Thomas smiled grimly as he lay on his bunk, fascinatedly watching a lone spider devour the flying insect which had foolishly flown into its sticky web. His tried to move his head to get a better view, as the tiny window above his bed let little of the late evening light through, but moved it back as the bag which lay underneath his thin pillow was hurting his neck. He’d have to find another place for it – a safe one. But, it was today to sign up, or not at all, and he needed work that he’d be good at. He wasn’t good much at thinking ahead.

Thomas had chosen the top bunk, not because it was the more comfortable one, necessarily, but because short people generally like to be somewhere up high. It gave him a kind of borrowed stature, although he’d never admit it. Of course, it was safer too, because if roomates tried to attack him, at least he’d have the advantage. Too bad he would have to climb up over one of them to make it to his so-christened place of sanctuary, but there were risks to everything…

He heard a footstep near the door, and realized he’d been daydreaming too hard, (One day they’ll get you, Thomas!) and spun his body around, coming face to face with…