by C. C. Monö
What the…?
“Remember this feeling.” The sudden sound made Axel recoil. He didn’t recognise the heavy, clipped Asian accent but there was something in the ominous voice that made him cringe. “Feeling of fear, confusion and panic! Remember it! As leaders, you will face it again.”
In the quiet room, the voice thundered with more intensity than a roaring lion. There was movement behind Axel, and after a few seconds, someone removed the cuffs behind his back and the bag over his head.
He was in a large room. Around him the other E.K.A. students sat, fear written all over their faces. Like him, some in their underwear; others wore pyjamas. Thabo was sitting to his right and nodded as their eyes met. Beside him was Paul, a blank expression on his face. Izabella was sitting behind him, staring at the floor in front of her.
“My name is Mr Nakata,” the stranger said. He was a short man with wide shoulders and a grim face marked with scars and a nose that had obviously been broken one too many times. “I’m your Security and Defence teacher.”
He stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in a black training suit and pristine white sneakers, regarding the students with attentive eyes. Axel had seen him once before, at the introduction dinner.
“Welcome to Black Sunday. This is an exercise of mind; to show how you react under pressure. People react different to stress and you must know your reaction. Today you react on instinct, but a leader who acts on instinct is weak; his actions unclear, even to himself.”
Mr Nakata turned to his men, all still wearing black ski masks. Without a word, they slipped out of the room.
“We leave you now to think about your feelings. This is very important. Tomorrow we meet again.”
Mr Nakata left, followed by the loud click of the door’s lock sliding into place.
CHAPTER 36
On the radio, a commercial break interrupted the early breakfast show. Nicole stood back and studied her canvas with a critical eye. She would have to review it in full daylight to ensure the colouring was right, but she was pleased.
She threw a glance at the large, vintage clock on her living room wall. It was time. She rinsed off her brushes and wiped the paint off her fingers, thinking how lucky she was. Had it not been for Principal Cunningham, she’d be lying in the gutter somewhere or in a graveyard. It was a humbling thought.
Yes, Nicole owed Principal Cunningham a lot, but it wasn’t her place to meddle with Academy politics. She’d heard what happened to her predecessor, and she wouldn’t make the same mistake. Within the Academy, the rules were simple; obey those superior to you, no questions asked.
Steam filled the little bathroom as Nicole stepped into the shower. Indeed, only a fool would challenge Professor Jackson’s decisions, and Nicole didn’t consider herself a fool. The man was harsh, even brutal at times, but he was a genius when it came to turning students into rulers. He knew what he was doing.
Thoughts raced through her mind as the hot water washed over her body. Why did she feel so bad? Why did she let her emotions affect her the way they did? Axel was a student, well beyond her reach, and if Professor Jackson thought this was what Axel needed, then who was she to question it?
CHAPTER 37
Axel was awakened by a gentle touch. In the faint, cold light he found Nicole crouched beside him with a serious expression on her face. She placed a finger over her lips and gestured him to follow.
Shivering, Axel sat up. His body ached. The other students lay spread out on the floor sleeping, most of them curled up in the foetal position, trying to keep warm.
Many of them had expected Mr Nakata to return after an hour or so. They’d waited in vain until they all fell asleep, exhausted by the night’s terrifying events.
Axel rubbed his tired eyes and got to his feet. Careful not to step on anyone, he followed Nicole out of the room.
Without a word, she led him through a maze of dark corridors to a thick metal door, all painted black. There was something very menacing about it.
“You have to enter on your own, I’m afraid,” Nicole said and stepped back.
They were the first words she’d uttered since waking him up. Axel searched her face for clues of any kind, but came up with nothing.
“Should I worry?” he asked with forthright unease.
Nicole’s face broke into a fleeting smile.
“You’re studying at the E.K.A., Mr Hallman. You should always worry.”
“Great,” Axel muttered, pushing open the door.
It was a small, bright room, painted entirely white. Even the floor was white. A middle-aged woman – a doctor by the looks of it – was standing in the middle of the room reading a file. As soon as he entered, she raised her head, revealing a narrow face plastered with a stony expression.
“Good morning, Mr Hallman. Please have a seat.”
She pointed at a hospital bed pushed against the end wall. There was something familiar about the woman’s toneless voice, something that made Axel feel exposed and uncomfortable.
“Could I get some clothes?”
“Soon.” The woman closed the file she’d been reading and tossed it on a nearby desk. She looked at him the way he imagined a zoologist would study the mating ritual of porcupines; with amused fascination. “My name is Dr Vella. I’m just going to do a quick medical examination if that’s okay with you?”
She pointed at the bed. Axel nodded. What choice did he have?
Dr Vella took her time, and while she was poking, pinching, and squeezing him, Axel cast his eyes around the tiny room. On the opposite wall hung a large TV, showing an appalling video of war, pollution, and famine. Geez, how uplifting. The depressing film ended and the Academy logo appeared along with a message: “The world needs you!” After that, the video went lovey-dovey for a moment, with clear-blue skies, green forests, and happy people. This was followed by yet another message: “You are our future. You are our hope.”
