I could try it, but I think I need more one-on-one time before getting into that predicament again. I move on to a giant rock wall extending up to the raised ceiling of the gym. It doesn’t have any handles like the ones I’ve seen before in gyms. This is meant to be like the ones in nature. It’s meant for us to learn to climb using whatever is accessible. I wish it was a tree. I’m much better at getting up trees than rocks. There isn’t any harness system either. If I fall, I fall. That’s it. I try to push my nerves away.
“Want to climb with me?” A girl with a crooked smile asks. “I’m Viola.” She holds out her hand.
“I’m Kris.” I shake her hand. “Viola, huh?” I grin.
“My parents named me after my grandma. Just call me Vi. Everyone else does,” she says, walking up to the wall. I watch her take the first step. Her shoulder and arm muscles protrude as she strains as she climbs. Her frame is like mine, just more defined with muscle tone. I notice a tattoo peeking from under her dark tank top but can’t make it out. I follow her up, matching each step with hers. I get halfway to the top and my legs shake. My hands are slippery from sweat. I stop for a second, trying to regain my confidence. “Come on, you almost got it,” Vi says from above. “Just a few more steps.”
“Just a few?” I say, breathlessly.
“You wouldn’t want Tyler to pass you up, would you?” She points below me. I look down. I shouldn’t have. My fear of heights takes over and I’m frozen in place.
“Kris, you’re in my way,” Tyler jokes. “Can you move?”
“No. I looked down and I’m stuck.” I feel myself panicking.
Tyler climbs up beside me. “Come on. We can do it together.” I look into his eyes and feel better. He holds on with his right hand and places his left on top of my right, moving my hand up. “One step at a time.”
I follow his lead, looking back at him after each move. We reach the top and Vi pulls me over the edge. She’s laughing. I don’t find it at all funny. “What are you doing climbing a wall if you’re afraid of heights?” she asks.
“Want to get over it,” I pant.
Tyler high fives Vi.
“You know you have to climb back down, right?” she says, putting her hands on her hips.
“What?” I feel the blood draining from my face.
“She’s kidding.” Tyler interrupts. “There’s a slide back here.” He picks me up and sits me on the slide and nudges me down. I fly down the slide. The wind cools me a little. That was fun. Why couldn’t that be a training technique? I reach the bottom and Jack is there.
I try to get by him, but he stands in the way. “So, the superstar is afraid of heights and shooting arrows at targets shaped like people.” I tighten my fists but know better than to throw the first punch, at least for now. I swallow hard.
“You know nothing about me.” I push past him.
“I know enough,” he says.
“Leave her alone, Jack,” Tyler says, from behind me. I don’t need him fighting my battles. He’s done enough. I don’t want to give Jack more ammunition to use against me. I’m done with training for now. I head out the door and into the hallway. I walk a little down the hall and glance over my shoulder to be sure I’m out of sight of those in the gym. I lean my back on the wall and slide against it to the floor. I cover my face with my hands and take a deep breath. I know I don’t have to be strong. I just have to be confident. I can be confident. I can at least act like it, even if I’m not. Good thing I have a lot of experience with acting.
Chapter 7
I pull myself up and listen as my boots squeak on the floor. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I need to get away from everyone. I need time to think. Kyle and my brothers seem to know what they’re doing as far as training. This world still is a mystery to me. I didn’t know these things existed, and a part of me still wishes I didn’t. The decision about my future has been made pretty obvious to me, and now I find myself more worried about what my future holds. I thought I would just be able to be with Tyler, live a simple country life, and have a few kids. That vision is clouded now. If the world didn’t hold so much hate and pain in it, maybe we wouldn’t be in this situation. A situation that my own existence is supposed to change somehow.
I reach a flight of stairs made of the same silver metal as the walls. I run up the stairs. It’s probably a good thing I forgot my cigarettes at my apartment. It’s a habit I needed to kick, anyway. My legs burn from exertion and my lungs feel like they are on fire. I don’t mind though because it keeps my mind clear. I keep my pace until I reach the top. I climb ten flights of stairs; I fall to my back. My arms sprawled out on the cool floor. I lie there to catch my breath; I feel my heart pounding in my chest. I sit straight up and grab my right calf. “Ah.” I massage it. The cramp tightens more. I stand and try applying weight to free it. After a few seconds, it releases.
“You’re not getting enough protein,” Kyle says, taking the stairs two at a time. “Drinking more water should help, too.” I should’ve known he would find me. Ever since we were kids, he has looked out for me. He’s more than a friend. He’s like a third brother.
“Thanks. I’ll make a note of it,” I say, starting down the hallway. “I thought we were underground.”
