its mandibles clicked together, and it let out a screech, but despite its rage, it couldn't do anything. Its legs didn't bend far enough back, and Threes had enough of a hold on it that it couldn't slip out of her grasp. It continued to try, however, and even struggled enough to nearly slip from Threes hooves but she was able to maintain her grip.

“Wiggly little buggers,” Threes declared.

“I can see that. What now? You put them in a sack or something?” William asked, glancing around.

“Nah. Nothin' fancy like that. You just gotta bash 'em against a rock,” Threes declared. “Like… this!”

With a sudden lurch, Threes brought the beetle down against a large stone, causing something in the beetle to crunch. It wiggled its limbs for a second or two before its legs retracted against its stomach, the entire insect going completely still.

“And there ya go,” Threes proclaimed, tossing the beetle onto the ground. “Just put all the ones you catch in a pile, and I’ll come pick them up.”

“That's so cruel though,” William muttered.

“Look, darlin’ I know these things look kinda cute, but they really ain't,” Threes began, placing a hoof on William’s shoulder. “If given the chance these awful things will eat your eyeballs, then climb up into your brain and nibble on the part of you that converts emotion into love.”

“That's… dark,” William murmured, glancing down at the dead insect in a new light.

“Besides. Even if they didn't do that they still break down the hive bit by bit, causing cave-ins and who knows what else. You’d be doing everyling a big favor if you got rid of them,” Threes continued, squeezing William’s shoulder before releasing it. “Think you can do that?”

“I’ll give it a shot,” William stated.

“Good!” Threes declared. “Now then, I’ll be back right before light’s out. I’d say if you manage to get about a dozen or so you’d be a shoo-in to join the beetle hunters. It ain't glamorous work, but they don't get reassigned, not now not ever.”

“Well alright. I can do that!” William replied.

“I’ll see you in a few hours then,” Threes added.

“See ya then,” William offered, giving the departing Threes a wave.

“What in tarnation happened here?” Threes exclaimed, scratching her head. “You done look like you rolled around in the sewer.”

William groaned, raising a green, goop-covered hoof in the air.

“And I don't even see any busted-up beetles either,” Threes added. “What happened to all that confidence?”

“I uh… well you know how I ain't exactly the sneakiest, right?” William began, the former human not even attempting to stand back up.

“Yeah. I remember,” Threes replied.

“I couldn't really sneak up on these guys either, so I tried a bunch of stuff and eventually I was able to grab one,” William continued.

“Well alright then. Good job,” Threes exclaimed, picking William up and placing him back on his own four hooves. “Where'd it go then?”

“All over me,” William answered.

“Huh,” Threes gaped.

“I wasn't strong enough to kill it but I could at least stun it so I grabbed the biggest rock I could find and used that,” William began.

“Which killed it,” Threes presumed.

“No. That still wasn't enough,” William murmured.

“Okay, so what happened then?” Threes pressed.

“I put the beetle down at the bottom and rolled a rock down the shaft,” William explained, gesturing to his left, where the tunnel rose sloped upward for a fair distance. He then pointed down to where a gore-covered boulder rested against the wall. “It worked but I uh may have overdone it a bit.”

“Well at least you uh… got one,” Threes muttered, scratching her head.

“Do you think that would be enough to get into the bug hunter thing?” William asked.

Three winced and looked away.

“I didn't think so,” William sighed. “Same time tomorrow?”

“Yeah I’ll… I’ll think of something,” Threes awkwardly declared. “Hopefully.”

William blinked rapidly, clearing his eyes of the gunk that had gathered there.

“Bwuh?” He muttered.

The knock returned, louder this time.

“Right, testing. Ow,” William murmured to himself.

With a hoof clutched against the side of his aching head, he stumbled towards the door. The fleshy orifice parted, revealing a grinning Threes standing in the hall.

“Well hey there little one,” Threes greeted. “How’s the day been?”

“Brutal,” William replied, slowly massaging one of his aching temples. “I feel like someone’s been hitting me in the head with a hammer for the last two hours.”

“Magic day huh?” Threes exclaimed. “Yeah that was my worst day too. Could barely hold a beam for more than a few seconds. The trainer really tanned my hide that day.”

“Yeah, so why don't you keep your voice down a bit huh? Just being awake is painful enough already,” William retorted, waving a hoof over his head.

“Right, well this won't take long,” Threes declared.

The worker-turned-nurse then pushed past the young male, making her way into the small domicile. The moment she reached the small table, she pulled the small set of saddle bags from her back and placed them on the ground.

“So uh... What's today?” William asked, glancing over the other changeling’s shoulder. “Some kind of writing test or something?”

