How Things Are

twenty three

Seeing his face gave me a reality check I needed. I forgot I technically belong to a crime syndicate. Everyone here acts friendly toward one another but in the end, they only care about themselves. Joey nodded in my direction. Holding it against him isn't something I should do, but until my anger simmers down keeping my distance is best. I don't want to end up bitter just because I expected him to be someone other than Lucas subordinate. Trusting any of them isn't wise. Just move to the top and hope I don't end up like them.
I grab a wooden sword and turn to face Teedo as instructed. We go at it for a few hours. My stomach burns and I think he can tell. He's going easy on me again. I push harder then he nods. After a while, he says to stop and do breathing exercises like a child. My frustration grows throughout practice.
Teedo finally stops me "You're unfocused."
I glare at him "You're going easy on me."
"If I went hard on you the pain would grow."
I let his words go in one ear and out the other. "I'm not weak."
"The more you work your body with that pill still working inside you will burn out." Teedos voice rose. "Do as I say or I'm locking you in your room until I know you are better."
I bit my lip. "Sorry," I mumbled. Then continued my foolish-looking tree pose. Basic meditation is important. It clears your mind and focuses your senses. Doing it in front of others is my problem. I've been doing yoga for the past two hours and he glances back to make sure that's all I am doing.
After the past- how long has it been? I've been here almost a year now I think. Working out with Teedo and the rest of them has made me strong enough that these yoga poses look silly. Though I can see if someone is on their way to recovery or has lost their focus it would be good to do. I may not trust any of them but Teedo has only been looking after me.

After another hour he comes and hands me my Katana. I raise my eyebrow. We never fight each other with our real weapons. He sees the confusion on my face and responds. "You'll be swinging your sword until I say otherwise." He walks away. "Begin"
Basic sword drills as well. He's taking me back to the beginning. There are whispers in the room. I suppose this is how a novice would feel at grade school being judged. A few of these soldiers will probably think everything they heard about me is a lie. Perhaps this is the punishment that Lucas ordered once I returned.
Though I'm angry I can't help but relax. It feels so good to have my katana in my hand again. When Teedo leaves the room I play around more. Do the moves and tricks I've taught myself or learned from others. Then when I hear Teedo come I continue with the basics. He'll train with the others in the room. Joey's been quiet. He's usually the loudest one here. I never learned the other guys name who was there that day but today he's throwing knives I never seen before. If I could get outta here I'd steal those as a prize.
Teedo comes to me after another few hours and tells me to take a shower. The pain in my stomach is gone. I shouldn't have underestimated him.

As I get out of my shower I noticed something different about my reflection. Through the mirror and the screen of the shower I can see my back. I whipe all the fog off to see if what I'm seeing is real. "You gotta be kidding me I breathed out." The reflection of my back I can see what Lucas carved a few days ago. It's his initials right above my right buttcheak.
I hurry up and put my pj's on. How many people saw this? How many walked in on me naked? Whenever the door opened in Teedos place I never checked. Just laying there naked like a bed warmer, and with this they'll think I am. Well Teedo knows. No doubt Joey does too. He was there when it happened. Whoever Teedo hired to stitch me up. They've been removed as well so that person as well. No doubt whoever they are has shared what they saw. So it's done. If they don't already think it, the Mafia soon will believe I'm Lucas little bed whore and not just a swords woman. Would they ever have any respect for me? Have they ever? If Teedo saw this and is giving me babysteps because of that then I'll just practice when they all leave.
There was a meeting in Lucas office and like usual, I'm not invited. He was louder then usual. When everyone came out I was having my second sandwich and a slave woman was folding his clothes. He looked at me then at the woman. He really doesn't like me speaking to them. "Shouldn't you be in bed by now?" He asks as he snaps at the woman doing his laundry. She gets up as he points to the fridge she nods and starts preparing him something to eat.
I raise my eyes then take a bite. Must be nice, getting anything you want with a snap of a finger. I wonder if he realizes how cruel he is.
"I asked you a question."
Oh crap. My mind was somewhere else. "Uhm I'm not tired."
"And why is that?" A plate was put in front of him
I won't throw Teedo under this 'bus' whatever it may be. So I choose a different topic. "How come you carved that on my back?"
Lucas eyes stare daggers into me. "You and your questions." He takes a bite of his food. His jaw is perfect.
I cleared my suddenly dry throat "sorry"
There was a hint of a smirk. "You can ether be in chains with the rest of the women or keep holding your sword. It's a reminder of your place Tibby." We both finish eating. Like all meals with bosses, I wait until he's done and ready to leave. "Don't make me regret giving you that mark." He rises.
I nod my head then he walks away. The woman doing laundry glares at me like all the slave women do. Lucas is long gone and I'm about to leave. "I don't get it." She speaks. It's so quiet.
"You don't get what?"
"Why you? We've worked for him for years. Our families have served his but you get to come here and be the free one."
Her eyes are watering but she won't let her tears fall. I look to where Lucas went, his bedroom and office is soundproof "I didn't come here. I was brought here in chains." She looked so young "and before this place, I ran, fought, stoll and killed to be free."
Her eyes go wide. I see a tear fall."That's so foolish. You could have died." She whispers.
I chuckle "I almost did a few times. But I did it because I didn't want the person who chose me to be my master." I shrug.
She stares at me for a moment "and master Lucas? What about him?"
I wasn't sure what to say. "It's better then some of the places I've been."
"That's not answering my question." She was right.
"He let's me carry my katana. If he didn't then I probably would've ran by now." I answered honestly.
She looked lost in thought so I left for the gym to work out some before going to sleep.