by Willow Dean
No-one complained at the chance to get in some extra training or take their frustrations out on the mat. It’s only three days until the sims and we need to make sure we are fully prepared.
Despite having only just started my training, I think I’ve managed what’s been thrown at me remarkably well. After all, attending all the required training sessions to begin missions in the space of a matter of weeks, instead of years, was no small feat.
I thought I would at least struggle with the workload, but when it came down to it, I found that I already knew most of it and passed all my essential testing with ease. Looks like Dad’s incognito training really paid off.
The guys didn’t seem as surprised as I was when my results eventually came back. Much to their dismay, I excelled above their scores in most areas. Despite having to play years of catch up, my scores were near perfect in most areas. Some of them being the highest the organization has seen.
It’s a pity the rest of my peers didn’t share my team's enthusiasm about my scores. They didn’t see the whole process for what it was…hard freakin’ work!
Rather than looking to improve their skills or even progress in their studies, the majority were more focused on the injustice of my scores. Scores which left them deeply frustrated and led to claims of cheating and the occasional accusation of me sleeping around.
It was like college all over again. Super fun! Not.
How they thought I could be dating the majority of the most senior and more experienced agents in the organization, at the same time, and not get found out, I don’t know. I dread to think how they perform in the field if that’s the extent of their problem-solving capabilities.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Despite all the childish trials and tribulations, the guys stuck with me throughout. Keeping me company more than anything. None of them really needed to attend, having completed the course numerous times over the last six years, they were more than ready to undertake missions.
The only reason they weren’t active agents yet was due to their age. For whatever reason, the age-cap usually sits at twenty-one.
All of my team, aside from Rick and Jax who are a year ahead of us, are my age. A healthy, nearly nineteen. It’s rather frustrating. It’s that time period where people like to believe you are an adult, but are reticent to treat you as such.
Either way, the age limit is inconsequential now. Lachlan informed us just recently that age and experience wasn’t an issue anymore. More agents were going out on missions and were either prolonged in their return or failing to return altogether.
In addition to our higher than average test scores, and since technically we weren’t minors anymore, we were deemed suitable for missions.
Providing we passed the sims that is.
“Alright cadets, gather round!” Deac ordered. “Today is your last official session before the simulations, however, this hall shall remain open as usual for you to use at your leisure. You will be given the results of the sims within the hour of you finishing the team sim, following the completion of your solo sim. Should you pass, you will commence your first official mission at zero-six hundred hours on Monday morning. Use this time wisely. Break!” He bellows, dismissing us.
As usual, the guys and I make our way over to our corner. I catch Deac following us and quirk a questioning eyebrow at him over my shoulder. He tries to be discreet about it, but I know he always gives us more attention than other groups.
Me specifically.
I just haven’t figured out why yet. Noticing my questioning stare, he breaks out into a big toothy grin.
“M, today, we will be focusing on your ability to perform combat against multiple attackers,” Rick says distractedly as he directs me to a spot in front of a dummy. “This time, you’ll have a charge to protect. Don’t let us get past you.”
Nodding in acknowledgment, I take a deep breath and shake myself out. Dropping into a defensive stance, I map out their positions, ensuring I keep everyone in sight.
Deac’s posture is all sorts of wrong and I know he has something up his sleeve. I don’t believe for one second that he’s here to just observe today. Schooling my features, I make sure not to look at him directly, so as to not give my deductions away, but make sure he remains in my field of vision.
Aus is the first to charge at me, aiming a punch towards my head. I recognize his feint. Paying no heed to the punch heading my way, I clock the twins using Aus as a distraction to move slowly on either side of me, trying to catch me in a pincer attack without my noticing.
Acting as if my attention is centered on Aus, I keep tracking them in my peripherals. Linc is a little ahead of Micah, who is on my right. Jax and Rick remain behind Aus, but Deac has disappeared.
Slipping to the side of Aus as he brings his other arm up to hook me, I use his momentum to twist around his body and locate Deac who has his back to me, only five feet away from the dummy.
As I rotate, I bring my leg up and kick Aus in the stomach. Using Aus as a springboard, I use the resistance his body provides to propel myself towards Deac.
Seizing Deac’s neck in a hold, I tackle him straight to the floor before rolling over him to face the others. Observing their positions, I keep a tight lock on Deac’s airway at the same time.
The rest of the team are all still at least ten feet out, so I know I have sufficient time to make Deac surrender. Flipping us, I use my body to straddle Deac’s back, pressing his face to the floor and hurling an elbow towards his temple.
I don’t put any force behind it. Merely a little tap so he knows he’s hit and can respond like he would in a real attack.
Knocked the fuck out.
Going limp in my arms, I lower him to the floor and stand. Linc and Micah are now approaching the dummy without any hesitation, but before I can act to stop them, I sense another threat.
Putting my weight on my front leg, I drop to the floor and throw my other leg out behind me. Twisting as I do, I successfully sweep Rick’s legs from beneath him as he reaches to grab me from behind. As he pitches forward, I use the opportunity to slam my forearm down on his shoulders, causing him to drop to the floor with a little more force than necessary.
