You're the Best We've Got
1114 Words
I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. The orientation for this game that I was enlisted in without my consent just finished and I can hardly believe what my frat mates have gotten me involved in. I am shocked totally. I cannot fathom this world I just explored. What's more, I am not the type who physically fights to survive. I am not a warrior. At least, that's what I believe.
I feel angry. Honestly, I want to run and confront the ones responsible for this, but what can I do? My senior is the one who pushed me here. As a g**g member, I cannot refuse of course or else I will be subjected to disciplinary actions. That has been the rule ever since law school. There's nothing new.
"Atty. Yvette?"
I turned my eyes and saw Lyn on the side of the capsule. Ah, she's here. I forced a smile.
"You're the only one who did not get out of the capsule yet," she said and smiled politely.
I suddenly became aware of my surroundings at that. I can see some people walking past me. They are wearing the same suit as mine. Oh, I take it as they are also players in the same game as me. Wow, so these are all those "warriors" I faced inside the Asylum a while back.
"Do you need help?" Lyn said and offered her hand.
I shook my head. I know why she did that. I look so thin and weak physically. I know that. Of course, what would you expect from one who is not sleeping because of drafting pleadings and studying cases, not to mention shouldering and solving my client's problems as if they are my own? Holding on both sides of the capsule, I helped myself out of it.
The moment I sat up and went down, the eyes of those who are passing by are focused on me. I looked around and smiled awkwardly. However, only a few smiled back. Many have a poker face. I shrugged. So what? I am not here to be a star. I am here to obey an instruction given to me. Remembering that, I shook my head and walked towards the locker assigned to me. I took my clothes and changed inside the dressing room. Coming out, I can see some people in their working clothes. Some are wearing lab gowns, police uniforms, doctor's clothes, and so on. I nodded, beginning to understand what I have been sent to do. I can't help but wonder what the stories of my fellow players are. Anyway, we still have time to discover that. I have to get going to where my senior is. I have to know something.
Driving for almost thirty minutes, I reached my destination. Outside our hideout, a very big and beautiful house located by the seaside is my frat mates' cars. I looked at some cars and realized that almost all of the officers are there. Their cars are familiar to me since I always see them parked here during meetings.
I parked in an empty space and walked inside the house. Without knocking, I opened the door. I did that to surprise them and hear what they are discussing without my permission. I am still angry at the thought of being sent to participate in something that I wasn't fully oriented about, rather about something I was pushed to without my explicit consent. This is my subtle way of expressing my anger. I know that my senior would notice this. After all, I never did this before. I have always maintained my respect for our officers' authority, and he knows that. If only he is not someone I look up to as a mentor and father figure, I wouldn't have followed his order.
"Yvette!"
That was the greeting that met my face. My senior, Judge Anderson, was so happy that he is approaching me with arms wide open. Well, this is how close we are. He openly hugs me in public without malice since I always considered him my father. This he did. He squeezed me in his arms.
I didn't respond. I just stood there like a piece of wood.
"Yvette, is there something wrong? Are you okay?" Judge Anderson asked when I didn't respond like I used to.
I remained silent.
Sensing that I may be angry, he released me and looked at my face.
"Yvette..." he uttered and studied my face.
I swallowed hard. It's not easy feeling upset before this man whom I respect so much. After all these years, he has been as dear as a father to me. I breathed deeply.
"You know I am not the warrior type..." I whispered but loud enough for him to hear. "...and absolutely not someone who likes fighting most especially in the virtual world..."
At this, his eyes stared at me with concern. I know that he can sense the resentment I have inside.
"You also know that I hate playing computer games..." I added. "If only you gave me more cases to study or projects to work on, I would have been happier. Why this?"
He stared at me. This time, I can see his strong resolution manifesting in his eyes.
"Do you think I have a choice?" he asked seriously then shook his head. "If only you know what's at stake, you won't ask that kind of question."
I frowned, feeling funny. What's this? Am I not even allowed to know what I have gotten myself into? I am the player here. Why am I being put into gray areas? I can feel my anger surging again so I turned my back from him and took a deep breath. I just don't want him to see my face. I am so good at maintaining a poker face inside the court but not in front of him. He knows me and he can read my eyes.
"Follow me," he said and walked into one of the rooms of the house.
I did. With all eyes of the members of my society focused on me, I followed him inside a room.
"Know that the society had no choice but to send you there. Believe it or not, you are the best candidate to keep the legal field going in that world. Also, you won't be alone. Atty. Harris will be your partner. He will control the computer connected to you. He will wear the gadgets needed to aid you in time and keep you safe."
I swallowed hard. Why not when I can see the worst enemy I had in court. Why him of all people?
- Writer
