Perfect School

I stood and moved over to the door, pushing it open before glancing back. With a sigh through my nose I moved back to hook an arm under Jonah's shoulder. "Come on."

Jonah:

“Kira, I don't need a tether. I can walk just fine.” I brushed her off. “Just lead the way.” I felt degraded. It had been Marie's intention to get inside my head, I knew that. She alienated me from Kira by demonstrating how she would inform on me. She told me I was damaged for what had happened in my childhood, and she split be open by forcing me to admit what I had done. All in front of Kira no less. My mind felt like it had been rummaged through and my body felt like it would abandon me at any moment. I only hoped that I would make it to the penthouse first.

I gave him a long look before nodding. "So be it." Without another word or look I moved past Marie with a bow of my head to her. I wove my way through the hallways only glancing back towards Jonah when I had to wait for others to move out of our way. Soon enough we stood in an elevator, arms folded as I settled against the wall as it rode it's way up to the surface.

Jonah:

The entire trip back I could have leaned my head back and fallen asleep, but I knew once I was out I wouldn't be waking back up again for quite a while. Back at the pent house I made sure to drink plenty of water before I went to lay down. I was out almost before my head hit the pillow.

Jonah:

The entire trip back I could have leaned my head back and fallen asleep, but I knew once I was out I wouldn't be waking back up again for quite a while.  Back at the pent house I made sure to drink plenty of water before I went to lay down.  I was out almost before my head hit the pillow.

I made sure to keep him awake and standing until the medics had a look at him but after that I let him be to rest. I ordered food to be delivered, making sure there was enough for two as well as things he was going to enjoy. Being broken was never fun and the small things mattered afterwards.

Jonah:

I slept for twelve straight hours without stirring. I woke up around eight in the morning and took a long steamy shower before emerging from my room to find something to eat.

I was awake before him sipping a cup of coffee out on the balcony. Once more I had ordered food for us both with items he'd enjoy included in the mix. Beside me on a table I had a doughnut, a cup of yogurt, and the remains of a waffle.

Jonah:

I joined Kira on the with a plate of food clearly meant for me. I sat in the chair eating methodically, looking out over the view. I didn't speak first.

"How do you feel after your first time breaking?" I asked him without looking at him. Instead I picked up my donut and licked at the powder before taking a bite. I hardly ever got to eat like this, my meals even here tailor made for me. But it was mostly for him. After breakfast it would all return to normal.

Jonah:

I didn't break, I thought but it wouldn't serve me to tell her that.  I continued to look out over the balcony.  “Why are you being nice to me?”  I asked her dully.  It was clear she had ordered food that I liked, and the hard look on her face was gone for the time being.

"Because I know what it's like to have been broken. What you got was light but...still broken. Pushed to your limits, mind, body, spirit shattered. Then you are rebuilt stronger if you have the capability. I believe you do." I stated softly as I continued to gaze out over the city.

Jonah:

I could understand why Kira was the way she was. She had been steeped in this since she was young, with no one to lead her but these people. I sighed inwardly. This was my life now, I would have to get through it.

I would allow them to rebuild me, though I would be cautious of brainwashing. They would use whatever they could to touch my emotions instead of my mind, I would give them little opportunity. I looked at Kira then and studied her porcelain features. I would have to distance myself from her for now. I was too close to her and that could be used against me.

I angled my body away from her as I finished my food. It was what Marie wanted. I had to do whatever it took to not conflict with her. I would have to relinquish control, as she said.

I finished my coffee and stood up. Jonah was lucky, he simply didn't know it. The first time they broke me was when I was five years old. He truly had gotten off lightly and I could tell he didn't realize it. But that was fine, he could live in his disillusion. Wallow in his self-conceited pity. It was better that way. We were to be weapons for Marie. No more, no less.

Jonah:

I stood up and leaned over the balcony, looking out over the city. “What is the plan for today?” I asked. My body was still incredibly sore and my energy levels were low despite my long rest.

"We return at noon and begin training again. More than likely you will be taken for testing you will be measured and have everything recorded about you. The school doesn't measure everything. But Marie will." I stated as I picked up my plate and moved inside.

