Our Cause (Let the Monsters Live in Fear Book 1)

by Jennifer Jane Jennings

  Brianna smiled at her little brother. “There’s only three years difference, Ri. Twenty-one and eighteen are good together.”

  Adam stared straight at Kat. “Age is just a number. When two souls connect, first with friendship, then with more, no one else matters.”

  Oh, God, that’s creepy! To make matters worse, Kat could see Josh approaching quickly. “Let’s gear up and get back out there, Chels. Partner me?”

  Before Chelsea could answer, Josh spoke. “I want to spar both of you. One first, I don’t care who, but I want the other to line up two people away on the other side, so we can spar next.”

  “You can spar me first, but Chelsea’s already agreed to spar me and Cadence.”

  “There’ll be more than two rounds,” Josh argued.

  “Just me, or Chelsea and I will start together, and you’ll miss out.”

  Fucking bitch. Josh blew his fringe out of his face. “Fine. Gear up and partner me. I’ll show you what a black belt’s made of.”

  “You have no idea what a black belt’s made of.”

  I’ll fucking smash her. Josh blew his fringe out of his face and stormed off.

  Adam stepped forward and touched Kat’s arm. “Remember your hook kicks, love. You’ve got this.”

  It took all of Kat’s self-control not to push his hand away. I’m not your love. “Thanks.”

  “Do you want me to talk with Sensei Lucas? You don’t need to do this, baby.” Dominique put her arm around Kat.

  Kat cuddled into her. “I’ll be okay, Mum. Someone needs to take him down a peg or three.”

  Dominique moved in front of Kat and looked her in the eyes. “You kick his arrogant butt all over this dojo, baby. We know you can do it.”

  Kat threw her arms around her. “Thanks, Mum.”

  Kat watched Chelsea and Cadence partner up and stood across from Josh. Josh glared at her and blew his fringe out of his face. Kat remembered Sensei Damon saying, anger is the enemy unless you know how to use it. She doubted Josh did and blew him a kiss. Kat stopped herself from laughing as it looked like steam was about to burst from his ears.

  “I want to see good etiquette and respect. Absolutely no facial contact. Anyone who does will be sent home immediately and will not attend the grading next month. Heels together, bow, begin,” Sensei Lucas instructed.

  Josh pranced towards Kat with his hands down, encouraging her to punch him in the face. Kat did a hook kick, which stopped an inch from the side of his head followed by two stomach punches.

  Josh slapped his hand to his head. “She kicked me! She kicked me!”

  Lucas was only about five metres away and was at their side almost immediately. “This is karate. She’s supposed to kick at you. She’s not supposed to connect, and she didn’t. The side of the head is not the face. Honestly, Kat, I’d be happy if you give him a light tap, just not in the face. Josh, any more fake accusations and you’ll be going home. At the moment, you’ve got Buckley’s chance of grading next month, but that’s better than none. Don’t make it none.”

  Fucking bastard! “Yes, Sensei Lucas.”

  “Bow to each other and continue. I’ll be watching. Absolutely no facial contact, but light taps to the body or the side of the head are okay.”

  The bitch isn’t the only one who can do hook kicks. Josh came at Kat with continuous hook kicks. Kat dodged the first two and caught the third, making Josh fall on his bottom. Kat offered him her hand to help him up.

  Josh ignored it, jumped to his feet and blew his fringe out of his face. “You’re fucking dead, bitch!”

  “End!” Lucas yelled. “Heels together, bow, back in line.”

  Kat turned around to line up.

  “Watch out!” Ryan called at the same time as Lucas, Damon, Connor and Heather yelled, “Kat!”

  Kat pivoted and caught the hook kick coming for her head heel first. If it had connected, it would have knocked her out or possibly killed her. Kat brought his leg to the side rather than towards her, making him fall on the side of his head, rather than on his bottom. “Stay away from me!”

  Lucas and Damon were at their sides in an instant.

  “Get up, boy. In my office, now!” Lucas looked at his parents. “I’d like you two to join your son in my office.” He turned to his wife, “Sensei Heather, would you please run the rest of the assessment?”

