Segment: Confession

The Trip

Lyle's P.O.V

The day has finally come for our meeting. To say that I was a nervous wreck would be an understatement. My palms were shaky and sweaty, and also very very cold. The inside of my stomach was restless. I can't even breathe properly. I look at the others and they were as messy as I was. Jamie kept on trying to calm his breathing.

This is the first time that all the higher ups are seeing us, that includes the man of everything in here, Mr. Chris Taylor, Amelia's father. Even Michelle's father who resides in France is here. I hear that Michelle's father is exceptionally nice from Jamie and I've talked to Mr. Taylor myself but I don't know about the others.

I don't want to meet the nasty people above. I don't want to but I have to. This is my gateway to the betterment of my life. I intake a deep long breath and then exhaled slowly, calming my nerves for the nth time today.

The door opens and I put on my dead-blank face even though internally, I was in turmoil.

"If your opinion is unwanted, refrain from speaking for it may sound rude to the superiors." I say in a hush, but commanding voice.

"Yes, Ma'am." they all said in unison.

"Chest out." they do as I instructed.

I dare not look at where the steps are heard. When they were already standing in front of their seats, we greeted them all in unison.

"Good morning, Superiors!" we all said in unison.

Good. Nothing's messed up yet.

"At ease. Let's sit down." Mr. Taylor instructed before taking his seat.

The others followed him after.

"I heard you did a fantastic job securing the student council, trashes." I grit my teeth.

That was Mr. Jason Ryle, a Co-Founder of System High School. His sinister smirk never ceasing as he talks to us.

"Thank you, Mr. Ryle," I bow in appreciation to his compliment.

"Heh," he says and smirks before looking away.

"You're still rough, don't forget that."

Vladimir Reid, Van's father, our Commanding Officer. They told us that he was the one who organized0 our training schedule at the workshop but we didn't really get to meet him. He always has a scowl plastered on his face. I bet if a joke was thrown at him, he wouldn't laugh.

"Give 'em a chance, man. They're still so young. But mistakes aren't welcome either."

Mr. Dave Walker, father of David, the fundraising officer in the student council. His role is Scouting President. He scouted everyone here except me. I don't know why Mr. Taylor picked me though. I could feel that Mr. Walker doesn't like me very much. With the glares and all, I'll be bound to melt in no time.

"Enough chitchat. They are busy with preparations of the trip. Let's get this over with." there was a hint of urgency in Mr. Taylor's voice. He was even stricter than when we were talking.

"Alright. Well, here are your assignments."

Zion Pearce, father of Kevin, stands up and handed us each papers with written instructions, blueprint, security and even emergency exits. He is the General Commander of the security around the island, along with Vladimir Reid.

Are we robbing someone?

"I believe someone is smart enough to crack a safe?"

Emerald Styles, the Financer. While Mr. Walker handpicks the fake student council, Mr. Styles is the one funding our equipment, our foods, our supplies, even our monthly allowance. Yes, we have monthly allowance.

"Yes, Sir. In terms of cracking codes, Gerald is the man." Gerald steps up and bows to show his respect to the superiors.

"Hmm, what does Jamie do?"

Mr. Joong-ki Young asks, father of Michelle Young.

"He can read the blueprint and instantly remembers all the escape routes, where guards are positioned even in alternative cycles. He's our map, Sir." Jamie steps up and bows to show his respect.

"Alright. I won't stop your wedding with Michelle." Jamie awkwardly chuckles.

"Thank you, Sir."

Gerald and Jamie steps back.

"You'll be going after your trip. Make sure to rest in your trip. We won't give you any tasks, not even giving the student council security. So a mistake, even a tiny mistake on the mission is unforgivable." Mr. Jason hisses, eyeing all of us with such scrutiny and authority.

"Yes, Sir. We will be successful on this mission."

Don't waver.

"Inside the safe is a very valuable object. You will spot it immediately, as easy as finding a beauty. It's wrapped in plastic with multiple layers. As I remember, it's at the center." Mr. Vladimir eyes each of us, making sure to imprint the information in our heads.

He doesn't need to. I'm memorizing everything by ear right now. I can't afford a mistake, a screw up. I need this perfect. This would be much easier if I was alone because I can scold myself and make sure that I will commit no mistakes but this is different. This time, I have other people and some people in my group doesn't get along well. It's my job to punch them in the face and follow my lead before arguing with one another.

"I will send out a vehicle for Allie to drive. Is that clear?" Mr. Taylor's commanding voice echoed throughout the session hall.

"Yes, Sir." we all said in unison.

"We will email you the information of the dispatch later. For now, rest up. This isn't an easy fight for you." Mr. Taylor knows that we aren't good with each other. Must be because he reads what Jamie is writing for them.

"Understood, Sir."

"Meeting adjourned."

We let the superiors out first before we left. It was a brief encounter but with many higher ups within our fields of vision, we were bound to shake and collapse after the meeting. And that's what Jamie and the others did, except for me and Cameron. I dare not look at him because he would be looking down on the others.

