Burden of the Pure

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I awoke in the morning as I always do. Having the Cold grey bars, the concrete bricks walls, and fluorescent lights be my first sights of the day. I repeated the same morning routine day after day while under the care of the organization. I would rise from my sturdy single bed, after the alarm woke me up, and I would then proceed to take care of my body's natural needs. I then drink a glass of water and begin my morning stretches to keep my muscles loose, and ready for anything. I had the privilege of having a toilet and sink very close to the bottom of the bed, so I did not have to leave my room, unlike the other people... or soldiers they preferred to be called.  As a disciplinary practice, the man who watched my room suggested that I keep the toiletries as clean as possible when I have the time. His name is Stan. He is a knowledgeable man. He imparts wisdom onto me, that I do not get from the professors and masters of the organization. How to talk to females, what to do if someone causes me spill my beer, the best restaurants to eat at, and often refers to my room as a "cell." he is a man like no other.  

In the mornings, after my stretches, my name gets announced from the speaker in my room. The voice of the speaker is that of a middle-aged woman, with a robotic tone. Unless the head commander has an urgent announcement to make. I believe the voice is preprogrammed because it has never changed frequency. It always says "Devante, breakfast time," and always has perfect timing, because my body begins to crave resources for nutrients and energy around this time. So, after my name got called this morning, I left my room and made my way to the dining area. By the time I arrived, some of the other soldiers had begun to consume their food. I made my way up to the counter and the server asked for my name. "Devante," I said. He then shouts to the cooks in the back, "Special Boy order!" This happens every time I get breakfast. I've been referred to as "special boy" many times. They always serve me paste with a scent of mixed herbs. When I first got the chance to ask Kane – the head commander – why my meals were not as diverse as the other soldiers, he told me it was because I was unique, and that I should feel honored. Apparently, the paste Is the exact balance of vitamins and nutrients needed for the perfect breakfast. I would have to consume paste for all three main meals of the day, all with slightly different scents and tastes than each other. Unfortunately, I can't tell you if it had a delightful taste or one of disgust. For It is of the only few tastes that I know.

As I began my approach to the long table I sit at with my fellow soldiers, I noticed a clash about to break out between two men near the middle of the table. The closer I got the more aggressive they became until they spotted me. I am not sure why, but when I was spotted, a sudden look of subtle fear appeared on their face. They quickly sat down, became quiet, and resumed to consuming their food. This always happens when I sit down to eat. From a distance I observe a table radiating excitement and intensity. But when I join, everything becomes quiet and a nervous atmosphere forms around us, with nobody speaking a word. Well to be honest no soldier speaks to me. Most try to not even look at me. Well... I shouldn't say all soldiers don't speak to me. My best friend does. Well technically, she is my only friend. 

After breakfast, it was time for some of us soldiers to attend the cleansing area. Because there aren't enough showers, we are split into groups and only one group at a time may occupy the cleansing room for a certain amount of time. I am part of the male group that gets to cleanse their bodies first. As we pass the doors to the cleansing room, everyone separates into their own stalls. Sometimes the other soldiers get switch the shower stall that they used the last day to another one, but I have one stall assigned to me and me alone. It so Stan knows which one I am in and can come and tell me that it's time to return to my room. Unlike the others, my cleansing time is not flexible. I have timed periods of cleansing and I am unable to adjust the temperature. I was told by Kane that this was the optimal period and temperature for a one hundred percent healthy cleanse.

When It was time for me to return to my room Stan came over to the room and called through the door, "Times up Devante!"

"Ok," I answered back.

I put on my robe that was hanging on to of the stall door and made my way back to my room. It was always an experience traveling down the halls of the base. I heard arguments, jokes, and parts of stories. Sometimes I would try to re-create these interactions with my friend Jade, but it would end up feeling different than what I witnessed. Thankfully when those interactions do happen naturally with her, they are just as entertaining and enjoyable as I thought they would be.

          After arriving in my room, I removed the silky white robe, and put on my training clothes. The training clothes that the organization provided were light grey baggy pants, and a stretchable polyester shirt of the same color. I got into the habit of putting on my sparring suit after my cleansing session because Jade would always come and get me for sparring.

Jade had not arrived yet, and I figured I had a little bit of time before she arrived. To prepare for my session so I decided to some light shadow boxing near my bed. But about five minutes into it, Stan appears in front of the door and calls me over. "Drink time Devante," he says.

After my cleanse Stan always hands me a green solution to drink. It has no taste and looks clear and pure. Stan has told me that Jade and I are the only ones who must drink the beverage. I have questioned Kane about it once, but he just told me that "It is to help you stay energized," in that charming manner he always speaks in. Since Jade and I were the only one's who had to drink the solution, I assumed it had something to do with our sixth sense. After I finished the beverage, I noticed Jade waiting outside my door, arms crossed with a mischievous smirk.

          "All ready?" she asked me, while flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder.

          "Always. How was Your Morning?"

          "You ask me that every morning Devante." She said with a teasing sigh. "You know it's the same routine every morning."      

"True. But the future is unpredictable. Something may inconvenience you. Perhaps you hit your foot on the leg of the table?"

"Oh, come on man. Don't be a dummy, you know that's impossible for us."

We conversed some more as we made our way to the training room. She was as lively and energetic as she always was. Her green eyes shone like crystal in the light of the halls. I suppose her name was perfectly fitting for her.