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Zanka woke up and immediately knew something was wrong. His room was bright. Too bright. There was no visible sun on the Ground, but it still shined through thick layers of polluted clouds. It lightened up his bare room.
It was never this bright when he’d woken up. But his eyes didn’t lie to him, meaning it was indeed this bright. And that could mean only one thing.
He overslept.
For the first time in his life he overslept.
Eyes wide open, he bolted out of the bed, and-
-he vomited instantly. Right in front of his feet. He slipped into the poodle of his own puke. He started breathing pretty heavily. He felt in what shape his body was. He felt heavy, hot and dizzy. He realized he was all sweaty. His muscles ached, his lips were dry, his head was pounding, the insides in his stomach moved-
-and he hurled again.
He wanted to cry, but he knew he wasn’t allowed to. Every time he showed any sign of distress or weakness on his face, his father would hit him and his sister would scold him. His brother would only look down on him but it did the damage.
Despite Zanka’s poorly state, his senses were still sharp and he heard the sound of incoming footslept in the direction of his room.
He was going to be scolded for being late for a mission. He made a mess in his room. He was being useless. The Cleaners for sure were going to throw him out. They didn't need a burden like him.
He knew he had no chance of making himself presentable to whoever was coming to his room so he stayed in place with eyes closed, waiting for the punishment.
“Okay, I’ll check his temperature again, I hope he’s still sleeping, man. That damn Delmon, I’ve already told him it was the last time-” the female voice rang out as someone opened the door to his room but instantly stopped. Zanka guessed the intruder must have noticed him.
And filthy floor, all because of him. They took him home, gave him a place to sleep, fed him yet he didn’t show up for work and made a mess on the floor.
“Oh no, shit, Gris, can you abandon your mission of making me coffee and can you come quickly to his room, please? Now, now. He fell and threw up.” Zanka heard the familiar click of the finished call on a choker and felt the vibration on the floor from rushed steps. He tensed up waiting for the incoming hit but instead of a sharp pain he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He flinched anyway.
“Hey, hey Zanka. It’s me, Semiu, the receptionist. We’ve met already, Enjin introduced me to you last week.” Her hand was soft but Zanka felt like it was burning into his skin. He wanted her to let go but he couldn’t disrespect his supervisor. If she wanted to keep her hand on him she could do it.
“Hey, it’s okay, breathe.” The hand squeezed his shoulder. The weight and feeling of her palm started becoming unbearable for him. It was smaller than his father’s hand but it was still a hand. He tried to comply with her order but instead of taking steady and deep breaths he ended up releasing a loud whine. He didn’t know where it came from. From his throbbing head? From his growling stomach? From his trembling and aching hands that kept him lifted over the pool of his own vomit? From the burn of an unfamiliar's skin on his own body?
“Hey, shhh, shhh, it’s okay. It’ll pass soon. Gris is coming with some medicine.” She released her hand and extended her whole arm over his back to hold him from the other side. Zanka felt his arms relaxing a little, he was being held upright. He knew she helped him but he felt caged. He had nowhere to run. No personal space. And now his whole back was burning. He wanted to cry, he wanted to go back to the well. He kept whining, head low, feeling nauseous again. “Zanka, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay. Gris is coming, he- oh, he’s already here. Did you bring him something?”
“Yeah, Enjin bought some electrolytes in the morning before he headed out for the job. I’ve just mixed some with water for Zanka. And he bought a large supply of broth and rice only for Zanka.” The male voice answered her. He sounded familiar. Just like that blonde guy, Enjin’s friend?
Zanka remembered him. Gris was tall and bulky. That man was large. And he was probably strong. He had bigger hands than Semiu, probably bigger than Zanka’s father too. That was gonna hurt.
“And any medicine?” Semiu continued the talk.
“Semiu, you don’t treat food poisoning with medicine. He needs to let it out and rest.”
“Shit, ugh, okay.”
“No, not okay. You’re working here in the freaking Front, you need to have elementary knowledge about health.”
“I’m not a medic, okay? I’ve never got food poisoning, nor has anyone in my family, so how would I know that? And I’ve been working here for only one month, so far I’m only responsible for getting mail and bringing coffee or tea for the Boss’s guests. The job offer didn’t state ‘a licensed doctor’ but ‘a receptionist’.”
