[It's been a while, Jeffery. Welcome back.]

Chapter 28

Jeff's POV

Orange side completed. Blue isn't, though. Green still needs work.

Turn. Turn. Flip. Orange side is gone. Turn. Turn. Flip. Turn. Flip. Red. Yellow. Blue. Nothing but squares and colors. I don't even think about solving anymore. I just do it. No more calculating or frustration. Just turn, flip, turn, flip.

"Jeffery, are you listening to me?" a voice piped in.

I shifted my eyes over to the hooded figure sitting on the grass next to me. The skull and wings emblem on the collar of his black cloak glittered in the after noon sun. Silver eyes peered at me from under the shadows of the hood, awaiting a response.

"Yeah," I muttered, then continued solving the Rubik's cube.

Death uttered a sigh. "I've asked you how your week has been and you reply with silence."

"I don't think I really have to answer," I said. "Nothing ever changes for me."

"That may be the case...," the silver-eyed entity began, slowly, "but it still doesn't hurt to talk. Apparently it does the human mind well."

"It's only temporary."

"Temporary is still better than nothing."

Why does he do this? There's no point to it.

"I already said it wouldn't matter if I explained my week, because the answer will be like all the others I've given you," I stated. "Besides, you don't need to play therapist all the time. Aren't you supposed to be off collecting souls and shit instead of wasting your time on me?"

"I don't need for you to tell me how to do my job," he chided. "I have a system, and it's none of your concern. You should take advantage of the time I am able to give you now."

"Oh, boy, you've given me plenty of time...," I remarked.

I noticed him shaking his head out of the corner of my eye. Despite my lack of cooperation, he said, "So?"

Scowling, I huffed and responded reluctantly, "My week has been the same-old same-old..."

"I see." He nodded placidly and I sighed. It's pointless. Why does he do this?

After a few moments of silence, Death inquired, "You have been stable?"

"I mean, I haven't tried killing myself, so sure," I replied.

"That is always a good sign...," he murmured awkwardly.

The silver-eyed entity shifted under his cloak, and I felt hot just thinking about wearing that and sitting under the sun so calmly. I wondered if he was bothered, even just a little.

"Listen, Jeff," he began, "I have a proposition to make--."

"Done," I interjected, completing the Rubik's cube right then and there. Without hesitation, I handed it to him and said, "Scramble this for me."

He frowned but stuck out a hand from his black shield of a cloak and snatched it from my grasp. His hands retreated behind the black curtain, then a second later he tossed it back to me with all the sides mixed up. Immediately, I began turning and flipping, subconsciously solving it like I've done many times before.

"Anyway," Death continued, "as I was saying, I have a proposition. I hope you will accept it, since I've planned it to be beneficial for you. It would be foolish to decline."

"Okay, shoot," I said.

He cleared his throat softly, and opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the sound of the mansion's front doors opening a ways away. Curious, I looked over to see Ao and Jack step out onto the porch.

"Oh, it's those two. Wonder what they're..." But when I turned my head to look at Death again, he was gone. I sighed again and continued solving my Rubik's cube.

After a couple of minutes, I spotted Ao coming over but didn't react. I just waited until she came to stand next to me and greeted, "Hey."

"Hey," I responded.

She cleared her throat and remarked, "I see you've gotten much better since the last time I saw you solve it."

I figured she was referred to my Rubik's cube. "Yeah, I've been practicing."

"You don't ever get bored of it?"

I shrugged. "Kinda."

"Well, I'm sure it's because you know the three-by-three so well. Maybe I could get you a five-by-five and you can start fresh."

"That'd be...neat." I'm sensing something.

Just as I thought, the young brunette beamed and offered, "So, Jack and I are taking Ladon for a walk. I was wondering if you would like to come with us?"

My fingers slowed as I glanced up at her. "You won't leave me alone unless I go, will you?"

The blush was apparent on her face, even from my angle on the ground, and she said, " Um, yeah, sure."

I could read her a mile away. "Alright."

Before I got up, I solved the Rubik's cube for the seventh time already today, and when I saw Ao's face she was in awe.