My brief victory and Rick’s huge body serve as a brilliant distraction for Aus who charges over the top of him and tackles me to the floor. That’s when I realize my second mistake...thinking that I’d hit Aus hard enough to keep him out.
I thought he went down too easy. Goddamn it!
Aus straddles me, sporting a victorious grin. The arrogant ass. Wiggling my legs through the gap he left between our bodies, I plant my feet firmly on his chest and kick out with all my strength, sending him flying backwards to land nearly ten feet away with a loud oomph.
Oh boy, did that feel good!
Jumping to my feet, I tackle the twins and straddle them just before they reach the dummy. I’m just about to lift my head to see Jax’s position when I hear Deac’s shout.
“Mission failed. Charge acquired.”
Groaning, I drop my head onto the twins shoulders. “Urgh. That’s so not fair! I swear you guys cheated,” I accuse, gasping to try and get my breath back.
Giving them both a good-natured swat on the back of the head for laughing at my disappointment, I roll off them and lay on my back on the mats.
So close. If it hadn’t of been for Aus, I could have aced-
My light is eclipsed as Micah looms over me with a mischievous smirk. Lifting a single finger, I fix him with a murderous glare, daring him to say something just to give me an excuse to wipe that pretty little smile off his face.
Instead his smile morphs into something more sinister...an evil grin.
“Don’t you dare, Micah Delany! There were six of you. Most, at least double my size!”
He opens his mouth to say something but Linc cuts him off by offering me a hand to stand. Ever the gentleman, I graciously accept.
“I’m impressed you lasted that long,” Linc says
sardonically.
I take that back. I take it all back.
“Well thanks for the vote of confidence Mr. Ray of Sunshine,” I snark to his retreating back as he gives a sarcastic thumbs up over his shoulder.
How is his thumb sarcastic, you ask? Hell would I know! It just is.
Maybe he should go back to being the quieter twin. I think I liked him more that way. I wasn’t ganged up on anywhere near as much when he wasn’t talking.
“Mila,” I follow Deac’s voice to see pride shining in his eyes, mixed with an emotion I can’t quiet place. Regret? Sorrow, maybe?
“How did you know I was part of the attack? I’ve never interacted in your sessions before and I’ve watched you closely every session just so you wouldn’t suspect.”
Finally. At least I get praise from someone.
“Always suspect the unexpected, Deacon. That’s what I was taught my whole life and I don’t intend to let that go. Especially now. Plus, you’re dreadful at concealing your intentions. You are usually impassive when you watch us. Today, your face was full of apprehension and your eyes darted around trying to calculate and predict how I would move.”
Of course, me being me, I have to make goofy faces to go with my explanation. Eliciting a few snickers from our group.
“You also typically face us with your arms over your chest, weight bearing equally on both feet. Today, you angled yourself towards the dummy and put most of your weight on your right side. Your arms were crossed, but they were held loose and you subconsciously directed your attention to Jax before we started.” Everyone is frozen, completely silent with a mixture of looks of both surprise and awe. Including Deac.
That is, all except for Linc of course, who’s still shy with showing expressions at times. Shame he’s not got the same restraint with his words any longer.
It still amazes me how someone so visually despondent, can say something that isn’t even that funny. Yet, the lack of reaction on their behalf makes it utterly hilarious. Annoying much?!
I shrug. I don’t see what they’re all getting worked up over, that was not anything special. I simply observe people’s body language. Nothing overly complicated to see here folks.
“I’ve always been observant. It came naturally to me and after learning the hard way-” I pause to swallow uncomfortably. Not willing to go back down that road just yet. “It is comforting,” I trail off quietly.
Memories of one particular walk home from college when I let my guard down -one I’m not keen to remember- flood my mind. A shudder races down my spine as I pull my arms tight across my body and lower my head. Trying to make myself small.
As if that’s going to protect you. It’s just a memory. Get a grip!
Done rather quickly with my internal pity party, I raise my head to find several angry faces aimed in my direction. Linc included this time.
Clearing my throat, I pull at my sleeves and avoid looking at anyone. Uncomfortable with the questions in their eyes. “Come on, let’s do some weapons practice. I could do with working on my knife throws.”
Without waiting for them, I head over to the weapons stash as Micah sidles up next to me. Throwing an arm around my shoulder, he tuts as he walks alongside me.
“More like you need to help us work on our throws Miss bullseye-every-time,” he praises as he jostles me, doing a little jig.
A smile tugs at my lips. My Sonic knows exactly how to cheer me up. I don’t know what I would ever do without him.
Gripping his shoulder, I throw him down to the floor as an axe -yes, a motherfucking sharp as hell axe- soars through the air right where both of our heads had just been, embedding itself in the mat a few feet in front of us.
Looking back over my shoulder, a scrawny ginger kid walks towards us stammering, guilt plastered across his face. I recognize him from the classes last week when he nearly cut his own arm off…Nigel, his name is.
I think.
“I-I-I’m. I’m so sorry! I thought I could handle it, but maybe it was a little too heavy for me. Ar-ar-are you both okay?” He stutters as he bypasses us to pick up the axe with both hands, shaking as though he can barely hold its weight.
