*if (tobyhostileforlife =true)
	*set tobyfriend false
[i]"I hate this waiting."

[i]My partner said, as we hid behind our cover under the clear desert sky. A piece of a decayed city being our only protecting that we huddled against for safety, both from the bitter night winds and from the very lethal threat of the sniper taking shelter in the city's carcass.

[i]"How do we even know this sniper is still out there? He hasn't made a move in hours."

[i]"Go ahead and check." I reply, nodding my head toward the corpse that lay next to us, his brain matter splattered on the ground. "Ask him how that turned out."

[i]He sighed and leaned his head against the wall, conceding my point. "Yeah, alright...damn it, they're probably going to declare us AWOL at this rate. We'll be killed on sight."

[i]"We'll be fine."

[i]"You might be. You're an asset. The professional. Fiskal's favorite." A sudden surge of cold wind swept over us, causing us to recoil out of instinct and huddle closer together. 
*if (male =true)
	[i]"Face it, brother. You're important now. I'm still just a grunt. I don't have a chance. With how long I've been gone, I'm dead as soon as they see me."

*if (female =true)
	[i]"Face it, sister. You're important now. I'm still just a grunt. I don't have a chance. With how long I've been gone, I'm dead as soon as they see me."
	
[i]"That won't happen." I glance into his eyes and see resignation there. The same look as was in her eyes. "We only have each other to look after us. Right?"

[i]He laughed. Pretty hard, considering the circumstance. "Look at you, all high and mighty! When was it I was pulling you off the ground, saying those exact words?"

[i]"Haven't been keeping track of time."

[i]He laughed again, even as we shivered underneath the unrelenting cruelty of the night desert winds. "Hey...Cockroach...if we don't make it..."

[i]"We'll make it."

[i]Please, live...

[i]"I can't die."
*page_break [i]The bitter cold...
*set combat -15
*set firearms -15
*set explosives -15
*set tactics -15
*set stealth -15
*set reflex -15
The bitter cold winter winds brush against my face as I run through the snow-covered neighborhood. Early in the morning, temperatures somewhere around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Makes breathing a lot harder as it burns my nostrils on each inhale, I mainly breath through my mouth despite knowing that this is the less efficient method of oxygen regulation.

So early in the morning, the sun only now peaking over the horizon and creating orange streaks across the sky, there isn't a sound to disturb the tranquil image of the snowy yards. Save for the steady rhythm of my feet pushing off the pavements and my own hurried but regulated breathing.

Before, I never really had to think about exercise. Life with the grunts just accumulated to a lot of free time, and did enough to hone my situational awareness. More than actual training probably would have. And the stress of combat did enough to teach me through experience what I needed to know. Out there, physical shape wasn't nearly as important as having the proper mental state, especially since the majority of the time we were fighting against thugs and malnourished wastes of space that were in no better position as us.

To be sure, if I'd been fighting the same professionally trained soldiers that I'd later have to deal with, I would have had a much shorter career.

Being promoted did begin to introduce a tighter schedule, such as early wake-up exercise. It was a hard thing to adjust to, but over time, I found myself waking up for it just minutes prior to them coming to get me. Eventually, they didn't even need instructors; it had all become instinct.

That's one habit that still hasn't broken over the months that I've been here. Although unlike others, this one seems to be practiced and encouraged by Daniel. Every morning, for the past three months, we've gone out together to run. Followed by alternating strength and endurance exercise upon returning home.

*fake_choice
	#It's relaxing, to be honest
		*set humanity +1
		*set reflex -1
		*set explosives -1
		I remember at some point, Daniel explained to me the link between physical and mental fitness. And the numerous benefits of regular exercise on a person's state of mind.
		
		I'm not all that sure about it. All I know is that when exercising, I actually begin to feel somewhat at peace. 
		
	#It's just like cleaning a weapon
		*set explosives -1
		The human body is the most important weapon in a soldier's arsenal. Maintaining it is crucial. More than anything else you do in your morning routine. That's what that officer would always say.
		
