Extracted

Jeremy

Chapter Seven

The following morning my tablet displays that I am to report to Gymnasium C after breakfast. Cecelia, Harrison, and Gideon are also assigned to this class. I’m quiet, my mind filtering through the conversation with Mitchell.

I expect to find the same type of stations and rope courses that are out in the yard and also in Gymnasium B, but this gym is smaller, the floor covered in thin wrestling mats.

Our trainer today is Helena. She surveys us as she drones on about different self-defense techniques. Her lithe body demonstrates them like a martial arts expert. I don’t get why they put so much importance in all these exercises. Helena pairs several of the kids up to go through the techniques while the rest of us watch.

Cecelia shoves the length of her forearm hard into Harrison’s stomach. Her features are tight with determination.

Across the mats, it’s the same. Opponents are going after each other as though an anger switch has been flicked on. Uneasiness fills the pit of my belly. It’s too aggressive for strictly self-defense. I know, because when I picked Jeremy up from Karate, I’d watch for the last couple of minutes.

I jolt at the recollection and my gaze instinctually slides toward Gideon. He’s paired off with Benjamin the knife-throwing jerk even though Benjamin is a few years older. He keeps jabbing and feinting, testing for the kid’s weaknesses.

In a dizzying move, Benjamin throws Gideon to the floor and pins him beneath him.

I’m riveted, willing Gideon to push back, but his face is impassive. Unlike the others there is no anger or determination at all. He’s very very still.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I lean forward, waiting for Helena to call the older boy off as he has clearly won the bout. Gideon isn’t fighting back, but Helena only watches as well.

Straddling him, Benjamin raises his fist to strike. No, that’s not fair. Gideon is already down.

I push to my knees to, I don’t know what, shove the guy off, when I see it.

Gideon rolls his hips sideways just enough to lift his opponent, grab his jewels, and squeeze. It’s mean and it’s dirty and purely Jeremy.

All sound disappears behind the heavy churning of my pulse.

My brother once got Tyler off him that same way the one and only time Tyler thought it’d be fun to pin him down.

Benjamin rolls off, groaning, holding his privates.

I’m on my feet, stunned, before I realize I’ve moved. My body responds with the sudden alertness of ice water poured down my back. The tiny hairs on my arms stand on end. That’s my brother. Gideon is Jeremy. I know he is. I know it.

The roar in my ears grows louder.