Axel sighed and turned away, his eyes falling upon a small toilet in the corner. That was a little odd, wasn’t it? Why would they have a toilet in here? At that point, Dr Vella took a seat in front of him and pulled back her thin lips into an ugly smirk.
“Tell me, Mr Hallman, how are you feeling about last night’s exercise?”
“May I have some clothes?”
Dr Vella pulled back a strand of her red hair behind her ear, and looked him over in a manner that made him uncomfortable.
“As soon as we’re done with this examination, you’ll get something to wear. But first, your feelings?”
Axel thought for a moment.
“I guess I felt many things; anger, confusion, relief.”
“Can you explain that a little?”
“I’m angry for being exposed to this exercise, relieved that it wasn’t a real kidnapping, upset that I didn’t handle it better, confused about why you put us through it, and curious to know if this kind of behaviour is legal.”
Dr Vella burst out laughing, a reaction Axel hadn’t been prepared for.
“That was a superb answer. I bet Professor Evans is very pleased with your communication skills so far.”
“Where are we?” Axel asked, ignoring the comment.
“In a medical examination room.”
“And where exactly is this room located?”
“In a building. Tell me, when you were woken up in the middle of the night, what was the first thing that went through your mind?”
Axel studied his cold, bare feet. Dr Vella’s unwillingness to answer his questions was an answer in itself. This absurd game wasn’t over, which meant he was still being evaluated. The question was: what were they trying to teach him?
“I guess I was wondering what was happening, and why.”
“What can you tell me about the people who took you from your room?”
Axel hesitated. “Are these questions part of your medical examination?”
“Just answer the question, Mr Hallman.”
“I’m cold.”
/> “Then you better answer my questions.”
Axel glared at the woman.
“I can’t remember much. I think they were two, maybe three men.”
“Did they say anything?”
“I don’t remember.”
Dr Vella eyed her computer screen.
“What do you think the purpose of this exercise was?”
“To see how we react under pressure.”
“And why would that be of interest?”
Axel ran a hand through his hair. He needed a shower.
“The subject is called Security and Defence. My guess is that the teacher…”
“Mr Nakata,” Dr Vella informed.
“…that Mr Nakata wants to help us improve our reactions when faced with stressful and threatening situations.”
Dr Vella closed her computer and stood up.
“Thank you for your patience, Mr Hallman. I’ll have someone bring you some clothes in a few minutes.”
“That’s it?”
With her laptop and file under her arm, she left the room.
A silent old man entered and gave him a grey sweatsuit. After that, Axel was left to his own thoughts. This place was a bloody madhouse! What is wrong with these people? How can they drag students out of their beds, scare them half to death and expect them to just accept it?
Annoyed and frustrated, he sat on the exam table staring at the TV-screen while waiting for something to happen. After an hour or so, the door opened and the same old man appeared with a tray. He gave Axel a courteous bow. Without a word, he placed the tray on the desk and left. Axel wrinkled his nose. Porridge and a glass of water. How nice, he thought sourly. They’re still playing games.
CHAPTER 38
Dr Vella reappeared with her computer in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other. Axel swung his feet over the side of the bed. He watched her without a word as she pulled out the chair and took a seat in front of him. With the laptop on her knee, she gave him a courteous nod.
“Why do we need leaders?” she asked with her obnoxious smirk.
Axel glowered at the woman. Her arrogant and patronizing aura seemed to suggest that she knew more about him than he did. It was provocative, and a part of him wanted to strangle her.
“How is this connected to me being dragged out of my room and scared senseless?” he countered.
“Just because you don’t see the connection, Mr Hallman, doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Now, why do we need leaders?”
For Talk Thirteen, Axel thought with a loud sigh.
“To motivate and inspire people,” he said, knowing that’s what she wanted to hear.
“Good. And why is that important?”
“So that they’ll follow.”
“Follow whom?”
“The almighty boss.”
Dr Vella tapped her finger against the edge of her computer and leaned forward.
“I advise you to cooperate, Mr Hallman,” she warned. “This isn’t a game.”
“Fine. So they’ll follow me.”
Dr Vella wrote something on her computer.
“And do you think people will follow you?”
“I hope so.” Dr Vella repeated her question. Axel tried again. “All right, I am convinced they will.”
The doctor’s fingers smattered against the keyboard again.
“Imagine that you walk down a dark alley,” she said. “Turning a corner, you see a young woman being raped by a masked man. What would you do?”
Axel stared at Dr Vella.
“What kind of question is that?”
“What would you do, Mr Hallman?”
“Jesus. I’d help her, of course!”
Dr Vella stood up and handed him the paper bag. “I thought you might want this.” Axel watched her leave and then glared into the bag. A toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and an electric shaver. He stared at the items as concern slowly grew from the pit of his gut.
CHAPTER 39
Professor Jackson turned to Mr Nakata and grunted.
“He’s not thinking as a global leader should. He’s too altruistic and he’s got a damn attitude.”
