Kimberly Williams vs. The One

[TheOne]

GENESIS: Chapter Seven

For months, I sat to myself and I felt the world watching me.  No matter what I did, no matter where I tried to begin to interact, once again I was shunned.  It was middle school all over again.  And it was the middle school aspect that led to me discovering my most vicious and angry side exposing itself, and me having to do everything I could to try and conceal it, and it exposing myself, at home...

Unfortunately, with what happened to my friend, my mentor, the one who truly embraced me and my inner feelings, it was something that was quickly spread about The Compound without haste.  That meant it spread to my parents.

Now initially, my parents thought this was a one-woman thing.  But as the whole process played out, or as I was told, it was eventually relayed to them that I was part of the greater scheme, and now they were considered "in the crosshairs" of "The One."  For them, it included penalties, fines, expectations, and other means to "The One," as he expected them to know what was going on, which they didn't.  To him, they know weren't truly welcome in the compound unless they "paid" their way to him, in.  And this was something, that, over time, I would learn wasn't how things truly ran.

But for the time being, they were seen, by "The One" as equal perpetrators to the crime that my friend had committed, in challenging him for authority.  And it was this constant hazing, this constant extortion, that finally led to my family coming to me and confronting me about how much I was truly involved in the challenging of "The One."

Inside my home I sit in my room, where I normally hide, keeping to myself, and working on homework.  This year, being my first of high school, has been especially difficult in regards to what's been expected in class, and from self-studied at home.  While, I don't truly interact with anyone, I know what I have to do to keep my grades well.  I know my dreams in life are to find a succeeding platform of life, but what that is, I'm not quite sure.  But until then, I figure school is the best way forward.  My parents, however, have been muscled by "The One" because of me, and this, I don't know.  I don't know what has happened, and am truly in a state of naivety.  To me, home is still a separate place.  School may involve similar faces, but at home, I have my safe space.  But one day, I realized that being friends with people, sometimes, can have consequences, as I laid in my room and minded, what I thought, was my own business...

As I lay on my bed just finishing up some last minute homework, I heard a knock at the door of my room.  I sit up and invite whoever it is in.  In walks my mom and dad, both with concerned looks on their faces.  They both pull up seats around me and sigh, before confronting me head on.

Dad: Kid... We need to talk about something...

Me: Ok, what?

Dad: We need to talk about your relationship with that girl who challenged "The One."  He came to us and said that the two of you seemed to have plans to try and overthrow The Compound, and take control on your own.  He said you both were involved in it, not just her, but she was the one who was supposed to lead the "attack" with you coming in after she took him out.

All I can do is roll my eyes.

Me: The guy is an absolute prick...

I am immediately scolded.

Mom: We DO NOT speak of "The One" like that.

And now the "tag teaming" begins.

Dad: Your mother is right... "The One" is there to keep us ALL, including you, safe.  And he is also in charge of repremands, should people break rules.  Because you were involved in this, we are having to pay him extra, since he cannot directly punish you...

Me: So you're saying he's making you give him money so he won't make your life crappy?

Dad: Stop with that rhetoric.  I will NOT have it in my house.  He, as I said, is in charge of our safety and protection in this group...

It's at this point, I break.

Me: Well MAYBE you two should consider leading a normal damn life then, and quit putting me in situations where I end up being the bad guy?!

They go to interject, but my temper finally lashes out at them.

Me: ... Seriously, you two don't think I know about what has been going on all of these years?  You think I'm THAT blinded?  I've known about what you two perverts have been doing LONG before The Compound EVER came into play.  I could hear it, and many times, I SAW it.  You two aren't as "sly" as you think.  And honestly, put yourself in my shoes.  Put yourself in my position where EVERYONE at school knows about this place, knows one another, and also now thinks I'm part of some big conspiracy.  How do you think that plays out for me?  How do you think it feels to be a damned outcast in my own school?  How do you think it feels to have nobody willing to talk to you?

Both of my parents seem to try and formulate words, but nothing comes out.

Me: ... And then there is you two... You two coming in here and chiding me because "The One" is robbing you to get what he wants, just so you two can still go play duck duck goose with your sex partners.  My own parents... My own flesh and blood, blaming me because their group sex parties are in jeopardy because of a RUMOR that I was involved in some elaborate scheme against this douchebag.  I would expect it from classmates and even him, but you two, how am I supposed to feel that you two are picking this cult over me?

