And it happens again.
The death of the livestock happened again. This time it was much more terrible because, in fact, now a caretaker was also injured in the backyard. The female caretaker was found with a broken leg, clawed back, perforated stomach, one breast torn open, and half of her face missing. He was so dying when a security guard who was on duty in the early hours of the morning, saw him through a surveillance camera and immediately approached the location where the caretaker was. So that's how the news spread quickly. Ambulance and police sirens blended into one, breaking the stillness of the early morning hours.
Luke heard from the grapevine that the security guard was under suspicion because he did not watch the surveillance camera monitor screen during the incident so he could prevent it. But in the end si. The security guard was let go because the surveillance cameras at some points could not record properly. Yeah, anyway, according to Dem's narrative, some of the surveillance cameras in this place were deliberately damaged so that people could still do immoral things without having a track record.
Then actually it wasn't only the security guard who was being interrogated, but almost all of them too.
"Why do we also have to be interrogated? Even though I was determined not to get involved with cases and the police," grumbled Luke. Well , he was also part of the 137 students who were examined.
Then Valley said, "Because they say the cops found footprints leading into our dormitory building."
Suddenly Sammy screamed.
"Oh really?! No! We're in real danger if the bear makes it into the dormitory! Hey, Luke! You have to take responsibility!"
"Me? Why me? What has that got to do with me? And you, Sam, shut your mouth before all the words that come out of you become slander," Luke replied. Very annoyed with this one guy. He reminded him of Adam Dawson.
Sammy who did not seem to accept, also replied to my words. It seems like he's the type of person who doesn't want to lose.
He said, “Slander? Oh, my goodness, Luke. You think the news about you drinking cow's blood is slander? Or about you being lost in the forest is also slander? Well, I'll tell you if you still don't understand the situation! Everyone thinks that it was you who opened the back gate and entered the forest that the wild animals found their way here. The wild animal has smelled your blood and followed here. So, that's why you have to take responsibility!” He squeaked at length based on what crossed his empty head, that's why Luke couldn't be angry with this one guy.
"You crazy boy."
That was all Luke could say to Sammy and left the dinner table with many pairs of eyes on Luke. Valley himself, he still continues to follow while saying repeatedly;
"Ignore it, Luke. It will also reportedly subside on its own."
Even so, the tragedy still created mass fear, especially among female students. There are those who refuse to picket in the livestock barn area and backyard. Horrified if the beast managed to get in again and pounce on them. Moreover, the caretaker who was dying finally breathed his last after five hours in the hospital.
Then, an ultimatum was broadcast throughout the building. It goes like this;
To all residents of Saint Montero Juvenile - Youth Center. Due to the recent incident, we, the management of the Youth Center, have made several new regulations that must be obeyed.
1. Students are encouraged to always go in groups with a ratio of girls and boys of at least 2:1.
2. The maximum activity limit is after dinner. After that time, students who are caught hanging around the Youth Center wherever they are, will be dealt with harshly.
3. Each room is required to guard alternately for the safety of the occupants of each room. The head of the room will be contacted by the Head of Dormitory in the near future.
There is no tolerance for rule breakers.
Nb; If there are additional regulations, they will be revised as soon as possible. Please pay attention for safety together.
Luke couldn't say much because that was just standard advice. On the other hand, Luke can mention several security improvements such as the addition of surveillance cameras, especially those that lead to the maple forest in the backyard, installation of barbed wire throughout the fence and back gate, automatic alarms that will scream loudly if someone enters the livestock barn. without confirmation, as well as the placement of several police officers.
This place, which was originally a home as well as a school for children with legal problems to make it better and more humane, is now like a military base. Because some boys are also believed to hold weapons. This gives rise to some malice for others due to feelings of fear. But then Gaelic, the largest and most respected of all, shouted at the protestors;
“You say we are unfair for only giving weapons to a few children?! What do you mean unfair?! Now Luke asks you guys, if everyone is given access to these weapons, can you guarantee that you will use them responsibly?! Can you guys?! Listen carefully, son! Those we have armed have been tested by the police and signed an agreement that if there is a violation then those who are armed will be sentenced to life in prison. If it was you guys, would you be up for it?!”