		
	#It's a chore, but it's necessary
		I'd rather not have to. But there's a lot of things I'd rather not do, and the human body is the most important weapon in a soldier's arsenal. Maintaining it is crucial. More than anything else you do in your morning routine. That's what that officer would always say.

Maintenance on my body is important, though. I've noticed it in the time I've been here. Skills deteriorating over time is natural when not frequently tested, and I've often had to remind myself to do things that were just natural a few months ago. Like looking in the back seat, or randomly looking in the reflection of windows to see if anyone's watching from behind me. 

While skill perishability was inevitable, there were a few healthy hobbies I could take up in order to stay in shape.
*temp blibbiddy false
*label skills
*fake_choice
	*disable_reuse #I took up self-defense classes
		*set combat %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		There were a couple classes to chose from. Luckily, since Daniel agreed to pay for it, I just chose all of them. So about twice a week I go to a gym and spend four hours going through Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Krav Maga.
		
		It was a bit rough at first, and the first gym we tried wasn't the only one. Nor was the second. Luckily the third was able to figure out early on that I knew more on the topic than most of them actually did, and only paired me up with people who could take and return a beating.
		
		After that, training with them became much more productive. Even if I do occasionally require minor first aid afterwards.
		
		*goto skills
	*disable_reuse #I go with Daniel when he practices shooting
		*set firearms %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		Like me, Daniel takes skill maintenance seriously. Judging by the occasional hint of gunpowder I smell in the house, it seems the skills are frequently tested. So once a month, every month, he goes to a shooting range for a few hours to refresh with different shooting positions and weapons.
		
		It didn't take much to convince him to take me along, too. The trips are usually pretty silent, but I think we got a bit closer as a result of this monthly ritual.
		*goto skills
	*disable_reuse #I occasionally read a few pages of the Anarchists Cookbook
		*set explosives %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		While I wouldn't call it 100% reliable as a text on the creation and handling of explosives, the fact that I can recognize which recipes could work and which need revising is a good sign.
		*goto skills
	*disable_reuse #I've made preparations in case of attack
		*set tactics %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		*set stockpile true
		Most of a battle is preparation. So I take time now and again to review ideal defensive areas, choke points, and exits for all the places I spend a large amount of time in. Mainly the home and school.
		
		I also placed a few caches of supplies here and there. Weapons, ammunition, medical supplies, and food. Little places darted in the home and on the path toward school. Turning my school locker into a cache was a bit tricker, but after a few weeks of discreet transportation, I was able turn even the school into an ideal place to bunker down and mount a defense.
		*goto skills
	*disable_reuse #I stalk people I know
		*set stealth %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		Occasionally I do happen to see people from school in a place other than school. Sometimes intentional, sometimes not. Usually my response is to follow them around discreetly and see what they're been up to.
		
		A good exercise in blending. And a decent way to collect information on my peers.
		*goto skills
	*disable_reuse #I periodically check my surroundings for threats
		*set reflex %+50
		*set blibbiddy true
		A lot of the time, all it really takes is a reminder to do it. Still, as time goes on without any threats, it becomes a bit harder to naturally scan for threats. Making the reminders all that important.
		
		Just random checks every now and then. Walking somewhere on the sidewalk, randomly stop and listen for footsteps. Look in reflections for anything behind me. Check the hands of the person I'm about to walk by. It's really just as simple as looking around asking the simple question; 'Am I safe?'
		
		Short answer: No.
		*goto skills
	*if (blibbiddy =true)
		#That's it
			*goto next
	*if (blibbiddy =false)
		#Let the skills fade
			*set humanity +5
			*set combat -5
			*set firearms -5
			*set explosives -5
			*set tactics -5
			*set stealth -5
			*set reflex -5
			I remember, when walking home from school, being hit in the back of the head by a tennis ball that had been knocked off the court of a nearby couple playing a game.
			
			After realizing what had happened, I became very afraid. I ran home after that, as fast as I could, and shut myself in my room. That's when it hit me just what this 'normal life' meant. I wasn't just going against instinct. I was re-writing instinct. Smashing it to pieces and building it differently.
			
			*choice
				#Daniel and I talked it over
					Eventually, I did have to come out for dinner. During which I told Daniel about what had happened.
					