When it came time to follow her and Jack, all I did was listen to my music through my earphones. I noticed Ao looking at me every now and then during the walk, and I could see an urge in her eyes. I knew she wanted to talk to me, wanted me to open up, but I didn't feel like it. For a long time now, I don't feel like doing a lot of things. Ao's intentions are well and admirable, but I can't meet her expectations. I just...I can't. I don't feel like talking, or looking people in the eye, or thinking. I don't want...I don't know what I want anymore.

I don't know.

...

Late evening. The sky is dark out my window, and the breeze is calming. I stroke my fingers against the metal bars that have been installed for months now, designed to prevent another 'attempt'. In hindsight, jumping out wouldn't have worked anyway; it's not a long drop, so I'd probably just get seriously injured. I don't know what I was thinking at the time. Then again, it's hard to recollect on anything sometimes, what with my medication and delusions. Well, whatever had been on my mind, I don't doubt it was desperation.

I leaned my head against the bars, letting my hands hang over the windowsill. For a while, I just sat at my bed, taking in the cool breeze that would slip into my room. It was refreshing after almost getting mauled by fuckin' grizzly bears. And Ladon.

After that whole ordeal, Ao and Jack were able to calm the menacing fur ball down, and we returned back to the mansion without question. Ladon's on a sort of timeout, and he's been tied up by a tree--his punishment. I'm sure that fur ball could bust through his chain, but then there's Jack, who'll beat him down like he did earlier if the creature dares to try. It's been so long since I've been afraid of Jack, too, and I've almost forgotten how ruthless he can be.

Besides punishing Ladon, Ao now has a new concern. Jack's arm did a thing and now all of us are curious what this could mean. Ao mentioned something about an explosion of her magic and how it must have infused into him. It all sounded complicated, and I was lost to begin with. But it wasn't my business, so I had just let her words slip past me. What I understood, though, was that Jack will have to work with Ms. P to get to the bottom of his new "ability". Although no one had been hurt, it was safe to say that he might not be able to control the magic that got into him, considering he's never dealt with anything like it. And here I thought the guy couldn't get any more scary.

There was a feeling that I couldn't shake since the incident. Yes, I was annoyed with the ordeal and having to fight off that one bear, but there was something else that nagged me. I wasn't angry, even though I should be. This feeling started when my head was almost bitten off by that fur ball, Ladon. I hadn't seen him coming; I was too distracted by my irritation at the time. If it weren't for Jack, I'd probably be dead...or at least miraculously recovering from a gnarly head wound (it's not even miraculous anymore).

Suddenly, I figured it out and was a little perplexed by the realization. This feeling...was I actually scared of dying? Or scared of the pain?

For the longest time, I've grown numb to the concept of death, or the pain that comes with it. It doesn't faze me like it used to. At one point, I had been fascinated by it, craved to see it; at another time after that, I feared it, feared losing my life and leaving things undone. But now that there's nothing left for me, I wasn't scared. I wasn't scared to throw myself out my window, or slam my head into a mirror, or stab myself with a fork, or strangle myself with a damn shoelace, or any other form of self-harm. I never felt anything during those times, just like I had never felt pain in my coma three years ago. But now that numbness has become reality. At least I thought so.

In the moment Ladon had attempted to attack me, I had frozen and suddenly thought about everything leading up to that point. I think my life flashed before my eyes. And I hadn't welcomed the potential death by Ladon's jaws--I didn't want it. I was scared. For the first time in a long time, I didn't want to die. It's been so long that I've felt the need to survive.

What was it that made me feel this way? Was it Ao and the conversation we had? Had her talking actually opened me up and set in? Being able to show her my music felt...nice. She had enjoyed it, asked for more even. I knew she was being polite about it since our music tastes are different, but it had been a little pleasing to see her smiling eagerly at the music I cherished. Thinking about this now, I feel a little bad about arguing with her. After so long, I actually felt like a friend to her, and not just someone who's on the sidelines. Even so, my nerves thrummed at the thought of opening up. It's too daunting, too risky. I can't. I can't.