Jamie and the others fell on their knees with a thud and a loud sigh.

"That was nerve-wracking." Samantha says and puts her palm on her chest, feeling her heartbeat.

"Tell me about it." Joyce agrees with her and did the same.

"f**k. I can't believe they're sending us all out this early." Jamie hisses and runs his fingers through his hair.

"Yeah. I mean, we've barely talked to each other. What if someone in our group screws us up, huh?" Allie wobbles her way to standing.

"We still need to have our own meeting. Toughen up and let's go."

"Yes, Ma'am." some of them groaned but I understood why.

When I first met Mr. Taylor, I almost s**t my pants.

We make our way to our office and sat according to our roles.

"I trust that those mentioned earlier has their jobs imprinted in their heads?"

"Yes, President."

"Cameron, you watch our backs."

"Yes, President." he says full on submission.

"What? No. President, he'll screw us over." Kristine says in full disgust as he leers at Cameron.

"If you hadn't realized, President put me in that position because it was the most visible one. If I screw you over, then everyone will know thus you can make an enemy out of me." Cameron looks at me while he explains to everyone.

"I thought you'll turn a blind eye on that one."

"You're already wary of me, I don't want to risk my future just because of our little feud." he sighs.

"Alright. Is everyone clear on that then?" the others nodded in defeat.

"Joyce, search for the area around the manor we're going to search. Jamie, report to me how many guards are in total, classify them also as inside and outside guards. If the guards are too many and poses a threat to us, we'll have Joyce as our backup sniper, in case something happens, which I hope won't be necessary." I added.

"Yes, President." Jamie and Joyce both answer in unison.

"Kristine will be Gerald's personal guard as he cracks open the safe. We need him guarded. Samantha, you're in frontline."

"Understood, President."

"Noted, President."

"President?" Joyce raises her hands.

"Yes,"

"Unfortunately, it's a secluded area. I can't find any suitable position for me to snipe."

"President, the number of guards vary on the time and the day." Jamie adds.

Well, that's hard.

"We need to devise an alternative plan. We don't know when the superiors will give us the orders to infiltrate the location. We need Plan A for the weekdays and plan B for the weekends, along with plans for dispatching the troop without getting harmed."

"I can look at the blueprint and see any areas where we can hide and run if trouble comes and finds us."

"Alright, Jamie. You do that."

Things were getting good. We were unified right now. I just hope that this continues even on the mission.

"President, if it's a weekday, we can have Joyce as medical assist. Guards aren't as many as the weekends." Allie says.

"Yes, got that, Joyce? If it's a weekend, we're going to have you find an area where you can actually see us."

"Ah, damn. That's going to be hard. It's a two story-building."

"Wait, something's not right. Jamie, look at the blueprint and locate which level the safe is in."

"Understood."

I wait for Jamie's response as he searches the blueprint. His eyes were so focused that he could not be disturbed. His brows were knitted together.

"It's in the basement, President."

Joyce and I looked at each other before I sighed.

"Joyce, medical assist it is then."

"Understood, President."

I grab the papers that was handed earlier and read through the instructions. I'm going to hate myself for saying this but we don't have any choice.

"Cameron, you're going to have to shut the power down as soon as we get inside. As soon as we go inside, we'll assist and backup Gerald and Kristine and when Kristine and Gerald will descend the stairs, you go with them and turn the power off."

"Yes, President."

"We'll bring night vision glasses. This is to avoid arousing suspicions and for the enemies to get blinded and to not trigger the alarm the safe has."

"President, the safe won't open without power. It's the new model." Jamie adds.

"f**k. Alright. I guess this is needed. If a guard or someone tries to hinder your jobs, you have my permission to shoot."

The room went silent. All of us has killed a person, except for Jamie, but nobody knows that but what we're afraid. It is that we're going to let others see each one of us kill another human being in front of them. It wasn't really a thing to be boastful about, but this was a necessity for survival. We still have our conscience so we still can't feel happy about it.

"Where's you goddamn answer?" I shouted.

"Yes, President!" they all shouted.

"Good. After you three have located and secured the target, we regroup and keep your comms turned on always. Our plan may be compromised before or even after we secured the target so make sure to listen to orders. Got that?"

"Yes, President!"

"Ready your equipment before we head out to our trips. Make sure to bring a 7.62 pistol."

"Yes, President!"

"Dismissed!"

I was too shaken up from all of this that I didn't wait for Jamie and went directly to the dorm.

As soon as I got inside my dorm, I meditated, I prayed to a non-existent God, I tried to calm myself down. Jamie didn't text me nor called so I guess he was also shaken up.

Permission to shoot.

It kept on circling around in my head. I let out a shaky breath and collapsed on my bed.

"Please no. I'm innocent. Please!"

"I'm sorry. I'm not giving myself any choice."

