It was hard getting ready with one damaged hand, but Zee being the type of person she is, helped me with everything. The pain was slowly subsiding and the pain killers seemed to be doing their job well enough.
The soft fabric clung tightly to my skin, I guess they didn't wear anything loose-fitting. Tight black athletic wear pants and a sleeveless top. It looked relatively normal, nothing overly fancy like yesterday, for that I was grateful.
Veronica insisted on wearing makeup and edged on forcing me to, when it was clear that at least for now nothing particle-filled will be even touching my face she dropped the subject. We were about to 'train', that meant physical activity, right? Wouldn't she just sweat the makeup off? Or was it so easy for her that she didn't even break a sweat? But weren't they forbidden to wear makeup or were those rules just a 'guideline' meant to be there but not meant to be fully followed?
I just decided to let my hair flow freely down, bouncing past my shoulders curving around my oval face.
Looking in the mirror, I felt satisfied with how I looked. Plain, simple, me. Then why was this abnormal amount of guilt building up inside, why did I not recognize the person in front of me, even without makeup, it just didn't look like me. I found myself reaching out touching the glass expecting it the break or shatter or something. Anything was better than looking at the person ahead of me, the person I so wanted to forget.
Three loud, calculated knocks pounded on my door, this time I knew it wasn't Zee. Her knocks were softer and calmer. To my surprise Jordon popped his head through, his black hair shaggy and unkempt, this was a far cry from his normal pristine look, I'm guessing he just wasn't a morning person. "Are you ready?" He gave a small smile.
Returning the gesture, I nodded, making my way out of Isaiah's room and down the curved staircase with him. I wasn't at all used to big places like this and getting lost was especially easy to do.
"Thanks for coming to get me, I'm honestly baffled how you all don't get lost in this place."
To my shock, a small laugh came from his parted lips, "You get used to it. Actually, Zee asked me to get you, she wants us to, in her words 'bond'. " His last words placed not bitterness or distaste but more amusement.
Nudging my shoulders, his brown eyes pierced into mine, we paused and both erupted into laughter. I couldn't help but smile, "Yeah that sounds like Zee."
Quickly he added, "No hate towards you or anything." I dismissed it with a wave of my hand. "I couldn't get much in with everyone crowding, marveling at you. And Isaiah, damn I've never seen him so protective over someone before." He paused, I could feel his stare burning into my cheek trying to gauge a reaction out of me. But I had nothing to give him.
Turning to face him as we walked, me subsequently following him, I asked, "Is it true," He raised an eyebrow prompting me to carry on, "Is it true that Isaiah was assigned my case years back and I'm somehow going to save the world, that must be some sci-fi stuff and, Jordon, well the world can't be saved, there's no hope, how can there be with everything's that's happening? It's just not possible." There was a long pause, so long that I thought maybe he didn't hear me.
"Alexis, what you have to understand is that we were all assigned your case, the Nations has hundreds of agents, no one wanted to take it because we knew it would be a great risk, even more than usual, people - things that no one can even possibly start to comprehend don't want the world saved and they'd go to great lengths to prevent it from happening. Only Isaiah was willing to put his life on the line for you. And- yes we have been monitoring you, seeing if you would be a viable candidate, we got a little bit more than excepted, you're the perfect candidate. For what? Well, that we don't know, as I'm sure Isaiah would have mentioned we are restricted to the level of information we get. Silly, if you ask me considering it's us putting our lives on the line. But you are our only hope."
Something suddenly struck me, " Do you think what happened to me," Gesturing to my bandaged arm, " Do you think it was something paranormal?"
He shrugged, "It could possibly well be. You must understand that we're mere fragile humans and that there are civilizations out there so much advanced than our own and wars with things we can't see every day. I'm a big believer in spiritual happenings and I-"
Elijah suddenly strolled past us, heading for what I guessed would be the training room. I was so engrossed with the conversion that I didn't realize the quick change in scenery, the dimly lit hallway leading to a big ruby red door. I stilled my breathing, memories flashed back to Eaton, Evan, Isaiah, the demonic Unknown. Was that the paranormal entity Jordon was talking about or something else, something far worse. "Not feeding her more of your heebie-jeebies ghost stories are you?" He directed the question to Jordon but his green eyes trained on me, "Pay no mind to what he tells you, everything has a rational, reasonable, and viable explanation." He smirked before jogging towards the door, his sweatpants clinging to his waist and his tattoos more visible than last night, encompassed around his whole body.
