BLACK STORM: The Abandoned Son

Chapter 7: Evolution

I guess she caught me red-handed. Lying to her  any further would be pointless, she has years' worth of more experience than me.  And well I don't want Astrid to hate me. Hate me... oh no. That would be the worst, better tell her everything.

So, I told her everything about Katz and his goons, and about how I and Jubilee are bootstrapping this orphanage. Saying it out loud makes me feel like a terrible person. It really sounds ridiculous. There's nothing I can do about it now.

"Oh, well now that you explained things it all makes sense now."

"So, you're not upset?"

"But one thing doesn't make sense to me."

"What?"

"How do you know martial arts?"

"Oh, this book I bartered for.", I show her the book.

"The Tiger and the Hawk?", she reads the title.

"Is something wrong?"

"This book weighs a ton, look at all these pages, how could you learn all this?"

"Don't worry, not all of it is fighting moves, it's mostly philosophy and legends."

"You know I did stuff like this when I was a kid."

"Really?", I look up at her in amazement.

"Yeah, nothing this extreme though."

"Anyways I was thinking of rewarding my wards, for such a good performance today."

"Hm... I know, we'll make them a cake.", her face brightens up.

"I can't make cake."

"That's why I said 'we', dummy.", she flicks my forehead again.

"You'll really help me?", my eyes glisten.

"Sure, by the way, stop breaking their arms. I don't see how that's helping.", she walks away, her hips swaying from side to side.

Too bad she's gone, I wanted to talk with her some more. Also, she's probably right about the breaking bones thing. It's pointless to train them to fight if I break their arms all the time, I need them in full health for the fight. It's like teaching a child to ride a bike and then slashing his tires. 

"Hey newt, I change my mind.", she returns.

"Really? So you'll go on a date with me?"

"What? No, I mean about leaving, I wanna hang out more."

"Gladly!", I spring up with glee.

"But first can you do me a favour."

"Anything for you."

"Easy there, tiger, go to the shed and get the step ladder."

Step ladder? What do we need that for? Whatever, I'm usually one to question authority figures, but Astrid is someone I trust. She and Mother are really the only authority I trust. Though Mother gives me a hard time, she's a real momma bear. I don't think I've ever been to the shed for anything other than a ball, or to store water guns.

I step into the shed, it's dark and dingy. Old toys, clothes, and power tools are all awkwardly crammed in. It's too dark in here; can't see a damn thing. I rub my hands against the wall until I feel a switch. The light flicks on, flickering repeated. It then quickly flicks off. The bulb hangs from a chain and is wired to the ceiling, it barely illuminated a quarter of the room. The bulb obviously needs replacing. 

More importantly, why are there carvings on the wall? I saw them for a split second while the lights were on. It looked like someone recently carved them with a knife, what the hel- The door slams shut. I feel someone behind me. I hear a pocketknife's blade extend and retract into the handle, repeatedly, the rust-covered device makes a jarring sound each time. I didn't even hear anyone enter the room with me.