—It can't be ... how can this be possible?— Stuttering of impotence, I must have suspected it before, I should have distinguished his attitude, his serious responses, it was so clear and I did not realize it. No, maybe he didn't know, maybe and just maybe I didn't want to do it, didn't want to involve him ...
Sounds of his footsteps are close to me, placing himself behind me to hold my shoulders, with one of his hands he takes my chin so that his clear eyes are in sync with my face, then I hear his calm and serious voice —I am here Marinep— gives a small smile. —I won't hurt you, well just on one condition, what do you say?—
***
This world in which I live is divided into 6 territories, made up of: the frozen Antirda, the sunny Ocania, the rainy Irop, the deserted Afriz, the spring Esia and the tropical Amira. Each of these lands with a ruler, each ruler with the power to dominate a representative called a leader, and this leader has the power of the territory.
Many wars have been carried out for the domain of all the territorial powers to rise as the most powerful among all, that is why the representatives of the powers reached a class in agreement with their rulers so that in future generations they would not give to Knowing the bearers of such attributions, thereby avoiding the premature death of the leader, loss of power and war for their territory, some still reluctant accepted it. Although the majority agreed, the territory of Amira had an internal discussion that caused it to be divided into two, called the north and the south, bringing with it quite dangerous internal conflicts.
Many years of peace originated, but no peace lasts in time, so, long before the present events, the power-hungry rulers created a school that anyone who applied could enter, the only condition was that they should be balanced with young people from each of the territories equally, causing minor disputes to find ways to get the representatives of power and deliver them to their government, without satisfactory results, of course.
***
Already in the present, in today's news they call to be careful when going out into the street; Several wounded were found in Afriz after an attack on its streets, in Amira Sur the same thing happened, only in this one a woman died after some cruel battles claiming that they had been sent by the leader of the place. It is possible to express with what is seen in the news that the stupidities of the human being of being above another human being have reached critical levels of understanding ... maybe if ...
—Hears! Earth calling Marinep Where are you now? — A man's voice reaches my ears and when looking at my side is my friend Esteban.
—Oh? Esteban Have you returned from the bathroom yet?— I ask hoping that he does not get angry for getting lost in my thoughts and leaving aside the designated pair work.
—It's good that your mind has returned to the place where it belongs— A mocking tone dominates his voice. —But I ask you to focus, I don't want to fail—
—Yes ... yes— I say hesitantly as I look out the window at a small crowd of students. —And that?—
—Mmmm ... you know, maybe they already found someone to bother—
His voice had a playful tone matching his mocking blue eyes that kept watching the boys attacking each other. It is not as if it were something strange, the search to find the representatives of the different territories has become ridiculous. The number of innocent and powerless people are hurt in the process.
—Esteban.
—What do you want?— He answers me now without looking up from the study sheet in front of him after the fight below was stopped by the guards of the institute.
—Why do people try to be above others? What do they gain from it?— I inquire.
—Is that a question posed in this history quiz?— First he looks at me doubtfully while looking for the question on the sheet.
—No!— My high tone of voice draws the attention of my classmates and the reprimand of the teacher. —Tsk… it's just a personal question—
—Maybe they just want to show that they can mark a small power just like animals do, or maybe having them under their control will make them feel a greater reach of government— His voice turns serious and cold as he speaks to the point of feeling chills . —But don't think about it— his voice reverts to its lighthearted, carefree way. —Why don't we finish this tedious questionnaire and go play video games?
— * Sigh * I'm sorry, today I asked permission to leave the grounds of the institution, I must help my mother with the care of my older brother who a few days ago relapsed due to his illness.
—How boring!— makes a little pout. —Well ... it will be for another time—
The institution's bell rings indicating the end of the day, everyone goes to their bedrooms, in my case I go directly to the nearest hospital. Upon arrival I see that many injured people enter due to the various street fights, I try not to pay too much attention and go up to the floor where my brother is, upon entering my mother is standing next to the window while a nurse removed the IV on my brother's arm.
—Oh sweetie, good of you, stay with Menrip while I return.
—Okay mom, don't worry.
—You don't need to take care of me, I'm old enough to take care of myself.
My brother Menrip is a young man of 25 years old with a rare platinum blonde hair color that I have not seen in anyone but him, his profiled face and his blue-gray eyes give him a cold look. He has been in quite a delicate health lately, although he is a very serious person, he is also very kind but very reserved and enigmatic.