"Does that guy ever wear a shirt?" Jordon huffed, low enough for me to hear but not loud enough for Elijah to hear, looking up I smiled which he returned a friendly one, both trying to keep ourselves from laughing. Despite his hard exterior, he seemed genuine, in fact, he and Elijah are the epitome of juxtaposition. "Well, like I said," He continued, "It's just my opinion, doesn't mean you actually have to believe it."
I nodded comfortable with what he had to say, it brought a whole new light and perceptive on things. But there was still one question, burning in my mind, "What's the deal with you and Zee?" I blurted it out before even thinking if it was an appropriate thing to ask.
His smile fell and his hard face soon overtook his soft one.
I guess not.
"Don't take this the wrong way Alexis but it's really none of your business." His voice monotone, stoic. I guess they can really turn it on and off whenever they pleased.
Realizing I hit a rough spot, I quickly added, " I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to take offense. I-"
"It's okay, it's just complicated." He smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, but it was enough to know that I still had a friend in him. I took it without hesitation and let the matter drop.
Opening the door for me, walking in what beheld me was what I could describe a marvel of a room; mats were stored carefully in what seemed to be a draught out pattern, a boxing kit was stored to the far corner of the room not even taking up a quarter of the space, multiple tall wooden stands with poles sticking out at random angles dotted around the place, a grand sized computer screen mounted on the wall seemed to be tracking everyone moments and for what I could tell, heart rates amongst other things, a tiny red dot appeared and following beside it was the name Alexis, it was tracking me. An array of more equipment I didn't even know the name of and never seen in my life was situated at different stations, ice-cold air quickly crashed out of the air conditioner, the pure white wallpaper clashing with the dark tiled floor.
A voice broke my inspection of the room, "Welcome to the Training Room, or as I like to call it the three most gruesome hours of your human life." The voice belonged to Veronica, as we locked eyes she tried to stifle what I guess was a smile but came out blunt, short, and cold. Well, at least she tried.
"Hey, don't scare the poor girl." Only Elijah would say such an irritating and belittling statement like that. I wasn't a child. How old were they anyway, eighteen maybe nineteen not a major difference from being sixteen. Was this his way of being kind? Or was this to just annoy me to a whole other level?
Playfully Veronica stuck her tongue out at him which he responded by trapping her in a bear hug. The act was so distant yet so intimate. Were they together?
Zee quickly came up to me, giving me a small side hug, "Ignore them, " She smiled showing off her pearly white teeth, I could see why Jordon was so enticed by her she really was beautiful, "They're just messing about, it's not that bad."
Raising my eyebrows waiting for her to carry on what this so-called training would consist of.
"It's just a couple round of partner sparring and then we go onto to our own individual stations-"
Hastily I asked, "What do you mean by sparring?"
She looked at me like if I've grown three heads, like the meaning of sparring was pretty self-explanatory which now I completely agreed, "You know, someone versus one-"
Trying to hid my embarrassment but to no avail, "Yeah, I got it."
Before I could ask her anything else a booming voice ruptured through, "Right!" Jordon stood in front of all of us, now only realizing that we were in a perfectly straight line, everyone wore roughly the same type of clothing only the boys wore dark grey or maroon red sweatpants instead and of course Elijah without the shirt. "Everyone get into pairs, teach your partner everything you know and vice versa. Be rough, be brutal, don't hold back." Funny I thought this was just sparring not full-on head-to-head action. "In courtesy of our new guest." His eyes flickered towards me, "Whoever pairs up with her-tone it down. I don't want anyone in the Sick Bay, okay?" It was strange how much he grabbed everyone's attention, how authority flowed around him. I guess it made sense considering he looked a lot older than the rest, so he must have had more experience. It was slightly unsettling how emotionless his face could get like he's been broken down into the perfect soldier. Willingly or unwillingly, that I wasn't sure of.
Looking through my peripheral vision, Zee tensed up, biting her full lips, looking at Jordon with what looked like a hint of lust in her eyes. I'm guessing they'd no doubt be a pair.
