by Cici Wickens
I occasionally glance at Cam as our parents engage in small talk around the breakfast table. I wonder what plan he had concocted. I hope it’s a good one, especially since he can’t lie. And he needs to make it quick, particularly because we have our first training with Cato today.
“Well, I’m not looking forward to the ride back home, but we may as well get it over with. Thank you for inviting us over for the weekend. It was lovely.” Suzanne said.
“Yeah Mike, we’ll have to do it again sometime. Next time it’ll be at my place.” Frank suggested.
My dad nodded his head, but we both knew that it would be a while before we went back there. Possibly never.
“Are you ready son?” Frank asked Cam.
Cam ran his fingers through his hair. “About that…” He started. “I was actually wondering if it would be alright if I stayed here for a bit longer. If it’s okay with Mr. Mike of course.”
Our parents looked between us. “Are we missing something?” Suzanne inquired, outwardly perplexed.
Cam gave them all his signature smile. “I was hoping to spend some more time with Iris.”
I blush, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. So that was his plan. He could’ve given me a heads up first, but I guess that was his way of getting even.
My dad looked surprised. “Well, it seems you two finally clicked.”
“Didn’t I tell you this was going to happen Mike? Everything worked out.” Frank chuckled.
I bury my face in my hands, mortified.
“Oh, stop teasing them.” Suzanne said, but beamed at the two of us. “I guess it’s alright with me if he stays a little longer.” She winked at her son.
“Thanks mom.” He was just eating this up.
“You know you’re always welcome here.” My dad patted him on the shoulder.
“Dad?” Cam led.
After a sigh Frank pointed a finger at Cam. “I suppose you can use this as a break from college this summer. But don’t get into any trouble. Iris, keep him in check.” It was my turn to be pointed at.
“Yes sir.” I manage, wondering what I had gotten myself into.
“Now that that’s settled, we’ll be on our way.” He said.
My dad hugged them both, and Suzanne hammered her son with some last-minute questions. “…and you’ve got plenty of money?”
“Yes mom. I’ll be fine.” Cam kissed her on the cheek. “Drive safe.”
I’ll admit that seeing this momma’s boy side of him was interesting. I’d definitely joke with him about it later. As soon as they left, I went upstairs to change into something more comfortable. By the time I got back down, Cam was waiting for me, keys in hand. He had changed into a pair of gray sweatpants. Apparently, we were taking his truck and he was the one that was going to be behind the wheel. After a chivalrous act of opening my door, which earned him an eye roll from me, we were on our way to the location that Minerva had texted us in the group chat.
I was nervous on the way there. Mixed feelings of fear and excitement caused my thoughts to be a jumbled mess. Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach, and I mentally fought to cage them. I wondered what Cato would be like. What he would teach us. How he would teach us. Will it be difficult? Better yet, who exactly is this guy? How does Janelle know him? Some part of me was expecting a little bit of wax-on wax-off action, but I had a feeling today was going to be unpredictable.
Cam pulled his truck into what looked like the parking lot of an old abandoned gym. No one else was here yet. “Are you nervous?” He asked me.
I nod my head. “Completely. You?”
“I don’t know what to expect, so it makes me uneasy.” He admitted. Well that makes me feel better.
On the inside, the gym is actually really nice. I look around the spacious area. There are weapons in every corner, and a hunched figure sat alone at an old wooden table. I observe more and see that the figure was an old man, probably in his seventies, with a long ashen beard.
It’s just Cam, the dust mites, me, and this eerie looking elderly person. We both shift uncomfortably under his unwavering gaze.
“Is he dead?” Cam whispered, face weary.
I shrug my shoulders. “I hope not. Is this even him?” He might just be a homeless man. I hadn’t seen any vehicles outside, and he seemed too old to be capable of training anyone.
Cam and I began to walk towards the unknown man, our shoes making soft taps on the shiny floor. In the small chance that this is Cato, we shouldn’t falter. For all we know, this is just a test.
