The camp wasn’t how Lazarus had described it. It was way harder. Well, for Lucia. Isabel’s training was to her level, and she made herself some friends of her age, that could understand her and relate to what she’s been through. She wasn’t the best student, but she was clearly appreciated in the Silver League, and they had a sort of respect for her. Although they passed the test, they could be getting to lower levels if they didn’t manage to surpass the expectations. The sisters had to be better than their usual manner to do things. 

It was violent, at times. Sometimes, as Isabel would hold her gun tight, aiming at the target, her educator would be reminding her to shoot the heart, the head, or the crotch, if the mannequin was a boy. From time to time, the targets would move, and they had to move too, aiming right at it. Lucia threw shuriken in wood blocks, plunging her dagger through foam. Yes, foam, do not question it. 

They’d be separated into groups, in different dorms, their capacities being judged and watched every single day. You couldn’t try to escape it and be distracted during the course, because they’d catch you and note this. They had a great treatment, though. They had delicious meals, available bathrooms, kind teachers and comfy beds. They had their very own schedule each day, depending on the League they were in. 

Lucia should’ve liked it. But she didn’t. She didn’t manage to reach the highest note, neither hit a good place with the weapons. She just couldn’t. She tried and tried, yet her educators thought she wasn’t good enough. All of them were speaking contradictory ideas, which made the youngest feel bewildered about the whole situation. 

Obviously, it was way easier for the eldest. At sixteen years old, Isabel was one of the best in her league, focusing on the idea that she would save humanity if she kept on working her best. She was the one who tore it down. And she’d be the one to make it even better and be considered a hero. Well, that’s what she thought. Three weeks of training made the idea that she was the destroyer fade through the tornado os ideas in her mind that constantly bothered her. 

Neither of them made friends. Not because they were unfriendly, but because they didn’t know who to trust. Everyone was at an elevated level already, and even though they had respect, they were being judged twenty-four seven. And when you’re stressed, you do even worse that you thought possible, ‘cause you believe you have t do like everyone else. Lucia reflected each time. 

Some people made fun of her for being “weak” or “vulnerable.” Including Ginny Bailey. Yes, you saw it right, Ginny Bailey’s her oldest sister’s enemy, who always liked to pick up on her because of her karma. Now she was on Lucia’s case, since Isabel was good enough and couldn’t be harassed for how good she was. 

Another day, another comeback. Same girl, same game. It was always Ginny who brought her down-like clockwork- and Lucia wondered if she ever got tired of it; to pick up on others and manage to reach the top of the pyramid, as others don’t even try to defend her case. Although bullying was a common situation, the youngest didn’t knew that this was what her sister had to go through every single day at school. 

One morning, the Bronze League prepared to go take their breakfasts. As well as the Silver League, the Golden League, and the other ones, naturally. The camp had their schedule, and each morning, all groups would eat together so that they wouldn’t bother encounter in the same trainings during the day afterwards. Instead of having a printed one, the teenagers had to follow along and manage not to be late. 

In the cafeteria, voices would be erupting from everywhere, as it would be a total mess. Soldiers stood next to the doors, holding guns, in case a creature-or a dangerous being- came to attack the campers. They could feel the tension, as the security was at its best since the teens woke up, making them slightly vulnerable. 

At the West side of the room, Isabel Fletcher ate her pancake, listening to the conversations next to her. She didn’t have any friends, but she knew that people generally liked her. Ginny didn’t bother. The thing that the eldest didn’t know was that Ginny had been on her sister’s case for a few days now. But she was about to discover it. 

Suddenly, the laughter became louder and louder, and she couldn’t even eat her pancake anymore, her fork brushing against the border of her plate. The girl didn’t know who was speaking, but it was annoying, and she wanted to know what their problem was. She directed her gaze to where she heard the voices, trying to focus on what they said, and not on the laughter in the whole background. 

Isabel froze. Ginny Bailey and her friends were surrounding her sister, whose cheeks were flushed red, her jaw clenched. Her throat tightened. Lucia is being picked on and bullied by my worst enemy. I can’t let it slide like that. I can’t let her ruin us like that. She bothered me long enough, it’s time she understood where she belongs, and that she doesn’t have her place here..The eldest thought, infuriated, as she cracked her knuckles. 

I can’t take this. Lucia shouldn’t be victimized. And so, she stood up, red with anger, as everyone looked up at her in shock and hope. Right in front of Ginny. Ginny couldn’t help but glance at her, feeling her presence. Instead of flinching, her enemy snickered and glared at her in amusement, gesturing to her sister. 

“If only I knew that your family were such weaklings, I would’ve started with Lucia first. You’re not worth my time! If you came, you probably want to save the weak Lucia Fletcher here, who can’t even wield a weapon correctly before weeping and shaking!” 

Everyone laughed. Well, not everyone. Lucia stared at the floor, Isabel’s eyes holding thunderstorms as she watched Ginny Bailey. She couldn’t believe how much she hated her. This girl was the devil itself, as well as the worst bitch that used her fake lashes to boost her self-esteem. 

