The Devil Among Heroes : A SEAL Team Story

chapter three | in the navy

i slowly sat down in one of the office arm chairs as the rest of the group grabbed seats around me. my aniexty grew as more people went sat down, all of them facing me. it felt like months ago when i got in trouble at school, everyone in the room has the same mission ... maximize the hurt i feel.

flashback

thirteen year old zk myers kicked her feet back and forth in the chair outside the principles office. the principle, police and some government officials talked amongst themselves in the room. she looked up as the sound of high heels grew louder, the sound was followed by a familiar voice "zk, what did you do." the young girl made eye contact with her social worker, hannah who placed her hands on her hips as she stood in front of the girl. the young girl muttered "i messed yesterday, you can leave. im pretty sure that mandy is gonna take me. you know that if my truth gets out what will happen. im gonna have to go into protective custody again." hannah let out a heavy sigh "let me go in and talk them off that ledge. you've been doing okay for a while. either way zk, this is going on your permanent record and you know what that means." of course i knew what she meant ... it would mean my chances of adoption were ruined.

"hey kid you alright." i was pulled out my trance by the voice of the master chief who had turned the chair i was in and was kneeling in front of me. i nod my head but don't speak as the adults in the room overwhelm me, and trigger my flight or fight response. that's what I've done my whole life, sit on the sidelines as the adults make decisions for me, and today would be no different. i remain on the sidelines as hannah and the government officials talk out aspects of my "enlistment". what surprised me another the conversation was, no one on bravo said a word only nodding or making gestures to one another that only they seemed to understand. i felt like an outsider in a room full of friends and strangers. i eventually tune out completely ingnoring my life being signed away, which happens as soon as hannah signs the papers. right before she does though a realization hits me, what about my life ? what about living to see the rest of my childhood ? i didn't care about where i lived, or who technically had custody over me, all i cared about was not be another number to someone. ive been a number for the state my whole life and im not about to be sold out to the navy to become another. so i speak up "i don't even know these men's names and now you want me to be with them 24/7. im not going to be some asset that's just gonna die in a few weeks. i am a living breathing human so tell me their damm names." with that the room fell silent.

jason hayes was shocked at the kids speech, her braids flapping as she sent glares across the table to one of the generals in the room. everyone was silent as the "cake eaters" debated over what to do. the fact that they were actually debating over wether or not to tell this girl who they were was disheartening and saddening especially as the kid who was in that chair was just some twenty five year old rookie, it was a fourteen year old girl, a verified genius, alcoholic who weighed as much as their rucksack. sure she was complicated, had an attitude and clearly had some issues, but she is a kid through and through. one thing kids are afraid of most are scary environments with new people, and bravo were all new people. before jason could respond to the now tear stained checked girl, cerberus jumps down from Brocks lap and struts over to the girl. he sits down, his nose on her hand waiting to be pet. brock senses the young girls hesitancy before walking over to her and kneeling down to her "this is cerberus, he was in all those pictures last night. you can pet him, he won't bite unless I command him too." with that the young girl calmed down as she slowly pet the dog. brocks gestured once again seemed to calm the girl "hi im zk." with that the rest of the group spoke out "im clay spenser, im trent sawyer, im sonny quinn, im ray perry, and im jason hayes." Zk looked around as she began to associate names with faces, she finally nodded at the rest of the group before speaking "its nice to meet you guys." with that the papers were signed and out came bravo seven, a fourteen year old translator.