Chapter 19
When David returned to campus…it was nightfall. He quickly snuck past the guards…and slipped quietly into his dorm.
He tugged at his boots…and set them gently on the ground.
He tiptoed to his bed…and took a seat on stiff mattress…setting his hands in his lap.
He sat there for a while…wondering what tomorrow would bring.
He glanced in the mirror; for a moment…he thought he saw his father staring back at him.
He rubbed his eyes…only to see his own reflection.
He brushed it off…quietly slipping under his blanket.
But keeping his eyes on the mirror.
When David went to breakfast next morning…he didn't seem to notice the crowds of cadets. He quietly slipped in…grabbed his tray, and took a seat by himself.
The white noise that normally irritated him was gone; the only thing that existed was him and his plate of food.
He didn't even notice Ed at the table next to him.
The only thing that caught his eye was the head of security approaching his table.
David felt pang of regret of his stomach; his palms were clammy and his legs jittered.
"Cadet Moore,"
"Yes, sir," David mumbled out.
The head of security's face was stony and slightly disappointed.
"You know what I'm going to say,"
David looked down in shame.
"Yes, sir,"
The guard's face softened a bit.
"I'm sorry, Son. I have my orders."
David quietly nodded his head. He gently got to his feet and slowly moved towards the door.
He felt devastated; he'd screwed his newfound hopes and dreams on one stupid little mistake.
David took one look back at the cafeteria…thinking this would be the last time he'd ever see it.
In that moment…he wished he'd been one of those people. One of those students who'd had normal lives and had normal reasons for coming.
And had friends…and had fun.
David slowly walked like he was on the way to his own hanging.
As David walked…he held his head to the ground. He passed cadets and teachers; but he didn't greet any one of them. He just walked and walked.
David could hear the sounds of exercise equipment; men yelling, and the slapping of leather. It sounded so familiar…but it didn't really matter.
He glanced up into an open door; he watched as Zim shouted profanities at the boxing club.
He stopped and watched for a moment…but felt too crestfallen; he'd never get the chance.
He continued onto his dorm…and carefully examined each object.
He reminisced about the room…that he'd come to almost think of as home.
He tried to think of what he would do now; he didn't want to go home.
He packed up his clothing.
He couldn't go back to Orion 5.
He packed up his padds.
He had nowhere else to go.
He packed up his books; one flopped on the floor.
He knelt down to pick it up; it was the same book as before.
He examined the cover for sometime; he searched the lines of the soldier with his high-tech suit of armor.
He thought of the hero…who went from being a snot-nosed brat…to a hardened Lieutenant on the front lines of the war. With his father by his side.
His eyes widened; he set the book down on his bed.
He knew what he had to do…right now.
"Come on you maggots! What the hell kind of jab is that!"
Zim smacked one of his pupils over the head.
"This ain't thumb-sucking!"
The young man nodded weakly…then unleashed a flurry of punches onto the leather bag.
Zim's face twisted from frustration to anger.
"Quit wanking off and show me what you really got!"
David watched from the doorway; he admired the young men hitting bags, several in the corner throwing jabs into the air, and one young girl jump-roping.
He admired the sound of the skin on leather, the snap of the rope on the ground.
He wanted to be in there with them. More than anything in the world.
This was like his own slice of happiness…in all of the misery that had been his Starfleet career thus far.
Zim noticed him in the doorway; his head snapped towards.
"What the hell are you doing here, Maggot!?"
David smiled. A wave of confidence washed over him.
"I'm here to try out,"
Zim was silent for a moment; he looked David up and down with an odd look. He let out a small grunt…then turned his back.
David thought of his father's demanding presence; he remembered his words in his head.
"If you really want something…you've gotta do whatever it takes,"
David entered the gym; he got into his fighting stance.
"Fight me, you prick,"
Zim swung around…his eyes filled with rage. He stood there…about ready to explode.
"You're a goner! Get your shit and get the hell out of my school!"
David didn't move; he didn't make a sound. He stood there…ready to pounce.
Zim watched him…shooting him an odd look. He moved a few paces towards him…so that they were eye to eye. They stared each other down for several minutes.
Zim finally cackled…his lips twisting into a hideous grin. He moved into his fighting stance.
"Alright,"
"If I win…I stay,"
Zim cocked his head…a condescending look in his eyes.
"And when I beat the ever loving shit out of you…I never have to see your ugly mug again,"
David looked him in the eyes; in that moment…the two understood each other perfectly. Without saying a word.
David grinned and threw the first punch.
And the last.