Cynical Angst

I smirked at the memory of Depression’s shock as I followed the hallway right, left and around a blind spot before entering the dining room. Well, it was more like a cafeteria/hangout space but with its high ceilings, obtrusive ledges, and history of battle planning, many of the senior group members have come to calling it the War Room. I find that I agree with them as the room is reminiscent of a castle’s great hall, but with less gold and more blood stains. I grabbed a leg of chicken and some toast off the serving plates before seating myself at the head of the table. The youngsters provided excellent entertainment as they continued their game of tag, chasing each other around the long, oak table. A patch of red caught my attention as our newest member scurried by me. Seems Enmity was finally comfortable enough to relax her powers and interact with the other kids. She was definitely the youngest of the group at only six years old.

I took a bite out of my chicken leg, my eyes following Enmity’s red hair as she ran around the room. My eyes shifted focus, however, as I felt the stiff barrel of a gun make its way along the curve of my spine. I strained my eyes to the side, catching a glimpse of black and green hair.

“Angst; what are you doing?” I slowly placed the chicken leg back on my plate, the gun drifting up my back to the base of my skull.

“Just checking to make sure you are still the Cynical I know.” Angst withdrew the gun from my head, slipping it into her ankle holster as she perched herself in the chair to my left. “According to Depression, you did something really stupid and very out of character so I was doing my duty and, you know, checking. Only you would assume that the only person brave enough to hold you at gunpoint was me.” I twisted myself in the chair, leaning on my right arm so as to resume eating with my left.

“You are wrong on two counts there, Angst,” I said, pointing at her with my half eaten toast. “First of all, there are plenty of people brave enough to hold me at gunpoint, they just so happen to live on the other side of town.” Angst rolled her eyes, pulling her gun back out and spinning it around her finger. “And second, I knew it was you because you are the only person in this compound I know with ocean green highlights and a twenty two caliber pistol. Sorry to disappoint.” Angst huffed at me, letting her hair fall into her face as she slouched into her chair.

“And could you please put the gun away,” I sighed, dropping the crust of my toast onto the plate. “You're scaring the little ones.” I jerked my head in the direction of Enmity and the other kids who had ceased their game to stare at Angst, bodies stiff and hunched. Angst ceased her gun twirling and slid it back into its holster. She dropped her legs onto the floor and waved at the kids, all of whom immediately returned to their game.

“I still think you should start them sooner Cynical. They are old enough that they shouldn't be afraid of gu…”

“NO Angst!” I clenched my fist and glared at my plate. “This compound is supposed to be a haven, somewhere dark Empaths can feel safe. They are not old enough. When they turn fifteen then they can learn to fight. They are kids, they do not deserve to lose the rest of their childhood.”

“That's my point though. They can use their rambunctious kid energy for training and then that way when they are fifteen they will be ready to fight.” Angst reached her hand out, laying it on my fist before I jerked it away.

“But…”

“Angst, I said no. Push this again and I will not hesitate to settle this in the ring.” I grabbed my plate and headed towards the exit, patting Enmity on the head as she bumped into me in the pursuit of her new friends. Angst was one of my oldest friends but I would not hesitate to beat a lesson into her, it was my duty as leader. Heading down the hall towards my office, I shoved my hands into my pockets and felt my body radiating energy, cynicism tainting the air.