And Ellie. She'd been brought up in the conversation. I had wanted to avoid talking about her, even if it was just for a few seconds. With all that I've been through, the thought of her feels too personal to share with others. She feels too sacred to me now, and I just want to keep her in my thoughts, remember all that we've done together and memorize every detail I recall. And I think I've come to a point where I only want the mark she's left behind on me. I do feel content at the thought of her return, but then I remember what I've become since she's been gone: a horrible, scarred up, numbed, bitter mess of a human being. And I wonder if when she comes back that she'll still love me? Would she be willing to endure me? She had changed too--after my two year search for her--but at least she had been somewhat cooperative and logical. Me? I'm a disaster now.

I'm scared of having her see me like this; I don't want her to. I wanna keep her in my thoughts, cherish her imprint on my mind. But I need her. I don't want to feel numb anymore, and she might be my key. I need her, but I'm scared, but I fucking need her, and I'm terrified of losing her for being the mess I am.

In the end, all my muddling didn't really matter. Whether or not Ao had made me feel scared to die, or it was my longing to see Elizabeth again, it wasn't relevant. Because I wouldn't have died anyway. I can't die, and will never die...so long as Death keeps me in his grasp. I am his trophy, as battered up and disgusting as I may be. My life is his.

Though I can't die, at least I acknowledged my determinations to continue living: Ao's support and Ellie's return.

My pondering came to an end when I felt a familiar presence in the room. Still leaning my head against the window bars, I spoke up, "Again, you have better things to do, don't you?"

Death sighed and muttered, "Again, I said that what I do with my time is none of your concern."

"Fine. What do you want?" I questioned.

"I came to check up on you. I noticed there was an incident today," he said.

"I'm okay. Just a few scratches and the residual feeling of my impending doom that isn't actually impending...," I replied.

"Well, that's something..."

The room fell silent again, and I wondered if he had left. Then, I felt my mattress shift and figured Death had taken a seat at the edge. He cleared his throat softly and said, "There was a subject I had been trying to discuss with you earlier today..."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Something about a deal, or proposition?"

"Yes," he affirmed, "well, I've come to finish talking about it."

"What is it?"

There was a moment that he took to pause and gather his words. He continued, "I've decided it would be beneficial for you if I took you out of here."

I was stunned, to say the least. I finally turned to gape at him, and he twisted his lips for a second. "Well, for a night or so."

I hadn't realized my breath had stopped so I tried to let out a discreet sigh. Keeping my gaze on him, I responded, "You want to take me out?"

He nodded. "I believe a change of scenery would help stimulate a healthier mind. You've been holed up here for so long, and losing touch with the world would be a disadvantage."

"Why now?" I asked.

"Your behavior and mental state has improved. I think it's safe to say you're at a point where you can handle the rest of the world again. I'm sure your peers here could say the same, but they will not take you out. They're anxious about Corrupted all the time, therefore they busy themselves, and they also won't risk you getting hurt in some way. With that in mind, I've chosen to take it upon myself to get you out of here."

I furrowed my brow. "Just for a night?"

"For as long as you'd wish. If it means you can find some reprieve."

I thought about it, and my fingers fidgeted with the folds of my pants in response. There's no way I could stay away from here for longer than a night; the others are always checking on me. Maybe a night at a time would work. In that case, where would I go? What would I do? I'm so out of touch that I don't know anymore.

"I'll think about it...," I murmured.

Death nodded in acknowledgement. "Please do."

The silver-eyed entity stood up from his place at my bed and turned his back to me. I took this chance to remark, "Ya know, for a second, I thought you meant to take me away from here and keep me with you, or something."

Death stood still and turned his gaze toward me. "That had been my initial intention."

I froze and eyed him suspiciously again.

He shrugged and added, "But that plan seemed all too much for you to process at once, so I settled for taking you out a little at a time."

Thinking carefully about his words, I said, "So you still intend to take me away forever, at some point?"

There was a pause that was longer than it needed to be. Death shrugged again and answered, "It's an idea."

