Chapter 21: The Training Ground

I was surprised to see the backyard, it was more vast than the front yard. The headquarters manor was fenced with concrete blocks and iron railings that extended far from where I stand – the back porch.

A large space in front and the landscape was of formal design, plants placed on symmetrical patterns. Well-pruned trees and bushes were placed strategically to invoke serenity. The space held Trainees like me. There were about four of them and a senior member seemed to be demonstrating advanced hand-to-hand combat. I could say it was advance because their moves were different than the boxing and defending that my dad trained me for two days.

They were locking heads, wrestling, slamming bodies to the ground. They even rarely threw punches. I watched them in astonishment. Beside me was Collins who had shown me the place. Introduced me to some senior members of the Keepers and led me to the training circle.

“This is Luke Mason.” Collins introduced