					He didn't talk much. Mainly listened until the end. Then after I had finished reporting on what had happened, he thought for a bit... 
					*choice
						#Then we went out to buy ice cream.
							*set daddan +1
							I feel like he was trying to say something with that gesture. But I'm not sure what.
							*page_break Next
							*goto next	
						#He told me it would be alright
							*set frienddan +1
							He seemed to take it as a good sign.
							
							Not sure of what.
							*page_break Next
							*goto next

				#I came to terms with it
					I spent the rest of the day in my room, thinking over the pros and cons of these changes.
					
					Never came to a conclusive answer on whether or not I actually did want this shift in mindset and slow gravitation towards what my surroundings have designated as normal. But at the very least, I'm willing to go along for a little while.
					
					Even if the shadows are starting to look a lot darker.
					*page_break Next
					*goto next
					
*label next
I end up arriving back home about a half hour ahead of Daniel. That's not surprising, nor is it uncommon. In fact, I'd probably say it became routine a long while ago. Sure, at first, we were usually pretty even; but that was more to the long period of time I spent incarcerated rather than anything else.

While my young body still has plenty of growth to go through, he's somewhere in his early-forties by now. His peak was a long time ago, and while exercise could maintain, he'll never recover to maximum efficiency ever again.

I arrive at home, out of breath and ready to sit down. The first thing I do upon entering the empty house is grab one of the two water bottles waiting by the door and slump down on the couch.

I look over at the direction of the gym, down the hall and to the left, while taking a long drink of water. Of course I'll go in a minute, but taking a moment of catch my breath and rehydrate from the sweating is just as important.

After my sip, I set the water bottle roughly down on the table and let out a deep breath of exhaustion. Running will do that to even the best of us.

*if (vi_friend =false)
	About a minute later, Daniel comes in breathing like his lungs are threatening to come out of his throat. For a moment I actually wonder if he didn't overexert himself.
	*choice
		#"Are you okay?"
			*set frienddan +1
			"Are you alright?" I'm not used to seeing Daniel so winded. Or in any kind of distress. Or even fazed, really. Seeing him in a state other than complete unflappable control is a little bit worrying that all might not be right with him.
			
			"Yeah...yeah...I'm good..." He breaths out, taking small sips of water between gasps. "Just...starting to feel my age, I think...this used to be so easy..."
			
			"Hmm...how old are you, anyway?"
			
			"Ehh..." he pauses to think. "43, in about a month."
			
			"You're still pretty healthy, all things considered."
			
			"Healthy, sure, but not immortal." He takes another, longer sip of water. "Ah...doesn't seem like I'm in any shape to continue on. You can do what you want, I'll just...sit down for a bit."
			*choice
				#Enough for today
					*set combat -1
					*set firearms -1
					*set explosives -1
					*set tactics -1
					*set stealth -1
					*set reflex -1
					From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
					*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
				#Must stay strong
					If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
					
					That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
					
					It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
					
					With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
					
					Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
					*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
					*goto flashbaaaack
		#He's fine
			Daniel is a grown adult, he doesn't need me looking over his shoulder.
			
			Even after I've mostly recovered and ready to go to the exercise room, Daniel is still breathing heavily and sitting himself down in the couch to rest. "This used to be so easy...I think I'm done for the day. You can do what you want."
			
			"Alright," I nod back to him and look into the hallway. Exercise room on my left, shower on my right.
			
			*choice
				#Enough for today
					*set combat -1
					*set firearms -1
					*set explosives -1
					*set tactics -1
					*set stealth -1
					*set reflex -1
					From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
					*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
				#Must stay strong
					If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
					
					That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
					
					It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
					
					With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
					
					Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
					*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
					*goto flashbaaaack
		#I don't care either way
			*set hatedan +1
			He's fine. Even if he wasn't, I doubt it'd matter much to me.
			
			Even after I've mostly recovered and ready to go to the exercise room, Daniel is still breathing heavily and sitting himself down in the couch to rest. "This used to be so easy...I think I'm done for the day. You can do what you want."
			
