The only good parts of the day that I've found are the meals because surprisingly they don't just serve you protein shakes (though that is on the menu daily) but actual food such as pasta, pot pies, chicken, steak, and well real meals in general.

Now I'm listening to Jaden's bitching while Thom is freaking out over his fist Op that he got assigned to yesterday, and Alex well she seems a little more on edge like she needs to do something or just get rid of some energy. I don't know, I'm just trying to get through the day without slacking so much that they decide to "Cancel" me aka kill me, isn't life as a recruit in Division just great?

"Hey Alex, could you help me with my fighting technique after dinner tonight? I could use some help..."

Surprised by my change in attitude about training, she replies "Sure thing, I could use some extra workouts myself. Why don't you meet me at the lockers after dinner, then we can head to the gym."

"Awesome, thanks a bunch."

"No problem, I understand. I've only been here a few weeks longer than you," she says before standing up and heading off to do who knows what.

Surprised, my eyes follow her retreating figure as she heads to the computer area as I think about how she's just as new as me and yet she's already surpassed many of the recruits that have been here for months if not an entire year. It's almost like she had already had training or maybe her past has to do with her knowledge of fighting. And, she is already good enough in hacking, I don't see why she always heads to the computer lab whenever she has a minute to spare.

Sparring with Alex was nice because she didn't just beat the heck out of you, she also helped you and gave you tips in fighting to help you unlike some people *cough* Jaden *cough*. I actually learn a thing or two from her and improve my skill, because even though I'm a black belt, I don't really have any real fighting experience nor do I know much about the fighting technique used here which is way more deadly by the way since they are training us how to kill people.

Now poop dead and laying on the squishy blue matt after two hours of fighting, I ask Alex, "Would you ever try to escape this place if you had the chance?"

Instead of answering Alex remains quiet before she jumped off the floor and just walked away saying, "I'm thirsty how bout you? I'll go get some water."

Why must I always offend people with this stupid mouth of mine seriously. Felling completely stupid, I flop down and lay on the mat completely relaxed, staring at the ceiling while trying to find imaginary patterns in it to get my mind off everything that's happening in my suckish life.

Before I really have time to get lost in my useless mind, Alex returns with two water bottles before saying, "Your question caught me off guard, I had to think and I got you some water. Anyway, yeah I have thought about escaping, in fact I tried to several times in the first few days I was here, but each time I was stopped and each time I was brought back to my room. Besides, I realized that its useless to try to escape because this place has high security and they will kill you if they think you won't follow their orders and commands. And it's an impossible task to do I mean I don't know how long this place has been around, but never has there ever been even a rumor about someone successfully escaping."

"Well you might be right, maybe it is impossible to run away from this hell, but don't you think that if someone did succeed that it would be kept secret. Maybe someone has succeeded and that's why security is so high and why no one really knows anything or is given much information," I retort.

"You may be onto something but there's no proof and I don't think that there's another chance of that if it did ever happen," she conceded.

After that we just relaxed for a bit before I got bored, so I turned to Alex and asked "What was your life like before, well you know, coming here?"

Propping herself up on her elbows, she stared at me for a few seconds before saying in a quiet voice, "Well unlike you, most of us here have a pretty messed up past, and I'm no different. it started when my parents died in a car crash when I was young, eventually I got mixed in the wrong crowds and ended up hooked on the junk they used. after a few years I escaped them, but I was still addicted to the drugs. one day, I just really needed a hit so me and my boyfriend tried robbing a pharmacy to get money for the drugs. it didn't go very well cuz he ended up killing someone before running and leaving me with the blame. next thing I know, I wake up in this place with Michael offering me a second chance with life."

Turning to look me in the eyes she says, " I was really against the idea, tried escaping, and did just about anything to get out of here, but I realized, the only way out is by accepting it and becoming an Agent. That's my life and my goal, so what about you?"

Glancing away I looked up at the ceiling before staring back down at my hand as I began, "Like you said, I had a real life with family, friends, boyfriends, pets, and stuff. I grew up in a town called Winona County, it wasn't very big but it wasn't small either. I had a two little brothers named Ethan and Jesse and an older sister Violet, like most siblings we didn't always get along, but we all loved each other and my parents, Jeffery and Nora Hanson. My father wanted us to be able to protect ourselves so he signed us up for Karate; that's where I met my boyfriend Frankie. I would have completely missed him had I not taken Karate because at school he was a shy loner type genius, and I was head of the cheer squad for the Panthers and was an OK student."

Trailing off in my story I took a calming breath before continuing, " I know that I am not the usual case for people who are chosen to join Division, but I guess if it prevents another person from being forced into this messed up life, I will stay and train at Division, so someone else can live their own life, free, ignorant of the secrets of the world."

As I finish my little speech, Alex looked at me with a new light in her eyes, maybe respect, no, it's understanding, she know how I feel, but how...and why?

"I'm sorry," she whispers with so much emotion in her voice, again why?

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault I'm here, guess it was just fate..." I ask, no one is to blame for my being here except for this Percy guy I heard about in the cafeteria

"Well... Whatever, come on let's get cleaned up it getting kind of late," Alex said, as she stood up the turned to offer me a hand.

Just as I got on my feet, Michael walked in and said, "Wait you two," turning in fear of being in trouble I looked at him. "Alex, Lyra, you two have both been assigned to an Op, you will be partners in this as Percy believes that you are both ready. Report to Amanda after breakfast tomorrow morning, so that she may inform you of what the operation is and prepare you in weaponry and outfits. Alex, I want you to show Lyra what to do when on this mission and this will be a test to see what level each of you are at. Lyra, don't be afraid, I will accompany both of you as this is your fist mission. Now, get some rest girls, and be ready for the Op in the morning. Another thing, this will not be either of your graduation tests."

Turning to leave, Michael left us to stand in shock over our new mission before both of us scrambled off to hit the hay.