“Shut the fuck up, asshole. You’re not better. You’re just adding worse facts to your reputation because you noticed that I wasn’t weak. You believe the Fletcher family is weak, huh? We’re not. She may be younger, but she’s as strong as I am, and you can’t just keep living like this, boosting your self-esteem with this bullshit.” 

Ginny looked shocked for a moment, but then she started to laugh, her friends doing so as well. Isabel was shocked; she didn’t believe that her ideas were so “stupid” or that she had done anything wrong. Her face became red as she shook with anger, not knowing what to say. 

“Oh, Isabel, always so foolish, always thinking you’re the best at everything, huh?” Ginny sneered in amusement, batting her lashes as she crossed her arms on her chest, grinning slyly, “Well, guess what, you’re not. I am, and I thought I’ve made it clear already. Your sister is a weakling, just like her sister before her. Oh, and it’s you!” 

Everyone laughed again. But this time, the eldest knew what to say. 

“Always so pessimistic, Ginny, and always wrong. Do you think Lucia and I decided to be this way? No. But it’s better than having to be like you. Imagine hiding your wrinkles, your double-chin, your thin lashes, and your thick neck with plastic surgery. At the age of sixteen, that’s pathetic. If I’d have to guess it, you probably have a poor mom who got herself a sugar daddy, and that’s how you feel like you’re swimming in wealth... Plus, you find yourself so ugly that you drop plastic on your lashes to make yourself look cool--” 

“Well then, if you aren’t so weak, well prove it.” The girl retorted, cutting her off, raising her hand in the air to stop her from talking. 

Isabel was infuriated. One, because Ginny had the guts to cut her like this. Two, because she stopped talking when Ginny raised her hand, which is considered a sign of weakness. She felt her blood boiling, and she bit her tongue to stop herself from vociferating something aggressive. She felt like she would jump on her, punch her in the gut. And yet she stood silent. 

“How do you want me to prove it?” The concerned one questioned as she arched a brow in curiosity and concern. 

“Surprise me. Find a way to make me flinch. You won’t, but you can still try.” Ginny shrugged, her lips curling into a smirk. 

“Deal.” Isabel replied simply, keeping a straight face. 

“Isa....Don’t make deals with this bitch...” Lucia winced as she moves her finger lower to her chin, at her neck’s level, tilting her head as she looked like she was about to cut her neck. 

Isabel knew what Lucia meant. Everything concerning Ginny and her friends meant trouble. She knew it very well-she experienced it highly during the last ten years, and she knew how right her sister was. The angel on her sister wanted the best for her and begged her to simply stop arguing, but the devil kept on insisting that she had to prove herself. 

Her insight and her pride battled for first place, but the little devil ended up winning it. Isabel always wanted to prove her worth, and since Ginny wanted her to surprise her, she would do this. Whatever the cost was, she wanted to get rid of Ginny forever. And that stupid wish of hers didn’t help the situation at all. 

The eldest didn’t know why Ginny was accepted in such a place and why she ended up there, recognized by Lazarus, but she didn’t really care about it for now. All that mattered was her survival, and mostly’s Lucia. And now was the time to show everything she was capable of. And what Lucia was truly capable of as well. And so, the girl spoke, hoping she wouldn't regret it afterwards. 

“Then let’s include her in a battle, see how it goes. Maybe in the end she’ll end up winning, who knows. Maybe you’re not as smart and brave as you think you are. It’s going to be easy; I just know she’ll be able to do it. So, are you surprised?” Isabel smirked as she watched her enemy’s reaction intently. 

Instead of receiving one, the girl in the wolf cut shrugged, her expression shifting to one of mischief. It wasn't obvious, but Isabel could see it in her eyes, a sparkle of amusement that shined within her gaze, that she hid because she knew it would get her in trouble. 

“Isabel...I’m not this strong...” Lucia mumbled as she buried her face in her hands, trying to look smaller. 

Unfortunately for her, Ginny Bailey and her friends heard her. 

“Deal, we can surely do this, but it doesn’t mean your sister is going to win. I don’t think so. But I won’t be the one she'll fight against. It’s not how it’s working in the camp. Lucia can’t choose a weak opponent and pretend she’s good at fighting. It’s a bit more complicated than that.” 

Isabel froze. She didn’t know how it worked, yet she felt a bit shy, awkward, and weird to ask. So, she remained silent, hoping that Ginny would enlighten her. Noticing how troubled the teenager seemed, the bully laughed and tossed her hair away, staring into Lucia’s eyes, then into Isabel’s. 

“In the camp, we have a lot of fighters. We’re more than a hundred around camp. And the trainers count, as well as the students. We have zombies that we keep safe in case a fight occurs. And you know what? We hold a jar with all the names around camp, and she’ll have to fight the one she picks. No coming back.” 

“She can do this. She’s not a weakling.” 

“Isabel...” The youngest groaned as her face went red, feeling overwhelmed and embarrassed, because she knew she wouldn’t win the battle. 

“Challenge accepted.” 

“Good, you can’t come back now...”