“Precisely!” Threes declared. “Scribes are always in short supply and not only are they exempt from military service but they even have fancy privileges that most of us don't.”

“Like what?” William pressed.

“Like a full room, breeding rights, a wage. Tons of stuff!” Threes replied.

The bulkier changeling stepped to the side revealing several ratty pieces of paper, a half-broken quill, and an ink pot with only a small puddle of black inside of it.

“Okay, so what do you want me to write?” William inquired, eagerly stepping up to the small table and grabbing the writing utensil in his hoof.

“Just whatever,” Threes answered, shrugging. “There ain't many of us lings that can write good so it doesn't really matter what ya do.”

“Easy,” William declared.

With confidence surging in his chest, William wrote out a quick letter thanking the queen for accepting him as a scribe. Signing his name, William stepped to the side and bathed in a feeling of relief. With a smile on his face, he gestured to the piece of paper.

“Go ahead. Read it,” he offered.

“Okay, sure. Just uh…” Threes paused and squinted. “What are these squiggly lines supposed to be?”

“They are words. Don't tell me you can't read,” William replied, confused and worried in equal measure.

“Oh, I can read chitterspeak real good. I can't write worth a darn though but that don't matter here,” Threes murmured, turning the paper sideways and then back again. “Is it a code?”

“Its…” William paused, only now aware that he had written the entire thing in English.

He had assumed that since every word ever spoken to him since his rebirth had sounded like English that this would be the same. Yet when he focused and really thought about it, there were small differences in his speech. A child naturally picked up the first language spoken near it, and this was apparently no different. He had not seen a single written word in his entire time as a changeling, just strange symbols that he assumed were pictograms like the ones you saw on the entrance to a bathroom that told you which gender was allowed within.

“You really don't know how to read this?” William asked hesitantly, his nervousness growing.

“Nope,” Threes declared. “Just looks like chicken pecking to me.”

“I…” William sighed. “I don't know how to write your language.”

“Your language? It's our language ya silly grub,” Threes teased, punching him lightly in the shoulder. “I don't know where you picked up this whatever this is, but it ain't chitterspeak. Kinda looks like Equish though. They use those silly-looking letters.”

William sighed and rubbed his hoof against his forehead. “I can't believe I would be that stupid.”

“Hey now little one. You don't know how to write so good but your penmanship is great. Better than mine anyhow,” Threes proclaimed.

“Would that be enough to earn my place in the scribes?” William pressed.

“I uh… do you think you could maybe learn chitterspeak in a day and a half?” Threes replied.

“No,” William deadpanned.

“Then I don't really think so. No,” Threes exclaimed, shrugging in sympathy. “Sorry about that Little One. I really thought this would be it.”

“It... it was a good idea,” William replied, smiling faintly. “The best so far anyhow.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Tomorrow I was gonna test your magic,” Threes declared, clopping her hoof against the ground in an approximation of snapping one’s fingers.

“They already ruled me out of the mage program, don't waste your time,” William dismissed.

“They ruled you outta the war mages but not them fancy scholar fellas,” Threes corrected.

“And the difference is… what?” William exclaimed.

“The war mages get graded on output but scholars gotta learn fancy spells and stuff,” Threes answered. “You’re a smart cookie, I bet you could figure out all kinda of powerful spells if you put your mind to it.”

“Is there a like a book or something I could read? Cus something tells me you guys don't have much paper. What with that scrap of paper being the only one of its kind I’ve seen in this life,” William added, gesturing to Three’s bags.

“Err yeah,” Threes murmured, scratching the back of her hoof. “I uh borrowed a few tomes from a friend who works in the library. I could only get ‘em for a single evening though so we’re gonna have to move quick.”

“You didn't steal them did you?” William pressed.

“No! No,” Threes hastily added. “Just uh… how do I put this? Borrowed them without her knowing.”

“I… thank you Threes,” William proclaimed.

“Look just don't go talking about this okay? I don't want neither of us to get in trouble,” Threes stressed.

“You are literally the only other creature I talk to,” William deadpanned.

“Good… good,” Threes repeated half under her breath. “Let's call it here for today then, okay?”

“Sure thing. Oh and Threes,” William began, stepping forward and pulling the other changeling into a light hug. “Thank you. I really appreciate this. Truly.”

“Hey don't worry about it Little One. I’m just doing my job as a nurse ya know? Can't flunk out another job or else we’ll be in the same boat ya know?” Threes offered.

William hummed softly to himself before patting her on the back. They parted a moment later, with William taking a step away from the female.

“Goodnight Threes,” William exclaimed with a smile.

“You too Little One,” Threes replied, giving the male a nod before turning away.

