"What is it?" Judah responds.
"For example, on my way to school I was just minding my own business, and then I got ambushed by Gage and his minions."
"YOU SNITCH!" one of the goons shouts.
"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING MINIONS?!"
"Anyway," Gadeon continues, unfazed, "that was out of my control. I never expected that to happen, nor did I plan for it. It just appeared out of the blue. If I had stood there and done nothing, I would've been hurt. So I was put in a situation I never planned for — detention just happened."
Gaedric's son is really well-spoken… and sharp, Judah notes internally. Kurtiz too.
"Just because something was unfair," Judah says calmly, "doesn't mean it wasn't still part of the plan."
"Huh?" Gadeon frowns.
"You're right — it's unfortunate you were caught up in that situation," Judah continues. "And sometimes we are limited in our planning. What happened to you may not have been your intention, if what you're saying is true."
Well… Gadeon thinks. I knew that area was their territory. But I'm not running or hiding from a bunch of kids. I'm Jason. I can go wherever I want.
"But just because we're limited," Judah adds, "doesn't mean we can't plan."
"That still sounds unfair," one of Gage's goons mutters.
"Life is unfair," Judah replies flatly. "And that's something you should learn now — before the shock of it breaks you later."
"And that's where our Tribal way teaches us to adapt," Kurtiz says, nodding.
"Exactly," Judah agrees. "Gadeon, stealing a vehicle was a choice — and that choice planned a punishment, whether you liked it or not."
Gadeon stiffens.
"But in that moment," Judah continues, "you still had options. You could've run toward the public. Called for help. There were civilians around."
He pauses.
"Quick thinking. Discernment. Wisdom. That's what makes someone outstanding — not just strength."
"Yeah, but there was a lot going on in that moment. There was no way I was going to think all—"
"Trust me," Judah cuts in sternly. "Another person in your scenario would've taken a different approach. And honestly, what I want to say is this: you should be thankful that your plan didn't get you killed."
Shit. He's right.
Gadeon thinks. It was only instinct that let me drive that vehicle—because in my old life I knew how to drive. Movies, experience, muscle memory. I just applied everything I already knew.
"We're not in control of our lives," Judah says calmly. "That's something you need to always remember."
"Yes I am in control of my life!" Gadeon snaps. "What do you mean?"
The room turns toward him.
"Are you really?" Judah asks. "So you planned to be here?"
Gadeon stutters.
"Did you plan to not be able to use Chi-Lungs?" Judah continues. "In fact, let me ask all of you this—has everything you've planned since the day you were born ever gone exactly to plan?"
He pauses.
"Actually, what am I saying? You're all too young. You've barely lived life."
Judah exhales, then speaks again.
"So I'll say it properly this time. You are not in control of your lives—
that's why we plan for our lives, not our lives."
"But… you just said the same thing," Sheriff points out.
I was just about to say that, Gadeon thinks.
"No, he didn't say the same thing," Kurtiz says.
Gadeon stiffens, embarrassed, and stays quiet.
"You can't fully plan something you have no control over," Kurtiz continues. "That's why we can't plan our lives. But we can plan for them."
Judah nods slightly.
"We intentionally design our lives—our days, routines, habits, schedules, relationships—the entire web of it—so that we're prepared to reach a destination, even when things don't go as planned."
"Ahhh…" Kurtiz murmurs, a thrill lighting his face. "That makes sense. That makes so much sense."
Up until now, I thought I was doing something with my life, Kurtiz thinks.
But in reality… I've just been freestyling it. Winging everything.
And even so—look where that got me.
But what if I start being intentional now?
Okay. So far, there's an aim to this detention. A purpose. It's not just a mindless punishment.
That explains why the countdown keeps resetting.
But not only that—Sir Judah doesn't mind us talking.
Which means the goal isn't silence.
However… there is a noise limit.
Earlier, when Gage and his friends were talking at the back, it didn't seem to bother Sir Judah at all.
