The New Life

The first night in the institution was the longest night Alexa had ever endured. The cold, hard bed was nothing like her warm sheets back home, and the dim light flickering outside the barred window cast eerie shadows on the walls. The room was large, filled with rows of metal-frame beds, each occupied by a girl who had suffered the same fate as her. Some were curled up, silent and motionless, while others whimpered softly into their thin pillows.

Alexandra, lying in the bed next to hers, turned to face her. "You should try to sleep," she whispered.

Alexa didn't respond. How could she sleep when her entire world had just been stolen from her?

The door creaked open, and the sound of boots echoed through the room. A woman in a crisp white uniform walked in, followed by two guards dressed in black.

"Wake up," the woman commanded. Her voice was sharp and unyielding.

The girls scrambled to sit up. Alexa quickly learned that hesitation would only lead to punishment. The woman's cold eyes swept across the room before she continued.

"From now on, you are no longer who you were. Your past life is gone. You belong to us now."

Her gaze landed on Alexa. "Your name is now Alexa. You will forget the name you once had. Failure to comply will result in severe consequences." Alexa real name was Neema

A girl at the far end of the room sobbed quietly. The woman's sharp eyes darted toward her. In an instant, one of the guards stepped forward and struck the girl across the face.

"Crying is a weakness," the woman stated. "And weakness will not be tolerated here."

Alexa clenched her fists under the blanket. She had never felt so powerless.

After what felt like an eternity, the woman turned on her heel and left, the guards following behind. The room remained silent even after the door shut.

Alexandra leaned closer. "You must learn the rules fast," she whispered. "This place does not tolerate defiance."

Alexa swallowed hard. She had already realized that.

The next morning, they were awakened before dawn and led to a large hall. It was an old building, with high ceilings and walls lined with bookshelves, giving it the eerie resemblance of an abandoned school. The girls were made to stand in straight lines, shoulder to shoulder.

A man with a scar running across his cheek entered the room. He was tall and imposing, his uniform spotless. He carried an air of authority that sent shivers down Alexa's spine.

"My name is Commander Rael," he said in a deep voice. "I know you are very you but You will listen to my orders, and you will follow them without question. Disobedience will be met with punishment."

He walked past the rows of girls, his boots clicking against the floor. "You are here to become something greater than what you were. You will be trained in combat, strategy, and discipline. We will shape you into the strongest warriors the world has ever seen."

Alexa's stomach twisted. Warriors? What did that mean?

Another girl raised her hand hesitantly. "Sir… what happens if we refuse?"

Rael's expression darkened. Without warning, he struck the girl in the stomach with a wooden baton. She collapsed, gasping for air.

"There is no refusal," he said coldly. "You obey, or you suffer."

A chilling silence filled the hall. Alexa's heart pounded in her chest.

The first day of training was brutal. The girls were divided into groups and forced to run for hours. Those who lagged behind were punished. Push-ups, sit-ups, and drills continued endlessly.

Alexa struggled to keep up, but Alexandra—despite her weak frame—pushed herself through every exercise. Whenever Alexa slowed down, she would whisper, "Keep going. You can't afford to stop."

By the time the sun set, Alexa's body ached in ways she never thought possible. Sweat drenched her clothes, and her throat burned with thirst. Yet, they were given no time to rest.

They were led to a new room—this one filled with books, maps, and strange-looking devices. Their training wasn't just physical. They were expected to learn multiple languages, master mathematics, and memorize strategies of war.

Alexa stared at the books in front of her, her vision blurring with exhaustion. How was she supposed to learn anything in this state after all she is only 6.

"Learn quickly," a voice whispered behind her. She turned to see an older girl with striking silver hair. "If you fail the tests, the punishments are worse than the training."

Alexa nodded. She didn't need to be told twice.

Days turned into weeks. The training never stopped. Some girls grew stronger, while others collapsed under the pressure. Those who failed to meet expectations were taken away. No one knew where they went.

Alexa and Alexandra became inseparable. They helped each other survive. When Alexandra's weak body threatened to give out, Alexa supported her. When Alexa struggled to memorize battle strategies, Alexandra stayed up late to help her learn.

One night, when they were finally alone, Alexandra whispered, "I have an idea."

Alexa turned to her, curious.

Alexandra pulled a small piece of paper from her sleeve. "You need to remember who you are," she said. "Write your real name here."

Alexa hesitated. The mere thought of her real name felt dangerous. But she knew Alexandra was right. If she forgot who she was, she would truly be lost.

With shaking hands, she wrote her real name on the paper. Alexandra helped her dig a small hole in the training field that night, burying it beneath the dirt.

"No matter what happens, we'll know it's here," Alexandra whispered.

For the first time since being taken, Alexa felt a flicker of hope.

One night, a new order was given. The older girls—the ones who had trained for years—were being sent on missions.

Alexa and the younger girls were forced to watch as they departed, their faces cold and emotionless. They looked like soldiers, but Alexa could still see the shadows of the children they once were.

Her heart pounded as she realized—one day, that would be her.

She gritted her teeth. No.

One day, she would escape.

She didn't know how or when, but she would.

For now, she had to survive.

And she would