Her training begins

*Tjeck*

 Putting a face to the threat looming over her head turns out to be exactly the motivation Amber needs. Gone are the days when she gives up the moment she feels tired. Now, she fights with fierce determination, pushing her body to its limits. Instead of urging her to do better, I find myself in the position of having to hold her back, ensuring she listens to her body and stops before she collapses.

 Before long, she feels at home in the training room, immersing herself in the machines and the treadmill, oblivious to the world around her. Whether it’s Mike, Adis, Kattie, or me by her side, we constantly remind her that she isn’t ready to add more weight… not yet. Her impatience is palpable, but she mostly listens to us.

 “If I create a complete training schedule for you, will you promise to stick to it?” I ask her as she sits on the floor, her head resting between her knees, desperately trying to stave off nausea.

 “It needs to go faster,” she mumbles through pressed-together lips. “I don’t have time for this.”

 “Amber,” I sigh, rubbing my face in frustration. “Your body can’t change in a matter of weeks. Pushing it like you’re trying to do now will only lead to injury, and wouldn’t that be a shame?”

 “I don’t have time,” she repeats, looking up at me. Her eyes, which once darted around nervously, now hold my gaze with unwavering intensity. “He kissed me, Tjeck. Zombie kissed me, and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. Even worse, he did it in front of Adis.”

 “Amber, look at me!” I place my hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently but firmly. “I promise you will get the chance to take revenge on Zombie. But to get there, you need to follow my instructions. I know what I’m talking about.”

 “I’m not getting anywhere by playing football with the kids,” she huffs, annoyance creeping into her tone.

 “Could little Miss Know-It-All please hold her complaints until she hears the actual schedule?” I have to be tough; being soft will get me nowhere with her. If she wants to hate me, so be it. Besides, she hardly plays football anymore. More often than not, I find her training instead.

 “Fine!” she says, making a face. “Let’s hear it, then.”

 “You need to be here every morning at 8 o’clock and start the day by running along the wall in your wolf form. When you can complete the entire lap without walking or stopping, you can start timing yourself and report your lap time to me every day. After that, come down here and go through the routine I’ve put together, using the weights I’ve specified. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?” I hand her the paper where everything is written down.

 She nods slowly, her eyes scanning the document with determination.

 “When you finish the series on the paper, take a walk along the wall and make sure to drink two bottles of water while you do it. Once that’s done, take a fifteen-minute break and eat one of these.” I hand her a protein bar, knowing how crucial it is for her to load up on protein with this intense training. I doubt she has consumed much protein in her life. “Then, take another walk along the wall. Just walking. That should align nicely with lunchtime. Make sure to eat plenty of meat and vegetables. After lunch, spend an hour doing absolutely nothing. You can even take a nap in my bed if you want.”

 “Seriously? You’re going to tell me when to sleep?” She shoots me an angry look. “How old am I? You’re not my father, you know.”

 “Right now, you’re acting like you’re about eight years old,” I reply, smirking. “After your break, you’ll spend twenty minutes on the treadmill in wolf form at your fastest pace. Then repeat the series, followed by another walk along the wall, drinking another two bottles of water and having another protein bar. The rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to spend as you wish, but no training whatsoever. And I expect you to get at least ten hours of sleep every night.”

 “So you haven’t scheduled my free time too?” she says dryly, crossing her arms.

 “No, but I could come up with some fun ideas that burn extra calories,” I tease, flashing her a grin. She rolls her eyes, but her cheeks turn a shade of pink. “Seriously, though. Spend time with your friends, get to know people, and have a bit of fun.”

 “And what if I don’t follow your schedule?” she challenges, glaring at me. When she first arrived, she would have never dared to speak to me like this.

 “Well, then I’ll wash my hands of you, and I’ll inform Adis that you lack the discipline and common sense to be an active member here.” I hold her gaze, and the challenge fades from her eyes as she realizes I’m serious.

 “And I guess Adis is only interested in active members?” she sighs sadly. “I need to become strong so he won’t have to protect me all the time.”

 I can’t help but smile. I recognize that look in her eyes; I have seen it in the eyes of dozens of young girls under my protection. “Without claiming to know how Adis thinks, I’d wager he actually enjoys protecting you. It’s a male thing; we like to feel stronger. You’ve given him something to care about again. You should insist on spending more time with him.”

 “He’s always out selling drugs, working at the club, taking inventory, delivering, or tied up in some meeting,” she pauses to catch her breath. “I don’t like him dealing drugs.”

 “Then tell him,” I suggest, quickly adding that she shouldn’t confront him if he has been using or drinking. 

 Amber has a long journey ahead of her, but I can see the fire in her spirit. It’s time to channel that fire into something constructive. She just needs to trust the process.