The Insiders

Chapter 35

Chapter 35- Coren

These days are the most boring days of life. Liane and whoever else is in charge here, decided it would be necessary to have a group reflection after every training session. It's a time to discuss our feelings. Our fears, concerns and sorrows. But really that doesn't happen.

What really happens is, we clean up after whatever type of training we did that day. Then we pull out the table and chairs and sit down in the same spots as we always do. Shar and I hold hands,and Bryce puts his arm around Amy. We all sit there and stare at a spot in the room. There's no talking for about 20 minutes. Then, Steve dismisses us to the dinning hall for dinner. Everyday this happens. I don't even understand why we do it. We could get some extra training in. But no. We sit here in silence.

Everyday I think Steve will surprise us with a topic, but he doesn't even surprise us with a shaved face. He hasn't shaved since the funeral. He's been in this deep depression for too long. He was fine at first, but the funeral broke him. I didn't know why he was so upset until they brought her body out. Kim's body. A part of Steve left in that coffin in the helicopter with Kim. He needs to snap out of it. For our sake. We'll die without some more training.

I nudge Shar. She looks at me with the most confused look, I can't help but let out a small laugh. I point to my head to signal her to enter my thoughts.

'What?' I hear her in my head.

'Wow. Okay, you can leave my brain now.'

'No,no. I'm sorry. What is it sweety?' She makes a face at me.

'Ew no. Do not call me sweety.'

'You're right. It makes you sound way too nice.' I laugh at her comment.

'Anyway what is it?' She asks me with a serious tone in her thought. It's incredible how much her power has improved.

'I want to start up a conversation. Out loud.'

'About?'

'I don't even know.'

'Well that's a pretty big set back.' She gives me this look. A look she makes whenever she makes a smart-ass comment. I playfully push her being as light as I can with my strength.

"So," I attempt at a conversation. "Are we gonna talk or stay silent like every other day?"

Shar elbows me in my side. I give her this confused look.

'That was not the way to do it!' She yells at me in my head. I glance at everyone apologetically. The room remains in an awkward silence from my stupid question. Everyone is still a statue. How has this happened? We went from being one big fairly-happy-kidnapped family to being wounded soldiers in eleven weeks. Suddenly Shar stands up and places her hands on the table firmly.

"Snap out of this." She whispers sternly.

"Snap out of this funk you're all in." She says louder after nobody moves. This time people look up at her in confusion.

"Life sucks. It really does. And our lives have been no exception," She looks around to make sure we're all listening.

"They're dead." She changes her tone in voice as she takes her hands off the table.

"They're dead!" She shouts. "Nothing will ever change that. Ever. They're in a much better place now, but guess what? We're still here. So snap out of it! I'm not saying be as happy as ever because that's impossible. But at least talk. Smile even." She stops and brings a smile to her face. Not one like before, but the brightest one since the attack.