(Principal's Office)
Ellie and Enid found themselves once again in the principal's office, a familiar place for both of them. Enid had been there so many times before that this visit marked her tenth. The principal began reading through their records, listing all the trouble they had caused.
As he read out the offenses, such as fighting, theft, and even stabbing a kid with a compass, the girls only half paid attention. Enid glanced at Ellie and then around the office, while Ellie absentmindedly rubbed her nose and looked away from the principal. When he finished reading, he slammed his hands on the desk, causing them to jump.
"Well? Do you two have anything to say for yourselves?" he asked sternly. They remained silent, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. What did he expect them to say? They weren't about to fall for his passive-aggressive tactics. They simply stared back at him, unyielding.
The principal let out a sigh and stood up from his desk. "Let me ask you something. Do you have any idea who stands between the infected and every survivor in this city? Enid, you should know the answer considering how long you've been here," he said to them.
"A giant concrete wall?" Ellie replied, her usual smart-ass attitude shining through. Enid couldn't help but smirk at Ellie's remark. This was the girl she knew and loved.
However, the principal, who was also a soldier, wasn't amused. He leaned closer to Ellie, his voice filled with frustration. "It's me! Not just me, but every soldier who puts their life on the line for you people! We maintain order and protect your sorry asses! Without us, everyone would either be fucking dead or infected," he shouted at them.
Enid slouched back in the creaky wooden chair, arms crossed, wearing a deadpan expression on her face. "Shouldn't that be the Fireflies' job?" she remarked.
"Yeah, the Fireflies. The whole damn city treats them like they're the second coming. Just like that goddamn renegade group, we're the ones who have to protect everyone from the outside world," he explained, responding to Enid's query.
"Do you two really believe those killers are our saviors?" he asked, his voice dropping. Enid knew exactly what he was up to. She might be young, but she wasn't naive. Ellie wasn't either - she knew this asshole was trying to make them submit to his authority.
"No. We don't believe that," Ellie finally replied. "Well, it's about time you two start," the principal sneered, getting in Ellie's face.
"She answered your question. What more do you want us to say?" Enid retorted, arms still crossed. The principal didn't take kindly to that, and their punishment was swiftly decided.