My dad flings his chair back and stands up to overlook me and take an intimidating pose.

Dad: How DARE you speak to us like that?!  We are your parents.  We may not be perfect but you do NOT disrespect us.  You decided to make decisions that have impacted US and OUR LIVES...

I stand up on my bed, staring my dad in the eye, and I don't hold back.

Me: ... Well what about MY LIFE?  What about what you two have done to impact MY life?  Did you not hear a damn word I just said?  Or is everything JUST about you?  Do I not matter at all?  Am I just a byproduct of your sexcapades?

Mom: Sweetie... Please...

Me: Mom... No... You two have put this lifestyle over me for how many years now?  I've been a hostage in my own room for how many weekends because I was told not to come out and bother the adults?  And at first all I thought was because you'd be saying bad words or crap like that, but NO!  It's been this sex party right in my own house, and now with God knows how many others just having their ways with one another!  THEN, on top of it all, some random guy who acts like he runs the place, but is there for "safety," is taking your money because I was friends with someone who didn't like him and challenged his authority?  I have NOTHING!  No family... No friends... And yet I'M A FAULT!

Dad: Well maybe it should be a lesson on picking better friends, than those that cause trouble?

Mom: Hun, let's not say that...

Dad: No... She needs to learn responsibility for her actions.  So next time we go out there, you're going to apologize to "The One..."

Me: Oh the HELL I am!

Dad: No young lady, you WILL!  That's a conditional piece of remaining part of The Compound, is you apologizing for planning some kind of kids coup.

Me: I am NOT saying anything to that guy... I didn't plan anything... I didn't participate in anything... And I didn't DO anything...

Dad: If you care about this family you will...

My mom gasps, and I am taken aback.  But at this point, I know what I have to say just to prove my point.

Me: If... If I care about this family?  Ok then... Because I do, I will... Next time, it'll be your turn to prove your loyalty to the family... Now please get out of my room...

My dad and I stare one another down, before my mom gets even more uneasy.  She stands up and pulls my dad away, saying this isn't right, and needs to stop and let everyone cool off.  Our eyes don't break contact until the door closes on my room.

[/b]It was a couple of weeks until the next visit to The Compound, and my house was full of tension the whole time.  My dad and I barely spoke words to one another.  My mom tried to be a peacemaker between us, but quickly realized that it was a waste of her time, and finally just gave up.  But the whole time I knew I had to eventually look this brute in the eye, who, from what I could tell, committed a horrific attack on my one true friend, and tell him that I was sorry for it.  I also knew I would have to do everything in my power to make it believable so it would appease his ass and also give the nice "fuck you" to my father by showing I cared about the family.

So as "D-Day" finally rolls around, I hear my parents talking about how they are getting themselves ready for a good night at The Compound.  I also can hear little excerpts of them talking about me and wondering if I would really "comply" with the edict of "The One."  As was the norm for me, on days like this, I typically began to prep a "go bag" for myself with the snacks I liked, and something to entertain myself, since I was going to primarily be alone, as even the kids still were too fearful to talk to me.  And honestly, by this point, I was used to it.  I was used to being alone, and I was used to not having people associate with me and just leave me alone.

The ride to The Compound was as I expected.  Silent.  Nobody wanted to utter a word to start the verbal spats beginning before we even got there.  Nobody wanted to address what was expected to happen.  Nobody really seemed all that excited, as compared to most nights, when my parents were always giddy about, I'm assuming, getting their rocks off.  Nevertheless, this one wasn't the smoothest or most enjoyable ride because I could feel my nerves increasing as we got closer, and once we hit the dirt road entrance, there was a massive lump in my throat.  As we got closer to the couple of other vehicles in line to enter, I could feel my nerves causing me to physically shake from fear and to a point, anger.  I didn't want to do this.  I didn't have some desire to make my parents lives easier at this hell hole.  But sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture, and when it got to be our turn to make our way to the gate, I slid my door open, and made a walk of shame I will never forget...

Walking toward the golf cart that would take me to the "Kids Compound," I make a stop in front of "The One."  He looks down at me with a look of disgust and disdain on his face.

"The One": What in the hell do you want?

I took a deep breath, sighed, and then replied.

Me: I wanted to apologize if my actions caused you any difficulties in doing your job.  I had no knowledge of anything planned, and simply found a friend in her.  So whatever she was doing in her mind, was hers.  So I'm sorry if I caused problems...

