THE DAWNING

Chapter five

A few days later, Mariana had spent a long time thinking while Dave spent them going out every day and running errands then he returned one night.

Mariana: [walked to him sited in the couch] since I'm going to be carrying your name, can I be calling you dad?
Dave: [sits up] sure I'd really like that. I got something for you.......
Mariana: I'm tired of just sitting and doing nothing while those pricks run around free!
Dave: don't worry the army is doing..........
Mariana: no! They're not doing anything!
Dave: why do you sound so angry?
Mariana: [sheds tears] over ten years have gone by and nothing is changing! They're not even close to finding anything out
Dave: listen.........
Mariana: no! You listen, I watched my parents get killed, my friends and their parents killed, I survived four months on my own I mean I even killed a man who apparently was their best snipper. And I'm so angry, how aren't you angry you've been seeing this longer?

Dave: that's because you're eight, traumatized and you put him in a compromised situation........
Mariana: exactly! I'm only eight! If an eight year old can put down a best snipper without any training............
Dave: you got him off-guard.
Mariana: bury a bunch of people, travel cities alone, survive a train jump and finally make it safely...........
Dave: it's called luck [shook her while shouting] snap out of it!!
Mariana: [slaps him while he's in shock] maybe! But I know if we catch them off-guard, compromise them and hit them where it hurts right on their executives, this can finally end. Don't you get my point? I'm only eight! And I did all that alone! Imagine what one skilled soldier can do, what about an entire army? Think about it, nothing is really being done they control the armies.
Dave: .......
Mariana: after that day, I realized something; they're also just people like us after all. We have the same needs, wants, likes, hates, strengths and weaknesses. They take our families and homes because that breaks people's hopes, what will happen if we break their hopes?
Dave: .........
Mariana: dad, teach me how to fight.
Dave: Marian.......
Mariana: I wasn't asking
Dave: [holds her gently by the shoulders] okay, Mariana. I will teach you how to fight, but first you have to go to school.......
Mariana: but........

Dave: listen, you gave a really powerful speech and believe me I'm convinced. Your parents would be proud to hear you speak like that. To take down an enemy you need to first observe them to know their true weaknesses, the game players, the heads and the tails. Associations like that, the head may seem like a tail, the tail like the head and you'll lose. In a job like this, you can't trust anyone. Going to school and studying hard in university you get to work amongst them and see who the culprits are, you get smarter and you can play them at their own game. When you're a little older, I promise I will teach you how to fight. Now, what shall it be?

Mariana: I'll go to school.
Dave: [nods] lesson one, don't ever slap me again.
Mariana: [smiles]......

The next day Mariana starts going to school, instead she's taken to another school to avoid people noticing her changing of names. As promised at the age of twelve, Dave started training her in the basement.

Dave: the most important lesson is to keep your hands up to be able to defend yourself and never let your guard down.
Mariana: [listening attentively as they were moving in circles]
Dave: be very unpredictable, in order to win a war you must lose a fight. Even if someone beats you down the first three times, be observant, master their moves and learn them. Finally, you show them what you're made of. Whenever you're too angry, don't use anger and pain to fight, you'll lose. Fight when you're ready, when your mind is clear and always remember to focus. Most importantly don't underestimate your opponents neither should you overestimate, one thing you must avoid is surprises. That's it for your theory lessons always keep those in your heart Marian. Now, defend yourself.

He came from her back, she bent down but he hit her on the feet.
Mariana: aah......
Dave: don't expect a move listen and then act. Again!

He came from her front and was going for the legs but he wanted to hit her face, she ducked it.
Dave: good!
Mariana: [smiles]
Dave: don't get too excited, focus and clear your mind. Listen.

He came from the side she ducked and moved skilfully while he's hand missed and went through the air. Again he came from the front, this time before he could reach near her, she kicked him and flipped him around.

Dave: excellent! I see you got some skill.
Mariana: thank technology [smiles].

This went on for hours, by the end of the week she knew most basics.
While in school she also took interest in linguistics to learn the languages her mother taught her better.
The training went on for over seven years he trained her how to fight blindfolded, in case she's wounded with one leg or hand, two legs, both arms and all limbs. She completed her high school and got a scholarship.

Sited in the chair, "It was really exciting to have finally graduated. I made sure I didn't get too attached to anyone in school knowing the true goal of why I started all this I couldn't keep friends, just have them. By this time I was seventeen years old, I completed my training and my first step of education. Later I started going into universities I did Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management, a PHD in Psychology, Criminal Justice, Law and International Studies while working under the office of our beloved Maghandi courtesy of my dear uncle. Working for the man I must say isn't an easy task, always running around for their errands like a kid, worse if you're a woman. I started out as a mere secretary to the building account at the age of twenty-three after my BHR. You would ask, why take all the trouble of going to school when you've got so much inheritance from your parents? To get to the head, I needed a ladder, the qualifications and I mean who wouldn't want more money? Moreover, I couldn't risk it. It would be suspicious if I had so much on me. It would raise questions and investigations. Plus I needed to observe, you know get to know the game and its players. Oh, and I got my own apartment at twenty, I lived in town while my uncle lived about a few kilometres away. My aunt was always moving, taking up my parents missionary work kept her moving."

She is carrying a load of papers rushing to her seat, when the building accountant walks in.........

Man: you're late again Miss Johnson
Mariana: sorry sir, I had an early morning class.....
Man: look, better for you to take a leave and finish whatever it is you're doing
Mariana: ......... I need the money to pay my fees sir.
Man: you know you're pretty hard working Miss Johnson, but this lateness Marian will get you fired. I had to handle these papers for you [throws them on her desk and some fall off]. I'm cutting that off your pay and this will be your trend, every minute you're late, I deduct a pay. [Turns to leave then turns back] oh by the way, those papers need to be in a certain order, organize them.
Mariana: [says to herself] great! More papers to handle.

In the office she's working in it's just an office space with other office spaces around the room. She had a friend next to her, Trinity.

Trinity: I hate him
Mariana: argh! Tell me about it, such an a**.
Trinity: MJ give me those I'll help you organise.
Mariana: really? Thank you so much Tee. Did you apply by that company I suggested?
Trinity: yes, I have an interview later today, but.......
Mariana: but? Why is there a but in that sentence? Tee you have to take it. You're brilliant and you can't keep sitting in a space for the rest of your life.
Trinity: how about you? I can't just leave you here with him [points in the direction of their boss].
Mariana: I have a plan. Once I complete my law degree I can leave this room and get above him
Trinity: I thought you were doing psychology?
Mariana: that's for my own personal study.
Trinity: wait you're doing both?!
Mariana: y......yeahhhh
Trinity: wow, okay Miss Multitasker.
Mariana: so?
Trinity: fine, I'll go.
Mariana: good [smiles].

She works very hard each day, her routines were from midnight till three O'clock, she studies psychology. Then from three to six she studies for her Law program and then gets ready for work. Then throughout the day whenever she's free during work, she attends her Law and Psychology classes. At six in the evening she goes home cooks, eats and freshens up. Later in the evening she watches the news to keep up with the Iraqi then goes to bed at about half-passed nine. She gets up at midnight and the cycle continues.