Volition

2

Ynna wiped the sweat from her brow as she stood in the blazing afternoon sun. The "character building" task of the day was to help clean the courtyard, and the heat was relentless. She wasn't entirely sure how scrubbing concrete contributed to character, but she was not about to complain. At least, not out loud. She looked around at the other residents, each immersed in their own tasks, some more enthusiastically than others.

"Hey, Ynna!" Chenli called out, waving a rag in the air. She was quite jealous since he was lucky enough to be assigned to work inside the home.

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at his energy. As she worked, her mind wandered, trying to piece together how she ended up here, scrubbing a courtyard with a bunch of other troubled teens.

Ma'am Sarmiento walked by, her steps measured and purposeful. "How's it going here, Ynna?" she asked, her voice warm.

Ynna straightened up, giving her a nod. "It's going well, Ma'am. Just trying to clean this place up."

"Good to hear," Ma'am Sarmiento replied, her eyes scanning the area. "Remember, this isn't just about cleaning. It's about taking pride in your environment and working together."

Ynna suppressed a sigh. She understood the intent, but the heat and the monotony made it hard to see the bigger picture. Still, she kept her head down and continued scrubbing.

As the afternoon wore on, the tasks became more challenging. They were instructed to move heavy planters to create a more "inviting" atmosphere in the courtyard. Ynna grunted as she heaved a large pot filled with soil and a struggling plant, her muscles straining under the weight.

"Need a hand?" Mikhail appeared beside her, effortlessly lifting his side of the planter.

"Thanks," Ynna muttered, grateful for the help but annoyed that she needed it.

Together, they maneuvered the planter into place, setting it down with a heavy thud. Mikhail wiped his hands on his jeans, looking around at their work. "Not bad for a day's effort, huh?"

Ynna shrugged, not entirely convinced. "I guess. It's just hard to see how this is supposed to change anything."

Mikhail leaned against the planter, his expression thoughtful. "It's not just about the tasks. It's about how we handle them, how we work together. Building character is more about resilience and cooperation than the actual work."

Ynna looked at him, trying to gauge his sincerity. There was something about Mikhail that made her want to believe in what he was saying. "I hope you're right," she said finally.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of their workday, the group gathered in the common room for a well-deserved rest. The air was filled with the hum of quiet conversation, the exhaustion of the day's labor settling over them like a blanket.

Chenli flopped onto a couch, his usual energy noticeably dimmed. "I can't believe how tired I am," he groaned. "And we've got more of this tomorrow?"

Ynna sat beside him, her muscles aching in agreement. "Yeah, but I guess it's better than sitting around doing nothing."

One of the other residents spoke up. "It's about staying busy. Keeping our minds off things. It's better this way."

Ynna nodded, understanding the unspoken words. Keeping busy meant less time to dwell on their pasts, less time to get lost in the darkness that had brought them here.

Ma'am Sarmiento entered the room, her presence immediately commanding attention. "Good work today, everyone. I know it's tough, but you're doing well. Remember, this is all part of your journey. It's about more than just cleaning or moving things. It's about learning to take responsibility and finding pride in your work."