After that, he turned around and said, "I take it you'll not want to do anything tonight, so I'll give you some time to think. Meanwhile, I'll be busy doing the better things you keep telling me to do."

Before he disappeared, I turned in my spot and interjected, "Wait."

He became still and stared at me, his silver irises gleaming in the light of my room (I think they gleam no matter dark or light). I stared into them and asked, "Why me? Why do you try for me? I'm not worth it any more."

"Maybe that's what you think," he said, "but I 'try' the same way that your friends 'try'. They value you. They still hold hope for you, and still believe you're deserving of better things. Now, you just have to think the same and maybe then true change will come."

With that, he pulled up the hood of his cloak, shadowing his facial features again. I stayed seated on my bed, watching him. When Death's silver eyes shined at me again, he said, "Take care, Jeff. I'll see you soon."

A plume of black fog and feathers rose up with one swift turn of his heel, and he was gone in the next moment. Once again, I was alone in my room, but it didn't feel the same as before. The cool air from outside was only cold now, so I shut my window closed. I was suddenly aware of the mansion's silence and my loneliness in this bedroom I've known for years. I didn't feel like dealing with it, so I got up to turn off my light, then grabbed my iPod to listen to music.

As I laid in bed, staring into darkness, listening to songs I admired, I thought about Death's words. "You have to think the same and maybe then true change will come." Will it really? What would change? What would be different? It's hard to say, or at least I don't want to think about it. I don't want to think right now.

Music played on inside my head--Tool's Parabola. Ao's awestricken face earlier made me feel all nostalgic for them. (I still need to give her some sort of list...) Lyrics spoke:

"This body holding me, feeling eternal all this pain is an illusion..."

I guess I'll 'try' to value myself, to see what everyone else sees, to think how they think, to regain the faith in myself that I lost.

I'll try.

...

Reese's POV

I sat in the driver's seat of the Chevelle, staring at the steering wheel. Out of the corner of my eye, my backpack sat on the passenger's seat, along with a pamphlet. As I reached for my backpack, I stopped and glanced at the pamphlet. Biting my lip, I grabbed it and looked it over for the third time today.

School didn't hold many things lately, other than career scouting. The whole week has been nothing but organizations advertising their career paths, trying to get everyone to make up their minds. Or actual representatives from outside of the school coming to classrooms and presenting. Nothing ever caught my eye, except one thing.

The U.S. Army logo stared at me in the face. This entire week I've been wanting to avoid an army representative's presentation, but alas it caught me. It didn't help that my Stats teacher is good friends with the Major, so the teacher ended up bragging about my "superb" performance in mathematics. The Major had been looking forward to seeing me and had kept eyeing me the entire presentation today. He even had a talk with me afterwards. I've never been so nervous in front of an adult until then.

I wanted to avoid getting attention by an army scout not because I didn't want to go, but because I knew I'd think about it a lot. I tried finding ways to create excuses, like: "But sir, don't I have to be in JROTC to join?" Obviously, that didn't work, because I don't have to be; it would just be more convenient if I was. Truth is, anyone with the requirements can join. I'm pretty sure I met those requirements.

I wanted to avoid getting attention because I knew I would eventually make up my mind to go.

But it's a maybe. A maybe...!

Annoyed, I shoved the pamphlet in my back pocket, then grabbed my backpack. I got out of the Chevelle and locked it up before heading toward the auto shop. Inside, Artem was talking with a customer, so I couldn't greet him right away. So I walked into the office like I always do, and said hello to Angel.

"Hey, Angie," I said, tossing my backpack into the corner.

The dark-haired woman looked up from her book and smiled. "Hey there."

I went ahead and opened the closet with the uniforms without much else to say. As I took off my jacket and hung it up somewhere, Angel spoke up, "What's this?"

I turned around to see she was leaned over in her chair, her arm extended toward the floor. Before I could react, she picked up the pamphlet that must have fallen out of my pocket and gave it a look.

"Umm, that's..." But I didn't say any more.

