Chapter 1: Roommates with Mio
Chapter 1: Roommates with Mio
Ajax waited impatiently beside the wrought-iron gate of the walled cemetery garden, his foot tapping an incessant rhythm against the grass.
His arms were folded tightly across his chest, and the deep scowl etched across his face made it abundantly clear that his patience was wearing thin. Fifteen minutes.
He had been waiting for his tour guide for fifteen minutes.
Ajax exhaled sharply through his nose, glancing toward the path once again.
Whoever this guide was, they were already off to a terrible start. Then, without warning, he felt a light tap against his shoulder. Ajax turned sharply.
Standing behind him was a man considerably smaller than himself, with a delicate build and a polite smile resting easily on his face.
There was something almost disarming about his expression—far too pleasant for someone who had just kept a stranger waiting for a quarter of an hour.
“Hello,”
the stranger said warmly.
“Welcome to Camp Veritas. You must be Ajax.”
He assumed.
“Yeah, I’m Ajax.”
Ajax squinted at Noah. The boy was tall, with neat hair combed so perfectly it seemed almost immune to the oppressive summer heat.
He wore a camp T-shirt as though it were some sacred garment—holy armor against the chaos of the outside world. Ajax’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before his eyes narrowed.
“Wait…”
His head tilted slightly.
“You’re Mio?”
He said the name like an accusation. A slow, crooked smirk spread across his face. Jesus. They really stuck me in hell. Ajax thought to himself. Mio pulled my hand away.
“Unfortunately, saying the *H* word is a violation of our camp rules.”
He kept his expression carefully neutral. “Please take this as a warning.” Mio informs.
Ajax rolled his eyes so dramatically that, for a moment, Mio wondered if they might actually get stuck.
“Shut up. I’ve been waiting here for fifteen minutes, so you owe me an apology.”
He hissed. His tone was demanding, as though he had already decided the matter was settled. “My apologies, Ajax.” Mio spoke with maddening sincerity.
“Now, shall we start with the tour?”
Ajax froze. For a brief second, all the attitude drained from his face. Clearly, he hadn't expected an actual apology. “Uh… yeah.” He cleared his throat, looking away. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Follow me, Ajax,” Mio said.
They made their way down the long hallway, Mio pointing out the camp’s most popular spots as they went.
He explained the rules along the way, occasionally pausing to gesture toward various facilities and gathering areas.
Ajax listened with increasing disinterest, his expression making it clear that none of this was particularly impressive to him.
Eventually, they reached the dormitories.
“Last stop,” Mio said, pushing open the door.
“You’ll be roommates with me. Feel free to pick whichever bunk you want. I’ll also show you the schedule.”
He glanced toward Ajax’s bags.
“Oh, and make sure you didn’t bring anything inappropriate. If you did, it’ll be confiscated.”
“This camp sucks,” Ajax groaned. “I’m not even allowed to bring certain stuff? What the hell kind of place is this?”
“Again, please mind your words,” Mio reminded him, sounding patient but firm.
He pointed toward the posted schedule.
“Lights out at eight sharp. We wake up at six in the morning, and breakfast is at eight. Make sure you’re downstairs by then.”
“What’s the point?” Ajax sighed dramatically. “It’s like we’re robots.”
He flopped onto the bottom bunk without bothering to remove his shoes.
“The schedule is on the fridge,” Mio continued, “but we can go over it together if you’d like—”
“Absolutely not,” Ajax interrupted.
“I’m good.”
With another exaggerated sigh, he pulled the blanket over his head, effectively ending the conversation.
Mio stared at the lump beneath the blanket for a moment.
He was beginning to suspect that this was going to be a very long year.
