Don't Look Back (Warders of Earth)

by S. E. GILCHRIST

  I-think-I’m-so-awesome, was the sensei’s son?

  I planted my fists on my hips and glared at ‘I’m-so-awesome’.

  “Who cares?” My heart seemed to fill every part of my chest and I was positive my face was on fire. Would this lesson never end?

  “Next, fifteen minutes free-style sparing,” barked the sensei.

  I groaned, rolling my eyes. Still I turned towards my brother obediently. Dan grinned and muttered, “I’m gonna whip your arse, Sis.”

  “I’d like to see you try,” I joked back.

  But sensei hadn’t finished.

  “I have arranged a system, whereby each week you will have a different partner to spar against. This will ensure that you will develop an ability to cope with different techniques. I will call out your name in pairs.”

  Now wasn’t that just perfect, I thought as the sensei barked out my name and partnered me with his son. With one quick snap, I tightened the blue cloth belt about my waist.

  My brother stepped closer and whispered, “Be careful. Alex might have heard you bad-mouthing his father and he’s a black belt. I wish sensei had placed me against him.”

  Although younger than me, my brother already topped me by a few inches and this past year, he’d begun to muscle up what used to be his thin, boyish frame.

  Dan frowned as he pushed his hair back from his face. His eyes had that wide, puppy-dog stare that told me louder than words that his anxiety was kicking in.

  I reached over and squeezed his hand, scoffing, “I’ll be fine. I’m not a master of kick butts yet, but I can handle this guy. Just you watch me.”

  “Be careful, Sis.”

  I took up my fighting stance. Mr I’m-so-awesome was taller than me, his broad shoulders filled the white gi he wore in a way I shouldn’t have found impressive but I did. He certainly looked more formidable than my easy-going, younger brother. The speculative expression in his grey eyes and the straight line of his mouth sent a scurry of shivers down my spine.

  Maybe Dan was right. Maybe I should learn to keep my mouth shut.

  There was no time for further thought, as sensei barked out, “Begin”.

  The first few moves told me everything I needed to know.

  I was out-skilled by a very well-trained opponent; one who appeared determined to beat me and probably humiliate me into the bargain.

  Yeah, I definitely needed to keep my opinions to myself.

  A sudden grin appeared on Alex’s face as he nimbly side-stepped my punch. He grabbed my wrist and swung around, throwing me over his hip.

  I landed heavily on the hard wooden floor, gasping. Anger flooded me. I wasn’t going down without a fight.

  I swept my left foot sideways, connected with his ankle. He stumbled. Taking advantage of his momentary weakness, I leapt to my feet and rammed him in a classic shoulder charge. It sent both of us tumbling to the floor.

  We rolled over and over.

  He blocked every punch, my every sneaky move until he managed to grasp both my wrists and hold them over my head. His body hard and hot pinned me to the ground. His eyes blazed into mine.

  “Say it,” he demanded.

  I’d be dammed first.

  Instead I mouthed, “Fuck you.”

  To my intense surprise, he laughed and immediately released me. He sprang to his feet and tugged his jacket in place. Next he bowed in my direction then sauntered off.

  Cocky bastard.

  “Are you okay, Tara?” Dan asked holding out a hand towards me.

  Flushing, I accepted his help and scrambled to my feet. One quick look around revealed the rest of our group had all stopped and were gaping at me.

  Oh wonderful. Now, I’m tonight’s entertainment. Tomorrow, I’ll probably be headlines in every social media platform in the country.

  “No worries,” I said and gave a reassuring smile.

  The lesson concluded after the free-spar.

  Relieved, I jerked a bow to sensei. Before I could stop myself, I looked round the hall for Alex but all I caught a glimpse of his back as he disappeared through the side door with his father.

  “What a shitty end to a good day,” I said as we escaped from the hall of hell.

  “Are you okay?” Dan repeated.

  I repressed a sigh when I heard the quaver in his voice. I made an effort to sound upbeat. “Yeah, ‘course I am. No wannabee wanker can get the best of me. Although, I’ve got a feeling I’m going to have a few bruises. You were right about him, Dan. He wanted to thrash me.” I smiled ruefully at my brother and admitted, “And he succeeded.”

