Contents
3. Surviving Hell (High School)
Overview
Alexis endures bullying and homelessness while obsessively preparing for the Spartan merit test to secure a future for herself and Charlie. A viral video of the Crimson Duo underscores the world’s brutality. After Charlie bloodies a classmate, Alexis is tasked to rein him in, then the siblings return to their fragile shelter, affirming their bond amid hunger and looming danger.
Summary
At dawn in 2099, neon-flickering lights set the tone as Alexis, a homeless senior, tries to focus on the Riemann Hypothesis and her goal to score in the top .001% on the Spartan merit test, the path she believes will save her and Charlie. Classmates mock her smell and status until a new Spartan Lifestyle video about the famed Crimson Duo hijacks the room.
The class projects footage of Achilles and Patro capturing and torturing a Titan. Alexis recoils at the violence and cultlike adoration, while Nyx, her invisible snake companion, provides darkly comic commentary. The clip ends with Achilles smashing the camera, leaving the class awestruck and Alexis disturbed.
In the halls watched by armed WSDL-identified guards, Josh, a former tutee, presses unwanted attention on Alexis, even suggesting sex; she flees to the library. Dorean, the formidable librarian, directs her to the principal, where Alexis is told to punish Charlie for beating Brandon after being pushed. Alexis agrees, though overwhelmed by the expectation placed on two homeless teens.
After school, in pouring rain, Alexis and Charlie navigate back to their trailer-park encampment behind a barbed-wire gate that has improbably kept Titans out. Charlie signs his fears and guilt; Alexis reassures him that self-defense is allowed and they reaffirm their bond, touching matching “C+A” tattoos.
They reach their concealed cardboard shelter, greeted by Fluffy, their rescued husky. Alexis hides newly earned food vouchers, and the three settle in with classical music and homework, rationing jerky and hope. As gratitude briefly warms Alexis, an ominous sense of impending trouble closes the chapter.
Who Appears
- Alexis HertHomeless 19-year-old prodigy; studies for Spartan merit test, endures bullying, protects Charlie, rebuffs Josh, anchors their fragile survival.
- CharlieAlexis’s mute foster brother; fights back after being pushed, struggles with trauma, communicates via sign, bonds with Alexis and Fluffy.
- NyxInvisible snake companion; protective, homicidally witty, coils around Alexis, offers commentary and comfort.
- DoreanFormidable school librarian; enforces strict order, directs Alexis to the principal, admired by Alexis.
- JoshFormer tutee; pays with food vouchers, makes an unwanted advance that Alexis rejects.
- Mr. BrewerHomeroom teacher; indifferent, allows students to watch Spartan video.
- PrincipalSchool administrator; expects Alexis to discipline Charlie after the fight.
- JessicaClassmate bully; mocks Alexis for smelling and being homeless.
- TaylorClassmate who announces the new Crimson Duo video, fueling classroom frenzy.
- Timothy (Tim-Tom)Quarterback; pushes to project the Spartan video, adds crude commentary.
- BrandonStudent pushed Charlie first; beaten in the ensuing fight.
- AchillesCrimson Duo member seen in video; muzzled Spartan who tortures a Titan.
- Patro (Patroclus)Crimson Duo member in video; interrogates Titan and stops Achilles.
- FluffyRescued husky; loyal companion in the siblings’ shelter, well-fed on scavenged prey.