Samantha stood at ease at the corner of the parade square. Across the parade square, two distinct sets of ranks of Marines faced the Old Man: three ro...s of the by-now well-disciplined first draft in front, and the three ranks of the less-well-disciplined second draft behind. Two thousand men and women, most patiently waiting for the next order from Colonel Michael Deschenes.Some of the men and women were newly-promoted NCO's from the first draft to arrive at Thule, including her father, Bob. George. From there, it was just a couple blocks to the apartment that Tom and his roommates lived in. There, Alison was introduced to Tom’s girlfriend, Leslie, and to Roger, who shared the place. They all stopped their studies and headed to a nearby bistro for mid-morning coffee.Alison choked and sputtered, determined she would find a way through this. She did not want to die. The man removed his knee from her back but kept one hand pressed in the small of her back as he finished yanking her. ’ ‘He eats bees. Watch him.’ She saw the lizard slam the bee’s butt on a stem then swallow it head first. ‘Wow, and intelligent lizard.’ ‘I taught him all he knows.’ He did not find her giggle insulting. Justine loved the patio jungle and was amazed at the multi-colored flower hibiscus. Her name was Sybil, she of many personalities. ‘Good name,’ Justine had said. She was amazed to hear Justin had grafted it together and asked him if he had already taken down the lightning rod scaffolding. ‘No,. I know everything now, Am?lie,and I know how we can reverse it."I heard voices in the corridor. My parents. My father was having apassionate discussion about the state of education with my principal.I turned and looked at Am?lie viciously. "What the hell is he doinghere?" Am?lie wilted momentarily under my severe gaze, but she regainedher composure quickly.She replied evenly, "I called him. I thought he might know where youwere. I went with Alyssa to Flanagans, but you had already left. I.