Nexus 100
050. Spade.
It's a test. He, more than anyone else in the unit, has something to prove, and this is his test. The low growl cuts through the air the moment he steps into the room, and the door slams shut behind him. No windows, no room for escape. Just him and the dog. Even as he's sizing the situation up, looking for the best opportunity, he feels a certain amount of pity for the savage, half starved thing.
This is what circumstance has done to them both. Turned them into angry monsters with no hope of salvation. He hefts the spade in his hand as the dog launches itself at him. Fury and madness and snapping jaws.
Five minutes later, the door opens, and he steps out, bleeding from the arm, but victorious. The dog won't get up again, skull split from one well places strike. He's proven himself, but he isn't thinking of that now. All he thinks is that at least one of them has finally found peace.
063. Summer.
He should be back at the hotel, ready to leave for practice. They have a competition tomorrow, and he'll have a chance to prove himself worthy of his place on the team. But it's bright and warm and beautiful outside, and he can't bring himself to go back. He's never been this warm before, standing in the Florida sun, gawking like a tourist, because he's never seen anyplace that seemed so *free.* Back at the hotel, he has to be a part of the collective whole. No room for personal achievement or glory.
Freedom calls to him from every corner. A chance to be himself. He should be back at the hotel. If he doesn't go now, he's going to find himself in very serious trouble. He can't do it. He looks at the palms blowing in the warm breeze, and knows he can't go back.
Instead, he looses himself in the crowds.
It's a test. He, more than anyone else in the unit, has something to prove, and this is his test. The low growl cuts through the air the moment he steps into the room, and the door slams shut behind him. No windows, no room for escape. Just him and the dog. Even as he's sizing the situation up, looking for the best opportunity, he feels a certain amount of pity for the savage, half starved thing.
This is what circumstance has done to them both. Turned them into angry monsters with no hope of salvation. He hefts the spade in his hand as the dog launches itself at him. Fury and madness and snapping jaws.
Five minutes later, the door opens, and he steps out, bleeding from the arm, but victorious. The dog won't get up again, skull split from one well places strike. He's proven himself, but he isn't thinking of that now. All he thinks is that at least one of them has finally found peace.
063. Summer.
He should be back at the hotel, ready to leave for practice. They have a competition tomorrow, and he'll have a chance to prove himself worthy of his place on the team. But it's bright and warm and beautiful outside, and he can't bring himself to go back. He's never been this warm before, standing in the Florida sun, gawking like a tourist, because he's never seen anyplace that seemed so *free.* Back at the hotel, he has to be a part of the collective whole. No room for personal achievement or glory.
Freedom calls to him from every corner. A chance to be himself. He should be back at the hotel. If he doesn't go now, he's going to find himself in very serious trouble. He can't do it. He looks at the palms blowing in the warm breeze, and knows he can't go back.
Instead, he looses himself in the crowds.