  “Of course, Sensei Lucas,” Heather replied.

  “Kat, are you okay to continue? You will still be sent to grading if you’re not. You have proven your ability today and some. Not many here could defend against a cowardly attack such as that. You did so while keeping your wits about you and appearing calm. It’s okay to feel scared. You certainly didn’t show it,” Lucas said.

  “I’d like to continue please, Sensei Lucas,” Kat replied.

  Lucas smiled, showing his dimples. “Partner Damon for the next round. You feel comfortable sparring him.” Lucas realised what he just said and grinned at his son. “Making others feel comfortable sparring you is probably not what most elite black belts want to hear, but it’s definitely good to have that ability.”

  Damon laughed. “It’s all good. Are you up to this, Kat?”

  “Absolutely. I don’t need to worry about hurting you.”

  Heather smiled. “Step to the side for a moment, you two. Everyone else, heels together, bow, move to your left.” She looked at Kat and Damon when the others had moved, “Back in line.” She raised her voice again to address the class. “Heels together, bow, begin.”

  Damon punched at Kat’s head and stomach and did a hook kick, judging her reactions. “You really are okay. Let’s take this up a notch.”

  “Yes, please.”

  Heather smiled. Damon and Kat both looked like they were having fun. She let them continue for a few minutes more than she normally would. “End. Heels together, bow, back in line.” She waited for everyone to line up across from their partners. “Heels together, bow, move to your left.”

  Kat smiled at Cadence.

  “Bow to your new partners. Begin.”

  “Are you okay, Kat? Josh was…” Cadence frowned and shook her head.

  Kat smiled. “I’m great. Let’s have some fun.”

  “Ooh, I love fun.” Cadence surprised Kat by doing a scorpion kick but stopped well away from her face.

  “That was awesome.” Kat forgot all about Adam and did a scorpion kick.

  Cadence beamed. “You really are one of us!” They spent the rest of the round showing each other what they could do.

  “End. Heels together. Bow. Back in line.”

  Cadence hugged Kat. “You’re amazing!”

  “Right back at you. It was so much fun.” Kat’s smile faded as they moved to their next partner.

  Ryan gave Kat a weak smile as they bowed to each other and moved closer together. “Josh is a dickhead. I’m not. If you’d feel more comfortable sparring someone else, I understand.”

  Kat noticed Sensei Heather watching them. “Cadence says you’re a sweetheart, and you warned me when he tried to kick me in the back of my head. Thank you.”

  Ryan’s face was serious. “I couldn’t let him do that. We’ve known each other since kinder, but I think it’s time to walk away. Let’s spar at your pace. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “Thanks. How about we just have some fun, start easy and build up?”

  Ryan smiled. “Sounds good.” He put his guard up and nodded.

  Kat came forward with three medium-paced punches and a head-level round kick. Ryan easily blocked them all. Ryan came through with two stomach punches and a hook kick, aiming with the sole of his foot. Kat blocked the punches and caught the kick. She let his foot go without knocking him over. Kat came forward faster with a head-level punch, a stomach punch and a front kick and round kick from the same leg. Ryan dodged and blocked. None got in. Ryan came through at the same speed as Kat had. She manoeuvred and blocked and came back at him even faster. They kept taking turns, increasing the pace each time
until Sensei Heather called, “End.”

  “Thanks. You’re really good. Why’d you let Josh think he was better than you?” Kat asked.

  “I guess it was easier than putting up with his attitude. Big mistake, hey? That was fun. Thanks.”

  They ran back into line and bowed to each other. They had two more rounds, then Sensei Heather asked the brown belts to sit down while she gave the black belts three more rounds. In the first round, Damon and Connor versed some of the black belts, making them work hard. At the end of the first round, Sensei Lucas entered the dojo and joined in the second and third rounds.

  After Heather ended the third round, Lucas took over. “There will be one more fight. I need to blow off some steam, and I’ll be sending him for grading next month. Sensei Damon, you’re with me. Could everyone else please join the brown belts?”

  Cadence grabbed Kat’s arm. “This is going to be good. I haven’t seen them spar in ages.”

  “You so need to come to Lorikeet Meadows. They spar every Friday,” Kat replied.

