Okay, be prepared for feels in this chapter. Oh, and don't kill me! That too! You'll wanna see the future development of this story!

Grace let out a sigh, standing next to Ryan. Kai was sitting at the front of the group of people while Don, Cole, Jay, Lloyd, Skylar, Nya and Neuro off to either side.

"I want you to take this one." Grace said to the sixteen year old next to her. "You could use the practice." Ryan gulped, tugging at the collar of his shirt.

"O-Okay..." Ryan said, taking a breath and composing himself. "Now Kai, is it true that you left on your own, and without telling anyone?"

"Yes..."

"And you knew that this was against the rules, right?"

"I know, but-"

"Yet you left anyway." Ryan stated, glancing back at a nodding Grace. "The rules are here to protect everyone, Kai. If you break them, you need to accept the punishment."

"But I was-"

"Please, don't interrupt me."

"I DID IT TO HELP SOMEONE!" Kai screamed, everyone in the room falling silent. "Okay?! I did it to help Neuro!" At this, the aforementioned boy seemed to shrink. Grace placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder, pulling him back a little and stepping forward.

"If all this is true, why didn't you ask someone for help?" Grace asked. "If you had asked Don to help you, he would've told me and planned a visit within a week, and Neuro would have a normal ceremony instead of this."

"I-I don't know why..." Grace sighed.

"Don, make sure that the only reason Kai leaves his cabin is to eat." Grace ordered. "Ryan and I will think of an appropriate punishment during that time." Kai looked at her, clearly annoyed.

"What about Lloyd?" Cole asked.

"You'll be in charge of him." Grace said. "Dismissed."

And with that, Kai's punishment began.


It was a few days later, and the day of Neuro's ceremony. Dylan had taken the previous night off so he could witness the ceremony. Lloyd was standing next to Cole and Jay, watching the front of the room. Neuro walked out onto the stage per Grace calling him out, and then she called a boy named Tyler up.

And then she called Kai out.

"Last week, Kai left town on his own." Grace said calmly. "He only told his younger sister Nya where he was going. Kai was helping Neuro, though that is not an acceptable excuse. Ryan and I have decided that Kai will have the rest of the week until he has to leave." Cole's eyes widened, and Lloyd almost fell over, clutching tightly to Cole's arm.

"No..." Jay said. "She's not serious, right?"

"Jay, Grace isn't the joking type." Cole said.

"But she wouldn't do something that mean, right?" Lloyd asked. Cole looked at the seven year old, who had tears streaming down his face.

"I am also appointing Cole as the guide for both Jay and Lloyd." Cole could see Nya crying as Skylor tried to calm her down. Neuro lowered his head, clearly feeling guilty. "That concludes this meeting." Kai stood awkwardly at the front of the room, Nya running up to him the second Grace left. The boy hugged his younger sister, who was full-force sobbing now.

"Come on." Cole said, leading the two up to the front of the room, Lloyd breaking off and hugging Kai.

What have I done?! Why must I be evil?! I'm heading to the corner now...