  Dan laughed. “You’ll be alright, Sis. A deep hot bath with some of Mum’s crushed herbs will help. Look. Here she comes. She’s been talking to the new sensei. At least she’ll be pleased with him. He pushes us a lot harder than sensei Alan did.”

  “Well, how does everyone feel?” Mum smiled as she opened the car door. “He certainly worked us hard tonight.”

  “Mum, he is like a boot camp sadist.”

  “Oh, Tara. He isn’t that bad. He seems nice. I actually feel very invigorated.”

  Nice! I climbed into the back seat and leaned forward to examine my mother’s face. Why she actually looked quite pretty. Oh, no, don’t tell me.

  Mum gave a soft laugh. “Bob and his son moved here from Sydney a few days ago and they hardly know anyone here. I’ve invited them over this Saturday for lunch. Bob was interested to hear of my theories regarding Armageddon and the future.”

  I’d been right to feel apprehensive. “You didn’t, Mum? Oh, how could you? They’re both probably laughing their arses off at us right this very minute.”

  “Tara, your language. Now I realise some people consider swearing is acceptable but I won’t have you dropping your standards. As a future leader, you need to set an example.”

  “Gaaaaah.” I flopped back into my seat and folded my arms.

  My brother hooted.

  “Bob actually had a couple of suggestions to make which have given me food for thought,” my mother prattled on as the car jolted to a halt outside our house.

  Dan turned off the ignition and winked over his shoulder at me.

  I did the eye-roll thing at him. “That’s it. I’m going to ring Dad straight away. You have to listen to him.”

  “Oh no, Tara. That’s where you’re wrong. Your father agrees with me.” Mum leaned over the seat to stare at me.

  My heart missed a beat at the fanatical expression on her face.

  “The end is coming and you’re a special one. That’s why your father and I changed our identities and have remained hidden all these years.”

  Chapter 4 – SECRETS

  Three nights later I stood on the station platform, craning my neck to stare along the railway tracks. Finally.

  Light from the setting sun glinted on metal in the distance and gradually I made out the front engine of the last train for the day from Canberra. Due to repairs to the line, the seven o’clock train service had been disrupted and had turned into the eight-fifteen service.

  Turning aside, I tilted my water bottle and drained the contents before tossing the empty bottle into a nearby garbage bin. My stomach did a funny little flip but I steadfastly refused to look behind me to where Alex lounged on the hard timber bench.

  It had been quite a jolt to discover him waiting for the train when I’d arrived earlier. And even more of a surprise when he’d captured my gaze and nodded. He’d looked as if he was about to speak but I’d hurried to the opposite end of the platform where I’d then spent the next three-quarters of an hour pacing up and down feeling like an unsophisticated geek.

  An urgent need to visit the restroom had sent me stalking back down the platform and past where he sat. And this time, I mumbled a brief, ‘Hi’, before disappearing into the ‘Ladies’.

  I teetered on the edge of the platform in my awesome boots, my mind full of nothing but the guy behind me.

  When a hand grasped my right elbow I nearly jumped out of my ski
n. Startled, I lifted my eyes to meet Alex’s intense stare, as he tugged me back beyond the yellow line. Tingles shot up my arm from where his hand held me.

  Alex said, “Best be careful.”

  “Right.” Face hot, I pulled free and quickly stepped to the left. Out of his reach. My stomach clenched. Or did I want to remain within his reach?

  He remained where he was and somehow that irritated me even more than my crazy thoughts. “Not working tonight?” he asked.

  “My shift was cancelled.” I shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Now I get to spend more time with my friends.” But it meant my finances would be tight until the next pay day rolled around.

  From the speakers overhead, the station master announced the train’s arrival. Before he’d finished, however, the train whooshed into the station with squeals of brakes and one final grunt from the engine.

  “Waiting for someone?” Inwardly I cringed at my pitiful attempt at small talk.

  “Yeah, mate of mine is coming to stay for a few weeks.”

