Our recruit group was now seven, down from 10. Two group members had left (we were told), and one other, Reena, was missing. After Reena’s disappearance, dynamics within the group shifted dramatically. People whom I had once considered hostile were now quite amiable. Everyone else seemed to be getting along, and there was much less tension. Everyone seemed happier… well, everyone but me.

It felt almost hypocritical to feel unsatisfied after admitting how things were initially. Everything I wanted at the Academy seemed to go my way – recruits were friendlier, I had passed every test with flying colours, and my future looked to be on track for the first time.

But something wasn’t quite right.

Reena’s disappearance was making me feel even more vulnerable. As I looked around the room, everyone seemed innocent and guilty. It could have been any one of the other recruits. The fact that someone else had the same agenda as I did… just doesn’t sit right with me.

The alternative made me feel even more insecure. Could someone be reading my thoughts? It wouldn’t surprise me if a force sensitive within the group was assigned to read our thoughts and report to our mentors. Nobody would know until it was too late. I’ve never heard of anyone being able to unthink something or erase a thought.

I needed to keep my confidence up for just a bit longer. The last thing I needed right now was to bring unwanted attention to myself. I need to focus all my energy on what lies ahead.