The Great Awakening

Chapter 13

            Over the next couple of weeks, Jayden and Joanna’s bodies were met with soreness like none other they have felt before. Every morning started with a painful groan as they got up from their mattresses in their different rooms. They have kept to a specific routine: a night of training followed by a night of rest. Through this, they have been able to climb through the small ranks, even during target practice and fight training, where Jayden didn’t have any particular skill at all. He would train hours at night and allow himself four hours of sleep, where Joanna would allow herself at least six hours. During their days of rest, Jayden would spend time in the library with Joanna and his mother reading books, whether it be fiction or informative. They also had discussions of various topics over a game called Chess.

            During the training sessions, Troy had been keeping track of data and opinions based on observations, despite his jittery hand. Their documents could be found on file in his room, and they are read as followed.

            Olivia Mitchell: 17, She is an accurate shot, but lacks logic, especially when angry, which is quite often. She is a hothead and is headstrong. It’s also important to note that despite previous studies, her anger vastly improves her shooting. Possible Runner.

            Joanna Walker: 16, and for her age, she runs faster than the majority of the recruits. She is agile and strong, but an average shot. She excels in hand-to-hand combat and would most likely be an essential to close quarter environments. Possible Insurgent.

            Melissa Aran: 32, Fast, efficient, and accurate. She excels in practically every proficiency: speed, power, accuracy. Given any task, there is nothing she cant do. Not much to say her other than she is good at everything. A jack of all trades. Available for any military assignment.

            Jayden Aran: 16, has no excellent attributes other than his will. He doesn’t excel in anything, but is average in everything. Not much to say here. Possible Security Guard if anything.

            There was one more week left before they were assigned. Routines were as usual: warm ups, free running, target practice, then fighting to finish the day. Troy would walk up to Melissa and try to strike a conversation with her, but she would hardly acknowledge him. This happened for a few weeks. When asked as to why she wouldn’t talk to him, she simply answered “Because you called my son a deadweight!”

            The comment he made weeks ago cut deep. It wasn’t the fact that Jayden was emotionally sensitive to such comments that made her furious, but the fact that she had put her blood, sweat, tears, and soul into raising him. Troy, a person who hasn’t been there ever since his birth of all people, certainly didn’t have the right to call him a deadweight. By him calling Jayden a deadweight not only disrespected Jayden as a person, but also disrespected Melissa as a single mother. She would not stand for that.

            “Please Melissa!” He begged. “I was going through withdrawal. I’m sorry!”

            “Sorry!?” She growled, gritting her teeth. “You abandoned us for sixteen years! You called my son a deadweight and you are only saying sorry!? As if we could brush this off as if nothing happened!?”

            “Then what am I supposed to do?”

            She rolled her eyes and was about to storm away when Troy grabbed her arm, a pleading look in his eyes.

            “Please Melissa. I’m begging you…”

            She groaned and yanked her arm from his grip and walked away without looking back.