9 Punishment

It's been almost two weeks since the classes started. Gathered in the room are the members of the teams D, H and J to practice target shooting. Alright, I can do this! I point the gun in my hand towards the target. I know I need to pull the trigger but, for some reason, my hands won't stop shaking.

I begin to sweat in nervousness. Why? During my police training, I managed to hit the targets... not precisely but, I did. Why are my hands betraying me now? They did that 5 years ago and I lost my mother because I couldn't shoot JJ.

If this continues, I won't be qualified to graduate from the NDIA and all my efforts will be wasted. However... I slowly lower the gun, unable to find the strength to fire.

Doris: Sue!

Ciara:..!

I turn my head sidewards to face Trainer Doris who's supervising the trainees. He glares at me and I gulp in fear.....

Doris: One more to go!

Ciara: Hah... Hahh... Can.. you not... let me rest a little?!

Is he trying to kill me?! I stop running and hold my knees, panting.

*Flop!*

Claire: Mngh!

He walks over to me and throws a towel over my head. I take it off and wipe my sweat with it.

Doris: No can do.

Ciara: My legs are going to snap!

Doris: You should've thought about that before slacking off.

Ciara:..! I wasn't slacking off!

Doris: Oh, really? Then care to explain why you still haven't completed the target shooting course?

Ciara: I..!

How do I explain it?! Anyhow, this is an inhumane punishment!! All this for not being able to shoot the target?!

Doris: Listen, I don't care if you pass or fail as long as you don't laze around on my watch.

Ciara:...

His cold, emotionless words stab me like daggers. He doesn't care about his students... That much shouldn't matter but, for some reason, it really bothers me. It's like he's looking down on me. I ball my fists.

Ciara: You don't have to look down on me! I'm as competent as any trainee here!

Doris: Beats me.

Is he really a teacher?!

Ciara: It's the truth and if you ca-

Doris: Prove it.

Ciara: Huh?

Doris: Prove yourself.

Ciara: N-Now?

I have a lot of stamina but, anyone would be tired after doing 50 sit-ups, push-ups and taking 5 full rounds of a gigantic training field without a break!

Doris: If you can get above 90% in your midterm examinations, I'll let you graduate easily.

Ciara:..!

What?! I'm at a loss of words. He... I... The... Ugh, this a golden opportunity but, something still bothers me.

Ciara: Do you give this opportunity to everyone?

Doris: Nope.

Ciara: Then, why make an exception for me?

Since the day I came here, there have been so many instances where I was treated differently compared to the other trainees; like the matter about my hair or this ridiculous punishment.

No other trainee who failed the target shooting had to go through all this!

Doris: Over the past ten years of teaching here, only a handful of students have been able to reach at the most 94% overall. If you can even get a 90, you're more than qualified for the Second Year.

Ciara:...

And here I was thinking that he was making an exception. However, he's right, if I can get 90% or more in my midterms, I can make it to the next year easily. The only problem is that only a few trainees have made it there.

I really ran my mouth a minute ago and it's come back to bite me in the ass. I'm not as talented as them. Wait, the midterms consist of written exams, practicals and field missions. The field missions being the toughest comprise of the precious 50% marks I'm looking for.

If I nail them and get good scores in the other tests, I'll be good to go!

Ciara: I'll take you up on that!

Doris: Heh, good luck.

He smirks meaningfully. Does he think that I will make a fool of myself? There's a huge possiblity of that but, as long as I train and perform well, I can shove my success in his face. And to do that...

Ciara: The rules and regulations of the academy state that the students can approach their teachers for help at any reasonable time.

Doris:...

Ciara: So, if I need your assistance, will you aide me?

Doris: It's my job.

Ciara: Great! Then, where do I find you for extra training?

Doris: That's your job.

Ciara: Huh?!

He's going to make me run around the whole campus searching for him?! That's SO not fair!

Ciara: If you don't tell me where you are, how am I going seek your help?

Doris stares steadily at me and slowly speaks up again.

Doris: Only when there are mishaps do we need it, we seldom go there nowadays otherwise.

Ciara:.... Eh?

Whatever he said just went over my head! 'Only when they are'.... What's that supposed to mean?

Doris: I believe you can finish the rest on your own. I'm heading back.

Ciara: What?! There's more training?!

Doris: You did miss your other classes, didn't you? You'd better make up for them.

He turns around and starts walking away. This isn't fair! How does he expect me to finish all this AND make up for the classes I missed today?!

Ciara: I wouldn't have missed them if you hadn't pulled me out!

Doris: Bite me.

He doesn't even look back once and disappears into the campus building. God, help me! This punishment is all I needed to get to know how brutal this training year is going to be...