EXO: "EXOPLANETS"
28

"Emotions are terrible and amazing. It's easy to lose control, lose focus, and we need to make sure that you don't. Although we've tried to mentally prepare you for the simulations, we can't rely on them solely, " explains Vic.                                

I don't like where this is going. The simulation he mentioned was the worst, it was like a mind game. I hate them because they feel so real. They will make us watch terrible things and we will not be allowed to react.

The pictures they showed had burned my mind as if they were memories of the past. Scenes where my family was slaughtered right before my eyes or innocent people, even the little ones screamed for help but I was forced to just stand up and do nothing.                                                                                                                            

It was horrible and cruel. They will show us our worst nightmares, but we have to control our emotions and make sure our heartbeats remain stable. If not, you can already guess what the consequences are, pain.                                                                                                       

"Lined on target," Vic ordered and he gestured for us to follow him, so we did. As soon as we were in position he continued, "today is no different from any other, just shoot a bullseye."                                       

He lied, something was different. There was an object in front of the target but I couldn't see what it was because it was covered by a large piece of black cloth. Suddenly, shivering on my back and my instincts said something bad was going to happen.              

A guard approached the object in front of my target, on the far left side of the room, and pulled the cloth. I closed my mouth in shock and the boy's breath echoed in my ears. I can't believe what I saw but at the same time, deep down this is what I expected. Many times, they have proven to us their cruelty so I should not be surprised.

In front of the target is a human.                                                                                          

One by one they took off the cloth, revealing a person, blindfolded and gagged, centered on the target bulla. In front of me was a man, probably in his late forties, judged by his bald scalp. He was wearing a suit like he came straight from the office but I knew he had been taken, kidnapped. It was clear from his tangled clothes and his futile struggle against the bonds that held him back.                                                                                      

We're gonna do our first murder.                                                                                              

That's what they expect from us.                                                                                          

I can't do it. I am a person who has the ability to heal which is something I am always grateful for. While others can cause destruction, chaos and death, I only have the power to repair wounds.                                                                              

I never complained about it or wanted a colder power because I knew the others had to deal with the consequences of death caused by their own hands. I have always been a lover not a fighter, so when I knew I had the ability to heal, I felt relieved.                                                                                                                                             

But now they tell me to kill with the hand I helped. If I do this, how can I proceed, knowing that this hand has been covered by the blood of an innocent person. Vic spoke from next to me, "let's start with subject 10 then subject 61 can continue after."                                                                                                     

"I won't do it" I said firmly, clenching my fists.                                                          

"I said I wouldn't do it, I wouldn't kill that guy," I repeated again, even louder.                           

Vic grabbed a handgun from the gun rack by my side and emerged from behind me. He forced the gun into my hand and opened it, raising my arm towards the man.

"You make it sound like you have a choice in this matter but you don't. So shoot the man now or you'll be hit by the bullet" Vic threatened. After which, he pulled another gun from the shelf, opened it and lifted it to my head.                                                             

I'm not scared. They bluff and I know it. I'm tired of the endless death threats because I know they won't kill us. We are too valuable, they know that and we are too.                                                                                                                              

"Shoot me then! I'm not going to kill this guy, I refused him," I shouted. I don't care anymore, I'm tired of this game.                                                                                                         

For less than a day, I shouted in my head like a spell. Less than a day and we'll be gone, all this will be over. So I was determined not to completely lose my whole soul because of these heartless people.                                            

I've lost enough.                                                                                                     

"Well, it's obvious you don't care about your own life but what about his life?" he challenged and changed the direction of his goal. Now the gun was leaning against Chanyeol's temple and he asked, "still not going to shoot?"                                                    

Panicking, I looked towards Chanyeol and met his eyes while trying to decide what I should do. I couldn't read his expression because it was neutral, he kept his emotions for my sake. Even though I don't know what she's feeling, I know she's not as calm as she looks.                                      

I'm almost sure this is just a bluff, but I can't be 100% sure, what if not and Vic actually killed him. It is not my life that is in danger and I cannot be blamed for the death of a friend. That will end me.                                                                              

Whatever I decide, after all, today someone will die because of me. It was a loss situation.                                                                                                              

"Fuck that guy or I'll blow his brains out" he shouted, brandishing a gun violently at Chanyeol's head. I froze not sure what to do and I clenched the weapon in my hand. After realizing I needed to be more convincing, Vic gestured to Chanyeol and said, "Know that it will be his blood on your hands. Even with your little magic trick, you won't be able to bring him back from the dead."                                                                       

Fear surged through me because she was right. I can heal people even if they survive with just a thread but if there is no heartbeat, I am completely useless.