Popcorn Land (6)
We're One Big Popcorn Family
‘Something to Consider’ by me, Jacob Cannon, in Photoshop
DONN
Donn walked down the halls as he had a thousand times a few years back as a student. He saw the various lockers he once held, damaged or painted over. The banner that once proudly said:
‘Estelle Academy: Finest in the World’
had been removed and replaced by a bold red banner that said, rather not symmetrically in yellow letters,
‘POPCORN LAND’
“Where did the name come from?” Donn asked the girl assigned to take him to his room. “What is ‘Popcorn’? Is it a type of corn?”
“You’ll be staying right through here.” She opened the door to one of the old teacher’s bedrooms. He recognized the chipped off name still engraved on the wall. It was his math teacher, Mrs. Layton’s room. He didn’t want to ask what happened to her. He sat down on the bed and shrugged.
“I didn’t bring any clothes.”
“We’ll provide you with plenty of options outside your door if that’s alright with you.”
“Or books to read.”
“The library is always open. Just don’t disturb the Thinkers.”
“The Thinkers. Right. What’s your name?”
“Huun.”
“Thank you, Huun.”
“Of course. If you need anything at all just ring the bell by your bed. Have a good night, Sir Donn.”
“Just Donn. Only a squire. Hey Huun, there was some sort of commotion happening with the Leaders Three as we were getting back up to the school. Did something happen?”
“Oh. Nothing you need to worry about. They caught some kids out past curfew. It happens now and again.”
“Lots of kids try to escape?”
“Not really. Many of them were orphans before all this… some have families they would sooner die than return to. Oenus is a predatory nation that feeds on violence and displays of power. They hit their kids and then got mad that one day they started hitting back.”
“Maybe. This place doesn’t seem much different. All the torture and killing and whatnot.”
“We punish those who seek to do us harm, but Popcorn Land is a family. One most of these kids never had. One I never had. But here we learn to care for each other. Look out for one another. Even if we don’t always get along. That’s what family is supposed to be. It could be that way for you too, Donn. You wouldn’t be a squire or a knight but you’d be valued. You’d be respected. Something to consider.”
With that, Huun smiled and took off back down the hall, leaving Donn to dwell in her words. He took another look at the faded name on the door and closed it behind him. He paced around the room, opened every drawer and closet, inspected every inch.
There was an odd smell that he couldn’t quite place. There were stains on the wall, on the ground. The blinds on the window were cracked and broken. When he entered the bathroom, it was more of the same.
Donn looked into his own eyes in the dirty mirror. They looked tired. He felt tired, in that moment. But he had a mission.
Leaving the door slightly ajar, Donn made his way down the main hall toward the library. There were kids running around, laughing and playing. Some of the older ones were having more serious conversations in groups of two or three. The conversations he used to have, rushing to class past the lockers and posters, were about academic performance and who he had a crush on.
Now they discuss war, survival, trade, and likely still who they have crushes on. But laughter still filled the halls.
The library was slightly rearranged and Donn noticed piles of books all around. The shelves were chaotic messes and many of the books themselves had been torn and crumpled. The tall ceilings and columns that once felt grand were nothing but a monument to what the place once was.
Donn instinctively began organizing the shelves when he was approached by a Thinker.
“Oh, sorry.” Donn laughed and put his hands up. “I just like things neat.”
“Donn?” The Thinker’s voice squeaked as she hugged him tight. “Didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Jazmine,” Donn replied in a state of shock. It was the only other kid in school who cared for history as much as he did. Who spent as much time in the library as he did. She was, in what felt like a previous life, his best friend.
She was the headmaster’s daughter, Jazmine Loid.
“Jaz, I… I’m so sorry.”
“You’re? Why, what’s happened?”
“Lords. Your father… he… he’s dead. These people killed him. Sent us his head in a bag. I… returned it to your mother. I’m so sorry, Jazmine.”
The girl looked down at the ground in silence. Donn reached out her hand and placed it on her shoulder.
“Thanks for telling me.” She picked up his hand, grabbed it and then released it back.
“We can get you out of here you know. I’m working with Lady Feirwell and—”
“I appreciate catching up with you, Donn. Hope we cross paths again soon.”
“Don’t you want a chance to stop them? For your mom? For your sister…?”
“Goodnight, Donn.”
“I- I’m sorry. I shouldn’t’ve—” He tried to say, but she was already walking away.
Donn found himself alone in the messy library. He looked out his favorite window into the dark abyss and wondered what awaited for him when the sun shone again. Finally, he slapped himself across the face and returned to his room. He might not sleep, but he’d brought a book back with him. He lay down on his bed and held the book open up to the ceiling. In big, golden text on the side, it read:
The Greatest Weapon in the World
by Laina Estelle