  “Next Friday off school, I’m there!”

  “Heels together, bow, enjoy, gentlemen; begin,” Heather instructed.

  Lucas was still furious with Josh and came through at full focus. Damon’s speed matched his father’s with a simultaneous block and strike. Lucas also used a concurrent strike and block and stepped through, attempting to hook his leg around Damon’s. Damon avoided the takedown by taking his leg behind him into a scorpion kick.

  Cadence tapped Kat. “I was waiting for one of them to do a scorpion kick. They’re my favourite. I know they’re not as powerful or accurate as the others, but perfect when your opponent’s too close for other kicks.”

  Kat put her arms around Chelsea and Cadence to bring them both in a little closer. “And not many people can do them. It takes flexibility and skill.”

  Chelsea moved a little so they were in a triangle but could all see. “They’re not using any other kicks.”

  “Kicks are slower than punches and can be caught,” Kat replied. “They don’t seem to be sparring for show, especially Sensei Lucas. It’s almost as though they’re the only two there.”

  Chelsea smiled and nodded. “That’s so awesome when that happens, especially when you’re being watched.”

  “One more minute, gentlemen,” Heather called.

  “Let’s give them a show. Catch them if you can. We’ll show them what to do when their kicks are caught,” Lucas said.

  Damon smiled. “Sounds fun.”

  They bowed to each other, and Lucas came through with continuous spinning head-level round kicks. Damon stayed out of the way until he could catch one. Lucas brought his leg into his body, grabbed onto Damon’s hand and fell backwards, turning at the end so they landed on the ground next to each other. They both jumped to their feet and bowed to each other. Kat started clapping, closely followed by Chelsea and Cadence, then by the rest of the dojo.

  Dominique and Eric met Kat as she ran towards them. “You were amazing, baby!”

  “Absolutely brilliant, princess.” Eric handed Kat her drink.

  Adam walked over while Kat was taking a few mouthfuls of water. “You’re much better than I thought, Kat.”

  Fear strangely similar to what she felt when Josh and Ryan first looked at her hit Kat. “I hope Sensei Damon sends me for grading. I better go check.” Kat ran off before anyone could argue.

  Damon saw Kat running towards him looking paler than usual. “Are you okay, Kat?”

  “I just figured something out. I was scared when I first saw Josh but thought it was because he was a teenage boy. I just felt that same fear when Adam said I was better than he thought. I can somehow sense when someone’s a threat.”

  Damon threw his arms around Kat. “That’s brilliant. Listen to your gut feeling, Kat. That will definitely help our cause.”

  14

  Kat spun around to see Adam walking into the gym. She smiled. Her Spidey-sense was working.

  He took her smile the wrong way and beamed back at her. “Hi, Kat. How are you feeling after your assessment?” He continued before she could answer. “I’ve done a few massage courses and have a table at home. I’d be happy to give you a massage.”

  Oh, I bet you would. “I’m actually feeling great but will definitely take you up on the offer if I do get stiff. I find stretching and a hot bath work for me.”

  “I’m getting a spa installed in the next few weeks. You’ll have to come over and try it out. It’d be perfect after your black belt grading. Your kumite has improved so much. You were amazing. Are you excited?”

  “Yeah, it will be great. It wasn’t as stressful as I feared because I was surrounded by family and friends. I guess I got strength from all of you being there.”

  Adam stepped forward and touched her cheek, “You know real strength comes from within. You shouldn’t need to borrow it from others.”

  “I don’t borrow it from others.”

  “Are you sure? If so, come down to the dojo with me. No facial contact but apart from that, no holding back.”

  “I’ll just check with Sensei Damon.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow. “Connor’s just over there. Tell him. The gym’s quiet. They can spare you right now. Or do you need Sensei Damon to get your strength? He looked pretty cosy with Chelsea’s sister at the grading. How long have they been dating?”

  “I don’t think they’re dating.”

  Adam smiled. “It won’t be long then. Couldn’t you feel their chemistry? And they look so good together.”