Everyone fell silent, then Gaelic added, “This is not a joke. We all don't know how big and how the wild animals got in and killed all of our livestock. If the livestock runs out, it's not impossible for all of us to become the next target. You guys are just kids with a criminal status. Other than that, you're still just normal teenagers. So, stick to what we arrange here.”
The Gaelic words weren't wrong, but Luke and Valley kept looking at each other without warning because now their view of Gaelic had changed somewhat. Especially Valley's look at the huge caretaker after hearing what the Gaelic did to Luke and what he had seen with his own eyes.
Well, so the situation in this place right now could be called a threat's silence. Dem who first coined this term. The reason is, we are all under threat of danger that has not been caught and is not yet clearly known, and the location of the Youth Center building which is surrounded by Maple forest is also quite far from residential areas. The nearest building is a motel about seven miles away. After all, Luke cursed the people who had the idea, designed and funded this kind of goddamn place!
Hey, I mean, Luke understands that this is kind of a place to give kids in trouble with the law a second chance. But can't the government build it in a normal area and close to the city? Like for example in Chicago or in Dallas or in Los Angeles. At least they could order Domino's Pizza. That's definitely better.
“Bright! Rose!”
He heard Dem calling them both. Luke turned around, and so did Valley. Found Dem walking down the corridor with three people from another room.
"What is it? Where are you from?" he asked.
“I just finished meeting with the Head of Dormitory…” answered Dem while pointing randomly behind his back, “… along with the other head of the room too. Oh yes, you two, please gather all our room boys. I have something to talk to you all about."
"We? You mean we have to find them all?”
"Yes."
"It's almost dinner, so why not wait for them all to gather in the dining hall?"
"Great idea. Now, go find them,” said Dem, remaining in his stance. Damn guy.
Dem walked past them, then turned around to say, “ Well, you two shouldn't be wandering around alone. Isn't it written in the rules? If the officials find out, you won't be the only ones punished. But one room we can be punished. Jason, can you accompany them?”
Then, without any protest, the boy with glasses Jason who looks geeky, nodded and joined them. Really going around looking for room occupants just to fulfill Dem's wishes. Yeah… I mean; Damn !
Luckily Jason didn't complain much, and luckily again, they only had to look for the occupants of the classrooms and soup kitchens. Well , this is Jason's idea actually. Luke and Valley had been grumbling all the time because it would surely take a long time to search for all the occupants of the rooms in such a large building.
So, Jason said, “Try to remember the class schedules that your roommates take or their picket schedules. Don't we have much time to relax here?”
“Oh, that's right. Nice idea, Jackson," Valley chirps.
"Jason." The boy corrected his own name, but Luke didn't care.
And let's just fast forward to twenty minutes later where Dem gathers them all in the bedroom—technically it's Luke and Valley who got them together before dinner. Once again, Dem told the contents of his meeting with the Head of Dormitory which, to be honest, was too long-winded. They talk about the rules that have been written and only waste time listening to ideas and suggestions from the leaders of the dorms that are actually not that significant. Well, that's what Dem himself said.
“Humph! In fact, right, it could just be handing out leaflets or pasting new writing on top of yesterday's regulations. Why bother getting people to come there, anyway?! Yeah, even if it means Luke doesn't have to be picky about tending the pumpkin patch. But actually Luke prefers to take care of the pumpkin patch than participate in the meeting earlier. such an idiot!” grumbled Dem. He let out an annoyed breath and spoke again.
"Okay, forget about that. Well, the reason why I gathered you guys together was to tell the nightly guard duty schedule,” he said, causing them all to spontaneously groan in unison.
Oh, what bad luck. Already isolated here, not having much free time, and now having to work the night watch because of the goddamned wild animals that ate all their livestock.
What an asshole!
***
(End of Season 1)