Jonah:

The next week was grueling. I went through many tests, physical and physiological. What they had me do with my body, I did not care, it was the mental probing that I hated and tried to resist as best I could without giving myself away. They tested my reflexes, my intelligence, my impulse control, my my moral values, etc…

I tried to empty and clear my mind, both so I could take in what they wanted, and so that they would not turn over things I did not wish. I was particularly resistant when they evaluated my childhood and how it had effected who I was. They implied that I was damaged and could not achieve my full potential due to psychological bruising. Yet I continued to exceed their expectations.

I interacted little with Kira outside of the penthouse, and even there I was reserved with her. No relaxed banter or charming smiles. Sometimes she would join Marie in watching some task they were having me do, but often she was off on her own orders.

Nearing the end of the two weeks I had taken two more lives, this time I had been ordered to. The first one they had even hooked me up to a machine to observe the effects that Killing had on me. I wondered if they did the Same to Kira. I had no unwelcome reactions. When I had killed Emily, past emotions had boiled up from when I had stabbed Kitty. I was eight and the horror of it had gagged me, that returned with my second kill, but now I felt nothing. No remorse or nausea plagued me.

The last day Marie told both Kira and I that we could enjoy ourselves in the city. My assumption was that she was willing to give and take, she made you hate her one minute, and the next she would reward you. If you were willing to please her, she would loosen your leash. It had taken me two weeks to satisfy her, Kira had probably been given many boons in that time.

For the next week I was put through test after test.  I had figured out what they wanted within the first day, to see if Jonah had damaged me in any way through his first contacts.  So I opened myself to them and the testing only lasted two full days before they declared that while their work was scuffed a little nothing lasting had been done.  As such I was given rewards and boons which I saved.  Within my room in the penthouse was a bookshelf.  I had all of my favors and boons from Marie turned into a card so that I could use it at my leisure by simply turning in the card.  I had filled the entire book shelf with the completion of the week.

I never used them, I saw no need. I could have anything I wanted anyway, and so I collected them. My own little gold stars. It was how I coped, how I dealt with what was done to me. I pulled from the little things. Yogurt, my rewards, swimming. It was how I was trained to deal.

Jonah:

I was going to take advantage with the exploring and start my morning early. I had never actually been allowed out on my own like this, not in an actually city. I got up, showered, shaved, and dressed in comfy clothing, tailor-made for me. I had a glass of juice before I left, thinking I would get breakfast while I was out, and saw Kira eating her yoghurt parfait.

While I had not been the slightest bit rude to her, I had shown her little kindness. I found that I had been craving her company now that my mind was not preoccupied with jumping through hoops.

“I'm going out, would you like to join me? I could use a guide.” My tone was neutral, none of the playfulness I had used in the past.

I looked up slowly from my treat, the first one I'd been able to have in a while with the spoon half way into my mouth. Slowly I finished that spoonful while I kept my eyes on him. "You wish to go out?" I repeated slowly into a question as I watched him. Slowly I looked down at my food then nodded, "I would like to go." I agreed then pointed at a small cabinet that was set beside the door. "Get our things then."

Without another word I stood and took my treat with me towards my room to change. Inside the small cabinet were credit cards to be used at my leisure. But I had never gone out and used one so all ten that were inside were brand new and looked as if they hadn't ever been touched.

Jonah:

I got what we needed and put it in a brand-new wallet in my pocket. Waiting for Kira, I leaned against the wall by the door with my head angled back. Unlike our last trip, I would be happy to return to the school, to have some privacy within my own mind.

I returned wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I had my own wallet though I kept it only with my ID and another of the cards from the cabinet. "Is there anything you would wish to do or see?" I asked him after opening the door for him.

Jonah:

“I have never done this before, so I'm not entirely sure. I would like to try something new. Maybe go to a museum, or a show, or something along those lines.” I said as we walked to the elevator. “First I want to find someplace for breakfast.”

I nodded as my hands clasped behind my back. The elevator opened instantly for us when we approached and I stepped in without a seconds thought. "I know a few places then. Though you will have to give me time during breakfast to see what is available."

Jonah:

“Of course.” I nodded as the elevator descended. There was a pancake house just around the corner that we stopped into. I ordered a couple pancakes with hash browns and scrambled eggs.