Gris mumbled something about wishing that Corvus would hire someone new and about a need for knowing basic stuff when he took Zanka in his arms and helped him to stand up. “Damn, he’s all tensed up, he must be feeling awful. I really wish someone else from us got sick from that Delmon’s stew and not the poor boy. Come on, Semiu, help me take him to the bathroom.”
Zanka was burning, he was in pain, his stomach was still twisting, he was a burden, yet his supervisors held him in a gentle and comforting manner, not punishing him. Maybe they figured out it was better for him to suffer from sickness for now. And they would simply punish him later after he gets better to prolong his penalty. That seemed reasonable, that seemed like something his father would do.
Gris and Semiu helped him clean up, made him drink water, kept talking to him and assuring him he was going to feel better soon. They changed his sheets for fresh ones and put him to sleep. Semiu was caressing his hair and Gris was telling stories of his previous missions. They treated him like a small child. But he knew what they were really doing. He felt confident he had seen through their plan of delaying his punishment. And he accepted that because he knew he deserved it.
The next time he woke up, he was alone in his room. He felt way better. He was still sore but not nauseous anymore. His body was still in pain but he could move freely. He noticed there was water and promised broth left for him so he took his time to eat and drink. He didn't realize how hungry he was.
After finishing the meal, his eyes drifted into the direction of the familiar wooden staff. It was propped against the wall on the other side of his room. It was the staff that started it all. His downfall. And his rebirth. He remembered what Enjin had said to him. To prove him that an average Joe could go beyond the sphere of a genius.
So far Zanka couldn’t even deal with food poisoning on his own.
Despite his negative thoughts, Zanka brought his staff to his bed and started a meditation session. Maybe one day he could become a Giver? Like Enjin and Riyo. Of course it would happen after his upcoming ejection.
He would train, do odd jobs, get money, become a Giver. Then he could come back to Cleaners’ Headquarters to pay them back for his two weeks of stay and he would beg to hire him again. The Boss seemed like a reasonable man so maybe he would agree to take him back.
That seemed like a solid plan in the thirteen year old boy’s mind.
His session of thoughts was soon interrupted by soft knocks on his door. “Hey Zanka, I don’t know if you’re awake but if you are I’m coming in.” and with that Gris entered his room. The sight of the awakened boy cheered him up.
“Oh, how are you feeling? Semiu checked your temperature half an hour ago while you were sleeping and it has dropped down to normal. I’m glad to see you awake.” Gris smiled genuinely at Zanka. He took a seat in a chair next to the boy’s bed.
“... I’m okay. Thank you, Sir.” Zanka didn’t want to talk to him but he knew he had to respond. It was impolite not to respond to elders and comrades higher in ranks.
Gris kept looking at him with a polite expression. “Enjin told me a lot about you.” Zanka visibly tensed up at that. “You know, we’re not a Hell Guard. You’re not a Hell Guard. You’re very polite. Thank you for that. But we are the Cleaners. We are more… you know… If you want to keep up with a formal way of talking, it's okay. But if you want to be more carefree, that’s also okay.”
Zanka stared at the other with a confused look. What is Gris talking about? Wasn’t Zanka supposed to get thrown out? Or are they waiting for the Boss to declare that?
“Oh, sorry. You’re probably confused about where Enjin is. I know he was supposed to guard you all the time since he, well, kinda has technically kidnapped you from home. But you got sick from yesterday’s dinner and Enjin had to go on his mission so he asked me and Semiu to take care of you. I have my day off today and Semiu is always the base.”
Zanka seemed to be frozen in place.
“Riyo is also with Enjin. So that’s why she hasn’t visited you yet. I’m sure she will when they get back. She can get really talkative when she’s excited about something. She mentioned how much she wants to show you around so-”
“Wait, you aren’t throwing me out? Sir?”
Now it was Gris’s turn to get confused. “Huh? Excuse me, Zanka? What are you talking about?”
“About me getting expelled, Sir.”
“What? Why? Expelled for what?”
“For getting sick and missing a job? Sir?”
“Why would you get expelled for getting sick?”
“Like I said, Sir, I missed a job today, Sir-”
“Zanka, drop that damn ‘Sir’!” Gris has lost his patience. He trusted Enjin’s intuition about Zanka. He understood why Enjin liked him and he believed in Enjin’s words about Zanka’s hidden potential. Gris wanted to like this kid. He wanted Zanka to talk more, to open up to the rest of the Cleaners, but not like that. He felt pure disgust thinking what must this kid had gone through to act and think the way he did.