William watched as the female departed, her familiar country tune echoing off the distant walls of the hive.

“At least there's one person I can count on,” William muttered to himself. “Too bad it ain't gonna mean squat.”

William wandered the halls aimlessly, unsure of what to do or where to go. Around him, the other changelings his age were relaxing, playing games with small rocks, or chatting amongst themselves. Of those conversations he picked up, most seemed focused on what they were going to do after the selection ceremony.

Some spoke highly about their futures, while others whispered amongst themselves, openly wondering what they would end up doing. A few more panic-stricken present spoke in hushed tones about the possibility of getting recycled. Far from numerous, these changelings were mostly outcasts, or developmentally challenged in some way, much like William himself.

“God this is bleak,” William muttered to himself. “It's like a bunch of cows chatting while on the way to the slaughterhouse.”

Granted a free day to do nothing seemed only to cause worries to fester, and for an atmosphere of dread to settle over the room. Points of optimism were present, but by and large, worry was the dominant emotion present throughout this section of the hive. So distracted by this miasma of misery was William that he didn't even notice when he bumped into someone standing near the door to his room.

“Oof, hey watch… oh goddamnit,” William murmured, his gaze settling on the other nymph his age with the prominent head fin. “As if this week could get any worse.”

“I’m not here to tease you so don't start crying already,” remarked the bully.

“Then what are you doing here?” William asked back, picking himself up off the ground and dusting himself off.

“Speaking plainly. To say goodbye,” he began, growing somewhat awkward, the changeling unable to meet William’s gaze.

“I… what?” William muttered in shocked confusion.

“Well tomorrow's the big day and given what's gonna end up to you. I thought I’d come by and ya know… say goodbye,” the bully declared.

“Why would you do that? You’ve been cruel to me literally as far back as I could remember,” William pointed out.

“Look. The queen says we gotta strive to be the best, but that's done now. I already got selected for the infantry, even got named but you… you got nothing,” the bully proclaimed. “Come tomorrow you’re going to get recycled, alongside the rest of those poor buggers who grew too fast.”

“The rejects,” William murmured, his mind conjuring images of the mostly empty-eyed changelings that hadn't taken to the quick-grow formula placed in all their food.

“So don't worry about me or really anybody for the rest of the day. Enjoy yourself okay? Maybe find a female to partner up with, or a male, it's not like I give a shit,” the bully dismissed.

“Thanks? I think,” William murmured.

“Just ya know. Enjoy the time ya got or whatever,” the bully added.

He then trotted away, leaving a confused and slightly uncomfortable William standing in front of his door. For a moment the former human considered the possibility of finding someone to share his company with. That urge only lasted a moment before he shook it off, mentally reminding himself that he still had one last chance to survive the ritual.

It was a long shot, but for the moment, all he needed to do was wait.

Lying on the floor, William stared up at the ceiling. As he studied the black featureless ceiling above his head, the cool icy grip of panic crawled up his spine. This really was it, his last chance of surviving this strange hellish place he now found himself in.

He wanted to cry, to run, to fight, or do anything. Yet instead, he just lay there, falling deeper and deeper into a pit of nervous anxiety that threatened to consume him, body and soul.

Then, a knock. The changeling jumped off the ground and ran over to the door with all the haste he could muster.

“Woah there,” Threes exclaimed. “What's the rush Little One?”

“Just really excited to get started, is all,” William replied.

“Well alright then, let's get going. I got a nice out-of-the-way spot all setup and ready,” Threes urged, gesturing into the hallway and the tunnels that lay beyond.

“Let's go!” William pressed.

“That's the kind of confidence I like to see!” Threes proclaimed.

“Just, maybe uh…” Threes paused and frowned. “Maybe this isn't the best idea.”

“No, I just need another second I’m almost there!” William shouted.

The young changeling’s horn sparked and popped, shooting a tiny jet of rainbow of fire into the air. A moment later, the spell completed, and a flaming orb squirted out of his horn, lurching into the air. It then wiggled back and forth before popping with all the strength of a strained whimper.

“Which spell was that?” Threes asked.

“Fireball,” William muttered bitterly.

“Is it supposed to do that?” Threes pressed.

“What do you think?” William retorted.

“Well, there's still a few more offensive spells left in the book. Maybe you can get one of those,” Threes pointed out.

“I’ve attempted nearly every single bit of war magic in this thing,” William proclaimed, shaking the ancient, beat up tome in emphasis.

“What about the ones further back?” Threes prompted.

“They are all utility spells. Useful, but not likely enough to earn me a place in this vaunted scholars you mentioned,” William explained.