He pales when he sees the rest of our team, including a seething Aus, running over to us. Poor guy, it’ll be a wonder if he even gets through any of this training. He’s scared shitless.
Standing, I help Micah up to his feet and start dusting myself off. “We’re fine, don’t worry about it. I suggest maybe not using that in future though. You would be better with a dagger or staff,” I recommend.
The kid nods and mutters another apology before scurrying quickly back over to the weapons wall. Practically dragging the axe along the floor as he goes.
I hear the guys surrounding us, tittering to Micah about what just happened, but my focus is drawn to Nigel. Something about him just doesn’t sit right. It may look as though he can barely hold the weight of the axe, but looks can be deceiving. Call it a gut feeling, but something just feels off.
I watch as he places the axe back on the wall at chest height with seemingly no effort at all. Running his fingers back and forth over the blade, he caresses it and it looks as though he whispers something. Almost as if he’s talking to the blade itself.
“M? Oi, Mila?”
“Huh?” I say dumbly, still distracted by Nigel and his weird fetish. The rest of the guys are all talking animatedly giving the poor kid evil glares.
“I said, are you okay?” Rick moves in front of me and gets right up in my face, cutting off my view of the kid as he moves his hands to my shoulders. His eyes scan me for injuries.
I playfully swat his hands away as I edge around him and move over to the throwing knife collection. “I’m fine, Tough Guy. Come on, let’s get started. We haven’t got all day!”
“Have you heard? Kensie and Ila both disappeared off the face of the earth.”
“Weren’t they both at the Padell’s place? You know, that frat party?”
“Yeah, they went off together with the same guy and no one has seen them since.”
“That was a week ago though, surely they must have come home by now? Either that or they’ve eloped.” All of the group snickers.
I must have missed the joke.
“Not even their parents have heard from them. They were both just sluts anyway.”
“Yeah, they probably just got lucky and hit the jackpot. Maybe they found some millionaires who whisked them away.”
“I wish it was that easy!”
“What about that nerd of a girl getting attacked at college today?!” My fists clench at my sides as anger boils my blood, something fierce.
How can they talk crap about someone so easily?!
“Don’t be silly. She was just crying wolf. There’s no way anyone would be interested in a freak like her. I mean come on, she doesn’t even have a decent rack!”
Against my better judgement, I stay quiet. I have no problem at all with standing up for someone, but what would that do? It won’t change what they said, or how much of a bitch they all are. It’ll just paint a bigger target on her back and cause more trouble than it’s worth.
“Hey, is everyone going to the gathering at Pixie’s at the end of the month? I heard there’s going to be a cute band playing live music. They’re all super hot! You never know, we might end up like Kensie and Ila, and get ourselves lucky!”
They all break out in peals of laughter and squeals, chittering away about what each of the band members look like and how big their package is as they make their way out of the changing room.
Finally. Good riddance to the lot of you!
Despite their need to flaunt their idiocy, their conversation held a certain level of intrigue. Although it’s not unusual for people to disappear from frat parties for a night or two, they usually return back to their families soon enough.
With everything else that has happened today, I can’t help but think that maybe today wasn’t an isolated incident. I’ll have to make sure to bri
ng it up with Lachlan later.
I don’t get the chance to think about it further as Reika interrupts, calling my name.
“Yeah, wassup?”
“You guys want to train tomorrow after college?”
“I’ll ask the guys, but I’m sure they will be up for it,” I reply enthusiastically. Although, the thought of training with Larson does put a minor damper on things.
“Sweet! I heard about that girl you guys found today, is she alright?” She asks sweetly, with genuine concern.
See, that’s what I love about Reika. She’s nothing like the other girls in here. Even if she hasn’t met the person in question, she’s continuously worries about others and is more than ready to step into the fray to protect them.
Hec, it was only the other day when she saved my ass!
Sparring one of the bigger guys from another team, he went to attack me after time was called, when my back was turned. Realizing what he was doing a beat too late, I twisted to try and protect myself knowing I couldn’t avoid his hit, only to find Reika looming over him after body slamming him face first into the floor.
By no means did my reaction help to ease the situation either. Whilst Reika’s chest was heaving with anger as she gave him hell, I was bent over double, lost in squeaky chortles of amusement.
Just the sight of a female less than half his size, decking someone that big, so effortlessly…it was hilarious. He really stood no chance. At. All.
“Yeah, she’s fine. Just in shock. Aus stayed with her until her family arrived.” My smile drops slightly as I recall the pained look on his face.
“You know, it took me everything I had not to pound in those plastic-filled barbie faces when they were shit talking about her,” she growls, her fists clenching by her sides as her face goes bright red. She looks like Mt.Vesuvius ready to blow.
I can’t help but snort at the image that creates...that and her choice of insults. She really is quite creative. “You and me both, Ry. You and me both,” I declare.
Squeezing her shoulder, I nod my head to the side and she follows me out of the changing rooms. We don’t make it far down the corridor before I hear Deac shouting my name.