“We are, but this cave goes up above ground level. Hence the stairs.” Kyle walks beside me. “You doing okay?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? Yes. I’m fine. Just trying to become whatever or whoever it is I’m supposed to,” I say, entering a room full of shelves with books on them. I’m guessing it to be a library. I sit at a table in the middle of the room.
“You’re already the person we need. You just have to figure out how to use your power.” Kyle sits next to me. I must give him a look because he continues. “You already use your mind well. You outsmart your brothers and me every time we play paintball. Just remember to do that in combat. A replay of what happened with Jack will leave you dead.”
“Thanks for the encouragement.” I shove his shoulder.
“Just telling you the truth.” He smiles. “There’s more to combat than the physical. You need to be spiritual and logical. If you go in without all three, you will lose. I’ve seen it. Time and time again.”
“Did you know about this place? I mean, before Tyler brought me here?” I ask.
“I knew about it. Tyler brought me here after we first met. He showed me because I’m a shifter.” He nudges me with his elbow. “You know, us shifters have to stick together.”
“Are all of them shapeshifters like you, Sarah, and Tyler?” I lean forward, my elbows resting on my knees.
“No. Only a few are like us. Most are just normal people like you and your brothers. All have the same assignment,” he says.
“Normal? I don’t think that word should even be in the dictionary anymore. Nobody is normal. We all have our own issues,” I say, meeting his eye.
“Want to do something crazy?” he asks, pulling me up beside him. I give him an unsure look. “Come on, Izzy. Let’s go get YOU a tattoo!”
I don’t have time to argue. Kyle pulls me alongside him until we get to the stairs. “I’ll race you down. On my count.” He says, letting go of my arm and taking his stance. I stand beside him and lunge forward before he starts to count, taking the lead. My lungs fill with burning flames. My legs are shaky but are past the burning stage and are now numb. Still, I push on. I beat him down to the bottom only because he tripped twice. I think he may have done it on purpose. He shouldn’t have had any trouble beating me, but I’ll take the win. Kyle lets me take a few seconds to catch my breath.
He pats my shoulder. “This way. Follow me,” he says.
I follow him past the dining hall and the gym. We meet Angela in the hall, but she doesn’t acknowledge us. I keep my head down to keep from seeing her. I hear voices getting louder as we near the tattoo room. Kyle pushes the door open. I see ten chairs lined against each side of the room. People filling each of them.
In one chair
towards the back of the room, I see Vi. She’s leaning forward with her elbows on her knees; getting a tattoo on her back. She waves us over. Kyle and I make our way over to her. I sit in a chair next to her and Kyle stands beside me.
“Are you going to get a tattoo?” She winks. “They don’t hurt as bad as you would think.” She is lying. I can tell by the grimace on her face as the needle continues to go over her back.
“I don’t know, I’m a baby when it comes to blood and needles.” I scrunch up my face.
“You can do it.” Kyle gives me a thumbs up. “I see you are in expert hands. I’m going to go train a little more before bed.” I nod to him and watch him head back out the door.
I lean over to see what tattoo she has on her shoulder. It’s the same symbol as Tyler and Sarah have. A sun with an eagle in it. The new tattoo is a line of sparrows flying from a single feather that starts on the bottom left side of her back and reaches up to her left shoulder. The technique is beautiful. “Didn’t all of that hurt?” I watch her face tighten a little as the artist finishes the last sparrow.
“Ah. Nothing to it.” She waves it off with her hand. I hand her the t-shirt that’s hanging from my chair. She slides it on and removes the towel that was covering her, folding it neatly.
“What would you like?” The artist asks, looking to me. Both of his arms are covered with sleeve tattoos. If I had to guess, I’m sure most of his body is probably tattooed as well.
“Dreamcatcher with stars in the middle.” I point to my right arm up by my shoulder. He nods. I slide over to the seat Vi was in and she takes mine. The artist begins. The sound of the needle draws closer and I look away towards Vi. I can take it, but only if I don’t watch. I can’t watch when the doctor’s office draws my blood, let alone watch a needle continuously move in and out repeatedly. I feel the needle enter my skin. My arm muscle tightens, but I try to relax to keep from showing the pain. I don’t want everyone thinking I’m a baby.
“What does it represent?” Vi asks. I’m sure she is only asking to help distract me from the pain.
“I’m a dreamer. I love sleeping under the stars. My dad built a cabin down by the creek behind our house. Originally it was just a playhouse, but as I got older, he made it into more of a secluded getaway for me. I enjoy being close to nature. Since I can’t see the stars anymore, I would at least like to see them,” I say. “What about yours?”
“The feather and sparrows are my way of carrying people with me; my fellow Arrowhead members and my family. The sun and eagle are our headquarters logo. If we get lost in combat or get knocked in the head and can’t remember who we are, others can get us back to where we need to be,” she says, watching the work of the artist’s hand. It could also be a giveaway of whose side you are on, and that could turn out bad. The thought runs through my head, but since she doesn’t bring it up, I don’t either.
