Victor Dark. Blaine Sims

signs up the summer of his junior year to work at the high school. A sports field is in the process of development and he is part of a group of students whose task is digging out and picking every rock, stone, and pebble covering the area. Supervision is by a member of the athletic staff, a large man, laid back. Of Japanese descent, he’s well-liked by all, but has a nagging habit of, after giving directions, repeating the statement, “Yup, that’s what we’re gonna do.”

      “Men, we’re going to work this section of field over here this morning. Understand?”

      “Yes, Mr. Iwa.”

      “Yup, that’s what we’re gonna do…” and on and on.

      Victor likes this man and this job. It is outdoors, physical, and in the fresh air. The teen’s exertions provide great exercise to build his body and strength. The smallest of the bunch, he insists on tackling the largest rocks and rolling the biggest boulders. It gives him an aura of power. Him against these rocks and stones. His might and vigor versus heretofore immovable foes. Unlike his fellow student workers, he finds the labor of digging far from monotonous. It holds potential intrigue. His mind wanders. Will he find buried treasure? Shall his effort uncover important archeological findings? Is a body buried beneath the ground? Or, will he discover a door that leads to another place and time, a different dimension of another world?

      Mr. Iwa is a decent person who shows care and genuine feeling for his charges. The routine enables Victor to get out of the house and away from his family. He has a sense of purpose. On a sad note, neither the job or his new found sensation of being worthwhile and contributing to an important cause will last long. He will return to the world of boredom, despondency, and letdowns.

      Chapter Three

      “Happy birthday,” says his friend.

      “Thank you,” replies Victor.

      “How does it feel to be 18, dude?”

      “It feels good,” Victor answers, as he stands in a crowd of teens ready to celebrate his milestone. Conspicuous by their absence are family members. No, they couldn’t care less. In fact, neither can these so-called friends assembled to drink and get high. It’s the only reason they’re there.

      Two hours into the party, a 17-year-old participant fires the Glock pistol he stole from his father in celebratory abandon. A bullet strikes another partygoer, which results in a severe wound. No one does anything except cower or run. It is all they can do. Not a sole person in the house knows first aid. A neighbor who sees kids run from the house, scattering in various directions, calls the police. They break up the festivity and make several arrests to include the overzealous juvenile. It’s a lesson Victor never forgets. He makes it a point to get certified in advanced emergency medical treatment before he turns 19. Thoughts of going to college crosses his mind, but he nixes them. Victor concludes he’s not ready for the demands he envisions are made of students.

      Victor signs up for an Advanced Emergency Management certification course at a local college. The curriculum involves intensive studies to include:

       Biological Science

      Through a systematic study of the structure and function of the human body, its cells, tissues, organs, and systems, the student will identify and describe basic anatomical structures and fundamental physiological processes that occur in health and disease for the major body systems.

       Human Anatomy and Physiology II

      With Human Anatomy & Physiology I as a foundation, the student advances his or her study of the structure and function of the human body and will identify and describe more detailed anatomical structures and more comprehensive physiological processes that occur in health through a systematic survey of the major body systems.

       Emergency Medical Technology

      The student will be able to do the following by describing the role of the Emergency Medical Technician in an emergency medical services system: perform a patient assessment on patients with traumatic injuries and patients with medical emergencies, manage a multi-casualty incident including triage, correctly manage traumatic injuries to the body and its systems, as well as medical emergencies of varying types and causes, per-form lifting and moving techniques and light extrication. The student will summarize and interpret legal responsibilities of safe ambulance operations; evaluate psychological and physical factors affecting safe emergency vehicle operations, incident command, hazardous materials incidents, crime scene awareness, rescue awareness. The student will show techniques for gaining access to the patient, disentanglement, patient movement, and recognize and manage situations posing threats to patients, EMT's or bystanders.

      On the third day of trauma class, the assignment deals with an abdominal stab wound. It is all Victor needs to see. The sight of fake blood overpowers him and he passes out.

      “Teacher, we have a man down.”

      “Oh, dear,” comes the reply.

      When he wakes from the smell of ammonia inhalant the teacher applies, he’s shaken and wracked with embarrassment. The instructor is kind and takes Victor aside, where she explains it’s a normal reaction people often have. He shouldn’t be ashamed, and she’s confident he’ll troop on. Victor commits to doing so. He receives his certification with honors, although the sight of blood continues to make him queasy. This reaction afflicts him the rest of his life. His nightmares are yet to come.

      EMT Patch

      The decision to enlist in the United States Air Force fails to pan out for the teen. Possibly the most lenient of all services, their basic training is a cakewalk for even the most challenged individual. A life-recurring issue arises during his time at Lackland Air Force Base. Victor despises orders. He revolts against any hint of authority and resists being told what to do. There’s no place in the military for such attitude or insubordination, even the Air Force. Hell, any Boy Scout will tell you lawful orders must be obeyed.

      They drop Victor from the ranks of the service. Unwilling and unable to perform to standards and requirements, he receives an ‘Other Than Honorable’ separation because of cussing out training instructors, even catching one off guard with a sucker punch. The non-commissioned officer refuses to pursue discipline or charges and convinces superiors to hand out the OTH departure. If not for this, he would receive a Bad Conduct Discharge. The powers at hand consider an ‘Entry-Level Separation’ given to those who cannot adapt to the environment, but his slap of the military training instructor cannot be overlooked. A criminal charge, it can result in a court-martial. No justification for the proceeding can be made as it would be a waste of time and effort. They will cut their losses, as his type is not desirable nor suitable for a military force. Here begins another series of employments, all short-lived, which span years.

      Chapter Four

      Perhaps the most important bond in child development is one with their mother. This holds true throughout the animal kingdom. Maternal nurturing is crucial in establishing positive growth and well-being. Shelter from physical elements and bodily sustenance is vital for tangible expansion, and Victor’s mother gives the bare basics. With some, this equates to a plus, as it enables one to learn to fend for themselves and toughens them. However, Victor does not receive any cultivation or emotional comfort from his birth giver.

      His mother disdains everyone. She thinks the world revolves around her, and every action, cause, and purpose are direct infantile attempts to result in her own gain. She cares not for her offspring, but her own selfish needs and wants. Victor and his siblings despise her with a passion.

      Victor’s connection with his father is healthier, but not by much, and a father cannot provide the level of furtherance a mother can. Laidback and on the cusp of being an introvert, he avoids discussion and conflict with his wife. His son resents this and feels his dad should stand up to her. He should defend his honor and children. It will come later. Too late. He leaves his wife and kids and moves out.

      In