Chapter 1 - Sam: Hello

Sam's perspective

Have you ever tried sleeping for more than 12 hours? You would feel tired, right? And you'll feel weak. I do agree. As of speaking, I just woke up from a long-term sleep. I've been in a sleeping pod for a long time, you know. Waking up, two women washed me, fixed me, gave me a beverage that served as food, and brought me into a room full of monitors, wires, with a table and chairs at the opposite sides. There's a big mirror at the wall. Now they are briefing me. They attached a brain monitor on my head and at the monitor behind me started making beeping sounds. They asked me to try to remember things before this. I remember that I was supposed to be dead some time ago. But some connections of my father were encouraged to stop my death. Now they are telling me what they did to me. I can't speak. Not yet. I was just trying to absorb the things they're telling me. They were talking about how they gave me a solution and let me freeze. Then how they decided that it's time for me to be thawed and be introduced back to the living world.
"How old are you now, Sam?" Chris, the scientist who is currently doing my brain check, asked.
"15." I responded in a raspy voice. Obviously, my throat is still adjusting to this technically new life.
"Actually, you just turned 18 yesterday." Chris smiled. My right eyebrow shot upwards. Huh. 18. I remained silent for the next hour. I just learned that I have been sleeping for three years. They talked about how I will be re-introduced to the outside world. They were also talking about training me, educating me (I slept when I was still in highschool. They are now planning to get me into college), and teach me about the world we are living in now.
For 3 months, I did whatever they scheduled me to do. I observe them while they observe me and I noticed their reactions. They seem surprised to how I was able to accomplish some things. They even talked to each other quietly when I did something that felt normal to me. They tried so hard to catch up educating me to all the subjects that I was supposed learn. One day, I asked for my father. They instead let me speak with an old man who requested for me to be thawed. His name is Gallagher Boost. He explained that my parents are already gone. They died when I was in the sleeping pod. And now he's my legal guardian. He explained that he was one of the connections (my father's best friend) that my father contacted to stop my death. He wasn't telling me how they died. Telling me that I should forget about it for a while. And that he would eventually tell me the truth when I am ready.
"Samantha" Amanda called while I was in my room reading the Inferno for the nth time. She's in her 40s and serving Gallagher as his secretary for 20 years.
"Yes, Amanda?" I replied, putting my book down.
"Gallagher wanted to speak with you."
"Of course. I'll be right there." I muttered. She left me with a smile. I closed my book and went out of my room to proceed to Gallagher's office. I knocked at his door and pushed the door slowly, peeking in.
"You called for me?" I said when I saw him seated behind his desk while reading some papers.
"Yes, Sam. Please take a seat." He said ushering me to the chair across his desk.
I entered the room and sat. For 3 months that I've known Gallagher, I've grown to treating him like my own father. He provided for me and loved me as his own daughter.
"Samantha, it's time for you to go back to school." He began.
"School? But I already know most of the things I have to learn." I countered softly.
"I know. And it's really good to know. But your achievements may interest the government and might use you as a lab rat. I don't want it to happen to you."
"Why would they use me?" I asked.
"You've become totally powerful after your treatment. I just don't want them to harass you about your skills and intelligence." His eyes spoke volumes. I can feel his concern and fear. I realized that I am very much susceptible to any harassment from people when they know my abilities.
"So, I should be back in highschool?"
"No, Samantha. You'll enter college. You are free to choose which career path you want to take. But you must do something to not stand out that much." Gallagher said and handed me pamphlet. It was a brochure from the prestigious university in the area.
"What is it?" I asked as I was browsing the brochure.
"Try to control your abilities to not stand out. It's ok to be one of the top students but don't try to attract too much attention" he grinned.
I looked at him. "How would I do that?"
"I know you'll be able to minimize everything. You can do it." He said. "I'll ask Chris to help you with that. But for now, we'll proceed to Preston to register you. I suggest you prepare yourself then we'll meet at the lobby."
I stood up and went out of the room then proceeded to my own room and fixed myself. Control myself, eh? I'll try. But I definitely have to find something or some place where I can be myself. It will build up too much and I know it will stress me out.