  The train shuddered, doors groaned open and out spilled weary, frustrated passengers. Loaded up with two bright crimson suitcases and a bulging backpack, Em appeared in the doorway. She squealed when she spotted me and struggled onto the platform.

  Alex stepped forward and held out both hands. “Need some help?”

  Em giggled and immediately let go.

  One case landed squarely on Alex’s left foot.

  “Shit!” he exploded and did a bunny hop sideways.

  “Ooops.” Hand covering her mouth, she hovered giving a good impression of an intoxicated butterfly, not knowing if she should stay or fly off somewhere.

  “Hey, Em.” Grinning, I pulled one of my best friends into a big hug. Releasing her, I indicated the guy beside us. “This is Alex. He’s new to town.”

  “Oh, really? So are you two like, together already?” Her baby-blue eyes as big as the rising moon, Em glanced from me to Alex then back again.

  “God, no.” The words burst out of me like bullets. Positive my face was as red as Em’s cases, I mumbled, “He’s a friend of Crystal’s.”

  “Eeuw. What a waste.” Em did a ‘loser’ pose with her thumb and forefinger.

  The gesture served to remind me of the million times she’d done something similar over the years and how embarrassed I’d felt. It didn’t look like she'd done any growing up in the past five weeks since we’d last seen one another. She was still a bubbly, drama queen with a high, childish voice that could shatter glass. And completely impervious to whoever may be around whenever she voiced every single thought that entered her head.

  Still I loved her and had done, ever since she and Marnie had befriended me on my first day at high school.

  I hunched my shoulders as I spotted the narrow-eyed glare Alex sent Em and mumbled, “That’s it, we’re outa here.”

  Alex shifted his gaze to stare along the platform at a group of people and I sensed he was impatient to be gone from our company.

  “Has Marnie arrived?” Apparently oblivious to the tension simmering like a boiling kettle, Em burbled on. “This is going to be totally frosty. All girls together. Let’s head to the pub first. I’m dying for a drink and it’ll be fabulous for us to walk in with hotty Alex in tow. I can just see Crystal’s face.” She snickered.

  “Alex...is...not...here...with...me. Remember?” I whispered, carefully avoiding looking at his hotness still holding Em’s luggage.

  Still standing right there beside her.

  Time for us to lose this guy and make tracks before I died from sheer embarrassment.

  “Thanks, but we can handle it from here.” Reaching out, I tugged at the closest suitcase.

  “I said I’ve got it.” Alex reefed the case backwards and knocked the passing station guard in the knee. The guard dropped his whistle.

  “’Ere, mate. Watch what yer doing with that thing.” Picking up his whistle, the guard hobbled past.

  Biting down on the hysterical giggle bubbling in my throat, I grabbed Em’s arm.

  “This way then.” Quickly, I hustled her out of the station and into the carpark. The crunch of boots on gravel reminded me of the guy that stalked behind.

  “Oh, you’ve got your license?” trilled Em.

  Kill me now! “No, not yet.” I unlocked the boot of Mum’s car and directed a defiant glare at Alex.

  But after stowing the bags in the boot, Alex merely gave a curt nod and strolled back to the station leaving me staring after him. I realised my gaze was glued to his backside so nicely packed inside a tight pair of faded blue jeans. What was I doing eyeing him off? But, he sure made up to one sexy package. I’d have to be blind not to realise it.

  I watched as he slapped an arm around the shoulder of a dark-haired guy waiting near the entrance.

  “Tara!” Em’s shrill voice finally pierced my absorption.

  “Sorry, I was thinking.”

  “Oooh and I know exactly what you were thinking about too.” She tossed me a grin and opened the passenger side door. “Nice arse. And from what I can see, his mate looks just as hot.”

  I slid onto the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut, groaning, “Frikking hell, Em.” After starting the car, I turned onto the road.

  “I wouldn’t blame you if you were. Thinking of him that is. Alex is drop-dead souped up sex on legs.” Em cranked down the protesting window, leaned her curly, white-blonde head out and waved enthusiastically calling out, “See you at the pub, Alex.”

  The remaining passengers waiting near the taxi rank all turned and goggled.

