Instructor Lonan wipes an old eraser over the blackboard, smearing the dusty chalk of his equations from existence. You idly wonder just how many mysteries and truths have been scraped away from the dull green board as minute particles of dust. Years ago, the lesson room had used dry-erase boards. Now a week didn't go by that one instructor or another didn't opine about the good old days before the markers dried up and they had to resort to a chalkboard pulled from the depths of the library's basement.
"Well, perhaps I should put an end to the mathematics discussions for today and get into a topic that's more near and dear to our hearts. I've spoken with Elder Ahote and gotten his permission to have an in-depth discussion about our pack's history."
He sighs. "This should be of significance to you, Decaarr, since you seem so eager to wrap your head around forbidden knowledge."
A muted murmuring springs up from around the room as many of you express your surprise. Certain parts of the pack's history have been left purposefully vague to those under the age of adulthood. You've heard the basics of course, although it's impossible to know how much truth has been lost amid the whispered retellings between youths. The Purge, the creation of the refuge, your people's origins in a land of yellow stones…
No one has spoken up after several seconds, and Lonan finally takes the initiative, passing out pamphlets to each student titled From Yellowstone to Haven: A Primer.
"These booklets contain several answers regarding our history and that of the Purge. Why don't you open them up and have a read? We'll have a question-and-answer period at the end of class. Pay particular attention to the bits about the Jackson Slaughter. If it hadn't been for those two packs going feral and killing innocent civilians, the Purge might never have happened, and we would still be free."
Lonan sits down at his desk and starts grading a stack of papers as you thumb through your booklet.
Next
Several wolves in the class have questions, which the instructor answers to the best of his ability. You sit back, soaking up what information you can, your more burning questions answered satisfactorily for now.
"Okay," Lonan says, clapping his hands together to wake up some of the bored wolves in the back. "Lessons are done for the day!"
Your classmates slowly filter out of the room, and as you move to join them Lonan calls for you. "Decaarr, could you come here for a moment?"
You approach the instructor's desk warily, hoping that he's not going to ask you anything about where you were the night before.
"Elder Ahote wants to see you in his office after class. Try to be there by four o'clock, would you?"
Not sure whether to be relieved or concerned, you nod and leave the classroom, just wishing everything could somehow return to normal.
The hall is clear when you leave the lecture room. Most of the youths and young adults are long gone, off to spend the few afternoon hours they have to themselves on something more entertaining before being called home by their parents or, if they're over thirteen, to their evening jobs.
Suddenly an arm shoots out of one of the classroom doors and pulls you into the dim light of an old chemistry lab, another hand clasped over your mouth to stifle your yip of surprise. You struggle, and the grasping hands relent, freeing you as someone closes the door and flips on the light switch.
A tall young woman stands between you and the door. Her short-cropped, jet-black hair is shaved along the sides, leaving the long ridge of a brushed back mohawk. Her face is fixed in a frown as she looks you over, and you get the distinct impression of being sized up, your worth weighed.
Once the shock of the unexpected assault wears off, you bolt for the door. "Let me out, Bly," you growl, your voice tinged with anger at being treated this way by a known delinquent.
Bly presses a well-muscled arm against the door, raising an eyebrow as you try in vain to push her aside. "You're not going anywhere until you hear what I have to say, Decaarr. I know where you were yesterday evening."