3 months later after I registered as a MIS student of Preston, I am now seated at the back of the class not even taking notes. I am just thinking what I would be my itinerary later. Ah. Maybe I should just work out at the gym of the Place.
I knew of the Place just a week after the semester started. I found it when I was jogging home. I got curious when I saw a body builder girl went in the construction zone. I followed and immediately I know I have to be there. I registered and they offered me all sorts of beginner's regimen. And just like a training again, I started from the basics, letting my sparring partners and gym trainers win on any of mini combat games. Eventually, in just 3 months, I was able to enter the advance level. I explained to Michel Fidele and Gary Smith, my gym trainers and Carl Fonde, one of the owners of the Place about my condition. I had them sign a NDA to not disclose any of my unusual abilities to anyone especially to the government. Michel, Gary, and Carl agreed. They even met with Gallagher to get his approval. I explained to him that I have to have an outlet outside the compound. But what he doesn't know was about the game of combat. He only knew that I am working out with the 3 guys.
Going back to what is happening in the lecture room, my fingers were busy playing with my pen. Letting it do cartwheels between my fingers. I just can't wait for this day to be over. I glanced at my watch. 2:25PM. 1 class left then it's over. I just overheard our professor, while thinking about something else, he was asking these dumb college students around me. No one is answering and so to avoid getting too irritated, I shot my hand up.
"Yes, Ms. Wilkins?" He called
"Normalization." I said. Professor Heddy smiled and acknowledge my answer. Then he continued educating my classmates. I looked around and noticed this guy sitting beside me. He was watching me. I looked away and stood up immediately when I heard the bell rung. I can still feel his gaze so I dashed away a bit faster just to get away from anyone especially him.
The hall suddenly filled up with a crowd of students and professors. I was just following the flow of the crowd. I slowed when my mobile phone vibrated from my coat pocket. I stopped just in front of the utility room's door and checked who messaged me.

Leon wants to play vs u. Wanna come? -C

It was Carl. I smiled. Leon huh? No wonder why Carl would send me a message like this. Must be a big prize. Knowing Leon, able to kill in under 2 minutes. Interesting. I replied

Will be there. See you!

Another game. Finally something to look forward to. I was just about to go as the crowd is starting to thin when suddenly I was pulled in the utility room. Immediately, my eyes were covered and I was held by two people. Without my eyes, my body switched immediately to my normal mode, meaning I am not trying to control some of my abilities. I can feel and almost see what They are doing. Two girls are holding me back. The other one kicked my right leg caused me to fall. One girl holding me pulled my hair and the other pulled me by my blouse. I opted not to fight back, remembering that these girls are just bullies who can't lift a 50kg weight. I kept silent letting them get tired. Although my kicked leg is starting to get a bit numb from my odd position. The third girl, who by judging the voice and accent, is Alice Mendez. She attends most of the classes that I am in.
"Don't sit beside my Dante anymore. Understand?" She said. The other girls giggled as they went out of the room. I heard the door banged and I was now able to remove the blindfold. So, Dante is the name of that guy. It was not even my fault when he sat beside me. It was the last seat that was available so I had no choice. I tutted and fixed myself up. I know that I will heal fast but the injury they inflicted will take at least an hour. I got scratches and my scalp feels a bit sore from their pulling. Even the my neck is a bit sore too from the tight pull of my blouse. Tsk. Stupid girls. I really hated bullies. Any species who would bully anyone deserves my hate.
I limped as I went out of the utility room and onto my next class. Now, this is one of the things I didn't like about controlling myself. I have to not protect myself from the bullies unless it's life or death situation. I reached the classroom and walked to the vacant seat at the far corner of the room. The seat beside me was free and the guy called Dante seemed like specifically waiting for me to arrive and seated again beside me. I sighed and ignored him. Mentally preparing for the game later.

Author's Note

Story plot may be confusing. What do you think?