They Are Stars

Part Fourteen: Office

Everything is still the same as before. The routine cycles, going on and on for almost a year. But each day, it gets worse. I decided that today, I'll walk into the warehouse with confidence, knowing I can do the job just as easily as anyone can. I'm tired of being called "new," because "new" means weak, inexperienced and innocent.

Says me, who's trembling on the ground, choking on my blood and realizing my mistake. "Who do you think you are?" An older bald girl said slowly, but with enough aggression to know that she knows our ranks. I don't say anything. I've shown enough, and that already says something. "That's what I thought, you pussy." She walks away, and I continue to stay silent.

Kyla is the only person who doesn't treat me like trash, in this hellhole anyway. I'm alone when I'm in confrontations with Henry though. I understand, I don't want her to get anywhere near that guy. He probably treats all the new recruits like this.

I get more bruises, cuts and occasional broken bones than before. My grandma does notice, but of course, I lie. I'm surprised that she believes that I've gotten into multiple fights and accidents in a span of a month. She hardly ever notices anyway.

"Sorry, I wasn't there." Hearing Kyla's voice is reassuring to hear. "He's calling you again."

"I can handle myself."

"I know-"

"Alright, I'm going to see what the guy wants."

I stand up, frustrated. I walk to his "office." It smells like weed, like always. "I got my first complaint, and we don't want rebels here." First off, there should be way more complaints, I'm sure of it. Second, we're all rebels. I stay mute. He inhales more of the disgusting smell. "You're lucky that I run things differently here." A slight pause follows. "That means you're suspended."

It's so dumbfounding, that I couldn't hold my anger in. "What does that even mean?!" I yell. "It's almost exactly like the movies." The lighting in the room is terrible, but I know that he hit me like how a batter hits a home run.