A Butcher's Tale

In Ludo et in Opere: "At School and at Work"

The hated screech of an alarm clock was what made Jack rise from his peaceful slumber. Not that he really needed the damned thing, but it was one more way to make his life feel a bit more nor-human, maybe, though one of the many perks of his agumented body was that grogginess lasted for just a split second, making drowning himself in coffe redundant, though he still enjoyed it. He looked at the time on the alarm's display: 6:35. 'Alright, time to shower, change and make breakfast. Don't want to be late for your 136th day of..' a shudder passed through him 'school' He did not fault the governament for planting his ass back in there. He and the others were "collected" at a young age, add in all the training, surgeries etc. and they had skipped at least 6 years worth of education. Being chucked in a room full of hormonal, annoying and cocky 18 year old was not the brightest moment in his life, but he managed to explain their 6 years difference with a bowl of bullshit mixed with 2 to 3 dashes of small truths. 'Damn, I almost forget that 2 years have passed since I came to live here. Almost. Though it ain't bad. Sun's shinining, air's fresh and not that much happens. And even if it does, the Butcher comes to calm everything down eheheh...eh'. Jack moved to his wardrobe, opening it up and searching for something to put on. He never was one to follow fashion. It wa drilled in their head from the beginning that functionality came before style, something he had always agreed with. He reached for a pair of sweatpants before stopping, changing his mind and going for a pair of blue working cargos, like the ones workers use in factories. Not stylish, but oh well. After putting the pants on he grabbed his favorite sweatshirt, a white one with "BERSERKIR" written on it in runes. Self made. He moved his gaze at the shoes compartement built just under the wardrobe and pulled out his black military boots. His eyes lingered a bit on them, memories he hated and cherished passing through his mind. Snapping out of his small trance, he put them on. 'Mmmm, comfy as always'. He looked again at the clock: 6:50.

"Shit, barely ten minutes left" he sighed out, annoyed by the lack of time in the morning. He grapped his backpack, swallowed down the Composite Ultrachaloric Must, feeding his frenzied metabolysm almost 150.000 kilochalories between protein, calcium, molecular-woven titanium-tungsten, fibres, carbohydrates and vitamins, and ran outside in the tempered wind, being careful to lock the door behind him.                                              =================================

He had reached the school about 5 minutes earlier than intended. Many student were flooding inside the building. He put on the best stone face he could and continued walking, not caring for the low whispers he heard all around him as he strode through the human horde. They parted before him like the Red Sea did for Moses, a small bit of fear present in their bodies. At least, that was what his nose picked up. He continued to his classroom, taking notice of the pale visages of the freshman everytime he walked by. A small grunt-like-laugh escaped him, finding their reactions amusing. He reached the class, still half empty and sat down on his chair, the armrests removed by himself to accomodate his large bulk. 'Shit again, I didn't say hello to Dr. Simmons. Ugh, I'll have to do it later'. A small hand slapped his shoulder. He grunted and turned, annoyed, at the source of his nuisance and saw John, one of the only people he could call a friend, grinning at him. He was a short kid, maybe 5'7" with brown hair and green eyes and a small scratch on his nose made by a cat he helped out a while ago. Fucking cats.

"What got ya' so grumpy, old man? Ya' shat yourself? Need a hand changing the diaper?". A deep chuckle escaped Jack's lips

"Watch yer tongue boyo, or I might have to put ye on detention again like a fookin' child"

"Hey fuck you, it was just one time"

"Yeah, but it still is the best abuse of power I ever did"

"Yeah, yeah" was the youngster's answer, before mumbling
"You old cunt"