			"Hmm." I give a disapproving grunt. A morning exercise and he considers himself useless for the day. He gives me a bit of a sideways look as I'm marching off and looking into the hallway. Exercise room on my left, shower on my right.
			
			*choice
				#Enough for today
					*set combat -1
					*set firearms -1
					*set explosives -1
					*set tactics -1
					*set stealth -1
					*set reflex -1
					From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
					*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
				#Must stay strong
					If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
					
					That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
					
					It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
					
					With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
					
					Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
					*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
					*goto flashbaaaack
Then my breath catches in my throat as I feel two hands come down on my shoulders, and a creaky feminine voice whisper behind me. "Welcome home..."
*fake_choice
	#Disable her
		In an instant my arms shoot out, grabbing hold of whatever they can, and pull the figure over the couch. She's light, and I have superior leverage, so it isn't difficult to throw her into the table in front of me.
		
		Her body breaks through the wooden table, and the two crash onto the ground. The table splintered and broken, and her groaning while holding her side.
		
		"Ohhhh...Good morning."
		
		"Hello, Vi."
		*page_break Next
		A few minutes later, Daniel walks in. The first thing he sees, after his water bottle, is me sitting on the couch looking at Vi, sitting in the remains of our living room table and picking splinters out of her skin.
		
		"Vi." He addresses her, getting the young porcupine's attention. "What's broken? Aside from the table."
		
		She looks at him, then points at the bathroom. "The bathroom window."
		
		Daniel sighs. "Always the God damn windows..." He grumbles. "Does Amanda know you're here?"
		
		"Nope!"
		
		"Well...have you eaten anything?"
		
		"Right, I might as well get you fixed up. We'll give you a ride to school."
		
		"Okay!"
		
		Daniel takes her to the kitchen, presumably to fetch the first aid kit. Though by this point she could probably find it by herself.
		
		They leave me alone with a choice. Daniel's going to be occupied so his morning exercise is done. Should I continue on without him or just shower and get ready for school?
		*choice
			#Enough for today
				*set combat -1
				*set firearms -1
				*set explosives -1
				*set tactics -1
				*set stealth -1
				*set reflex -1
				From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
				
				Vi already helped prove that my abilities are still strong.
				*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
			#Must stay strong
				If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
				
				That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
				
				It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
				
				With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
				
				Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
				*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
				*goto flashbaaaack

	#Retreat
		*set combat -1
		*set explosives -1
		In an instant I'm on my feet. Have to account for the table in front of me, end up choosing to step over it for a faster escape, and turn around once I'm on the other side.
		
		From here I have visibility of my target. Standing on the opposite side of the couch.
		
		"Woah, I didn't see you move...oh, good morning!"
		
		"Hello, Vi."
		*page_break Next
		A few minutes later, Daniel walks in. The first thing he sees, after his water bottle, is me sitting on the couch looking at Vi while she looks at me.
		
		"Vi." He addresses her, getting the young intruder's attention. "What's broken?"
		
		She looks at him, then points at the bathroom. "The bathroom window."
		
		Daniel sighs. "Always the God damn windows..." He grumbles. "Does Amanda know you're here?"
		
		"Nope!"
		
		"Well...have you eaten anything?"
		
		He sighs, reluctantly falling into the routine. "Right, come on then. I'll make you some breakfast."
		
		"Okay!" She says, before pausing and looking at me. "But wait, ${firstname}, what about you? I couldn't bear to eat before yo-"
		
		Daniel promptly drags her by the arm before she can continue down that line of dialog. "I promise, ${he} won't be offended."
		
		And now they leave me alone with a choice. Daniel's going to be occupied so his morning exercise is done. Should I continue on without him or just shower and get ready for school?
		*choice
			#Enough for today
				*set combat -1
				*set firearms -1
				*set explosives -1
				*set tactics -1
				*set stealth -1
				*set reflex -1
				From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
				
				Vi already helped prove that my abilities are still strong.
				*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
			#Must stay strong
				If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
				
				That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
				
				It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
				
				With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
				
				Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
				*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
				*goto flashbaaaack
		
	#Ignore her
		*set combat -1
		*set reflex -1
		*set explosives -1
		We've run though this routine enough times to where I can't bring enough energy to care. I just sigh and sip my water as her arms run over my chest.
		