"The One": You better be damn sorry.  And don't think your stupid words fool me.  I know you were in on it.  And if you even think of trying anything again, this time I'll make YOUR life hell, and not just your parents... Believe me, I could use someone to do some manual labor around these parts...

As much as I wanted to retort, I kept my mouth shut.

Me: There won't be a need for that.  I'll just keep to myself...

"The One": As you should... You are lucky I even let your family be here, and don't ruin your whole existence in this town...

Me: Thank you for not taking those actions...

"The One": Heh... Groveling... Now get out of my face and go with the rest of the kids where you BELONG...

I simply nod, and walk over to the cart.  Driving the cart today is the kid who, years ago, had tried to welcome me and show me that I wasn't alone.  Now he was a minion of "The One."  This also made me wonder if he, all along, was the one who secretly ratted my friend and I out to "The One" after she challenged him.  But now I knew to keep him at a distance as well going forward.

This day would prove to be one of the most humiliating of my life, having had to cow-tow to "The One" like I did, but when I arrived at the "Kids Compound" area, that all changed in a way that would begin the new chapter in my journey.  Because as I walked in I simply began walking around the facility to try and find somewhere quiet to be by myself.  Many of my normal "nooks and crannies" were occupied today and I had to get creative.  I remembered that there was the electronics closet that had some space in it and the door was always half open so I figured that it would be a good place for me just be alone and out of the way.  As I walked in, though, that's when I noticed something.  I noticed that the alarm to the back exit had never been reset after the day "The One" barged in and confronted us.  And since nobody had been doing anything nefarious or questionable, it must have not been on his list of things to reset in the melee.

This made me wonder...

I decided to slowly, and as nonchalantly make my way to the back of the facility where we once trained, right by the back door.  By now, there were things that obstructed the view of the door, like stacked chairs, trash bins, folded tables, enough for me to sneak behind and eventually get to the door itself.  I decided it was worth the gamble, and I slowly pushed the lever and the door slowly began to open.  I cringed, assuming I would hear that loud and annoying alarm, and have written my own sentence of being "The One's" personal indentured servant, but instead, nothing.  No alarm.  No noise, no nothing.  In fact, nobody even noticed what was going on.  So I snuck all of the way out and found a small pebble to prop the door open with, but from those inside, it look closed.  This was my first look at any parts of The Compound that weren't restricted just for us.

At first, I just stood there.  It was dark, and all I could make out was some of the foliage and the outline of some buildings that were located behind where the kids were.  I also began to listen.  I wanted to know what sounds I could hear, or how far sound traveled.  And that's when I could hear the golf cart approaching closer than it would if it were going to the other side of the building.  I quickly jumped off of the landing and climbed up the one tree, and got high enough I wouldn't be noticed.  At that point I see "The One" passing in the cart with a young girl and parking in front of one of the buildings I could see.  It was a building that he walked up to the door and knocked on, and whomever was inside he briefly talked to.  After the short conversation he walks back to the girl and grabs her, and forces her toward the entry and I can hear him reply, after shoving her inside, "I'll be back when you're done, princess..."  I then watch as he drives off, and slowly behind him driving off, two people emerge and walk directly into the same building.

My mind doesn't know what it just saw, but it begins to think up every awful scenario it can fathom.  All I have seen is a little girl get physically thrown into a random building, and two adults, arm in arm, walk to go gleefully enter.  These scenarios begins to make my blood boil, and make me want to do something to try sand make things right.  Once I know "The One" is out of sight and out of mind, I climb down, still seething, and without thinking hurl back and throw a stiff jab and round kick into the tree.  The pain is there, and I see abrasions on my knuckles.  But then I remember the fact that all of the equipment that I had spent so much time using to develop skills was taken from me.  I look up, from seeing the blood on my hands, and once again look at the tree, and without thinking throw another punch... And another... And another... And while the pain flows through my body, it finally feels like I am back on track of doing what made me happy.

After, what seemed like hours of punching and kicking this tree, which turned out to just be about 20 minutes, I knew I couldn't push my luck staying outside.  I had to get back in, and thankfully, as I snuck back into the back door and kicked the pebble away, the door latched, and nobody knew any different.  I then quickly made my way to the bathroom to clean off, what I could, from my hands and legs, and wrapped my hands in toilet paper, before making my way back to that closet, and acting like nothing had happened.

But now I knew... This was my fight now...