Gris collected himself with a sigh, getting ready to reassure the teenager that he had nothing to worry about until he noticed the other one had started trembling in fear with a terrified face expression. Gris immediately realized his own mistake. He has just yelled at him by accident. He yelled at the abused child.
He felt himself getting sick. He knew he had to act fast. “Zanka, stay right here and don’t do anything. I will be right back.” With that Gris left the room in a rush.
Left alone, Zanka felt sick again, this time from his nerves. He missed his job. He got sick. He made a mess. He made two other people take care of him. He made his superior look after him on his day off and then he disrespected him. He made him angry.
Zanka made his superior angry.
Because Gris was angry at him, right? Zanka spoke in a way Gris didn’t want to hear so he got yelled at. People yelled at others when they were angry. And Zanka knew what was coming next after he got yelled at.
He felt himself shaking more and more, hot tears flowing down his face and sobs escaping his lips. He was crying.
Zanka started sobbing uncontrollably. He had thought he was ready for the punishment Cleaners would have prepared for him, but he was mistaken. Seeing Gris angrily walking out made his confidence crumble. He was scared. Zanka scratched his wrists and looked at the direction of the bathroom doors. He needed to ground himself, to relocate his pain but he remembered Gris’s order.
‘Stay right here and don’t do anything.’
Zanka couldn’t disobey Gris even more so he stayed on his bed, clenching hard wooden staff in his hands. It was the only thing that he could focus on at that moment. It was the only thing that could assist him there.
Gris came back with Semiu. The man didn’t comment on Zanka’s state but Semiu seemed disturbed and surprised. They took their places opposite of Zanka and Gris turned to his colleague.
“Semiu, you are working at Headquarters as a receptionist, is that right?
“Yes, I am still training but I hope I can-”
“Great! So you are a fully skilled receptionist and you know everything about the Cleaners and this place.” Gris interrupted her abruptly with a loud clap. “ Because you know everything about this place, you must know all the rules, is that right?”
“... yes, oh-” Semiu looked at Zanka and realized what Gris was doing “- yes, yes, that’s right, I know everything.” She added with a proud smile, straightening her posture.
“In this case please tell us if we have a rule about throwing out good and skilful fighters after they get sick and miss one day of missions?”
“No, but we do have a very specific order for those who get sick.” Gris glanced at her sideways but let her talk. “They are ordered to take as many days of rest as they need. And they need to eat and drink a lot to fully recover. They need to get strong and healthy to be ready for challenging assignments." With a gentle look Semiu took a napkin and wiped tears from Zanka’s face.
Zanka had managed to calm down enough to stop bawling but he was quietly sniffing from time to time. He felt exposed in front of them. His grip on the staff tightened.
“... noted, Ma’am.”
“Oh, I forgot. There’s a unique rule for the male members from Enjin’s team and you must obey it all the time.” Semiu kept talking with a sly grin on her face, ignoring Gris’s glare. “It is required for them to address the receptionist of the Cleaners per ‘Big Sister’ and not 'Ma'am’.” She winked at irritated Gris. “Oh, and the rest of the members are fine with just being addressed by their names.” She ruffled Zanka’s hair and got up. “Now, gentlemen, if you excuse me, I have to go back to my duties. Zanka, I hope you will continue your work at the Cleaners following said rules.”
Zanka sniffed and nodded at her. “Yes, Big Sis-”
“Oh, Big Sis is even cuter! That’s even better. See you guys at dinner. Zanka, I hope you will feel good enough to join us at the mess hall.“ Semiu waved at them and left the room.
“... I hope that helped to clarify your doubts. We are operating differently from the Hell Guard and we didn’t realize you weren’t aware of that. I want to apologize to you in the name of all the Cleaners. It was our mistake. It’s going to be okay, boy. You’re going to be okay, I promise that. I will talk to Enjin to make sure you won’t feel like that ever again.” Gris noticed how Zanka had perked up on the mention of Enjin’s name. “Or maybe you want to talk to him now? I can call him on a choker if you want.”