		"How was your morning?" Vi's voice creaks in my ear as she affectionately rubs the top of her head against my cheek. Like a cat. "Did you enjoy yourself?"
		
		She waits for a bit, but my bored expression doesn't give her much to work with. Clearly making her nervous as she begins to recoil into herself, before she remembers something. "Oh wait, I forgot to say the line!" She coughs, and resumes her affectionate chest rubbing. "So, what would you like? I can run you a breakfast, or cook you a shower, or will you have...wait, that's wrong, can I start over?"
		
		Finally, Daniel decides to show up. The door opens and he briskly walks in from the cold breathing heavily. The first thing he sees is his bottle of water, which he grabs without need of provocation. The second thing he sees is Vi standing behind me. "Vi."
		
		"Hello Daniel!" She exclaims in response, not moving from her position.
		
		"What's broken?"
		
		She looks at him, then points at the bathroom. "The bathroom window."
		
		Daniel sighs. "Always the God damn windows..." He grumbles. "Does Amanda know you're here?"
			
		"Nope!"
		
		"Well...have you eaten anything?"
		
		"Nope!"
		
		He sighs, reluctantly falling into the routine. "Right, come on then. I'll make you some breakfast."
		
		"Okay!" She says, before pausing and looking at me. "But wait, ${firstname}, what about you? I couldn't bear to eat before yo-"
		
		Daniel promptly drags her by the arm before she can continue down that line of dialog. "I promise, ${he} won't be offended."
		
		And now they leave me alone with a choice. Daniel's going to be occupied so his morning exercise is done. Should I continue on without him or just shower and get ready for school?
		*choice
			#Enough for today
				*set combat -1
				*set firearms -1
				*set explosives -1
				*set tactics -1
				*set stealth -1
				*set reflex -1
				From what I can tell, most people in this society already consider a morning run every single day to be high above average physical exercise. I'm not in danger of losing all ability to protect myself.
				*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
			#Must stay strong
				If you want peace, prepare for war. Slacking on building proper defenses would be unacceptable.
				
				That, and it's generally a good idea to stay in shape. Health reasons alone make it worthwhile.
				
				It's a fairly simplistic gym we've set up. Exercise equipment on one side, a small padded clear space on the other for sparring. Nothing overly extravagant. 
				
				With Daniel preoccupied, sparring is automatically out. So I opt for some standard strength exercises. Push ups, sits ups, squats, maybe a few runs through the rowing machine. That sort of thing.
				
				Personally, I'm not much of a fan of machines. They take up space and don't provide much value that can't be gained through standard exercises.
				*page_break Not to mention, they're vulnerable...
				*goto flashbaaaack

		
*label flashbaaaack

[i]The gym was a quiet place. Not a whole lot of people visited it. Those who did liked to keep to themselves, like me, so we didn't bother each other.

[i]This wasn't one of those days. Today there was nobody. So I had free reign on all the equipment. My upper body was falling behind my cardio and technique, so I chose to prioritize strength and arm exercises. After the stretches, I started off with one of the classics; the weightlifting bar.

[i]After I had gotten started, I admit I got careless. I was used to people coming in at random times and so I wasn't on guard when I heard the door open. I didn't even look at them, until I saw three individuals standing around me.

[i]Three. Two males, one female. Female had a knife, likely to compensate for weaker frame. The one who stood on my left was the first to speak. "Cockroach, right? I hear you're supposed to be famous."

[i]The dominant of the three. This whole thing was probably his idea. By this point, I was something separate from the grunts, and that had drawn expected amount of envy and disdain. He was probably hoping that by defeating me, him and his group would raise in their meager status. Despite that by the look of them, they couldn't have been part of the organization for more than a year and with no more than two battles each. Might have even been inducted together. Would explain why they're so sociable; those who had been in from a young age didn't share that quality.

