In the Dining

12th March 2162

9:00 Am

Hugo moving toward the dining area with his laptop sees soldiers running somewhere.

Hugo (asks one of them) - where are you guys running to?

Soldier - Don’t have time to explain, The elites came.

Hugo - You mean Captain John?

Soldiers - even captain Fiona and the others along with their respective companies are here.

Hugo - But why? The mission is already over.

Soldier - Don’t know. Oh, and Commander Oliver is coming as well, therefore, the greeting is after half an hour.

Hugo - I’ll join you all with Mark.

Soldier - Come to hangar eight. And don’t be late.

Hugo sees the soldier going and enters the Dining area. Mark sat alone at a corner table, engrossed in his breakfast. The routine of the post-mission life had settled in, or so he thought until Hugo approached.

Hugo - Mind if I join you, Mark?

Mark (raising an eyebrow) - Okay, Hugo, what is it you want to show me?

Hugo settled into the chair next to Mark, placing a laptop on the table. Opening the video file.

Hugo - It's unclear and corrupted, but I think you'll recognize him.

Mark leaned forward, curiosity flickering in his eyes. The laptop screen flickered to life, displaying grainy CCTV footage from the research facility.

Mark (squinting) - Recognize? Who?

Hugo (pressing play) - Just watch.

As the footage played, Mark's expression shifted from curiosity to shock. The figure on the screen, obscured by the corruption, removed his scarf, revealing a familiar face.

Mark (stammering) - Is that...?

Hugo (nodding) - Don't you think it's him?

Mark (leaning in) - Are we sure it's him? The footage is barely watchable.

Hugo (confident) - Yeah, but the resemblance is uncanny.

Mark (whispering) - How can we be so sure? After all these years, how could he survive?

Hugo (determined) - what if he is?

Mark (seeing the screen)-  Hey! Had we really left him alone in that hell?

Hugo - I don’t want the same to happen either. Should we look for him? Mark?

The gravity of the situation sank in as the possibility of someone long thought lost reemerged. The decision hung in the air, and Mark's mind raced with questions and uncertainties about the past that seemed to resurface with the corrupted images on the laptop screen.

4th May 2154

4:30 Pm

As Claire rushes towards the playground in her school uniform, her face etched with urgency, she spots Darius descending from the slide. Mark sees Claire all wounded entering the Playground.

Darius (Looking at Claire's concerned face asks) - What happened?

Before Claire can respond, Mark steps in and advises her

Mark - Let her catch her breath first. 

Claire insists - I am alright, but Hugo isn’t.

4:15 Pm 

In an alleyway, where Claire finds herself confronted by school bullies, including upperclassman Scott. As Scott tries to bully her, putting his hands on her waist, Claire reacts swiftly, delivering a punch to his face. In retaliation, Scott strikes Claire in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain.

Hugo, witnessing the altercation, moves forward to intervene but is restrained by two other bullies, preventing him from reaching Claire's aid. Scott then proceeds to pull Claire's hair and taunt her.

Hugo (In fear and desperation, shouts) - Leave her alone!

 However, he is unable to break free from the grasp of the bullies holding him back. Scott continues to assault Claire, causing her to fall to the ground.

Hugo (In a quiet defiant voice, condemns) - How pathetic of you all, trying your strength on a girl.

Scott - Ha? Looks like the golden boy can speak after all

Scott, unfazed, approaches Hugo and mocks him, questioning Him.

Scott - Do you really see your cousin as a Girl.

 scotts sees Hugo’s face 

Scott - Well from where I see this situation, she is nothing but an irritating toy. I am just making her more fun to play.

Hugo, with fire in his eyes, spits in Scott's face and delivers a scathing retort

Hugo - Know what I think of you? I think of you as a dumb-ass weak elephant, who only knows how to use his strength because he has been suppressed by strong elephants using their strength and now he wants to do the same to the ones weaker to him.

Enraged, Scott grabs Hugo by the collar 

Scott - What did you just say?

Hugo maintains his cool and taunts Scott further, 

Hugo - If only you had brains in that hard skull of yours.

In response, Scott unleashes a barrage of punches, knocking Hugo to the ground.

Scott - Now who is biting the dust ha? Look what happened to you because of your words. Are you satisfied?

Hugo (Quietly) - At Least I am an ant. A smart ant.

Scott - Oh! So that’s how you want it to go. Too bad for you, I am changing that bedtime story of yours.

As Scott begins to kick Hugo while he's down, Claire manages to sneak away from the alley and runs towards Mark and Darius, determined to seek reinforcements.

The sound of Hugo’s beating can be heard on the outside road and suddenly the sound stops.

Minutes later, Darius, Mark, and Claire arrive at the alley, only to find it deserted except for a cluster of cats rummaging through the dustbins. Darius, scanning the area, questions.

Darius - Where is he?

Mark spots Hugo's double-sided coin lying on the ground, picking it up.

Mark (Replies) - They must've taken him with them.

Concern etched on her face, Claire sinks to the ground, clutching her hair in distress.

Claire (Laments) - I should've never left him alone.

Darius - We have to find him.

Darius places a comforting hand on Claire's shoulder, offering reassurance. With tears brimming in her eyes

Claire (Questions) - But where?

Sensing Claire's anguish

Mark - I have a pretty good Idea what places to look…….(Look at Claire) You should go home and take care of yourself, Claire. Darius and I can handle this.

Claire looks at Mark

Darius - Yeah we will put those bastard Bullying in there asses, right? Mark?

Mark - Yeah just don’t get all dependent on me.

Darius - right. (To Claire) I Promise, we will bring Hugo back.

Mark - But first we need to take Claire to her house.

Claire stands up, tying her Hair.

Claire - No, I am coming. I am seeing this through to the end.

Darius (insists) - But there is no need to.

Claire - I said, I am coming.

Interrupting the exchange between Darius and Claire, Mark intervenes,

Mark - Okay, Claire, you're coming. But there are rules for all of us,

Mark (Pointing his finger on Claire) - You'll not engage when the fight begins, you’ll do as I say. And Darius, try not to lose your control.

Darius (Nods) - And what about your rules?

Mark - Save Hugo, no matter what happens.

Claire looks at Mark and Darius, her eyes reflecting hope.

 Mark - But first, you should change out of your uniform, Claire.

4:00 Pm

Call rings in Aariv willson’s office. Aariv sees the call from his home and picks up.

Caller (female) - Aariv. Hugo hasn’t come home. The school was over 2 hours ago. 

Aariv - Have you called Bernard? Where is Claire?

Caller - She hasn’t come home either.

Aariv - Relax Carla, they must be playing with their new friends. It takes time for childrens to adjust to a new environment. He will come back. 

Caller - but he never did it before. What should we do?

Aariv - Nothing.

Caller - what?

Aariv - Listen If he doesn't come back till 5:30, I’ll send people to look for him. He is a brave kid, let him grow his wings.