—Don't say that Menrip, Mom cares a lot about you and I'm just helping her.
I feel his gaze on me causing my skin to bristle from one moment to another inexplicably as if through his orbs he was sending an electric current that makes me on guard, then his deep voice resounds in my ears like drums that announce war.
—You feel bad?— His gaze is still focused on me.
—Not why?— I begin to gulp the saliva from my mouth.
—Did something happen at the institute?
—No... good…
—Did you see something that bothered you?— He doesn't stop looking at me, I don't know what to do to avoid it. Her sharp gray-blue eyes stare at me as if searching deep inside my mind for the answer.
—Are you a witch or a sorcerer?— I say trying to lower the tension, seeing that it does not work at the end I sigh. —I saw some kids teasing each other while I was in class and so did what happened on the news this morning— I do not care if they kill themselves in the institution since it is neutral territory, but in mine it is unforgivable, is that they can not calm down? With their attitude they will not discover the leaders, that only gives them reason to walk away.
—It's bad that they want to be too smart in your territory, since it says a lot about their leader. If you want them to calm down, you will have no choice but to teach them with productive action, you already know that this government will not support you unless it suits them so it is not convenient to walk away, even so, with a small sample of your power and some help governmental you will not expose yourself at the same time that you will expand control and greater reach of government from the south to the north.
—Oh? - I'm surprised with his words.
—What?
—That's something similar to what Esteban said, of course your explanation is more detailed— when I compare them, Menrip distorts his face in repressed anger.
—They shouldn't be close together all the time— His gaze begins to choke me again. —He's a bad influence, always playing video games, that distracts you, I suggest you better focus and stay away from him if you don't want to end up losing your territory.
—What the hell?— I can not understand his words, more than a suggestion seems a threat.
—Remember that Amira Sur's situation is unstable and this is no time to doubt.
— I know what to do!— I raise my voice a lot. — You don't have to threaten me!
The door opens and my mother and the doctor are startled to hear me scream.
— Marinep! What are you saying? Keep quiet you are in a hospital and Menrip is sick
—I'm sorry mom— when I look at Menrip again, his gaze is relaxed, letting me lower my guard, his expressions always change quickly as if nothing had happened. Without further ado I turn to the doctor. —Doctor, how is my brother, will he get better?
—Yes, you don't have to worry, his health will be better if he takes a break. Perhaps the stress of his classes took their toll, young Menrip must remember that his body does not resist too demanding activities— the doctor looks at my brother hoping that he understands and having a confirmation of the part of him comes out of the room.
—Menrip…— Mom tries to comfort my brother.
—Don't worry mom, I'll take things easier in this last year of study at the institute but I can't promise you anything, lately homework has been too demanding and sometimes I forgot to sleep properly.
Before being able to say something, sounds of rapid footsteps are heard in the corridor, approaching the room where we are and the door opens with a bang.
—Sweetie! I'm here!— Joselin a girl with long reddish hair up to her hips, with green eyes, a year younger than my brother outlines a smile and happily hugs Menrip by the neck. —Future mother-in-law, sister-in-law, do not worry, with me here you can go to rest Also tomorrow I have a day off so this will not affect my studies at all. Marinep being of the first years you should not be so long outside the areas of the institute—
—Thanks Joselin, we hope to have you. Come on Marinep you must rest and then come back— my mother speaks with her usual calm voice and invites me to go out with her.
—Marinep— I hear my brother's voice behind me. —I want you to remember what we talked about today.
—Yeah sure— I turn to see him. —Don't worry, I'll take care of that.
—If I have to repeat it, you're going to regret it.
My mind went blank, but I left the room with his words still echoing through my mind.
***
"Ugh… Cough… Cough" Menrip starts coughing fiercely.
- Menrip! You're good? I'll look for the doctor - says Joselin worried about the blood that she sees on her hands.
"I'm fine ... Ugh ... I'm fine ... it will pass, this is becoming customary however it gets worse with time" she wipes herself with a napkin placed near her.
—Your sister will have many difficulties, but I'm sure you think she will solve them, if you think of her that way, you shouldn't be so hard on the little girl. The leaders still do not recognize each other, so even if they are all in the same place, she is safe.
—Just for the moment, but soon the whole phase of hiding will no longer be enough and everyone will know who the representatives are. You're clear on that that's how it's been in history.
"I'm afraid so, but Menrip she still has advantages against the other territories." Marinep is strong she will not lose.