*fake_choice
	#I ignored them
		[i]Maybe if I didn't respond, they would assume I was a coward and get bored. Go bother someone else. At the very least, if they attacked, I could say I didn't start it. Not that it would make much difference if I did.
		
		[i]Unfortunately, this did not have the desired effect. "Tsk, so you're just going to ignore us?" He pressed down lightly on one side of the weight bar. Off-set my balance so that it required more energy expended to keep it from falling down on me.
		
		[i]Effective trap with a simple gesture. Eventually, my endurance would run out and the bar would fall on my chest. No doubt if I tried setting the bar aside, they'd interfere. Couldn't effectively attack so long as I was preoccupied with not getting crushed.
		
		[i]"People keep calling you special, but I don't see it."
		
		[i]"How does someone like you get to just walk around and do whatever the hell you want?" The female demanded, resting her hand on the table and shooting a disdainful look at me. "Go where you want. Skip guard duty.[/i] Eat full meals.[i] Think I could get in on it after you're dead?"
		
		[i]To be fair, I never did expect a peaceful solution.
		*page_break Next
		*label fight
		
		[i]With a weight being pushed with uneven distribution down on me, my options for retaliation are limited. However, exploiting the physics of his tactic could turn it around on him, almost literally. Basic physics dictates that if one side of the bar goes down, the other side will more easily go up due to the leverage. Momentum would carry it the rest of the way.
		
		[i]I pushed up on my right side, sitting up as I do so, and let the left side fall. The sudden lack of resistance caused the leader to stumble forward, then knocked down as the other side made impact. 60 lbs of weight, moving with the combined force of gravity and momentum, shattered his skull on impact with the ground.
		
		[i]I made sure to be off the bench by the time the others got over it.
		
		[i]"How's ${he} already on ${his} feet! I didn't even see ${him} move!" The female shouts as she and the remaining male eye me confrontational. Doesn't take long before the male gets fed up with waiting and attacks with a telegraphed punch. Duck, protect head, punch to groin. Once I'd moved to the other side of him, I pushed him over; wasn't difficult, considering he was already bent down from the pain.
		
		[i]Still moving on the ground though. Needed to take care of him definitively. So, grabbed a 20 lb weight off of the wrack. Head? No, small target. Lower back. Break his spine.
		
		[i]Heard rapid footsteps coming toward me after that. Moved to attack the female, though not before she got a good punch to my side. I still ended up hitting harder than her, and I chose a better target, being the face. Hurt my hand. I prefer palms and elbows for that reason. Oh well. She staggered back, and after briefly looking at me in panic, she turned around and began running away.
		*choice
			#I stopped her
				[i]She chose the fight. So, I grabbed a dumbbell off the ground and threw it at her, hitting her in the back and knocking her down. Of course she was still trying to get away after that, but it's not difficult to close the distance on a female crawling on the ground. I sat on her back to keep her down and not a threat to myself, though by this point she'd given up fighting.
				
				[i]"I-I don't want to die...please-" She cried out in sobbing breaths. Didn't get past the second sentence before I grabbed the dumbbell thrown and smashed the back of her skull with it five times. Difficult to recognize it as a skull afterwards.
				
				[i]After she was dealt with, I stood up and did a quick post combat self-inspection. Discovered a knife in my side. Female must have put it there and the adrenaline kept me from noticing. Oh well, guessed I'd be visiting the doctor.
				
				[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
				*goto wakeup
			#I let her go
				[i]No point, really.
				
				[i]After she was dealt with, I stood up and did a quick post combat self-inspection. Discovered a knife in my side. Female must have put it there and the adrenaline kept me from noticing. Oh well, guess I'll be visiting the doctor.
				
				[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
				*goto wakeup
	#I warned them
		[i]"Go away."
		
		[i]Unfortunately, this did not have the desired effect. "Tsk, you really wanna be talking like that?" He pressed down lightly on one side of the weight bar. Off-set my balance so that it required more energy expended to keep it from falling down on me. "Why don't you say something again?"
		
		[i]"Go away. Or I'll kill you."
		