But when Sheriff spoke at the same noise level from the front, the countdown reset.
Why?
Kurtiz scans the room.
Is it the same noise level, but distance changes the effect?
But why would distance matter?
Is it because Sheriff was distracting Sir Judah?
But then—why does the timer also reset if someone is doing nothing?
That shouldn't be distracting either.
Then Kurtiz remembers the beginning of detention.
Sir Judah said it irritates him when people waste time doing nothing.
Is that just a personal preference?
Different teachers run detentions differently.
Some don't care what you do as long as you're quiet.
Others make you write apology letters, reflections, essays.
So maybe Sir Judah genuinely hates wasted time.
Maybe he's using detention to teach us how to use time.
But then… what exactly is the countdown?
It can't be fake.
And is he really counting?
Kurtiz watches Sir Judah closely.
There's a massive stack of paperwork in front of him.
However, he's not working—but watching the students.
There's no way he can be counting in his head while doing all that. Even if he's multitasking, that paperwork clearly needs focus.
Focus.
Distraction.
Distraction…
The word echoes.
When we first entered detention, Sir Judah didn't even look at us.
His eyes were glued to the paperwork—completely locked in.
But every time the noise hits a certain level, he looks up.
Not to watch us.
But because his focus breaks.
So the countdown isn't time.
It's his paperwork.
The countdown is how long it takes him to finish it.
That's why Sheriff reset the timer—because he's sitting right at the front. Even at the same volume, Sheriff's voice pulls Sir Judah's attention away more than Gage's voice at the back.
And when Sir Judah looks up—even briefly, maybe just to rest his eyes—that's when he notices people doing nothing.
Not intentionally watching us.
Just… catching it.
And it doesn't help that Sheriff is right in front of him.
Okay…
This is all making sense.
"Okay," Kurtiz mutters under his breath, a grin spreading across his face.
"This is all making sense."
Gadeon keeps staring at him. However, Kurtiz remains lost in his thoughts, feeling as though he is on the verge of cracking the case — the true purpose of this detention.
Now that I know what the countdown really is, what's the lesson behind it? What are we supposed to learn? Yes, the detention resets because Sir Judah gets distracted from finishing his work, but why not punish just the one person causing it? Why does everyone get punished for one person's actions?
If I were Sir, dealing with kids who constantly get into fights and trouble, why would I punish the whole group for the mistake of one?
Kurtiz closes his eyes, searching for clues — replaying Sir Judah's words from earlier.
Sir Judah was dead serious about the fight this morning… about the public damage… about how someone could've been hurt.
Kurtiz's eyes snap open.
Someone could've got hurt?
Ahh… that's it.
The purpose of this detention isn't just punishment — it's to show how our actions affect the people around us. Not just ourselves, but innocent people caught in the middle. Gang fights, violence — they don't just hurt the fighters, they hurt everyone nearby.
I see… I see.
So to solve this, everyone has to come together — unity, peace, moving as one. Is that what you're trying to teach us, Sir Judah?
But that's impossible.
Gage's goons and us — the ones who can't use Chi-Lungs — we're rivals. Still, they're not the biggest problem. I can manage them, especially now that Gage is out of the picture.
There's one more person who'll ruin everything if he stays.
Let's see if they can help.
Kurtiz looks over at Gadeon and notices him staring straight back. Kurtiz offers a polite smile.
Gadeon visibly flinches.
That Gadeon kid… I don't know why, but Glace always gets involved whenever he's around.
He's not really one of us. He can breathe underwater, but he can't flex — so I guess we relate in some way. I've only spoken to him once, and that was when Glace told me to approach him and mention his name. Apparently, he wandered into Gage's territory and they ended up fighting.
That surprised me. He doesn't look like the type to get dragged into gang conflicts.
But from what I've heard — and from what I've seen — he's incredibly prideful. He carries himself like he's better than everyone else. People like that usually bring trouble, so I've always kept my distance.
However, today… he's the key to this plan.