The Recall Trials
Chapter 38: We Listen, We Don’t Judge I

Chapter 38: We Listen, We Don’t Judge I

Jojo was the next to step forward.

Her arms were crossed, jaw clenched, even her stance was solid.

"Jojo," she said. "No last name. Sector D."

"I used to do contract work, handle problems for the elites. Take out people who owed the wrong people... or knew too much. High-end hits. The kind of jobs where no one asks questions and no one talks after." She shrugged, as her eyes kept scanning the room slowly. "I worked for the rich. Executives, politicians, the people you see on sector posters, on TVs. My job was to clean up their messes..""

She rolled one shoulder like she was brushing something off. "They called it ’private security.’ It paid well. I was good. Too good. Until one mission went sideways and my team left me behind. Lit the place on fire. Thought I was dead. And before I could even figure out who I was anymore... this damn game found me instead"

She gave a humorless chuckle. "I almost was. But apparently that made me perfect for this circus."

She let the silence settle, then added, "Also, just so no one gets confused....I’m lesbian. I don’t flirt, I don’t play nice, and I’m not here for anyone’s attention."

She gave a sharp smirk.

People glanced at each other.

A short laugh broke the tension.

"We listen, we don’t judge," a guy from the guy said, probably trying to lighten the mood.

But no one else laughed.

One of the girls, asked, "So... you’re like an actual assassin?"

People exchanged stunned glances. Some shook their heads, some just stared.

Jojo arched a brow. "Technically, i was. But sure, say it fancy if it helps you sleep better."

A few gasps echoed around the room. Even the air felt heavier now....like her past had sucked some of the oxygen out of the space.

The girl blinked like she wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or horrified.

James, the same guy from before, chimed in again, curiously. "Come on. So... what did you do to piss off your whole team? No offense, but it takes a lot for everyone to turn on you"

Jojo didn’t move at first. Then she took one slow step towards him.

"You know what, James?" she said calmly. "Shut the fuck up."

His expression shifted instantly...nervous, caught off guard.

I stood up quickly. "Jojo....hey, chill. Please."

But she wasn’t backing down.

"What kind of betrayal do you think justifies this?" she snapped, and without warning, unzipped the top of her jumpsuit and turned around.

Gasps filled the room.

Her back... her arms... scorched. Red, pink burns from fire. The kind of damage that never healed right. That told its own story..

"Ever wonder why I didn’t change at the pool party?" she asked, as her voice kept shaking. "Did that cross anyone’s mind? This is what I’ve been hiding."

James’ face fell. "I... I didn’t mean it like that. I was just joking. I’m sorry."

He looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. This was the first time anyone ever apologized in the trials. Wholeheartedly.

Jojo zipped her suit back up, as tears dropped down her cheeks.

"I didn’t betray anyone. We were ordered to kill a man in Sector B, single father, had a ten-year-old daughter. Sweet kid. Quiet. She had no one else. If we’d gone through with it, she’d have ended up in the slums. Alone. Lost." Her voice cracked. She took a deep breath.

"So I told the man. Warned him. Told him to run. Told him where to hide, to vanish without a trace."

She took a deep breath again, like she was trying to hold herself.?"I thought maybe... maybe my team would understand. But instead, they snitched. Threw me under the bus like I was nothing. Said I was a traitor."

The room was really silent now..

"So yeah, James. I didn’t betray them." She took a breath. "I spared someone who didn’t deserve to die."

James swallowed and apologized again.

"I’m really sorry, Jojo. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just trying to..." he paused "...lighten the mood."

Jojo just stared at him.

He looked genuinely shaken now.

I walked over, quietly, and put my hand on her shoulder. "You don’t have to keep carrying that alone," I said.

She didn’t look at me, but I felt her body tremble under my palm.

"I probably do," she muttered. "I think... maybe I deserved it. Maybe not the fire, but the consequences, the scars. Even the trials." She paused, "Hell, I’m pretty sure even me being in this trial is part of someone’s plan. The man who saved me? He made me promise to join this game. Said it was the price for saving my life."

She looked up at the cameras. "So if Karen and Flynn....my dear ex-teammates are watching this right now... fuck you both. You’re assholes. Backstabbing cowards, I hope you get what you deserve."

That was the first time the room laughed. Not fake or nervous laughter...real, startled ’oh my days’ laughter.

Everyone believed her.

Then Zaara stepped forward. The mood shifted as soon as she did.

"So...uhmmm," she said, lifting her chin a little. "Guys... before we keep going, maybe we can move this to the bedroom? We’ll sit. Talk properly. Everyone looks like they’re about to collapse, to ease the tension."

Everyone nodded. People murmured in agreement.

So we walked quietly, a little more wary of each other than before. Back in the room, people found their spots...on bunks, leaning against walls, sitting cross-legged on the floor. We were in this together now.

Zaara stood by the wall, wrapped her hands around herself.

"So guys, I’m Zaara," she said. "I’m from Sector C. Close to the boundary of D. The kind of area they pretend doesn’t exist.

Her voice didn’t shake, but it softened when she continued.

"My brother disappeared two years ago. Just... taken. No one gave us answers. I waited. Took care of my sick mom for as long as I could. But something in me always believed I’d find him again."

She looked around the room, and for a second, her eyes met mine. "I was taking care of her until the day they knocked on my door and told me I was ’selected’. Maybe this place holds those answers. I’m not leaving without them."

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