		[i]He made an effective trap with a simple gesture. Eventually, my endurance would run out and the bar would fall on my chest. No doubt if I tried setting the bar aside, they'd interfere. Couldn't effectively attack so long as I was preoccupied with not getting crushed.
		
		[i]"Geez, someone's cocky?" The other male says. "People keep calling this one invincible, ${he} must have fallen for it."
		
		[i]"How does someone like you get to just walk around and do whatever the hell you want?" The female demanded, resting her hand on the table and shooting a disdainful look at me. "Go where you want. Skip guard duty.[/i] Eat full meals. [i]Which officer did you fuck to get that privilege? Think I could get in on it after you're dead?"
		
		*goto fight
	#I killed them
		[i]Given their body language, it was going to go that route anyway. Might as well give myself the advantage of striking first.
		
		[i]I set the bar back on its resting spot then sat up, on the left side so I was facing the leader. They watched me, smug and in control.
		
		[i]Then I grabbed a dumbbell and smashed it across the leader's face. Broken jaw, facial fractures, major concussion. He fell on the ground instantly, conscious but with protrusive bleeding from mouth and nose. Before his companions could get involved, I fell to one knee and used the momentum to break the dumbbell through his head, concaving the skull entirely.
		
		[i]Had the momentum. Could lose it. So I turned quickly and threw the dumbbell at the other male's head. Knock him onto his back. Began focusing on the female before getting an assessment of his wounds. I had her marked from the start as the least likely to fight, and it showed in her stance after her two male companions were dispatched. She held the knife weakly and didn't show an eagerness to attack with it.
		
		[i]Her hesitation was my opportunity. Kicked her leg out and punched her across the face. Hurt my fist. Prefer palms and elbows for that reason. Oh well. She was on the ground, barely trying to pick herself up, knife far out of her reach. Grabbed her head from behind, one hand at the top of her mouth and one on the jaw, and began to separate them. She screamed, loudly, as the tendons connecting her jaw were forced to give way. "It hurts!" She shouted. Not sure who she was shouting too. Surely nobody who heard it would actually care. "It hurts! It hurts!"
		
		[i]Got interrupted when I felt something punch my side. Quickly turned and began attacking with full aggression. Turned out the second male wasn't quite as unconscious as I was hoping. But the knife...oh, that must have been what that punch was. If I looked down I would have seen a knife sticking out of me.
		
		[i]Didn't take long for him to get overrun by a relentless barrage of attacks. He was only a few years older than me, after all. He lost his footing and ended up tripping on a weight. Once he was on the ground I grabbed the weight, sat on his chest, and bashed into his skull three times.
		
		[i]Looked over at the female, not willing to get distracted again. Didn't have anything to worry about. Her jaw dangled from her face connected by only a few tendons. A quick tug would be all it took to remove it entirely. At this point, she wasn't doing anything except curling up into a ball and crying, a lot, her tears mixing with the blood that had started to pool around her.
		
		[i]With that level of bleeding, she had about two minutes. It would be painful. Wasn't sure if I should mercy kill her or not. 
		*fake_choice
			#I let her bleed
				[i]It'd send a better message.
				
				[i]After making my decision, I turned around and ignored her wailing as I did a self-inspection. Knife in my side needed looking at. Which meant my next stop would be the doctor.
				
				[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
				*goto wakeup
				
			#I killed her
				Wasn't even sure how I would do it. Bludgeoning wasn't exactly painless. The only sharp instrument was the knife in my side I didn't really want to move around. Choking out certainly wasn't pleasant. It might have actually been kinder to let her bleed out. Sure, it would be a horrifyingly miserable two minutes, but in the end it would be more like falling asleep rather than a brutal and sudden stop.
		
				*fake_choice
					#I used a dumbbell
						[i]I grabbed the still bloodied dumbbell and walked up behind her. Took a couple hits but eventually she stopped her wailing and lied down peacefully in the puddle of blood she'd made.
						
						[i]Afterwards, I did a post battle self-inspection. Knife in my side needed looking at. Which meant my next stop would be the doctor.
				
						[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
						*goto wakeup
					#I choked her
						[i]Was a bit hard getting her head. She starting flailing around when I put hands on her but eventually she gave up and softly sobbed. Those were cut short when I began choking her.
						