Her blue eye darkened for a brief second, but then she handed the pamphlet back to me. "That's interesting. Thinking about...joining?"

I took the pamphlet from her and shoved it in one of my jacket pockets instead. "Uh, yeah, just thinking."

While I put on a uniform, Angel retorted, "Well, if you decide on it, god help you. It'll be tough."

"Y-Yeah..."

Quickly, I tried to finish putting my uniform on, but for some reason the zipper wouldn't pull up. I kept tugging on it but it was jammed in place. My fingertips slipped over and over and turned white from all my gripping. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Angel standing next to me.

"Let me help," she said, and leaned over to un-jam the zipper. Once the uniform was finally closed up, she patted my collar and met my gaze.

"You're pretty flustered," she stated. "What's bugging you?"

With a sigh, I tossed a look to the side and answered, "Just, uh, school."

"It isn't this?" she said, plucking the pamphlet from my jacket.

"No," I muttered, snatching it and stuffing it back.

"Having it doesn't mean it's an entry ticket straight in, you know. If you don't want to go, don't go."

"It's not that," I murmured.

"Then?"

I took a moment to pause and bunched up my lips to the side. Scratching the side of my face, I replied, "I've actually thought about going, in the past years too. It'll be hard, yeah, but I get benefits. It...It seems like an easier route than going to regular college. My mom doesn't have the money, Hunter is still paying for his. It's better for them. If I go. But I know they wouldn't want me to if it was to help them."

Angel gave me a smile. "Besides them, do you think it'll help you?"

I blinked, feeling awkward. "Maybe."

She shrugged and said, "I'm not exactly a model for advice--hell, I didn't go to college--but I will tell you that you should go after a career you'll love. Once you hit big eighteen, you're in charge of your own life. So make it worth while, yeah?"

She gave me a light punch to my chest and I swayed a little.

"Your family means a lot to you, I'm sure, but think about yourself too," she added.

"You sound like Artem. Have you two been chatting?" I grumbled.

"Not a lot, no. But if Artem says the same stuff, then you should really think about it, don't you agree?"

"Y-Yeah..."

Angel gave an encouraging pat to my arm and said, "Trust me when I say that you should follow what you wish to do with your career. You don't have to end up being someone who never got to do what they wanted in life, alright? You've got a lot going for you, so take charge...!"

Her pepped energy took me aback and I questioned, "You're awfully zealous today..."

She chuckled nervously. "It must be the book I'm reading. It's a very emotional one so, uh...yeah--anyway, do what you wanna do, be your own man, so on and so on. Yeah?"

"Yeah." This time, I managed a smile.

She nodded and looked out the window where Artem and the customer were still talking in the shop. "You should get to working."

"Alright," I agreed. As I turned around, Angel piped up, "Take it easy today, alright? It's a Friday after all."

"Right..." I continued on my way out of the office to get to work. While I spruced up a jeep that had a messed up suspension system, I thought about Angel's words. I know she's right about doing what'll make me happy. I know the people closest to me will tell me the same. Despite that, I feel compelled to go toward the route with the least complications. If I can help my family, then I want to do that. It wouldn't be so bad having a brother/son who's a soldier, right?? And if I get up in ranks and get those medals?? That would be amazing, wouldn't it??

This week has had me frazzled a few times already. The school work isn't that tough, but what with all the career scouting going on, I've been doing too much thinking. Plus, I haven't seen Ben yet. Luckily, he still texts me (sometimes even during class, and I have to resist the urge to keep the conversation going), and we have phone calls too. Hunter and Mom have made it a habit to tease me about the many hours I spend on the phone at night. Mostly Hunter--obviously--and he'll imitate a preppy voice as he holds his phone to his ear.

Once, when Mom wasn't around, Hunter taunted me by doing the preppy voice, saying, "Oh my gosh, Ben, I'm blushing! Don't say stuff like that! At least wait until we're in person, baby. Teehee, naughty, rawr!~"

He'd gotten the hardest smack to his head I'd ever given him. When Mom showed up, she was wondering why he was keeled over on the floor, half-laughing, half-crying.

