Sinister Kid

Learning The Skills

Gregory walked me to my new room.Base Zero wasn't a friendly place,that's for sure.Everything,from the walls to the celling to the floor was covered in steel that echoed each and everyone of our synchronised steps.When I opened the door to my bedroom,I expected more coats of metal only to find myself facing cold white walls.There was a dresser (made of steel of course),a desk and naturally,a bed,which seemed slightly unwelcoming due to the fact that it resembled a hospital bed.And I don't like hospitals.There is too much pain and suffering inside their walls.

"You'll find clothes in your dresser.It's...kind of a uniform." Gregory informed me.

"Uniform?"

"Well...yeah.Don't worry,it's made for females so it'll fit you.Although you're kind of tiny."

I made a face at the comment and then another door in the corner of the room caught my eye.

"What's that?"

"Oh,your bathroom."

I let out a sigh of relief.This place was so much like a military base,I feared they might have communal showers.

"I guess I'll leave you now.Your schedule for the week is inside the top drawer of your desk.Try to stick to it.They don't like disobedience here." he said and turned around.

"Gregory,wait."

"What is it?"

"Why did you pick me?"

"We are looking for survivors.We need to recruit them.Thought you would have that figured by now. "

"No...I mean...Why did you pick me to become a soldier?That other guy...Daniel,said that you don't let women join your ranks."

"It's time for a change." he simply explained while shrugging.

"Who will train me?" I had a lot of questions and they were just coming out my mouth.I couldn't really help it.

He looked at me straight in the eyes and smiled widely. "Me."

I kind of smiled in return.

"What's the name of the Organization?You didn't tell me."

"Exile."

"Exile?" I repeated in confusion.

"Everyone here is an outsider,in their own way.It's our personal exile."

"Can you get out of the organisation?If you want to,I mean."

"No.You...take an oath.You have to serve it for the rest of your life."

I felt sick thinking that I had to spend the rest of my days here.Even if there were more nice people around like Gregory,I don't think I could adapt.He noticed my expression and tried to calm me down:

"You don't have to stay here in base zero forever.You can get a house in the city and stuff.While working for them."

A slight improvement.He headed towards the door,looking obviously shaken by these last questions.

"Will you train me to become a killer?",my last question made it through my teeth.

He didn't turn to look at me.

"I'm going to train you to become a warrior."

And with these words,he walked out of the room without looking back.I closed the door behind him trying to figure out what to do next.Checking my schedule seemed like a priority.My tasks for the rest of the week were written in laminated white paper and a map of the base was also included in a separate piece of paper.