						[i]Took a few seconds but she quickly ceased breathing and lied down peacefully in the puddle of blood she'd made. Afterwards, I did a post battle self-inspection. Knife in my side needed looking at. Which meant my next stop would be the doctor.
				
						[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
						*goto wakeup
					#I let her bleed
						[i]This was getting too complicated, and it was probably kinder anyway.
						
						[i]After making my decision, I turned around and ignored her wailing as I did a self-inspection. Knife in my side needed looking at. Which meant my next stop would be the doctor.
				
						[i]Just as I was leaving, I stopped when I saw the officer sitting in the doorway, smiling at the scene. He chuckled, then gestured to follow him.
						*goto wakeup

*label wakeup

"${firstname}, I'd start wrapping it up!" I hear someone shout. "Otherwise you won't get time to wash up. I do not recommend going to school smelling like a gym."

Start wrapping it up? But...I haven't even done anything?

How long have I just been standing here?

"${firstname}, did you hear me?"

"...Yes!" I call back, and turn around. Away from the equipment. "I will...wash up."
*goto obligatoryshowerscene-check
*label obligatoryshowerscene-check

*page_break Next
There's something about the feel of hot water from a high pressure shower that's inherently relaxing. I'm partially ashamed that it only took three weeks to get used to and come to expect it. So much so that when I reach a hand into the running water to test the temperature, I find myself getting annoyed when it takes slightly longer than usual to heat up.

I tell myself that I should be grateful that's all I have to worry about. That argument has becomes less effective as time goes on. Just as I've become less enamored by the pleasant feeling of hot water and soap. In the old days, how many people would I have killed for something like this? I never had a chance to know. 

All I can do is speculate; if I had known back then back then, and if somehow killing people would have helped me get this simple unnecessary pleasure. How many people would I have killed for it? Would it have mattered if I knew them or not? 

The room is filled with hot steam when I get out. I always take longer than necessary to get clean, though that time has been decreasing to match the decrease of my appreciation. I cast a glance at the fogged up mirror, and wipe it away, creating an ugly little reflection staring back.

For most of my childhood I never even knew what I looked like. Took a while to comprehend that the reflection was actually me. My comprehension of physical appearance and its affect on others came with the arrival of that officer into my life. Many people disagreed with him, both then and now; but he called me beautiful. Would whisper about what a treasure I was as he caressed each scar, deciphering the story that my body told as the scars began to accumulate.

[i]"Look at what you let them do to you." He shook his head as the doctor patched the fresh knife wound in my side. An unfortunate after affect of the minor disagreement in the gym. "Well, doctor? What is your diagnosis?"

I can see that same old wound on my side as I look in the mirror. Remember sitting in the doctor's office, torso as bare as it is now, as he examined the latest damage to my body. [i]"Well, Mr. Fiskal, from what I was able to tell during my treatment, it seems that the knife was blocked by ${his} ribcage. No internal organ damage, wound was sutured without incident, though I had to flood ${his} system with antibiotics due to the unclean blade; give ${him} a month of bed-rest with plenty of food and water and you should be able to expect a full recovery. I'll do a follow-up check in a few weeks and, if all goes as expected, clear ${him} for field operations again."

[i]I heard them, but I wasn't really listening. I was just...waiting. Then I felt a finger on my chin tilt it upwards. "I expected nothing less. Death has no claim over this one." He said with a smile, "The ones who attacked you, do not let them get to you. There will be others. You'll never be like them. You're something separate. Something...beyond what they can understand. Something special."

I look into the mirror, and see the same eyes that he stared into. "Something dangerous..."

*page_break Next
Daniel's waiting by the front door when I step out of my room, dressed and with my bright green backpack, stuffed with homework and schoolbooks.

"All ready?" He asks, to which I nod. 
*if (vi_friend =true)
	"Alright. Vi's waiting in the car, let's go."
	*goto stupid
*else
	"Alright, let's be off then."
	*goto stupid
*label stupid
*page_break Off to another day...
*goto_scene 2-2school