The Airyn Atkin Story

Maggie

My first time at the training camps I was certifiably terrified. I've never seen so much strength and power in one place. Years of martial arts training was nothing compared to the things they had me do. Everyone there was so confident and sure of their movements. I remember asking Director Carter where were the others were.
"What others?"
"The other kids...the ones like me."
"Airyn, there's no one else like you...you're the only one."
My heart fell to the floor, the world stopped, and I could feel everyone staring at me. I'm the only one? How? There has to be others like me. My existential worrying came to an end when a skinny blonde women stood in front of me.
"__y (the?) n_m_ (is?) Al__a"
"I- I'm sorry, could you please repeat that?"
"Alexia"
"Pretty," my voice trailed off and both Director Carter and Alexia could tell I wasn't right. I was overcome by the soothing sound of the director's voice telling me that Alexia will be training me for the summer and then both the skinny blonde and my boss swept me away to room.
"Here's your room, Airyn, Director Carter has sent a multitude of things from your home in DC and if you open the drawers you'll find training clothes for the summer."
"Thank you Alexia, if you don't mind I'd like to have a word with miss Atkin."
"Sure thing." Alexia turned swiftly on the her heels with her short blonde hair spinning with her and left the room. Director Carter took a seat on the bed and said my name in the tone parents use when they need to tell their kid something serious.
Without looking at me Director Carter sighed out my name and took a pause.
"Please sit," I sat at the desk chair across from her so the we were fave to face. "Airyn, you are a very special girl. People can't know about you, especially what you do. I know being away from your loved ones will be hard but it's what's safest for them, do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Dont call me that, I'm not your grandmother." Director Carter let a tired laugh escape from her lips.
"Director Carter-"
"Maggie."
"..Maggie..What's wrong?"
"You're going to learn a lot this summer...a lot about fighting and a lot about yourself. What you're about to endure will not be easy on you physically, mentally, and emotionally. There's going to be a test at the end of the summer."
"Wha-"
"Shh..no one can know I'm telling you this. You're going to be tested, you're going to have to fight Alexia, you're going to interrogate a terrorist, and you'll have another task and I can't tell you what it is. Despite how much I want you to know what you're going to have to do. Most importantly when you pass all of your tests, Alexia will take you into a small room and she is going to ask you a very very important question and she will make it seem like "Yes" is the right answer. Airyn it is very important that you say "No" to this question. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, but why?"
"I can't tell you. I have to go. Promise me you'll say no."
"I promise Di-...Maggie."
Maggie looked at my with immense worry and sadness in her eyes and said "Be careful, be brave, be strong..." and with the slightest whisper she said "please". And with that Maggie stood up and left my room, without looking back. That night I couldn't sleep, I was kept awake because the words Maggie said to me kept playing over and over in my head. Each time they played the sounded different, the last time I heard it I couldn't help but hear the desperation in her voice. Then my face was hot, my head pounded, my cheeks were wet, and I fell asleep.