When the artist is finished, I look at the tattoo in the mirror. I’m impressed with it. My skin is red from the irritation of the needle, but the black stands out more. The feathers flow around my arm as if the wind was blowing them, and the stars are simple diamond shapes in the middle of the webbing. Vi smiles and gives me a thumbs up. Kyle steps back into the room from training. His shirt is drenched with sweat and his face is flushed.
“You’re right. Nothing to it,” I say, walking over to meet him.
“Nice choice,” he says, nodding.
“Yeah. I think I’m going to go relax. It’s been a crazy day for me.” I wave to both of them as I head out the door.
◆◆◆
I go inside Tyler’s room and remove my boots. I place them by the door and head over to the bed. I sit on the edge and look at my reflection in the mirror on the wall. My bruised jaw is a yellow-green color. My hair is falling from my braid and my arm is red from the tattoo. My muscles ache from running up and down the stairs. I see it. I see myself changing. The person I was and knew is slipping away, making way for someone new. My reflection is changing.
Chapter 8
I just get relaxed when the door opens and Tyler steps through. I stand and smile, watching him walk towards me. He wraps his arms around my waist, picks me up, and spins me around in a circle. A laugh escapes me. It feels good to laugh. I haven’t laughed much since I got here. I wrap my legs around his waist with my arms lovingly around his neck. He kisses my lips and I as return his affection. His lips seem to have a mind of their own. They move to my collarbone and up to my neck. The area gets me every time and I think he knows it. I close my eyes and inhale deeply to soak up the moment. Tyler smells of soap from washing up after training, but his lips still taste of salt.
He sits on the bed, me on his lap. He kisses me more aggressively, his lips on mine. His calloused hands move under my shirt and up my sides. They lightly glide over my skin. I shiver as goosebumps arise. The warmth of his touch flows over me and helps to relieve them.
I run my fingers through his hair; my arms rest around his neck. I lean my head back, letting his soft lips touch my neck. I’m not nervous about us anymore. I know he loves me as I love him. His hands press against the small of my back, making me gasp. I look into his eyes and see love. He smiles. I know it is his way of asking if I’m okay with this. I nod but feel he already knew the answer.
Tyler brings my shirt up higher, removing it from over my head. I put my hands on the hem of his shirt, pulling it up over his head and toss it to the floor. He leans to the side, laying me down with him. He kisses my hurt jaw and moves down to my bruised stomach, kissing it softly. I run my hands down his shoulders and as he sits up; I move them down across his chest. I feel the scars and open my eyes.
My moment of happiness and bliss stops. In an instant, I’m forced back into this reality. I’m pulled back to the pain and anguish of things going on around me, both past and present.
I pull my hands away from him and cover my face. I can’t get past it. I can’t get past what has happened. I keep trying, but I can’t. Tyler sighs and lays down beside me. He moves his fingers up and down my side. He does it so lightly the goosebumps reappear.
“What can I say to get you to understand that wasn’t your fault?” He pulls my hands from my face. “Kris.”
“I don’t think there’s anything you can say. I just have to figure out a way to get past it.” I sit up and crisscross my legs. My pants cling to them. “I just need time.”
“Just don’t beat yourself up over things that aren’t your fault. Don’t let it consume you.” Tyler puts his arm around me. “When were you going to tell me about your tattoo?” He tries to change the subject. I know he noticed it the minute he walked in the door. It’s not that subtle of a tattoo.
“I just got it. Kyle took me and Vi talked me into getting one.” I say, lifting my arm up so I can see it. The redness has reduced, but my arm feels a little stiff. “Do you like it?” I clear the tears away from my checks.
“Of course I do.” He turns my chin towards his lips. “Or as you would say, it makes you look like a badass.” He smiles.
“Good.” I smile, remembering that’s what I told him about the scars Jason gave him. I had forgotten it. I’m far from being a badass, at least in my book. I slide my tank top back on to keep the cool air from the cave or whatever this thing is we are in, off my skin.
I undo my braided hair, letting it fall on my back and lay down beside Tyler, my back towards him. My muscles ache from today’s activities. Tyler’s warmth soothes my back muscles. I pull his hand up to my chest and take comfort in his embrace. He kisses my shoulder and rests his head next to mine. A few seconds pass and I hear his faint snore increasing. I think of my parents and wonder where they are in this place. I could sneak out and try to find them, but it would just end up with me being caught. I don’t know where they could be. This place has so many hallways and doors. It would take me months to examine them all. I feel sleep pulling me into its grasp. I fight it but eventually give in.
Fighting Secrets: Unbreakable Series, Book 2 Page 5
