I had a hard time thinking straight when she was around. I knew it was illogical, but she always seemed to gather all of my attention. I hated getting paired with her in training because Gideon thought I was slacking. I just couldn't bring myself to hurt her.

  But pain is the nature of this place. Muscles always hurt, food always sucks. I could’ve joined the military and got better service. You learn early on as an orphan not to complain out loud. There is always someone to call you ungrateful and disrespectful. Always someone to tell you, you deserve this.

  She walked by me in the library, scouring the shelves for a particular tome, and I couldn’t help but admire the way she moves. The way her hips sway that match her defiant attitude. The way her emerald eyes glittered in the low lamp light. The way she struggled to reach the top shelves. Now was my chance.

  “Hey Serena, can I help you with that?” I walked over and dusted myself off, trying to play it cool. She turned around and looked me over.

  “Yea sure.” She said cheerfully. As I got closer, I couldn't help myself and looked her up and down too, which she noticed. Serena rolled her eyes at me, and I smirked, shrugging.

  “Which one?” I asked and she pointed up to the top shelf. I looked up and she kicked me in the ankle, bringing me down to one knee. She climbed up onto my bent leg and used it to grab the book herself.

  “Um, ow?” I complained. She walked away, fixing the bun in her hair, shaking her head at me. I hated to see her go, but loved to watch her leave.

  “Smooth.” Hector called from across the library, barely looking up from under his glasses. He had his head buried in a book, as usual. I got back to my feet and dusted off my pants.

  “She’s quite resourceful.” I said with admiration. Hector just shook his head and moved back to his book. I’d never met such a bookish firefighter before. He was built like a body builder. I figured he’d be in the gym training with Magnus, but he was always here catching up on his studies. He kept his mass of dreadlocks up in his big colorful hat, which he would frequently reach up to adjust, absently.

  “Nerd.” I huffed and made my way out of the library.

  The Cathedral was a large underground bunker underneath, you guessed it, an abandoned Cathedral in the heart of downtown Toronto. Everything was close by here too. Grocery, entertainment, you name it. All the tall buildings and busy people made me feel like I was someone while I was here. It was such a change from the dreary subdivisions, where foster homes and crappy childhoods lingered.

  As I left, I watched Serena walk down the hall. She flipped me off, barely turning around to look at me. I guess I’d done enough damage there for one day. I couldn't help but be obesessed.

  But like, not in a creepy way or anything...

  The Cathedral was probably the biggest place I’d ever stayed in. I had foster parents, once upon a time, that had a big house, but it was nothing compared to this place. I imagined this is what staying at a college felt like. The dorms, all the facilities close together. Everyone up in everyone else’s business. It was hard not to know everyone elses business.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  I loved the feeling of freedom here. I could be anywhere here. There were no locks on the doors. I didn’t have a set time for dinner, that if I missed, I'd go hungry. For once, I felt like a human being instead of a piece of furniture.

  I ran up the spiral stairs leading to the main part of the church, just to feel my heart race. I weaved and leapt over ancient unused pews and made my way to the bell tower. The old stained glass filtered moonlight into the empty church, and I was eager to get to the top. The climb was exhausting, but the view up here was always worth it.

  Looking out at the busy city streets of Toronto, I felt alive. Being part of the Order, I felt like part of something. I took in the night air and exhaled hard.

  “What are you doing up here Anders?” The deep voice behind me, startled the crap out of me. I spun around to see Gideon standing with his arms crossed, looking out the other side of the bell tower. I would never know how he could tell it was me without looking.

  “I thought I’d come up for some air. Gets cramped down there sometimes.” I smoothed back my mess of hair, but it popped forward despite my best efforts.

  Master Gideon was an imposing man. He stood well over six feet tall, with strong, corded muscles. You'd like he was a pro boxer or something.

  “I too come here for air. And to think. My students have a way of getting under my skin.” Gideon said, still not turning to look at me. So I moved to stand beside him. His face was grim looking as usual. His hardened ebony face and dark eyes stared out, lost in thought. His hair had begun to grey since we’d first met. He often told me it was our fault. All of us Chosen.

  “I can leave if you want. I don’t mean to be a pain in the ass.” I told him, feigning innocence. He rolled his eyes and turned his head slightly to look at me.

  “If you were truly a pain in my ass, I would throw you from this tower.” He said plainly. There was no smile or laugh. I couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. “There is enough room up here for both of us.” He said after a moment. I sighed in relief.

  “How are you liking it here?” Gideon’s voice lost some of its grim tone. I threw my hands behind my head and leaned against the stone tower.

  “It’s not so bad.” My arrogance didn’t faze him the way it did the others. He simply looked back out at the world, busy lights reflecting off his eyes.

  “It’s better than most of the places I’ve been. I know I haven’t been around a long time, but my nineteen years feel like a lifetime. I’m sick of bouncing from place to place.” I felt a lump form in my throat and I quickly choked it down.

  Gideon looked at me, but this time it was fatherly. He puts a firm hand on my shoulder. It was foreign feeling for me, but it felt right in this moment.

  “This is your home now Anders. These people are your family. You don’t need to feel alone or misplaced anymore.” Three simple sentences, said like statements of fact. Like no one could challenge him on it. Those words would stick with me, deep in the back of my mind. My concept of family was deeply skewed, but somehow this made sense to me.

  “I’ve never really had a place to call home and family is such a bizarre concept to me.” I told him, more thinking out loud.

  “When something feels right, in your heart, it will feel like warmth of a summer night. This is home. Home can be a place, a person, or a feeling. You decide what home means to you Anders. You fill your life with the people, places and feelings you want. Grab hold of your life and take control. The Order has given you this chance.” He crossed his arms again, and moved for the stairs.

  “Perhaps, the bell tower is too small for two. I have had enough air. I will see you later.” And with that he departed leaving me with a heap of emotions and this damn lump in my throat. I smoothed back my hair, over and over, nervously.

  Once upon a time, from this height, I would have thought about jumping. Years of neglect and abuse and pain. But here, up in this bell tower, with the city below…

  With the Order, I felt alive. I felt refreshed. Like I could take on the world. I could earn the money I needed to forge the life I wanted. I was the master of my fate now.

  When Gideon found me, I was nothing, but I would become something great here.

  I felt like nothing could stop me.

  Up here, looking out at the city, I felt like a king.