Jordon instantly locked eyes with her, offering her a hand, without hesitation she accepted. Throwing a quick, "Have fun." My way they both headed, hands locked to a separate station. I just couldn't picture Jordon hurting her, or Zee hurting him. But I guess in what they do they have to be completely prepared. Maybe, just maybe someday they could be really be fighting each other. But that was by far the most ludicrous idea I could possibly come up with, with the way they looked at each other, that would have been close to impossible.
"What do you say, partners?" A hand shot out, connected to Elijah's face. I looked at him hard which he only smirked back, I didn't really have many offers, I nodded proceeding to take his hand.
Suddenly Isaiah stepped in front of him, knocking his hand away and using his entire body to block him out. "Shall we go?" Smiling down at me, I couldn't help but smile back, it was truly frustrating how all these emotions stirred up inside of me whenever he was around, there was too much I had a hard time picking one, everything clouded my right sense of judgment whenever he was around. I didn't like that, I didn't like that at all.
"I think she's already taken Patriot, pair with Veronica." Gently he pushed Isaiah out of the way, I could tell from that small movement, Isaiah's eyes were blazing, but he was trying to hold it together which was ultimately failing.
"If you touch me again. I swear -"
Veronica edged in with a slightly irritated expression of what was unfolding in front of her, "Boys, boys, boys. There's no need for this. Elijah, you're with me." The tone of her voice held no room for a counterargument. "Isaiah, you can be with Alexis." How she said my name with a slight bitterness reinforced the idea that she wasn't too sure about me like she was okay being my friend but also putting me at arm's reach.
Elijah followed her to another station, I could tell quite reluctantly.
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't want you to see this side of me, even if it was briefly."
Looking up at him I said, "Isaiah trust me, you don't intimidate me." No. But you make me feel things I didn't think were humanly possible.
Smirking, he gently touched my lips, his gaze lingering on them before his face contorted in pain, like he was tired of holding something back, "Never said I did, Alexis. Never said I did."
Hearing grunts and bodies connect to the cushioned floor, I could tell everyone was busy training. We just stood there. Me nervously. Him waiting for me to at least catch my breath. His touch, Isaiah's touch stirred something up in me that I was struggling to suppress. Were these emotions at all normal?
"You ready?"
Hastily I nodded, knowing that if I spent a moment of hesitation, I would just chicken out. And I needed this training, I had no idea how to protect myself. So I guess it's essential for survival. "Okay." Leading me to a training mat, he looked into my eyes, there were gentle, soft, somewhat understanding, "Don't worry. It's you're first time, I'm not going to go full out, Alexis. We'll build you up there, and one day you'll be as good as me, maybe even better." Despite him smiling up reassuringly, the only question that seemed to burn through my head was how long did I really have? Not even Isaiah could soften that worry. I tried to muster up what was my best attempt of a smile, it didn't seem to convince him, but he took what he could get. "Right. Position your body like this." His hands grabbed my waist, even though I was clothed I swear I still feel his bare skin, the burning and the tingling sensation I was feeling was so enticing a
Chapter six "Here. " Elijah said, handing me a pack of cold, frozen peas without hesitation I took it pressing in it quickly onto the nape of my neck, the pain sizzled out and I finally let out the breath I was involuntarily holding. "I'm guessing you need it." He chuckled the deep sound vibrating in the spacey room. Veronica was undoubtedly right, that was the three most gruesome hours of my being. But I learned a few things, how to hold the Blocking Position and how to execute a few oncoming attacks. Isaiah, though strict taught exceptionally well that I couldn't fault him on that. "Alexis," He spoke, I felt myself looking up at him, it must have been something in his voice that grabbed my attention but I couldn't figure out what, " You did good today." His green eyes concentrated on mine, suppressing down the lump in my throat, smiling, I answered back. "Thank you." His bold eyebrows scrun
