~ Doris ~
The morning sun came through the training yard like thin gold knives.
It was Day 2.
The air already felt hot and sticky even though it was still early. Dust floated up every time someone stepped hard on the dry ground.
I stood in the middle of the circle, wearing a loose black training clothes. My hair was pulled back tight so it wouldn’t get in my eyes. My heart beat fast not from running, but from the way Ms. D looked at me today.
She was different.
Yesterday she smiled a lot.
She spoke softly, corrected my stance gently, and told me “You’re doing well, sweetheart” every few minutes.
Today her face was tight.
Her lips were pressed into a thin line.
Her eyes didn’t meet mine for long.
She looked scared.
Or angry.
Or both.
Every time I turned toward her, she looked
