Hot Cocoa

I stare at the brown liquid cautiously. I'm especially suspicious of the white things floating in it.

"Drink up. It's safe," Jeb urges me. I dip my finger into it, and lick it clean. It tastes good! The warmth fills me and I quickly pick up the cup and chug it greedily. Jeb smiles softly at my antics.

The moment I finish it, I feel guilty. "What about the others?" I ask worriedly. At this Jeb beams and scribbles something in the notebook he always carries with him.

"You've passed you're first test Max," Jeb announces proudly. He smoothes my hair down and leads me back to my cage. He locks the cage and walks out of the room.

I turn to see Fang lying on the floor writhing in pain and clutching his stomach. I see the other boy doing the same. I see their cups and they are empty.

"It was horrible. It burns!" moans the boy with orange hair.

"I clutch at the bars and moan pitifully. There is no way I can help them, and I feel horrified that I had requested for some to be brought to them. And what about me? Would the same happen soon?

"What was the drink called," moaned Fang.

"Hot chocolate."

"Apparently because of all the medicine and drugs, the food is reacting oddly with their systems," Jeb whispered to a white coat next to him.

"But what about the oldest one?" questioned a student.

"She's special," said Jeb smugly.