  I put my foot down and the car leapt forward as if we were in the Bathurst 1000. I slunk lower in the seat. “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?” She batted her dyed eyelashes then busied herself amongst the many zippered pockets of her backpack. “Shit. Where’s my compact?”

  She plucked out a silver disc and after opening it, peered anxiously at her reflection. “Ugh, I look like hell.”

  “You never look anything less than perfect.”

  “Tara, you are the bestest. Did you say whether Marnie is here yet?”

  “I didn’t get a chance to say much of anything!” I grinned, my irritation vanishing. I flicked on the indicator and turned the car onto the back streets. It was the long way to the pub but there was no point in pushing my luck. The last thing I needed was a fine for driving unlicensed. “She caught a lift from Sydney earlier today with a truckie and has been caught up with her grandmother. No point in phoning her, Em. Marnie’s flat was broken into two days ago and her mobile phone plus a bunch of other stuff was stolen. The cops reckon they have about zero chances of catching the thief.”

  “Oh no! Really?” Em turned wide eyes and open mouth to gape at me. “Is she okay?”

  “Would I be sitting here as cool as ice, if she weren’t?”

  Em frowned. “I guess not.” She whisked ‘Ivory’ cream foundation over her face clicked shut the compact and packed it away. “Did she ring you when it happened?”

  “No.”

  “I wonder why? She could have easily borrowed a phone.”

  I shrugged not really interested. Em was the one who had always needed to turn everything inside and out. I was the one more inclined to take people at face value. I eased off on the accelerator as the car approached the turn off to the hotel’s carpark. The car bumped over the rutted driveway and rattled across the pitted gravel, its squeaking springs making Em giggle. She made a comment about bonking in the backseat and we laughed.

  I parked at the far end away from the glaring lights marking the rear entrance to the beer garden and the building beyond. As soon as I turned off the engine, the cicadas’ song thrummed through the hot, night air.

  “I hate secrets,” announced Em.

  About to heave open the driver’s door (which weighed as much as a tank-door), I stared hard at Em trying to interpret her shadowed expression. Sitting bolt upright, Em looked dead-ahead out the windscreen. There’d been an
emphasis on her words, the way she’d uttered them as if they’d been forced out of some hidden place deep inside.

  Did she mean her own secrets?

  But what secrets could Em possibly hide? With her stable, well-adjusted upbringing, her classy mother with her designer clothes, her newspaper owning father with his brisk, workaholic manner, the custom built home complete with in-ground swimming pool, cabana and spa, she had the perfect family life.

  A life I often envied.

  I swallowed the sour taste in my mouth, feeling pretty mean and low for the bitter thoughts.

  More than likely, Em referred to something else. But what?

  Icy pinpricks stabbed along my spine. I shifted on the hard plastic seat and the sound jerked her gaze around to meet mine. The street light was reflected in her tear-drenched eyes and my faint foreboding was swamped by instant sympathy.

  Well, whatever it was, it sure had Em upset.

  “What kind of secrets?” I muttered. My mind winged to my own problems and the bombshell Mum had dropped the other night. Not that I’d taken her seriously – it was just like Mum to pluck verbal rabbits out of a hat.

  So far, I’d kept that little gem to myself, not wanting to worry Dan or even Dad. Mum had never even hinted or mentioned her previous words again. It was if she’d never spoken them in the first place. For some weird reason, I’d been reluctant to question her any further. I kept telling myself it was just Mum being Mum.

  And yet...

  I shivered in the warm night air. I wondered whether I should share with Em. Dan had too much grief on his own plate with his impending departure from school and Dad...well, I didn’t see that much of him anymore. The last thing I wanted to do was load more crap onto him while he was battling his own problem.

  But before I could make up my mind, Em said, “Nothing really. Mum and Dad have been fighting a lot lately.”

  “Oh, is that all?”

  “Well, it may be nothing to you, Tara but I don’t like to see my parents unhappy.”

  “You’re right, that was a mean thing to say. I’m sorry.” Biting my lip and feeling like a total cow, I opened the car door then shot another look over my shoulder. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Em. Your parents are rock solid.”