Other than my family's teasing, I still enjoy when Ben and I talk. He eases my stresses and worries, and I think I ease his. He's done a lot of good, far more than I expected. For one, he helped me with my school work like he promised, and two, Bryce and Miranda haven't bothered me at all since that incident at the park (a few times, Bryce has looked at me with frightened eyes and avoids me completely). If it weren't for Ben, I don't think I'd be able to endure weeks like these. Damn, I hope I get to see him soon. I need to relieve my stress.

Before I knew it, time flew by and I was back in the office, changing out of the mechanic uniform. As I grabbed my jacket, the U.S. Army pamphlet fell out and I caught it just in time. I looked down at it, pursing my lips in thought.

Suddenly, Angel came into the office and said, "I'll see you Monday, Reese. Have a great weekend."

I folded up the pamphlet and put it in the back pocket of my pants. Eyeing the dark-haired girl, an idea came to mind and I stepped close to her. She seemed puzzled, but didn't back away. Inconspicuously, I whispered to her, "Hey, do you want to meet up later tonight?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "Where?"

"Here," I answered. "In two hours, Artem closes up shop and heads home. You wanted to check out the training room, right?"

Her blue eye went wide and she glanced behind her, as if she was afraid Artem would barge in and protest. "Are you sure? How will we get in?"

"I've got spare keys," I said, holding out my keys and jingling them.

"It wouldn't be right to sneak in here to the training room. I barely got a job here, remember? I don't want to get fired."

"If we get in trouble, I'll tell the ruski I dragged you here. He'll believe me."

Again, she glanced behind her but held a defeated expression this time. "Alright, we'll meet later."

Bearing a big grin, I chimed, "Sweet...! Get ready to fight me, got it?"

She returned a smile and responded, "Sure thing. I promise to go easy on you."

"I should say the same," I quipped.

"Then let's see how things go tonight," she challenged.

"You're on--."

"Soplyak, what are you still doing here?" Artem suddenly spoke up as he stepped into the office.

"Just saying goodbye to Angie," I replied.

"You went thirty minutes over time and your mother is asking where you are," he said.

I checked the time on my phone to see he was right. "Oh, um, whoops."

"Get going," the ruski ordered and nodded toward the door.

"Alright, alright," I muttered, picking up my backpack. To Angel, I said, "See ya."

"See ya." She gave a polite wave of her hand before I left the office.

Back in the Chevelle, I took a moment to think about later. I guess while Ben is gone, I'll make the most of what I can and take some time to hang with Angel. Maybe some training will do me good and take some stress away. I haven't been in the training room in a long time, so there's no doubt I'll be rusty at first. Even so, I'm looking forward to seeing what else Angel can do. Hell, maybe she can teach me a thing or two.

Taking a deep breath, I started up the Chevelle and exited the parking lot to go back home.

...

It took some convincing, but Mom let me go out thinking I was meeting up with Ben at "his place" for a "study session", since I have an exam coming up. After she gave me the go-ahead, I high-tailed it out of the apartment and back down to the Chevelle.

After eight minutes, I made it to the auto-shop and parked in the unlit parking lot. Sure enough, the place was closed and there was no indication that Artem was here. I got out of the car, locked it, then looked around for Angel. She said she'd meet me here. Crap, should I have been courteous and picked her up from her apartment? I'm an idiot.

Just when I was about to storm off to the Chevelle to rush to her place, a quiet voice greeted, "Hey," to my right. Startled, I flinched and looked in the darkness to see Angel.

"You spooked me there," I commented.

"Sorry," she chuckled.

"So you actually came," I said.

"Well, I couldn't let some kid challenge me and flake out," she remarked with a smirk. "You have the keys, right?"

"Duh, of course!" Then, I reached into my pocket and my face went slack. Frantically, I patted down my pockets and mumbled nervous, incoherent words.

Angel frowned. "Oh, great."

"Nah, you thought," I said, pulling out my keys and jingling them in front of her. She rolled her eyes and laughed at me.