The Security and Defence teacher stared at the large TV screen; his hands behind his back.
“Wanting to help woman being raped show bravery. Bravery is good.”
Professor Jackson cracked his knuckles in a manner that would have annoyed Mr Bell and held back a moan. Mr Nakata was a smart man, brilliant within his field. He had a natural aura of authority and was, just as the professor himself, fiercely loyal to the Academy. As such, Professor Jackson liked Mr Nakata, which was astonishing, considering the fact that there were very few people Professor Jackson actually liked. The most annoying aspect of Mr Nakata was his English. It was appalling, and, to make matters worse, he refused to do anything about it.
The Academy had staff members and students from all over the world. One could hear many different accents within the premises, but the Academy expected everyone to speak English fluently. Those who didn’t got orders to take private lessons at once. Why Principal Cunningham allowed Mr Nakata to refuse such lessons was a mystery. It was embarrassing to have a teacher who spoke worse English than the students. If Professor Jackson had been the principal, he’d never have tolerated such behaviour. There were many things he wouldn’t tolerate.
“Bravery is as useful as tits on a bull if not combined with a little common sense,” he muttered. “Mr Hallman’s willingness to risk his life for an unknown girl might be brave but it sure as hell isn’t wise. He’s supposed to protect himself, damn it!”
“Hai, but he is wild-card. They think different.”
“Wild-card or not, we have to make him think as a ruler.”
“Then what you want to do? Shall we quit?”
Professor Jackson thought for a moment while watching Axel on the screen.
“Does he remind you of anyone?”
“Sir?”
“The questions he asks, the attitude. Does Hallman remind you of anyone?”
Mr Nakata took a moment and then he nodded.
“Hai. He reminds me of Ms Wangai.”
Yes, Professor Jackson thought, staring at the screen. He does, doesn’t he?
“Let’s continue,” he decided. “Our dear principal is still on business. I want to see where this leads us.”
CHAPTER 40
Minutes, hours, and days passed. Axel lost track of time. The TV and the lights were on at all times. To sleep he had to place his sweatshirt over his eyes. Now and again, the silent man entered with a bowl of porridge and a glass of water. Sometimes he came with a fresh set of cloths, but he never uttered a single word.
With the exception of these brief visits, the Academy left Axel to his own thoughts. Most of the time, he mulled over Dr Vella’s question; would people follow him? It felt both strange and egotistic to even imagine himself as a leader with power. Power was a dangerous thing. How many people had died in reckless conflicts related to control and dominance? Of course, as Mikael had pointed out, leaders could use power to do good in the world. Axel thought about this a lot. If more kind-hearted people, like himself, would rule the world, then perhaps everyone would benefit? There was certain logic to it, although Axel suspected that anyone who had authority was likely to think they deserved it.
Finding himself in a philosophical dilemma he couldn’t solve, Axel turned his attention to another peculiar matter. How had the Academy overlooked his disinterest in leadership? The more he thought about it, the stranger it got. The most reasonable explanation he could come up with was that the E.K.A. didn’t think anyone would be dumb enough to apply unless they wanted to. Maybe they couldn’t even imagine someone not wanting to study at the Academy. After all, who, except Axel, didn’t dream of becoming a global leader?
All these thoughts, and many more, troubled Axel for days, until, after what seemed an eternity, the door opened and Dr Vella returned.
“When will you let me go?” Axel asked as the wom
an took a seat in front of him.
Dr Vella’s insufferable smile lit up.
“I have a question, Mr Hallman. Do you think people will follow you?”
Axel clenched his fist as hard as he could.
“At least bring me something to eat; something other than this goddamn porridge.”
Dr Vella kept smiling, and he hated her for it.
“Will people follow you?” she repeated.
Axel glanced at the TV behind the doctor. “You are our future. You are our hope.”
“Of course they’ll follow me,” he snapped as nonchalantly as he could.
“Why?”
Bitch! Axel unclenched his fists.
“Because I can lead them to success.”
“And what is ‘success’, Mr Hallman?”
“When I can make people follow the vision I’ve identified.”
Dr Vella nodded and wrote something in her notebook.
“Thank you,” she said and left.
Axel wanted to scream. He didn’t know what day it was. He had moments of anger and moments of sadness. He tried various forms of mediation to kill time, and when that didn’t work, he tried to sleep through the boredom.
And so the days passed. Axel thought a lot about his family and friends, Talk Thirteen and leadership. At times, he cursed, shouted, begged and threatened; at other times he just stared at the wall. He felt himself go mad, but not once did he turn to the camera to say he wanted to quit and go home. Despite his frustration, he found that very interesting.
Axel was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling when the door opened and Mr Nakata entered. At least that was a change.
“Konnichiwa, Mr Hallman,” the short, grim-faced man said and sat down facing Axel. “Why you apply to Academy?”
Axel sat up without haste.
“Sir,” he said almost at a whisper, “what do you want from me?”
“I want answer to my question. Why you apply?”
Axel rubbed his forehead and said the first thing that came to mind.