The sound of me pulling the trigger rang inside my head. The woman's crying face stayed inside my head, as well as her dead state. Her eyes were opened when I pulled the trigger. I cried while I kneel and closed her eyes.

Tears suddenly started to well up in my eyes. I stare at the ceiling to not let it roll down.

"I need to toughen up. I'm going to kill a lot more than this and if I'm going to cry every time I kill someone, I'll be all dried up even before I can taste success."

I grab my training gears and head out to train at the school's Gym. Not your typical gym where a court is visible but a literal gym with training equipment.

I spent the rest of my days training and buffing myself before going to the trip. I made sure to bring everything from normal clothes to night vision glasses and s*x toys. My gut told me to bring those even though I think Amelia won't call me, and of course, the pistol. You can never be too sure. It's a new environment so we'll be at a disadvantage.

I walk down the stairs while carrying my bag. The bus was already waiting for each class. Two busses for each class. That's just how it is, even though we're only thirty-four.

I greeted everyone as I get in. They were already full.

"Oh, you guys are already full. I'll take a seat at the other bu-"

"Whaaaat? No, sit with us, President."

"President, sit with us!"

"I'll sit on your lap!"

"President, sit with us, please!"

I chuckle shyly. I'm still not used to being this wanted when I was nothing before. I look around and saw that Amelia was also here, sitting at the back, alone while looking outside the window. She was preoccupied with her thoughts.

"I'll sit with Amelia then."

"Ehhh? Whyyyy?"

"President, noooo."

"Are you going to Amelia's side now, President?"

"What? No. I'm sitting with her because she doesn't seem to want me. If I sit with one of you then everyone will get jealous and then ask me to sit with them too."

"Awe, alright then."

"Makes sense to me."

"You're right. If Amelia likes you then she should've stolen you already."

"That's why she's the President! She outsmarts everyone!"

I give them a smile and walk towards Amelia who was still deep in thought.

"Amelia? Earth to Amelia?" she snaps out of her trance and looks at me with an embarrassed look.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Can I sit with you?" Amelia looks behind me before smiling.

"Sure."

Why did she look behind me?

I look behind me and saw everyone looking at us with pouty lips. I chuckle awkwardly.

"Thank you."

I put my bag inside the bin up ahead, making my shirt lift up a bit. I could feel the wind pass by my lower stomach, making me feel cool for a second before Amelia gasps.

"Is something wrong, Amelia?" she looks away when I look down to look at her.

"Uh, no, no. Nothing's wrong." she was blushing.

"Okay?"

I tidy myself up before taking a seat beside her. I made sure to not touch her anywhere. She looks at the gap between us before staring completely at the window again. I grab my phone from my pocket and called Jamie.

"Yo,"

"Hey, is Chrelia there already?"

"Geez, are you her mother or what?"

"I can't help it. I just want to make sure she's safe."

"Fine. She's fine, just fine. She's at the front and is talking with everyone else."

"Ah, and you're with Michelle?"

"Bingo. Anyway, I have to go."

"Alright. I'll see you at the yacht."

"Oh-keh. Bye."

I could feel his happiness through the tone of his texts.

"So it's true that you like Chrelia?" I flinched at the sudden question from my silent seatmate.

"Ah, yes."

"Then why do the others keep glaring at me when you already have someone in mind?" she was serious. Her expression was as blank as my sheet of paper.

"Weeeeell, because Chrelia is homophobic? They know I don't have chance." I run a hand through my hair in frustration.

The truth always hurts. But what I don't expect is that I'm talking about Chrelia to Amelia, my f**k buddy. I feel like I'm retarded or something.

"If Chrelia just takes her time in getting to know you, I think she'll change her mind." I open my mouth to ask but she immediately looks away.

What did she mean by that?

For the rest of the drive, I didn't open my mouth nor did Amelia look back at me. I didn't have the opportunity to ask her. Or more like, she didn't give me the opening that I needed. I boarded the yacht and searched for Jamie but he was the one who found me.

"Lyle! Here!" he came to me running with a cocktail in hand. I shake my head when he offered the other one on his hand.

"Why are you already drinking something so heavy?" he looks at the now empty glasses before smiling at me.

"I'm just happy."

"Don't drink when we're traveling." my commanding voice came out rather than a friendly advice.

"What? But the superiors said that they'll hang guards around us."

"You can't be too sure, especially if the ones you're guarding is of higher than you." he sighs.

"Fine. I'm telling you though. A hundred soldiers is better than the two of us." I shake my head.

"You're too complacent."

"Just chill. Where's Amelia?"

"Chrelia? You meant Chrelia?" he laughs.

"What? I don't care about her." I elbowed his stomach, making him almost puke out his cocktail. He sent me a death glare.

"She's at her room resting."

"Why? Is something wrong with her? How is she? Is she sick?" he shrugs.

"Even if she is, she won't ask for you."

"i***t, I know that."

"So, where's Amelia?"

"I saw her with Michelle right now."

"Well, let's enjoy for now before we go to the beach and I beat yo' ass!"