Chapter 24: The Order

“Ready for another day of Civius’ wisdom and love?” asked Vekaya from behind me. To hear it from Nerod and his friends, it might have sounded real.

“I haven't even really slept,” I said.

“Well, wake yourself up as best you can. Not sleeping well is a sign that you aren't in accord with Civius' commandments. Icthis,” she smiled.

“Are you serious?” I groaned. “What if you just don't sleep well? That's not your fault.”

“Act like you did. That's what I am pretty sure all the other children do.”

As Vekaya said this, we passed a younger boy who was rubbing his eyes. Red puffy skin showed outside where his tiny fists balled up against his face.

“You heard the crying?” Vekaya's silence and look seemed to say.

“They cry a lot here? Because they’ve lost their parents?”

“Probably at first,” Vekaya said, “but then, a lot of them have nightmares from the tea.”

“What is this tea?”

“Remember that stuff I made you go get when I first talked to you?”