Chapter 4- Settling in a strange world
1036 Words
Settling in a strange world
A loud bang on my door woke me out of a deep sleep. A male voice came after the bang and said " Get up, it's time for your morning training". It was probably one of the guards.
I reluctantly rolled out of my bed, looked out of my window and saw that it was still a little dark. There was a wall clock in my cell room with which I saw that it was only past six in the morning.
I had already been in the facility for 3 days and I wasn't called out of my room, neither was I called to join the training. Probably, because I was new. I was only given a new pair of casual wears, a toothbrush, a towel and a pair of shoes and every other thing I needed to maintain an healthy hygiene.
I crawled off my bed and slid into my footwear lying on the floor, and headed for the door. It was already open and when I got out of my cell, I looked down the stairs and saw the others gathering in a large room. It looked like an old basketball court.
The director of the facility, Mr. Nicole came forward to address all trainees:
" Hello to everyone of you. Each and everyone of you here have been selected to join an elite force of the world's greatest warriors. Most of you here have experienced terrible things and were too helpless to defend yourself. Here, you will be trained to become strong enough to defend yourself and you won't have to go through those horrific experiences again "
When he had finished his address, he called me up and introduced me to everyone else. He said that I was new and that all other trainees were to be nice to me. Then we were dismissed.
After Mr. Nicole's address, he ordered that I come with him to his office. I went with an officer and was grouped with some other trainees. They were called "The Sluggers".
After I left the director's office, I was taken to the training ground and was introduced to a group of kids. They were about 5 in number. They all seemed to be older than me and I instantly felt intimidated.
The officer who took me to them called their attention to me and introduced me to them as their group member. He then handed me over to the group master- Miss Jane, and leaves for his post.
Miss Jane, walks up to me and asks me for my name.
"Kimiko", I responded.
She asks me how old I am and I told her I am five years old. She then introduces the other trainees in my group to me one after the other.
She firstly points at a grumpy looking boy who looked nothing below 12, and said: " that's Max, he's the oldest in the group "...... Then she points at a young girl with red hair and said: "that's Sarah, she's a sweet kid....you guys will be good friends "......
Then she points at the third girl in the group and said: " that's Jean....she doesn't talk much and isn't friends with anyone in the group but is the fiercest fighter we've got ".......
She points at the last two members of the group who are twins. " Meet Harry and Donald. They are the clowns of the group and I'm pretty sure you'll get along just fine " ..........
We all had our training exercise that morning and went for a shower shortly after the training.
A few hours later, we were called for breakfast.
I was walking through an hallway totally isolated from the world around me and trying to find the cafeteria on my own when I heard someone sneak up on me. I looked back and it was Sarah!
She looked at me and smiled.
"Trying to find the way all by yourself?", she asked......
I did not respond.
" You know you have us now and don't have to do everything on your own anymore right?", she asked again......
I just gave a nod in agreement.
Then she said:
"Come! I'll take you to the others".....
She took me by the hand and literally dragged me along till I was out of breath.
In no time, we were in the cafeteria and at our own table. Everyone was sitted already and waiting for food to be served.
I joined in and sit quietly on a small stool.
Everyone was quiet except Sarah. She kept going on and on about how hungry she was and how she was going to devour her plate of pasta and sauce.....
I was watching Jean who was sitting quietly and seemed like she was lost in thought. I wondered why she was always so quiet.
In about five minutes, food was being served by people who seemed like chefs and were wearing white aprons.
When they reached our table, one of the women serving our table stopped as if she saw a ghost and looked at me intently.
"What's your name?", she asked.........
" Kimiko ", I answered with a low tone.....
With more confusion in her eyes she whispered in my ear : " Are you by chance Tamiko's daughter ?"
" Yes, she's my mom ", I answered abruptly.....
She let out a forced gasp and dropped the spoon in her hands..... Tears formed in her eyes and she walked away as fast as possible.
I was as confused as others on my table.....
We all ate our food in silence and I walked away after I was done not waiting for Sarah.
Later that evening, Sarah found me sitting on a bench opposite the cafeteria and attacked me with series of questions.
Who was that old lady?"
"What did she say to you?"
"Why did she leave like that?"
"Do you know her from somewhere?"............
" I don't know her Sarah..... She just asked about my mom and it seemed like she knew my mom ", I say to break her chain of questions.....
Then we both sit in silence not saying a word till she left.
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- Writer
