New order

I couldn’t shake off the thoughts that Raven had shared with me about Sebastian. His pain, his struggles, the immense burden he carried—all of it weighed heavily on my mind. I spent the entire day in my room, lost in contemplation. I felt a deep sympathy for him, but also a sense of helplessness. How could I, someone so small in his world, possibly make a difference?

Sophia noticed my absence but chose not to disturb me. She went about her tasks and returned later in the day, casting a concerned glance my way but saying nothing. I appreciated her silence, needing the space to process everything.

I fell asleep thinking about Sebastian, wondering how he managed to carry such a heavy load on his shoulders. His past haunted him, and now, his present was filled with betrayal and distrust. I vowed to myself to find a way to help him, even if it was just by being there for him.

The next morning, as we were preparing for the day, there was a knock on the door. Sophia, who usually took charge, went to answer it. "Who is it?" she called out, her voice steady but curious.

Everyone in the room tensed up, half expecting it to be Sebastian again, coming to implement new rules. Anxiety filled the air as we waited for the reply.

"It's me, Raven," came the response.

Everyone sighed in relief, though the tension didn’t completely dissipate. Raven’s presence was unusual; she rarely visited our quarters. Sophia opened the door, and Raven stepped inside, her face as calm and cold as ever.

"I was sent by Sebastian to give you orders," she began without preamble. "He is attending a serious meeting, so he asked me to inform you of his decision regarding the next leader of this place. Sophia, you have been chosen."

There was a collective gasp of surprise. Sophia herself looked taken aback. "Me? Are you sure? I don’t have any special qualifications or anything. Why me?"

Raven’s expression remained unchanged. "Apparently, you’ve been here the longest after Nancy. But that’s not why Sebastian chose you. He’s learned his lesson about experience being potentially dangerous. He chose you because he sees that you have a certain amount of control over these girls. It’s not about trust or special expectations; it’s about necessity. Do your best."

With that, Raven turned to leave, but not before adding, "I hope you all work together or whatever." Then she walked out, leaving the room buzzing with murmurs.

Sophia stood with her back to us, likely processing the weight of her new responsibility. I could hear the whispers of the girls behind me.

"She's our new boss?"

"Wow, I didn’t see that coming."

"She does have authority over some girls."

The murmurs continued until Sophia turned to face us, her expression firm. "Quiet," she commanded, and the room fell silent. "I have been chosen. I did not wish to be chosen, but I have been. Whatever thoughts or ideologies you have in your heads, keep them there. You will follow your leader, and for now, I am that leader."

She paused, looking each of us in the eye. "I expect cooperation. We must form a bond with each other because this is not a job for the weak. You have all shown strength. Create a sisterhood in this place where everyone is a stranger instead of creating enemies. I hope to work well with all of you. Thank you."

"Yes, ma'am," we chorused in response, acknowledging her authority.

The next day, Sophia’s leadership was immediately evident. She enforced a strict schedule, ensuring everyone was up before 8 a.m. There was no lounging around; everyone had a task. Groups of girls were assigned to clean different areas—the dorms, the toilets, the rooms. Some changed the sheets, while others carried them to be washed.

It was impressive how quickly she adapted to her new role, giving out orders with confidence and ensuring that everything was running smoothly. I found myself thinking, "I guess this is a new era. New commands and new things are in place." With the way things were looking, I was sure Sebastian would appreciate Sophia’s no-nonsense approach to managing the compound.

I watched as Sophia navigated her new responsibilities with a mixture of admiration and relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted, knowing someone capable was at the helm. Yet, my thoughts constantly drifted back to Sebastian. His struggles were far from over, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed more than just a well-run compound.

Days turned into a week, and the compound settled into a new rhythm under Sophia’s leadership. The girls were more disciplined, and there was a sense of purpose in the air. Tasks were completed efficiently, and there was less tension among us.

One evening, as we gathered for a rare moment of rest, Sophia addressed us. "I know this transition has been sudden, and I appreciate your cooperation. We’re stronger together, and I believe we can create a supportive environment for each other. If anyone has concerns or needs help, please come to me."

Her words were met with nods of agreement. It was clear that the girls respected her and were willing to follow her lead.

As I lay in bed that night, I felt a sense of hope. Perhaps this change was the beginning of something better for all of us. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but worry about Sebastian. I knew he was fighting battles far more complex than we could imagine, and I resolved to find a way to be there for him, no matter what.

The next morning, we were all preparing for our tasks when there was another knock on the door. Sophia went to answer it, and this time, we all waited with bated breath, wondering who it could be.

"It's me, Raven," came the familiar voice.

Sophia opened the door, and Raven stepped inside. "I have more instructions from Sebastian," she said, her tone business-like. "He wants to ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. He appreciates the work being done and expects it to continue."

She handed Sophia a list of tasks and guidelines. "This should help you manage things more effectively," Raven added before turning to leave.

As she walked out, Sophia looked at the list and began delegating tasks. The efficiency and order she brought to the compound were evident, and the girls responded positively.

I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for Sophia. She had stepped up when we needed her most, and her leadership was making a difference. But my thoughts kept returning to Sebastian. I needed to find a way to connect with him, to offer my support in whatever way I could.