One week later: 

It was the first day of orientation for the National Police University. Students were gathered at the main lobby with their suitcases. Those who knew each other were discussing among themselves amiably, while others who were alone were taking a look around, hoping to see a familiar face. The senior ushers greeted everyone enthusiastically and directed them to the main hall. 

In the main hall, tables were set up. Student volunteers sat at them to help divide the new incoming students into their various orientation groups. They were given their room key, a guide book and a shirt. Students were already starting to gather in their groups and trying to start a conversation with each other. 

Once the majority of the students had settled down and gathered into their groups, the senior in charge of the whole orientation programme started to brief them. The senior didn’t use a mic and started to shout. 

“Welcome all, to the National Police University.” He roared. All the students cheered. 

“We will be giving you a short briefing of what is to expect. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your orientation leaders.” He paused as the different orientation leaders waved to make themselves stand out. All of them were holding number cards, indicating group number. 

“The rest can be found in your guidebook.” He announced. 

“First, we will have a security check before introductions. All students are to follow their leaders as they lead you to the designated security check area. Groups will go one by one.” He announced. 

The students started to discuss among themselves. While this was a norm for every orientation, it was usually done all together. This means that all the students had to do was open their bags and the seniors would prod and briefly check to make sure no prohibited items were involved. However, this time, their bags had to go through a bag check like at the airport and they would be patted down. 

“It must be because of the new programme they announced.” One student reasoned. 

“That’s right, we’ve got criminals amidst us.” Another added. 

“You know my parents were initially against sending me here after they found out I would be attending with criminals. But this is the best school in the country.” Another student boasted. 

“I’m surprised they didn’t say anything about this.” Another student could be heard saying. The students started to murmur and talk among themselves, complaining about how they were among criminals. 

The senior in charge of the orientation blew his whistle. The room became silent. 

“That’s enough! You are to abide by the rules in place. Is that clear?” He yelled. He gave a signal to the first group and the student leader led them to the security check room. 

The students placed their baggage on a conveyor belt that passed their bag’s through an X-ray. 

They had to walk through a metal detector before being patted down. Before walking through the metal detector, they would be asked for their personal details. The whole process went through smoothly. Although there were some students who did argue as some of their items got confiscated, there was nothing out of the ordinary. In other words, those who were part of the second chance programme could not be identified. 

The senior in charge of the whole orientation frowned. He was sure he would be able to spot them just through this. Once the whole orientation was finished, students were sent back to their dorms to unpack. All the students started to stream out of the main hall. 

As the senior watched all the students leave, he noticed there was a relatively tall and skinny boy staring back at him. The boy had an innocent looking face, since his face was small and his eyes were big. The senior cocked his head in his direction. The boy gave a panicked look and immediately followed the rest of the students. The senior watched him leave suspiciously. 

Initially their orientation consisted of fun and games, but very soon, the tone of it changed. The very next day, they had to wake up at 6am for morning exercises. They were made to stretch, run and do cardio. The students were already exhausted. 

The seniors that seemed friendly the day before turned into strict parents that couldn’t even take ‘no’ as an answer. As everyone continued to run around the track, they could feel the scorching heat as the sun shone down on them. Sweat dripped from their chins as they continued to run. Their breathing became laboured. 

After a couple of rounds, a girl collapsed while running. Everyone else stopped to tend to her. Someone gently laid a hand on the girl and tried to wake her. The girl did not budge. 

The senior shouted at her. “Who told you to stop running?!” 

Everyone else looked torn. They weren’t sure if they should continue running or help their classmate. Some tried to speak up but were later silenced by the seniors. The seniors refused to comply until a particular girl spoke up. 

The girl had cappuccino brown skin. She had wavy hair that curled neatly at her shoulders. Her hair was in a ponytail, making her curls even more prominent. 

The girl saluted the senior. “Student Tamaya reporting.” she said, her voice unwavering. 

“She’s sick. She needs medical attention immediately.” She continued standing straight at attention. 

The senior stared at her. Of all his years of looking after students, no one had followed the correct etiquette to respond to a senior. And yet, she was the first to do so. 

“Permission to give more information?” Tamaya suggested. The senior nodded. 

“Due to the heat, it is likely that she is suffering from heatstroke. Any further delay would result in substantial damage to one’s health.” she reported. 

The senior then gave instructions to other seniors and he allowed Tamaya to follow the girl to the infirmary. The morning exercise was put on pause, and the students were allowed to return to their dorms to freshen up before their first class of the day began. 

There was a whole buzz among the students and seniors. Tamaya gained attention as not only a saviour but that of someone who was intelligent. There was a rumour going around among the seniors that Tamaya had a medical degree as she not only correctly diagnosed, but she also assisted the nurse in the infirmary. 

Students started to swarm around her trying to make friends with her, while the seniors became wary and steered clear. 

Later that night, the senior took a look at the name list of all the students. Taking a red pen, he striked out her name from the list. To him, she had the least characteristics of a criminal. 

“There was no way she was a participant of the second chance programme.” he thought.