“I mean maybe?” Threes half stated half asked. “It couldn't hurt right?”

“I guess I’ll try…” William muttered, flipping through the pages until stopping suddenly near the back of the book. “The dimensional pocket sounds difficult, as well as useful.”

“Oh yeah thats a gooder,” Threes declared. “All those fancy magic folks use it all the time. Seems mighty handy to me. Kinda wish I could cast somethin like that”

“Alright back up. Lets give this another shot,” William exclaimed.

Threes took a couple steps away from the former human, giving him a wide area to cast his spell. Which didn't actually happen right away, as it took several long minutes for William to peice together what the spell wanted him to do. Magic was weird to say the least, with the various runes, and matrixes needing to be imagined perfectly within his mind. From there a number of steps needed to be completed in exacting order or else the spell would misfire.

Apparently, once the pocket was made it would take almost no effort to access but William wasn't sure about that. He could barely understand the warnings on the spell given that it seemed to be partially written in chitterspeak. The other half of the words appeared to be English, but with vowels changed around, and a few new letters having been added. This was, presumably the pony language Threes had mentioned, or some derivative thereof. Either way, the books were primarily a series of symbols with numbers next to them which translated into directions that William mostly understood.

“Alright, here goes,” he declared.

Lighting his horn, the former human began the spell, summoning up what magic he could. Weaving it into the proper shape, he could feel things clicking into place one by one. Then a hitch, his magic sparked as his mind wandered and the image he held in his head became fuzzy.

“Steady now,” Threes exclaimed.

William bit his bottom lip, and shut out the female’s words, focusing on the spell. Desperately holding it together, he felt it slip further and further until he was all but certain it would fail. Then out of nowhere, his horn arced with a strange energy that and all at once the spell fell into place.

A twisting, contorting mass of twitching energy ran over his body, making the former human shiver in confused disgust. He quickly glanced over his shoulder, studying himself for injury but finding nothing out of the ordinary. There wasn't even a scorch mark, just his regular old black exoskeleton, unmarred by any sort of damage.

“Did it work?” Asked Threes.

“Hold on. Let me check,” William replied.

The male then lit his horn once more, and used the shorter version of the spell, summoning a strange tear in reality. Beyond the jagged hole lay only a strange purple and black static that seemed both endless and yet tiny at the same time. William tossed a rock ino it, the stone disappearing, and the spell closing behind it.

“I guess it can only hold one thing. Damn,” William cursed.

“Better than nothing,” Threes countered.

“I suppose,” William admitted.

“Still, that's pretty good. I was a bit worried at the end there. It almost looked like you were using chaos magic or something freaky like that,” Threes exclaimed, chuckling nervously.

“Just needed a second to concentrate I guess,” William murmured.

“Well hot dang. We got a start,” Threes stated. “Maybe you’re one of them utility casters that always goes along with the army. Teleportin’ folks about and using magic to send messages all over the place.”

“Maybe,” William halfheartedly agreed.

“Anyway, lets-”

The female was cut off by the sudden blare of a distant alarm.

“They didn't discover the missing book, did they?” William asked hesitantly.

“They shouldn't have. But maybe… maybe I should bring that back now. Just in case,” Threes replied.

“Yes. Please do,” William offered.

Threes took the book and departed immediately, sprinting off down the long, empty tunnel. William watched her go and proceeded to stare into the darkness for another few minutes. Finally, when it was safe to leave, he did so as well, making his way immediately back to his room.

There he laid for several hours, trying and failing to fall asleep.

“I hope she’s okay,” William thought aloud.

Thankfully his worries didn't last much longer as a gentle, almost hesitant knock came from his door.

“Come in!” William all but shouted.

“Hey Little One, it's me, Threes,” whispered a familiar voice.

William walked over to the opening and urged it to open. When it parted, William expected to see a battered, bruised, and barely alive Threes standing on the other side. Luckily she seemed completely unharmed, if a bit spooked and slightly exhausted.

“You didn't get caught, did you?” William pressed.

“Nah. Got away scot-free,” Threes dismissed.

“Then what was all that?” William inquired, now more curious than concerned.

“It's just an issue with the beast minders,” Threes replied. “Something about the testing creature. Noone that beasty, it probably mauled some poor bugger.”

“Oh uh… okay then,” William murmured.

“Look I just stopped by to make sure you weren't worried about me or nothin’,” Threes began. “I really should be gettin' back. Almost time for lights out.”

“Thanks Threes. For everything,” William whispered.

“Best of luck Little One. I’ll be rooting for ya,” Threes stated, clasping William’s shoulder for a moment before departing.

“Well,” William whispered to himself. “At least someone is.”

Author's Note

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