"Pssh, you take me for an idiot or something?" I inquired, inserting the key into the front door's lock. Suddenly, when I tried turning it, it wouldn't budge. My face went slack again and I muttered, "Shit, did he change the locks...?"

"Wooow."

"...is what I would've said if I couldn't open the door...!" I struck again, enthusiastically unlocking the door and pushing it wide open.

"My, you're so cunning," Angel deadpanned as she walked in.

The shop was extremely dark, so I reached to the right and flipped the light switch. The fluorescent lights overhead began to buzz and flicker to life. With a smile, I sauntered over to the door at the back, hidden behind a corner, and took out the keys to unlock it.

The stairwell wasn't lit either so I flipped the switch in the corner too. In a second, the lights came on and I led the way up the steps. Angel followed behind me, tentatively, I noticed. Smiling down at her, I assured, "Don't worry, you won't get in trouble. This is how Hunter and I came here the first time."

"Did you get caught that time?"

My smile faltered as I thought about it. "Actually, we did..."

"Mmmm, that doesn't lessen my worry..."

"It'll be fine...! If you're so worried, then let's hurry and get upstairs." At that, I started jogging up the steps and Angel had to follow suit.

The training room door came into view and my excitement spiked. I practically leaped at the door and quickly worked to unlock it. I pushed the door open wide and turned on the lights. The room was as I had seen it the last time Artem and I were here. There was the mat at the center, the closet and rack of equipment, and punching bags and weights in another corner. Strolling to the middle, I presented the studio room to Angel with a showy wave of my arms.

"Here it is," I announced.

As Angel closed the door, she gazed around looking impressed. "Spacious. Organized. Taken care of. It's great."

Eagerly, I rushed over to the rack where the bo staffs were and picked up mine. "These are the staffs I was talking to you about," I said.

She walked up and picked one out from the line. It was black and sleek, probably one of the ones Art and I used less. She examined it and lifted it up and down to feel its weight.

"Would you like a go at it?" I asked.

Angel glanced up at me and smiled. "Sure."

I set my staff aside and grabbed onto her hands to position them correctly. I led her over to the mat and backed away to stand to the side. With my hands at my hips, I instructed, "Okay, so, try lunging forward and shoving it horizontally. It's one of the basic defense moves."

Angel adjusted her footing and did as I said. "Like this?"

"Yeah! Now pull back for a moment and sweep one side up from the bottom."

The dark-haired girl followed my explanation and I nodded.

"Now...smack the other end into the mat...!"

She repeated my words in movement, but she was gentle with the bo staff.

"Good, good, now try all of that together. And really get into it."

Angel adjusted her footing again and fixed her grip on the staff. Suddenly, she shot forward, then swept up, then hit the staff against the mat with a loud booming smack. At first, I thought she could have possibly damaged the staff, but when I came close to inspect, she hadn't created a single crack. Still, she hit hard and fast.

"How was that?" she questioned.

"Great," I complimented with a smile.

"I take it we won't fight with these, will we?" she added.

I chuckled. "I'm not that much of a jerk."

As I took the bo staff from her hands, she said, "Show me how you do it. You said you're good at it."

"I said I feel confident. Doesn't mean I'm 'good'."

"Chickening out?" she teased, crossing her arms over her chest.

I narrowed my eyes and said, "No. You wanna see me? Fine. Stand aside."

Happily, she sauntered off the mat and stood next to the cabinet of other equipment. I leaned the black bo staff against me as I took off my jacket and tossed it aside.

"Ooooh, getting serious," Angel remarked.

I shot her a grin before grabbing onto the staff and standing in the center of the mat. Although I was eager to show off, my heart was beating hard in my chest. What if I look like a dumbass in front of her? Then again, maybe she felt awkward trying out the bo staff too. I've practiced with it far more, and she's never picked one up until tonight. Whatever I do will be impressive to her, I'm sure.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to close my eyes and just let my body do all the work. At first, I started slow, just to get into the rhythm easier. I spun the staff in my hands with little thought. Artem used to make me do this anyway, just close my eyes and let my body feel my way through the techniques. It helps to focus less and follow instincts more, apparently. In order to even wield a weapon, you have to feel connected to it...or some other psychedelic shit like that.

