Alphonse’s exhausted and battered body lay on his bed. Luckily, he was given the lower bunk.

I wouldn’t want to try climbing on a top bunk right now. Alphonse thought as he watched Marcel attempt to climb onto the top bunk opposite him. His legs and arms were trembling as he struggled to lift himself up..

“Here Marcel.” Dillan’s muscular body hoisted Marcel onto the top bunk.

“Thanks.” Marcel’s face flushed, but it only lasted a moment before his body collapsed onto the bed.

“How the hell are we going to make it out of here alive? I’ve broken nearly all of my nails.” Isobelle's sobbing was heard on the bed.

“I’ve never understood how a girl can wear such things, anyway. It’s a good thing you’ve gotten rid of em’.” Dillan said as he wrapped a towel around his shoulders.

“Of course you wouldn’t understand.” Isobelle pouted. “Have you ever been with a woman before?”

Ellena burst out laughing. “Of course he hasn’t. Didn’t you see the way he ogled me in the shower?”

“I’m going to shower.” Dillan’s face flushed red as he ran off with his tail between his legs.

“What about you Alphonse, you’re quite handsome for a skinny thing?” Ellena leaned up against the bed as she looked down at him on the lower bunk.

“A few times.” Alphonse gave a hollow smile as he thought back to his love life.

“Oh, tell us please!” Isobbele said as her head rose from her pillow. “I love relationship talk, I need deets.”

“Deets?” Alphonse asked.

“Deets, details!”

“Oh, well. I wouldn’t really call them relationships, more like hookups?” Alphonse shook his head.

Marcel innocently perked up at the words. At eighteen, he couldn’t even imagine such a thing.

“Oh my Alphonse, I didn’t think you were that kinda guy. Broke a few hearts, I bet?” Ellena flashed a toothy grin as she tapped the side of the bunk bed.

“Hardly,” Alphonse lightly snorted. He was hesitant to speak about his past. “Well, I ran away from home. When you have nowhere to stay, you… find places. Company to stave off the coldness.” Alphonse’s voice tapered off as the harsh memories flashed inside his mind.

“Oh,” Isobelle said as a lump formed in her throat. She did not know the young man that usually had a smile on his face had such a past. “Sorry for making you say all that.” Isobelle bit her lip, tears formed at the corner of her eyes.

“Hah, it’s okay. It actually feels better than letting it out.” Alphonse looked at the back of his hand. Small circular marks scarred his hand. He could still feel the pain.

“Do you want to talk about it some more?” Ellena’s previous playful grin had been wiped from her face.

“No.” Alphonse said. It was one word, but it cut deep.

“Guys!” Dillan ran through, his towel barely held up because of his enormous frame. “You should have seen it, a huge bug the size of my han- what’s happened?” Dillan said, as he looked at Isobelle's tears.

Alphonse smiled as he shook his head.

“How about you put some clothes on and we all look around the ship?” Ellena shot Dillan a glance, her eyes lingered on his glistening muscles for a second too long.

“Sounds good. I hear there’s even an arcade to blow off some steam.” Dillan said as he pulled out some fresh clothes from his cupboard. His eyes danced as he awkwardly pulled up his underwear from underneath the towel.

“An arcade?” Isobelle shook her head. “I’d rather go to the library. They say they have books from all around the universe. It’s hard to believe.”

“You think that a library having a lot of books compares to alien people bringing us here against our will through time and space?” Ellena rolled her eyes.

“Well, what do you think, Alphonse?” Dillan said.

Was it really that hard to decide? Alphonse laughed inwardly.

Alphonse looked at his personal device. It outlined all the locations that recruits could go to.

“Let’s just go for a stroll.” Alphonse shook his head as he dragged his weary body off of the bed.

The group walked through the hallways. Every now and then a large window brought with it the view of stars that twinkled through space.

“Do you think Earth is out there somewhere?” Isobelle stood in front of the window, her hand gently placed against the soft glass.

“It’s got to be right?” Ellena placed her forehead against the glass. Her lips turned into a smile as she felt the cool sensation.

“I want to go back home,” Dillan said. “But is it crazy that I want to see what this world offers? I mean, there must be so many planets out there, just like ours.”

“If we were free, I would agree with you.” Marcel frowned. “But the fact is, we are soldiers. You heard it from Instructor Steele. We are being taught to kill, not just fight.”

“Ah, this is so fucked.” Ellena shook her head. “C’mon, it’s doing us no good thinking too much. I’m not used to it.”

“Well, I can tell that much.” A stupid grin appeared on Dillan’s face.

Ellena shot an evil glare at Dillan. “You’ve signed your death papers. Look forward to tomorrow's combat class, friend.” Ellena casually walked down the hall with her hands clasped behind her head.

“Shit, have I messed up?” Dillan looked around at the group as eyes of sympathy looked back at him.

“Good luck, friend.” Alphonse smirked as he placed his hand on Dillan’s tough shoulders.

Alphonse’s eyes took one more look outside the window.

Teyha, I must be quite far from you now. The thought simmered as his steps slowly passed through the window. He didn’t realise that it was only Marcel that was by his side.

“Alphonse, did you have many friends back on Earth?” Marcel looked up.

“Friends?” Alphonse shook his head as he broke away from his thoughts. “None, why?”

“Oh,” it surprised Marcel as he looked at the friendly smile on Alphonse’s face. “I just thought you would. You seem good with people.”

“I’m trying to be.” Alphonse said.

“I know what you mean.” Marcel’s hands fidgeted as he took a breath. “Since young I’ve actually been bullied, I was always too afraid to ask why. Why pick on me out of all the other kids in the school? Sometimes I wish they had given me an answer, but other times... I'm not sure I want the answer.” His fidgeting hands turned into a fist as he reminisced the painful memories.

“Because you were weak.” Alphonse looked straight ahead. “Or maybe because you never fought back. It could have been because you were weird or different. Or, sometimes there just isn’t a reason at all. People are like that.”

For me, maybe it was for all of those reasons. Alphonse shook his head.

“You’re right… I want to use this opportunity as a fresh start.” Marcel nodded.

I swear it. The thought cemented in his mind.

“Good.” Alphonse gently slapped Marcel on the back.

“Hey guys, what are you doing back there? Hurry!” Ellena’s shout filled the hallways as it forced them to quicken their pace.

The rest of the group stood in front of the elevator as Isobelle’s slender fingers pressed the button. The little metallic button lit up with a gentle green as a faint sound of air being moved around greeted them.

“Did any of you read the rulebook?” Isobelle walked into the elevator as the others followed close behind.

Alphonse, Ellena, and Dillan looked at each other.

“What am I thinking? Of course you haven’t.” Isobelle sighed as she pressed against her temples.

“What rulebook? I thought it was a guidebook.” Ellena tilted her head.

“There’s a book?” Dillan looked to Alphonse as he nodded.

“You guys… how are you expecting to survive?” Marcel sighed.

“Well, we have you two for that. Right guys?” Dillan laughed as he put his arms around Ellena and Alphonse.

“Pff.” Alphonse couldn’t help but snort.

Well, I could be in worse company, I suppose. A small smile formed on Alphonse’s face as the elevator ground to a halt.