The morning sun was already peeking out. The admin block buzzed with quiet activity. The students' shoes were damp from the water droplets on the grass. They now stood in silence along the walkways. No one knew what to say.
Lily stood by the door, her backpack slung over one shoulder, hands tucked into her hoodie. Her heart pounded hard against her ribs, not from fear, but from the realization that this was reality. She could see the black van, its engine humming low like a beast waiting to devour its prey. Zack was already standing by the van, arms folded, his eyes distant. He looked calm, but Lily had learned to read beyond his calm exterior. His fingers tapped against his forearm in a quiet rhythm.
Footsteps approached. It was Daisy. Her eyes were swollen, but she smiled anyway.
"So... this is goodbye."
Lily reached forward and pulled her into a tight hug. Tighter than she had intended.
"I'll write to you," Daisy whispered, even if she knew letters never came from Facility 9. No one ever writes back.
They held hands and walked to where Zack was standing by the van.
Zack gave Daisy a small wave.
"Don't worry. Even if they brainwash me, I'll still remember your sarcasm."
Daisy let out a choked laugh. The tears were now freely streaming down her face.
"I'll miss you guys."
"This isn't goodbye," Lily said softly.
"But it feels like it," Daisy whispered.
"You'll be fine." Zack held her hand, giving it a small squeeze.
"You don't know that," Daisy looked at him deeply. "I'm most afraid of being alone. Life is not going to feel the same without you guys."
"You'll be fine. I think you will." He pulled her into a hug. Her shoulders trembled as she buried her face in his chest. Zack stood still, allowing her to cry while patting her back gently.
Lily watched them. She gave Zack a small smile, then nodded.
Daisy pulled away, sniffling. She walked back to Lily and slipped a small box into her hand. She held that hand one last time, then turned to leave—afraid she would run after the van if she didn't.
She turned back one last time and ran away.
"Daisy, I'll wait for you next year!" Lily clenched her fist and shouted after her, the warm feeling of Daisy's hand still lingered.
A sharp whistle broke through the air. The driver gestured impatiently. Lily climbed into the van decisively. Zack climbed in after her. The door slammed shut once the other candidates had settled in. The engine growled louder as the van drove away.
And just like that, the Hope Sector began to fade behind them. Neither spoke for a long time. Zack leaned back against the seat and muttered,
"This better be worth it."
Lily didn't respond. She stared out the window, clutching her locket.
---
The van disappeared into the distance like it had never been there—except for the dust left behind, still yet to settle. Daisy stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window for a long time. Even if she didn't want to watch them leave, she couldn't help it.
They're really gone.
She hated how quiet everything was now. Not the kind that brought peace, but the kind that settled deep in your heart like a bruise.
She turned back and stared at the neat bed on the other side of the room. The mint-scented candle Lily always forgot to blow out still sat on the little bookshelf above her bed.
Daisy sat on the rug she'd sat on yesterday, with the memory of Lily standing by the window quietly watching the world like she always did. Zack had been on the chair, his eyes flickering across the pages of his book. Now, they weren't there anymore.
She picked up Lily's blanket, clutching it to her chest. It still smelled like her—that clean scent with a hint of mint. She let her tears fall freely this time.
Why does it feel like I've lost something more than just friends?
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, then glanced at the window. The sun had risen fully, casting long golden streaks across the room.
For Hope Sector, the day would go on. Classes would resume as usual. But for Daisy, room 216 would never be the same again.