“Hello.” I hesitantly greet.
A silence filled the room. I find that I regret speaking first, because a cold gust of wind punched me in the gut, knocking the air out of me. I stumble forward, trying not to vomit on the gym’s polished floor. Nothing could have prepared me for the attack. I look around. “What was that!?”
Cam grabbed my shoulders to steady me. “Are you alright? What happened?”
Another gust of wind hits me, this time in the throat. I slip through Cam’s grasp and fall onto my hands and knees, choking miserably. My throat burns, and it feels like my lungs are about to collapse. But this time I saw it. A slight twitch of the man’s fingers. “It’s him.” I gasp out.
The old man stood up, cackling. “Yes, it is I. And I am very much alive.”
Cam stepped in front of me.
Cato turned his head to the side, as if he were listening to something that we couldn’t hear. “Oh, do not try to stop me now. When your friend here was gasping for air you did nothing to protect her because you are afraid of your own element. I can sense the fire that you have tried so desperately to snuff out. That will be one of the first things I work with you on.”
Briefly, the confident mask Cam always wore slipped away. His eyes seemed vulnerable for a second, embarrassed even. He swallowed and said nothing.
“The fact of the matter is that I should’ve been able to protect myself. Are you here to help us with that, or did you just want to kill us instead?” I snap, pushing myself off the floor.
“I’m not sure yet.” He countered, raising an eyebrow at my attitude. This old man.
I shake my head at him. “You’re crazy.”
“Well that certainly is not a lie. If you lived the life I have, then your sanity would not be intact either.”
The gym doors are shoved open, and Minerva leaped through, landing in a karate stance. “Hyah! Come at me!” She yelled brazenly. The others followed behind her, although not with such a grand entrance.
Cato’s eyes widened in the slightest bit. “That will get you killed in any situation. Never do that again.”
Minerva straightened up, cheeks turning crimson. “My bad.” She looked around the gym. “So…where’s this guy at?”
I step in between them before he decides to do a demonstration for the newcomers. “This is Cato.” I say pointedly.
“Oh.” Minerva winced.
“This old guy could croak any second!” Blaze threw his hands up in exasperation. “What was mom thinking?”
“I take it you two are Janelle’s children.” He sounded like that wasn’t a good thing.
Thomas shook his head. “You have to be kidding me. We’re going to die for sure now.”
“Don’t jinx us man. We’re gonna’ need all the luck we can get.” Ron punched Thomas in the shoulder.
Jen gave us all a meaningful look and walked up to Cato. She held out her hand. “Nice to meet you sir.”
I tense up, waiting for his reaction.
He shook her hand and smiled. “Likewise. I see one of you has respect.”
There’s a loud crash that echoes around the gym, making my sense of hearing reel. Blaze stood in front of an empty rack, a pile of weapons at his feet, looking suspiciously guilty.
Cato sighed heavily. “There is a lot to do.”
He absentmindedly yanked on his beard. I wince, feeling as though he might pull it out entirely. His hand ceased.
“Alright, for the first two we
eks we will work on conditioning. You will need to come here straight after school, and I will release you by seven. On the weekends, not counting today, we will work from five in the morning until three in the afternoon. After graduation though, the five to three will become the usual, so that I can have my afternoons free. I do have a life.”
Blaze gawked, laughing out loud. “I’ve never woken up that early in my entire life!”
“Five in the morning…” Ron muttered half to himself.
“You will grow accustomed to it.” Cato said shortly.
“So, we’re just going to be exercising for the next two weeks?” I ask, frustrated.
“Let me be clear. Everything that I ask you to do from here on out will be performed. No questions asked from any of you.” Cato stated loudly.
We all nod our heads, frightened by his booming voice. I had underestimated Cato’s capabilities already. It won’t happen again. You certainly can’t judge a book by its cover.
“Now, jog three laps.” He ordered.
“How much time do we—” Thomas started.
