Hearing Adam's firm promise Alina turned towards him on the park bench. The despair that had clouded her eyes began to recede just a little. A tiny flicker of her old resilience returned.
She took a deep breath a shaky sound in the quiet evening air. And then she began to tell him what had happened. She began to explain the source of her profound sadness.
The scene flashed back. It was the first day at the Academy. As Alina separated from Eric at the fork in the path she followed the female Academy staff member. She was led towards the girls' dormitory.
When she went inside the dormitory compound she saw a scene very similar to the one Eric had faced. A large group of new first-year girls was already gathered in the center of the courtyard. They were standing in a tense silent cluster. And surrounding them were many older students second and third-year girls.