Deciding that I was also too exhausted for another game I got up making my way towards the kitchen. This time I'd force Zee to accept my help and I'd leave no room for her to even utter the word no. Noticing Isaiah following behind me, I couldn't help but smile this past couple of days were trying to say the least but he's been there the best he could, the best that I'd let him anyway. Sweet, pleasurable aroma of food wafted as I got closer. With all the extra, excessive training I had to endure, I was constantly hungry and Zee's food was the only thing that made me feel like I had more than enough. The glass table held different varieties each and every night, this time I was graced with; big, shallow bowl filled to the brim of cooked plantain, pasta mixed with vegetables, a fat roast chicken situated in the middle, multiple salmon bombarded with different spices. No need to say, but it all looked undeniably delectable. It always baffle
"Veronica that's enough!" Zee's voice boomed through the room silencing even Veronica. Her chocolate eyes turned a shade darker. I've never seen her like this, I've never seen her so, well so angry. I instantly hated myself for turning her this way, this was my fault, all my fault. I should never have ran away, I should never have gone into the woods, that way me and Isaiah would never have met and our destiny could be rewritten. "You know better than to attack someone when they clearly aren't in the right space to defend themselves. Don't lose the morals that were instilled in us." This time her voice held all the authority, I could tell no one expected this from her, not even Jordon. "Veronica. Sit. Down. Or. Leave." Each word, each pause emphasized, neither girls were backing down, Zee held her ground equally as Veronica did, "Okay. Then leave. Now." It was clear by the tone of her voice her command held no room for argument. Her eyes flickered onto each in
Two bodies dropped. Isaiah. No. Steadily getting up from my knees, my eyes connected with Zee's, she finally looked up. So many emotions in one pair of eyes, it was scary to look at. Forcing my head around. I didn't want to come to terms with it. I didn't want to come to terms that he was dead. Isaiah was dead. One body laid in front of me, cramped at my feet, blood freely flowing, Isaiah stood opposite me, still recovering from his initial shock, his gun facing down. He didn't take the shot, it wouldn't have been possible. Two shots. There were two shots. So I would have been dead. Then my eyes followed his. Veronica mounted, slumped onto the wall, head hung low, the gun falling out of her hand clattering loudly against the polished floor, a layer of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, her eyelids shut closed, a hole in her heart. Dead.
He was injured, badly too. Without losing a second, me and Zee went to either side of him draping each arm over our shoulders, his eyes rolled to the back of his head before his head fell back. This wasn't good. Shouting in the distance, still firing, "Keep going! Training Room!" Isaiah yelled. Managing his body weight the best way we could and as fast as we possibly could, we made our way towards the flaming crimson door. Closer. Closer. Zee kicked it open, the abnormal amount of force tearing it off its hinges. Just then, loud, numerous thundering footsteps came into the half exploded complex. They were here. Isaiah arrived in front of us, hastily leading us towards the far side of the room, just away from their view. It bought us time. Just how long though? Elijah was becoming increasingly heavy to
**** Springing straight up from my dream state, my heart rate pounding in my chest. My breathing irregular. But I didn't scream. It wasn't real, it was a dream. Only a dream. I closed my eyes trying to grip onto my version of reality. The version that right now I'd do anything to escape from. Forcing myself to keep my breathing steady, I reopened my eyes adjusting to the new scenery. Bed. I was on a bed. Throwing the duvet wrapped around me, I hung my legs over, the tips of my toes making light contact with the carpeted floor. Where am I? Trying to absorb my surroundings I looked around. Gold encrusted spiral walls, flat-screen television secured to the far end of the wall. A table and a single chair situated towards the corner of the room and a slightly ajar door. I was curious, to say the least. Where exactly was I? I couldn't be back at their c
Suddenly Zee walked into the room, I could see in her eyes evident shock of the close position that me and Isaiah were currently in, I pulled back abruptly but he made no just movement in fact he looked slightly irritated that there was an interruption, he turned his eyes falling on Zee, his face instantly stomped out any previous annoyance. Despite her visible injuries, she was still looking a lot better than I did. Her hair flowed freely around her shoulders, she was wearing similar attire to mine. Her beauty still present. But everything else clearly not, a permanent frown etched onto her face which was completely different from normal, happy smiling Zee and I despised seeing her like that. Her voice came out hard, blunt but not an octave higher or lower from how she usually sounded, "Isaiah, are you ready to go?" His eyes burned into mine, asking if he should go or if he should stay, all I could give him was a