“GO!” Cato bellowed.
Blaze was the first one gone. We all followed him. I was grateful that I had already been doing intensive conditioning while practicing with Trace these past couple of months. I had always been a good runner, but I had a feeling that relying on just that wasn’t going to be enough.
We stood in a circle afterwards, listening to Cato speak.
“From here on out, you will be split amongst two groups. You will do everything with this group. You will work together, pushing aside any dislikes you may have towards one another.” He paused to let this sink in. We all shift uneasily, wondering whose team we’d be on. “Thomas, Minerva, Cameron, and Jen. You will be the first group. Iris, Ron, and Blaze, you will be the second group.”
There are several groans and murmurs of protest.
Minerva stepped forward. “Come on, man. Don’t put me in Thomas’s group! I want to be with my brother and Iris.”
“No, let me trade with Blaze.” Thomas interrupted.
“Hey! Don’t be trading me.” Blaze remarked.
“Can’t we do a girls’ team and a boys’ team?” I inquire, not exactly liking the idea of not having another girl on the team.
“Why split us up? I’d rather be with…” Ron trailed off, not wanting to offend anyone.
Cam merely looked awkwardly at the team members he barely knew.
Cato held up his hand, eyes narrowed in anger. “Silence! Each group must know the strengths and weaknesses of their members. These groups will not separate the seven of you as a whole. It will make you stronger. Trust me. As of right now, you all have biased relationships. In the end, you will have bonds with not only your friends, but your supposed—” He stared hard between Minerva and Thomas. “—rivals as well. Your group members’ lives are in your hands. You protect them before any other. There cannot be a weak link. If there is, then you’re all doomed.”
“Yeah…” Minerva muttered. “If I had to pick between Thomas’s life and my brother’s, I think we all know who I’d choose.”
Thomas scowled at her.
“Then you would be the weak link Minerva.” Cato simply stated. “You need to learn to put your personal tendencies aside for the greater good.”
“So you purposely split us into these groups with the intent of keeping those with strong ties apart?” Jen spoke up.
Cato nodded at her. “Yes. Favoritism can get you killed. It makes you vulnerable and creates an easy target.”
We all ponder on that for a long moment. Maybe Cato was right. He divided us according to our relationships with one another. He split up the siblings, the two pairs of best friends, and any romantic interests. But how did he know how we were all tied together?
“What about the twins?” I ask.
“Those two have never been split up in their entire lives, and I do not have the power to divide them. They will look after each other like they always have.”
“Well, that’s not fair.” Ron said.
Cato continued speaking, not denying his comment. “Group one, you will go over here. Group two, you will be over there.” Each group jogged to their designated areas. After giving group one instructions, he came over to us.
“Iris, you grab the backpack.” Cato ordered.
I look at the normal sized bag leaning against the wall and attempt to pick it up with one hand. It’s way heavier than it looks. It takes a moment to get it on right and even then, I feel like I’m being dragged down.
Cato had set up a small platform that rose a little with each step on either side of the building—one for both teams. I’m supposed to walk up it and back down. I knew better than to think it would be easy, especially with the weight of the bag.
I glance over and see that I’m up against Minerva. Cato told us to begin and Minerva started off at a much quicker pace than I did. I knew she’d be exhausted before she ever reached the end though and kept my pace steady.
I glance back at my team, muscles burning. Ron and Blaze were both yelling at me to hurry up. I roll my eyes, trudging onward. Guys can be so competitive. It wasn’t even a fair match considering that there’s four of them and three of us.
When everyone had finished up with that obstacle, Cato set us on another. I stood behind Blaze as we watched Ron precariously climb a wall. Blaze shook his head. “I feel like we’re on one of those TV shows. This is stupid.”
“Yeah, I wanted us to practice fighting and stuff. Maybe work on our abilities.” I agree.
“Same.”