My nerves were racing, willing me to pick up the pace, so I did. I began stepping about, sort of dancing with my bo staff as it spun and twirled in my hands. Finally, I started making offense moves and swiped at the air. Up, down, diagonal, horizontal. Whatever flowed better. Whatever felt right. I followed my body like Artem always taught me, like he always practiced. I remember when I was amazed at how he could still fight like a warrior with his eyes closed. Granted, you're never supposed to do that in a real fight, but still. It seems like I forget just how badass the ruski is.

The wind whistled close to me as the bo staff cut through the air. My heart was racing hard, my muscles began to burn with every spin or hit I made, I could feel the sweat on my skin, but that all didn't matter. I just followed my will, not letting a single thought falter my movement.

Finally, I felt I had enough and smacked the bo staff onto the mat one last time, then opened my eyes. Panting, I looked for Angel and found her to my left now. She was leaning against the cabinet with her arms crossed, gazing at me with a perplexed gleam in her eye. Once she realized I had finished, she brought her hands together and clapped. Even though my face felt hot, I could feel the embarrassed blush in my cheeks. I must have impressed her...!

"You looked," she began, "like a real fighter. Graceful, careful, accurate. It was really something."

"Th-Thanks," I said, standing.

"How long have you been practicing?"

After I calculated it, I answered, "About a year and a half, maybe?"

"And you learned all that in that span of time?" she beamed.

"Artem says I learn fast, and I'm good with my movement," I stated, hoping I didn't sound like I was bragging.

"That's great. Maybe it is better that you take it easy on your bullies," Angel joked.

With a chuckle, I walked towards the rack to put the staff away, but Angel stopped me and said, "Keep it with you."

Puzzled, I asked, "Why? We weren't gonna fight with these."

"I wasn't," she said, taking off her glasses and jacket (she even wore a long sleeve underneath, huh). She started tying her hair up as she stepped onto the training mat. As she got to the center, she tied off her hair and placed her hands at her hips. I stood in my spot, gaping.

"You're not serious, are you?" I questioned.

She nodded and responded, "I am. C'mon, let's make this quick."

"Angie, these things fuckin' hurt," I warned, stepping onto the mat again.

She smiled. "Don't worry about me. I've fought against worse."

I blinked, bewildered. "What do you mean, 'worse'?"

"Just fight me," she beckoned. "Give it all you've got."

"Ang, I really mean it when I say these staffs fuckin' hurt. They're designed to."

"Yeah, and my fists hurt too," she quipped, flexing them in front of me.

"You're not even wearing gloves."

"Don't need them."

I frowned. "Ang, it's not a fair fight if I use a staff."

"In reality, fights aren't always fair," she stated. "If an opponent uses a weapon and the fight is fair, then that means the opponent sucks. You don't suck, do you?"

"No," I grumbled.

She grinned. "Then?"

With a sigh, I held up my bo staff and said, "Don't go complaining and whining if you end up having bruises for weeks."

"Likewise," she said, raising her hands, ready to fight.

I huffed and tightened my grip on the black staff. Now that I have a better look at her, I realize that Angel is pretty muscular, in that strong, feminine way. I could make out her biceps, even with her long sleeve shirt, and I'm fairly sure she could fuckin' crush my head with her thighs, or something like that. But other than her physique, I was intimidated by her vibe too. There wasn't an ounce of nervousness on her features, and I wondered if I presented any anxiousness at all. Be collected and strong, like Artem always tells you, Reese. Prove to Angel that you don't suck.

"Hey, I think we should, like, come up with a safe word," I stated. "If one of us starts going overboard, we can just shout 'apples', or some shit like--."

Before I finished my sentence, Angel came rushing at me faster than I could process. Briefly, I saw her blue eye was ablaze with an energy I've never seen in it before, and I wondered if this was how she had been at that EDM festival. In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of me, and her fist was coming straight at my head. All I could think of in that moment was...

Oh fuck.