I winced as one child threw something through the air, into a dummy. “And…they use real weapons?”
“Oh, well, they have to be fully trained.”
“Well, that’s a relief,” I said sarcastically.
“We start them with throwing stars and work our way up to guns.”
I swallowed hard as she pointed to a large window. Behind it, I could see the firing range and the small children in there, firing their weapons.
“It seems you have quite the system.”
Letting out a deep sigh, she smiled at the chaos. “It’s pretty perfect.”
I jumped as Maggie ran across the gym, yelling at one of the instructors, who was doing something horrible to a child.
“They let the instructors hurt the kids?” I gasped.
“Caitlin! How many times do I have to tell you that eye gouging is not okay?” Maggie shouted.
“Oh…” Claire cleared her throat uncomfortably. “That’s Maggie’s daughter.”
My jaw dropped. “Her daughter is gouging out another student’s eyes?”
She chuckled nervously, tugging me in another direction. “But over here, we have schoolwork.”
They all looked like ordinary students, working at their desks. If you could look past the training uniforms turning them into little soldiers, they almost seemed normal.
“Wow. It’s…” I swallowed hard, trying to come up with something positive to say.
“Thank you for showing me this,” I said, trying not to let my absolute horror sound in my voice.
“I thought it might make a difference,” she grinned.
“Oh, you have no idea.”
I turned to leave, my steps stuttering when I saw Rob standing in the doorway, a sad smile on his face.
“So, Claire decided to give you a tour.”
“It was enlightening,” I decided to go with, over my preferredYou guys are all psychotic.
“So.”
“Yeah,” I nodded, taking his hand in mine.
“I’ll take you to the airport.”
“Are you sure I’ll be safe?” I teased.
“No, but that’s why you’re not flying home on a regular airplane.”
“Oh, goody,” I laughed. “I was worried I would have to risk it on a flight with average people. Someone might cough in my direction, and then where would we be?”
He laughed at my joke, but I could tell my words cut deep. It was easier to make jokes about it than to face the fact that our lives were just too different. When I got home, things would go back to normal, and my life would be just as I liked it.
But it wouldn’t have him.
“I know it’s not what you wanted, but thank you for coming out here.”