I watch him indirectly, recalling the trip to the movies. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for Blaze to practice combat skills. Seemed like he could already handle himself just fine. Ron trotted back to us, and then Blaze took off. Ron panted, slightly pacing to cool himself down. “Are you okay?” I ask him.
He smiled. “I’m good. Thomas and I box when we get the chance, so we’re already pretty well conditioned for this. I just don’t do well with heights.”
“Oh.” I say in surprise. “I didn’t know you boxed.”
“Thomas and I’ve been boxing since we were little. Speaking of Thomas, I can’t believe he got stuck on Minerva’s team.” He chuckled. “What did he do to deserve that?”
“I don’t really get it either.” I say. I remember her saying that she didn’t like ‘people like him’. She was the kind of girl who held pointless grudges just because she was stubborn.
Climbing a wall is definitely not in my area of expertise. I slip several times and grow grateful for the harness. While my arms were strong enough to support my weight by now, I wasn’t very hand-eye coordinated. I mentally decide that my best chance of survival would be on the ground or in the water.
For the rest of training, it was steady exercise. We had to lift weights, do push-ups, crunches and sit-ups, and other things like that. We were all a sweaty, stinky mess by the time it was over. Jen’s face was splotched with pink and her short blonde hair was ruffled. Minerva was sprawled out beside her brother on the gym floor, soaking up its coolness. I lean against a wall with Cam on my left, and Thomas and Ron chatting on my right.
Based off of today’s results, Cato said we had a lot more days ahead of us like these. He let us cool down, and then dismissed us with a wave of his hand.
Chapter 51
Snakes Leaving the Nest
Iris
It’s a Friday morning at school, but not just any Friday. It’s the glorious day that every Senior dreams of, but secretly dreads. All of the time we spent decorating the Senior hallways had led up to this moment. Graduation. After today, I’ll no longer need to attend school. And soon, we’ll need to depart for Aurum. But some deep part inside me kept telling myself that I wasn’t ready. That I’d need far more training to defeat my enemies. And some part of me agreed, but when I kept recalling that woman’s death, I was filled with the desire to get to Aurum as fast I could.
Cam and I had spe
nt a lot of time together over these past two weeks. We usually watched TV every night and got to know each other more. His company was nice, and he was growing more accustomed to each of my friends’ personalities.
My gown billowed around me and my hills dug into the grass. I spot Minerva and we ran towards each other screaming, “I can’t believe it! We made it!”
“Ladies, please. Calm down.” Ron said, looking fresh as ever with a new pair of diamond earrings sparkling against his ears. I could see the personalized J’s peeking from his dress pants. He told us that he only wore them on special occasions.
We scream again and pull him into a hug. He plucked us off of him. “Hold up, hold up. You gonna’ mess up my fro! They takin’ pictures!” Ron reprimanded, patting at the mini-fro he had begun to grow.
“Can you believe it Ron? We’re graduating! I think I’m going to cry.”
“Girl, don’t cry. This is a blessing.” Ron said in a preachy voice.
I fan my eyes. “Sorry.” I say with an embarrassed laugh. “This is just an emotional moment for me.”
Ron glanced around. “Have you seen Jen?”
Minerva and I both eye him knowingly.
He put his hands up in defense. “What?”
“You know mister. You are so in love with her!” I tease. “It’s adorable.”
“Yeah, are you and her like officially an item now?” Minerva asked.
Ron gave us a big white smile. “Weellll, I was hoping to make it official at dinner tonight.”
“Oooh. A romantic dinner?” Minerva wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Thomas approached and put an arm around me, squeezing my neck. “No more Shady-Pete!” He yelled at the top of his lungs.
“Whoo!” I shout with him. Some random guys hooted alongside me.
“When is this thing going to start?” Blaze asked, appearing behind Minerva all of a sudden. She jumped and smacked her brother on the forehead. He appeared to not mind though. I think he was just happy that he was finally graduating.
“Everyone take your seats on the stage.” A dull monotone of a voice said over the intercom. I make a face. So enthusiastic.