The Ordeal

Chapter Eight

For a few minutes I can do nothing but lay flat on the training mat. The pain sapped me of energy and I have to wait until it dies down a bit. In the meantime everyone else cleared the room, including the guy I was fighting. He was the last pair of footsteps, and I remember they were slow and deliberate, and they stopped near me for a moment before exiting. No doubt he was gloating over taking me down.

I finally have the energy to sit up. The room is completely empty. The floor is pristine except for the two puddles of blood and vomit I hacked up. I shiver at the memory and push as hard as I can to stand up straight.

I limp to the door and look cautiously outside. I see no one. The hallway has the same wood paneling as the training room, dimly lit with LED strips. Far away I think I can make out grunts. From another training room? Probably, but in my current state they sound like they're coming from a dungeon. I have to get out of here.

I pick a direction at random and start to walk. I have no idea where I'm going, and I don't want to run into anyone. Was every student at the Guyong present for my humiliation? If so, the last thing I want is to have to have a conversation about what just happened. As the pain subsides more, I have more energy and walk faster.

I come to an intersection with two doors, one pointing straight ahead and one veering right. I try them both, but only the one pointing right is open. I keep walking. I still haven't come across anyone, but I do hear grunts and possibly even chatter from closer by. Where is everyone?

And where is Wu Zhen? As I walk my anger surges at him. He let me get beat up in front of everyone, and then said and did nothing. He didn't even bother to help me up, or take me somewhere to patch up my wounds or get a drink of water. What kind of teacher is that?

I come across another intersection, and again I see that only one door is open. I suddenly realize that I'm being guided out, and it was a very deliberate decision that I didn't run into anybody. I can't decide if that should make me feel better or not. Does Wu Zhen want me to avoid humiliation, or am I just disposable and he doesn't want anything more to do with me?

At the end of the hallway I find myself in the lobby, now empty, facing the front doors. My anger surges again. I hock up the last of the blood and spit it forcefully onto the floor, and then barge through the doors to leave the school.

Although it feels like the day is already gone, in reality it's still just getting started. I blink in the soft pre-dawn light, trying to figure out what to do. I could go home, but then I'd have to face my dad after our confrontation and that is a fight I'm not ready for. There's really only one place I can think of going. My feet walk me there as if on autopilot.

I reach the market. There are only three stalls there at this hour. Fewer and fewer vendors show up anymore, as business has been slowing and it's been getting more dangerous with gang conflict. But Kris is there, setting up her stall. I shake my head, marveling at her dedication.

She has less inventory than usual. Some was probably damaged during the fight and she hasn't had time to replace it yet. I hope it's also because she's been making at least a few sales. No one deserves it more than her.

She turns and sees me approaching. She smiles, pleasantly surprised to see me. I usually show up towards the end of the day.

Her smile disappears as I get closer and she sees my face. She rushes up to me.

"What's wrong?" She cups a hand and puts it on my cheek.

Through sobs that come out despite my best efforts, I tell her. Her face wrinkles more and more with concern as I go through my story. She pulls out a napkin and gently wipes away the tears that fall.