  Kat walked over to Connor. “Excuse me, Sensei Connor. We’re going to the dojo to spar for a while. Let me know if you need me.” Kat tucked a few loose hairs behind her ear and touched her earring.

  Connor stopped himself from beaming at her. Clever girl. She’ll press the alarm if she needs us. I’ll do more than wait for her distress call though. “You’ve got a class in an hour, so thirty minutes, forty tops. Don’t wear yourself out and have fun.”

  “Thanks, Sensei Connor. We’ll stop before I feel tired. I’ll just put my mits and mouthguard on and spar in this.” Kat gestured to her Knightly Karate tank top and shorts she was wearing and would keep on to teach aerobics.

  Connor smiled. “Great idea. Enjoy.”

  Adam walked down the stairs just behind Kat. “You’re going to feel tired. This is meant to test you. I’ll try to leave you enough energy to teach aerobics.”

  Connor got an earbud out of his pocket and went into the Our Cause app Brent had installed on his phone. He accessed the camera in the dojo, walked to the weight section around the corner and waited for Damon to finish his set. He tapped his phone and earbud. “Kat’s downstairs about to spar Adam. I’m watching the video but listening to her mic.”

  Damon tapped the earbud in his right ear. “I’ve always got it on when I can’t see her. I can’t let her or anyone else hurt her again. The prick’s done everything they said he would to get her away from me. Apparently, there’s chemistry between Brianna and me. Just don’t let her know that. I don’t want to piss off Chelsea’s family by turning her down. I’ll head down to the office. Join me when Dereck’s finished taking the new client through his program.”

  Connor smiled and shook his head. “I should’ve known you’d be one step ahead, Sensei. I’ll meet you down there.”

  Kat and Adam put on their mitts and mouth guards. Kat noticed Adam didn’t put on a groin protector. That might come in handy. They lined up across from each other and bowed. Adam grinned, revealing his black mouthguard. Kat smiled back. This is going to be fun.

  Adam came through quickly with three head-level punches and a stomach punch. The stomach punch got in.

  Kat gasped. It was much harder than she expected. “Hey,” she acknowledged the punch and bowed. “I’m okay,” she said for the benefit of the cameras.

  “You should be,” Adam replied. “That was nothing.”

  “I’ll give you fucking nothing,” Damon growled in the offic
e, stopping himself from running in and beating the crap out of Adam.

  I’m not taking harder than that. Let’s see how fit he is. Kat bowed. “Let’s go again.” She waited a moment after Adam finished bowing to her and stopped her scorpion kick two centimetres from his face. He must have expected it as he grabbed her foot and attempted to sweep her supporting leg, but it was gone. Kat threw herself into a backflip. The sudden movement of her leg with the force of her entire body forced Adam to let go. He barely had enough time to be surprised when her other foot kicked him in the stomach.

  “Yes!” Damon whispered, just loud enough to be heard from the door.

  Connor shut the door behind him. “I’ve gotta see that on the big screen. That was fucking awesome!”

  Damon beamed back at him. “Fuck yeah!”

  Adam let out a gasp and watched Kat land on the ground. “What the fuck?”

  Damon’s eyes blazed with fury.

  Kat grinned. “I did gymnastics for eleven years.”

  Adam’s pupils dilated a little. “So you’d be really flexible then?”

  “Well yeah. Didn’t you see the scorpion kick?”

  “You’re so innocent, Kat. So much to learn. So much I want to teach you.” His pupils were fully dilated.

  Oh, fuck. I don’t think he’s talking about karate. I’ll play dumb. “I want to learn everything I can about karate.” She bowed, making Adam bow back to her and continue their fight.

  Damon clenched his fists. “I want to fucking kill him.”

  Connor nodded. “You and me both, Sensei.”

  Adam stepped through swiftly with a head-level punch and was about to follow it through with a stomach punch much harder than the one that connected, but Kat was gone. She kept playing ‘catch me if you can’ until Adam started breathing heavily and left an opening.

  Damon and Connor swore at the same time.

  Damon’s brow furrowed. “He’s playing her to slow down the pace and is setting her up for something.”

  Connor clenched his fists and nodded. “Yeah. He’s too good to leave that opening, even if he’s exhausted.”