Keal, Zack, Ron, and June sat in Keal's dorm, surrounded by the chaos of Keal's messy room. Keal was busy arranging his room, picking up clothes and books, and trying to create some order. He was determined to finally get his space organized.
Lira, their instructor, was supposed to meet with them, but she'd sent a message saying she was stuck in a lecture. "Sorry, guys, can't make it," she'd said.
Zack pulled out a board showing the 4 victims: one from the Northern Kingdom, two from the Eastern Kingdom, and July. The guys studied the board, trying to find connections.
"Guys, I don't get it," Ron said, frowning. "What's the link?"
June asked, "it a Western Nation?"he said "None of he victims is from the western kindgom"
Zack replied, "It cant be me or my mother or zackline so it as to be my brother , but he's at home."
They discussed the possibilities, throwing around ideas and theories. Keal, still busy with his room, looked up briefly, then went back to arranging his books.
"Let's go and search to Sereh room tommorow night in case we find anything" Zack said, leading the way out of Keal's dorm.
Keal, Zack, Ron, and June had decided to investigate Sereh, and they were planning to spy on him the following night. They'd discussed the plan earlier, and now they were finalizing the details.
"Okay, so we'll meet at the old oak tree at 10 PM," Zack said, outlining the plan. "We'll sneak around to the back of Sereh's house and see if we can find anything."
Ron nodded, "I've got the binoculars and the recorder."
June added, "I've got the maps of the area. We can use them to figure out the best route."
Keal, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, "Guys, what exactly are we looking for?"
Zack replied, "Anything suspicious. If Sereh's involved, we'll know it."
The group nodded, and they began to disperse, each one preparing for the night's mission.
Keal nodded, relieved they were leaving, and continued tidying up. "I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, not looking up.
The others left, and Keal finally had some peace. He finished arranging his room, feeling more relaxed. He flopped down on his bed, surrounded by his newly organized belongings.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
The following morning, Keal sat with Geo, talking and bonding over their shared experiences. As they chatted, Keal learned that Geo had a 27-year-old sister who was crippled and that they lived outside the school. Geo's eyes clouded over as he spoke about his sister, and Keal could sense the deep love and concern he had for her. Geo explained that his sister had been born with a condition that had left her legs weakened, and despite their best efforts, their parents are dead. As a result, she had grown up struggling to get around, but she had never let her disability hold her back. She was an inspiration to Geo, and he spoke about her with a warmth and pride that Keal couldn't help but be moved by.
Geo explained that many commoners, like himself, couldn't afford to live within the school grounds. "We're poor, Keal," he said, shrugging. "We can't afford the fees lucky I have a scholarship ,u nobles her lucky u do not have to take entrance exam when entring. We have to make do with what we have."
Keal listened intently, feeling a pang of sympathy. He asked Geo more about his sister, and Geo's eyes lit up with pride. "She's an amazing person, Keal. She's always been strong, despite her disability. She's had to deal with so much, but she's never given up. She's always pushing herself to be better, and it's inspiring to see." Keal was moved by Geo's words, and he could sense the deep admiration he had for his sister, something he never. He asked Geo more questions, wanting to learn more about this remarkable person.
Keal was moved by Geo's words, and he offered to visit Geo's family at the end of the class. Geo gratefully accepted, and they made plans to meet up later.
As the class ended, Keal went to find Ron, who was waiting for him. "Hey, Ron, I might be late for today's plans," Keal said, explaining his decision to visit Geo's family.
Ron frowned, arguing with Keal. "Come on, Keal, we have plans. We can't just bail on them".
Keal tried to explain, but Ron wasn't getting it. "Ron, I just want to understand what it's like for people like Geo,i just want to have friends man." Keal said, frustration creeping into his voice.
Ron threw up his hands, and Keal knew he wouldn't understand. He clapped Ron on the back and left, making his way to Geo's family in the slum.
As he walked through the narrow, winding streets of the slum, Keal was struck by the poverty and hardship that surrounded him. He saw children playing in the dirt, women cooking over open fires, and men huddled in doorways, talking in hushed tones. The air was thick with the smell of garbage and human waste, and Keal's stomach churned with discomfort.
Geo greeted him warmly, and Keal was introduced to his sister, Maya. She had long, brown hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and a beauty that took Keal's breath away. But it was her eyes that really caught his attention - they were a deep, piercing green, with a hint of gold around the edges. Keal had never seen anything like it before. They seemed to sparkle with a inner light, and Keal felt like he was drowning in their depths.
Maya smiled at him, and Keal felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. He was taken aback by his reaction, and he quickly looked away, trying to compose himself. Geo's family welcomed him with open arms, and Keal felt a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time.
As he looked around the cramped, makeshift home, Keal was reminded of his own past, of the struggles he had faced growing up. He remembered the cramped, dirty streets, the constant struggle to make ends meet. It was a life he had left behind, but one that he would never forget.
Keal's eyes met Geo's, and he saw a deep understanding there. For the first time, he felt like he was seeing the world through someone else's eyes.