Marcus was sitting at a desk in the center of the room. He saw me and scowled. I smiled as I took a step, and he stood up abruptly. I took another step, and he walked to the furthest desk in the corner and sat down.
I sat right next to him.
My brother came to mind as I took in his brooding demeanor. This is my chance for redemption.
“Go away.” He said.
“I’m good right here. How’s your day going Marcus?”
“Die.”
“My day is going great, thanks for asking! Did you see those fine females from the hospital?! Man, they were bad!”
“I despise you all equally.”
“And why is that? Did somebody do something to you?”
“They have all wronged me. I can’t bring myself to associate with such filth.”
“But you don’t even know me. What are you accusing me of being guilty of?”
“If you’re willing to associate with Milliard, you are already guilty.”
“He was literally the first person I met, and he’s my friend. I’m proud to associate with him. What could he possibly have done to piss you off so much?”
“Hmph, so there’s hope for you.”
“What? I don’t follow you.”
“Milliard is nothing but a selfish, bumbling fool who is too complacent to step up and do what needs to be done. He may say he stands for truth and righteousness, but what does he do for the people who need him? All he does is sit around and look pretty for the cameras.”
“I’m confused. From what I’ve seen there’s nothing more for him to really do. He’s a warrior, and there aren’t really any bad people around for him to fight. Who are you saying that he’s not helping…”
CRASH!
He shattered the desk with his bare hands. “PEOPLE LIKE ME!” His fists were bloody and covered in splinters. His pale green eyes glowed with rage. “HE HAS THE POWER TO FIX THIS WORLD AND WHAT DOES HE DO WITH IT?! SIT AROUND SCHOOL AND LIFT WEIGHTS ALL DAY?! IT’S SIMPLY ASININE!” Realization flashed in his eyes, and he sat back down. “Still though, you have no knowledge of what I speak. You are just an innocent little dove. For that, I can show you compassion.”
“What in the world happened to you, man?” My own dark memories flooded to the surface.
Has he been through something like what I’ve experienced?
“I can see no harm in telling you of my origin. I grew up in the capital slums. My father abandoned me there to fend for myself after our mother died. He said if I was worth anything, I would find my way back to him. He dropped me off right in front of the Prism Palace. I believe he did it to show me the truth about this world and this country. I sat on the ground, crying in disbelief after being abandoned.” He shuddered. “I cried. I bawled. I wailed. And not a single person said a word to me. Passerby looked on and continued with their dreary day-to-day lives, in this city where everyone claims to be so righteous. I bet anyone you asked would say they were a Christian...” He spat on the ground. “Their religion is worthless. The palace guards didn’t help because I looked unkempt and was technically off palace property.” He snarled. “I expressed my anguish in tears, until someone finally arrived. A soldier. He grabbed me and drug me into the slums. He left me there and as he turned away, he uttered words I will never forget, “‘Go! Be with your own kind’.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
He clutched his head violently. “AHHHHHHHHH! THESE ARE THE KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT YOU DEFEND?!”
I was shocked. “I’m not going to waste any more time trying to defend Milliard because I doubt you'll listen. The last thing I’ll say about him is that he had nothing to do with that. He was just a kid like you and with his heart, I’m sure he would’ve reached out a hand to you if he could have...”
“If you live in a murderer’s house, know he’s a murderer, and help him sharpen his instruments each day before he goes out to slaughter the masses, are you not complicit in his crimes?”
I sighed. “Look, I’mma keep it real. I never had to live on the streets…and I wasn’t abandoned by my father. But I can relate to you at least a little bit.” I shared the story of the dream I had this morning. “I’m not trying to one up you when it comes to pain. And I could never even imagine not having my father in my life, he means everything to me. But I’ve spent the last several years suffering unjustly too. I know it’s hard to hold on to hope, but someone recently taught me that you have to try. You can’t go living your life sulking around this place and being miserable all the time.” I smiled. “I know from personal experience. Friends are one of the only things that can help you get through something like this, and I want to be there for you. We can help each other get better and overcome our past pain and trauma.”
He stared. “Interesting. There is some truth to your words. Tell me of your ambitions, James.”
I thought about how to phrase things without giving myself away as a ‘world traveler’. “It's my life’s goal to set up systems that can make sure everyone has what they need to be successful so that nobody ever has to experience what you and I have been through. I will start in every industry and make a company or a business that does things the right way and can provide resources for people in need. I will make sure everyone has the support in every aspect of their lives, and expose every person I help to the love of Christ.”
He tapped his chin. “Very interesting. I can sense your conviction. I too seek to change this world from its inevitable, self-inflicted demise. I can accept your partnership in the endeavor you spoke of regarding emotional healing, and potentially in the task of changing the world as well.”
“Awesome! So, we’re friends then!”
“You are the only one in this place I am willing to accept at the moment.”
“Dope! We can share stories of our tragic pasts and talk about changing the world later! For now, we’re friends! And we should probably do some studying before this period ends.”
“I have no use for this pointless knowledge, but if I must learn it to remain at the academy then so be it.”
“Why do you stay in this academy if you hate it so much?”
“I hate every aspect of this society equally, including these academies if you can call them that. I still fail to comprehend why foolish parents would send their offspring to these educational misdirection centers and child prisons. I suppose that is the product of their folly…”
What is he even going on about right now?
He continued. “But anyway, this particular societal hypnotic mechanism is the closest to my home and the goals I seek. I can only change this world by attending the most prestigious prison camp in the most important place in the world. All eyes are on the misguided students of the capital.”
I don’t really know what to make of that…
“Makes sense…I guess. Alright should we start with business or history.”
I felt a great sense of accomplishment for getting through to Marcus on my first day. Still though as I sat and studied, I wondered what kind of place I was really in.
After the period we both had a class called. “Numbers” and we walked together.
“What is this Numbers class all about?” I asked.
“It teaches all one might need to know about numbers to be effective during their lifetime. While I do hate this encampment of deception, I support its philosophy of not wasting its students’ time with pointless subjects like advanced math.”
“I know right! Math is shit! You’re starting to get me kind of excited about this school!”
“Don’t let your hopes soar too high.”
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