Zanka considered that. He missed Enjin. And even Riyo a little bit. But he was certain they were busy on a cleanout assignment and he didn’t want to interrupt them-
“Oh, hi Enjin! You lazy scum, I hope you are not slacking off again having Riyo do all the work!” - but Gris made a decision for Zanka. He handed his choker to the boy. “Zanka’s feeling better and he’s eager to hear from you and Riyo! Please share with him all the details of your today’s mission.” He smiled at Zanka for the last time and left the room.
As soon as he stepped out, he let out a tired sigh. Gris was all tensed up but he didn’t want Zanka to know that. He didn’t want to make him even more anxious.
“Yo, that was some serious shit.” Semiu was waiting for him in the hallway.
“Yeah.” He groaned. “Thank you for the help.”
“No problem”
“And sorry for being a dick earlier.”
“No problem.”
“You know, you will make a good mother one day.” he sent her a genuine smile. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and took one. He gestured to her to take some and she accepted it.
“Yeah, if another vagina could impregnate me one day, then sure.”
“Huh? What- Oh. Oh.”
“I hope that’s not an issue.”
“None.” he answered with a grin and handed her a lighter. They both smoked in silence for a while. “You’re good at reading people. I hope you stay longer with us. I will talk to Corvus.” Gris was sincere with his words.
“Thank you.” Semiu replied while adjusting her glasses. “Although, it’s hard sometimes. Zanka seemed all collected and overly mature when Enjin introduced us to each other. Who would have guessed what was in that boy’s mind… If there was only a way to know someone’s true intentions, that for sure would be handy."
Before Gris could say anything, the door to Zanka’s room opened. Zanka looked between both of them and gave Gris his choker. “Enjin wants to speak to you, Si- Gris.”
Gris took it, thanking the boy. He left the corridor in the direction of a more private place. Walking away he heard Zanka mumble something about Semiu’s duties being smoking in the hallway. He chuckled quietly at the teenager's comment. When he was alone he spoke up, “Yo, what’s up Enjin?”
“Gris, my dear friend, would you like to explain to me why Zanka asked me like five freaking times if it's certain that he is not getting thrown out from the Cleaners?!” Gris only rubbed his temple and groaned.
“Well, if you only informed him beforehand that being sick doesn’t mean eviction, then I wouldn’t have to assure him about that.”
“Why would he even think that?!”
“...”
“...”
“... Hell Guard.”
“Yep.”
It was Enjin’s turn to groan on the other side of the line. “Those damn hellish people… Looks like I have a lot of work with the kid.”
“We, Enjin. We’re all going to help him. But let's discuss it when you will be back.”
“Yeah. Thank you Gris. See you soon.” Before Enjin could end the call, Gris added, “Oh, and Enjin. I need you to grab something on your way back.”
epilogue.
Enjin and Riyo got back in the late afternoon tired to their bones. Riyo immediately rushed to her room to wash up from all the sweat and grime after a long day of fighting trash beasts. Enjin stopped by the reception, only to find the room empty. He dropped on the desk the ‘Hot Ladies from Heaven issue no.7 Limited Edition’. He didn't want to know why Gris asked him to drop that certain magazine on Semiu’s desk (meaning he would torture the answer from Gris during the soonest drinking session).
Wondering where everyone had gone, he started wandering around. Followed by his intuition, his search didn't take long.
In the outside training yard there was a large group of Cleaners all gathered together; Givers, Supporters, administrative workers. They were all in a cheerful mood, definitely celebrating something.
By the benches he saw his Boss talking with the new receptionist. Semiu looked different from the last time he had seen her. She radiated with excitement, her eyes and glasses glowing with a strong golden light. The was new.
Sudden and loud cheers got Enjin’s attention. He followed his gaze to the source of the noise. In the middle of the training field he saw two individuals. He quickly recognized them.
Laying on the ground, clearly beaten after a sparring session, was very excited and happy Gris. Standing over him, was a young teenager that Enjin brought to the Cleaners barely two weeks ago.
For the first time Enjin saw Zanka, he saw a skinny, lost, scared boy. This time he saw a confident, prideful and eager fighter. The Zanka he saw now, was glowing. Literally. With a strong, blue anima. The staff that he brought from the well was also glowing. It became the extension of a young man's soul. Enjin knew what it all had meant. He smiled proudly, his heart beaming with happiness.
‘It’s okay, Zanka. You’re going to be okay.’