Malevolent

Chapter 21

"Welcome to day one of the two-week course," I say to my group, "Now you guys have been selected to participate in this class because we decided that you might need extra help being mentally tough, don't be offended though, everyone has a weakness. I'm here to make that weakness a strength."

There's around 20 people in the group, so it's not very large. The class is basically split in half by gender, half men half women. I'm kinda doubting my ability to teach these guys, but I do have the manual. We're the only group that is in the warehouse.

"So, this course will help you become physically and mentally strong. We will have tests once a week, so do the math it's two tests. To be honest, it shouldn't be too hard. But I can teach you, it depends on if you really want to retain the information. This course is up to you, I'm here to lead you in the right direction." I say

There's no one in here I can recognize, we have to introduce ourselves.

"So why don't we all introduce ourselves, I'll start. I'm James Delgado, I'm 18 years old. Just tell me your name and age, and if you feel like it, tell us something you like." I say

Everyone introduces themselves, I'm the third-youngest here, only ahead of a 16 year old and two 17 year old's.

"Since today is our first day, we aren't going to learn much, but it's a start." I say

"Could someone please tell me what you would do in a stressful situation? Answer truly, no one will judge, we are all in here to get better." I ask

The class remains silent.

"No one? Okay well, I'll start off. When I used to be stressed, I'd shut off everything around me. That's not the way to do it, right?" I ask

No respond.

"Right James." I say, the class chuckles a bit

"Hey look, you used your vocal chords!" I jokingly say

"I'll say what I do." A girl stands up

"Please, tell us."

"Well, I remember when I first got a job and they made more and more laws restricting my freedom, I was mad and stressed, I was afraid of what was going to happen. I completely closed everything around me, I quit my job, which isn't really allowed. I was put in jail, and I'm not exactly recovered, but I'm getting there."

"Well I'm sorry," I say, "You see, you can't close the world around shut, it just can't happen. The only way you can better yourselves it by letting what happens happen, and learning from experiences," I say, "For example, on the battlefield, you guys are going to have to be able to perform in tough situations, it's not going to be easy. You can't just stop then, can you?"

No response, again.

"Yes James, of course! That makes so much sense! Just test me already!" I jokingly respond to myself

The group laughs, I need to loosen them up some how.

"Anyone else wanting to talk about it? Or do you want to just keep going on?" I ask

"No one? Alright, tough crowd guys." I look down at my papers

"Okay, are any of you guys going to be on the front line of defense?" I ask

Everyone's heads shake.

"Good, don't tell anyone I said this, but it's definitely the most dangerous job."

"Okay, so Rudy, what if I just walked up like I am," I get up in his face, he looks at me with a dead look, "You are such a horrible person, why did you even participate in this? No one wants you here!" I feel a jab to my face

I back off, the class gasps.

"It's okay, I was expecting that," I say, no blood, "Rudy, we're going to work on that."

"So did you guys see what I did there? I gave him a mental test, that's going to be your first test this Friday. Throughout the week, I'm going to teach you different techniques on how to avoid pulling a Rudy." I look over at Rudy, he's pissed, the class laughs

"Okay, we don't have much time left," I say, "But today I want to end on a quote. Chloe told me this a while ago, 'Don't let it get to your head.'"

"Simple right? Wrong, I let get something to my head that I shouldn't have let in. We're going to make sure that the government can't play tricks on you, and that you can perform in the clutch situations during the war." I say

I look down at my watch, "Well it's time to go. Hopefully you guys can start warming up to me, keep in mind the quote. Test on Friday, be ready to be tested." Everyone simultaneously gets up and walks off, except Rudy, he is still sitting in his chair

I walk over to him, "What up Rudy?"

"Don't ask, just let me sit here."

"Hey I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, it was supposed to be an example. If you need anything, you let me know, okay?"

"Okay thanks." He responds

I walk back to my table and grab the binder full of papers. I watch as the other groups start walking in. I look for Chloe, she's at the round table by herself. I walk over to her.

"Hey James, how did it go?" She asks me

"Pretty good, except I got punched in the face." I say, laughing

"You got punched?! By who?" She asks

"Kid named Rudy, it's fine though. I kinda got on his nerves a bit. I was just trying to make an example, and I got punched. But it was a good example of what not to do. My group is so quiet." I say

"Well, they'll warm up to you at some point, you're a good guy." She smiles

"Thanks Chloe," I say, "Can I tell you something?"

"What's up?" She asks

"I'm nervous about attacking the government, I play a pretty big role with this too. I don't seem prepared." I say

Chloe stares at me, and looks down, "I am too James, but we have to just get over it. We've gone too far to turn back at this point. We want a better future, well at least I want to." She says

"Me too, I'm just skeptical of how we are going to do."

"James, they're waiting for us, we can attack when we feel like it. Plus we have 4,000 plus people in this fight. We are well armed, I think we'll be fine." Chloe says

"Okay, well it's up to me if I'm going to let it get to my head."

"Exactly." Chloe says

"Well I'm going to go catch up with Trinity and Michael, see ya later Chloe." I say

"Bye."