Can't Hide Forever - The Darkest Minds

Five

I jolt awake. Sweat dripping down my face and up my back, my shirt stuck to my skin.

When I finally regain some composure, I lug myself out of bed. I definantly won't be able to function if I keep getting this little sleep, I try not to think about that now.

I decide to head to the gyms instead of read, I don't think I have the brain power to look at words today. I quietly slip out of the room, grabbing my shoes and putting them on as I walk over to the training room. The closer I get, the more I hear. Is someone else in the gym? Certainly there wouldn't be anyone else up at 4:45 in the morning.

My suspicions are confirmed when I round the corner, glancing into the doorway. I see Cole. Sweat is dripping down his face, clinging small clumps of hair to his forehead. He's running on the treadmill. He then turns off the machine, turning around. An expression of shock crosses his face as he notices me.

"Sorry- I- I didn't think anyone else would be in here," I studder. He searches my face before answering, "Couldn't sleep again?" I shake my head and begin to turn around to leave.

"Hey wait! Your free to join me, I don't need the whole gym," he says before I get too far. I hesitate before entering the gym again. Cole heads back to the treadmill to continue his run. I make my way over to the punching bags.

I take off the thin jacket that covers me, revealing my black tank top. I get into a stance and start punching my anger out through the bag. Flashes of my dream come back and I punch harder. At some point, I hear the treadmill turn off though I still continue punching. It isn't until I feel a warm hand on my shoulder that I halt to a stop.

"Geez darlin' what'd that punching bag ever do to you?" he asks in his deep southern accent, a tease in his tone. I shake my head, turning back to continue my punches. "I told you not to call my that," I mutter back in between pants.

His hands then travel to my back, I feel warmth spread in me as he twists my upper body a bit, adjusting my stance. "Your punching just from you arms, you need to put your whole body into it," he says. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I take his advice, throwing more of my body into each punch. The bag swings back further then before. I pause for a moment, looking back at Cole. "Thanks."

"You need to protect your face more," he starts again "You can take punches around your body more then you can take them to the head. One good head hit and your done for. I'm suprised you've made it this far without messing up your pretty face." I scoff, ignoring his remark of my face. "Obviously I've handled myself quite well," I say with an accusing tone, "I'm sure I could handle you in a fight."

Cole raises his eyebrows at this "Don't get too confident on me darlin'," he says. I step closer, head high. "You're one to talk about protecting your face, have you forgotten who gave you that little number?" I say, pointing at the now fading bruise on his face. The one I have him when he first came to take me with the League. He shakes his head, but I can see a small smile he tries to hide.

"Touche on that one," he gives in, "But I challenge you to one-on-one combat with me." I laugh a bit, "Your pride get the best of you? Can't handle the fact that I've already taken you down once." I see the challenge in his eyes, "If your so confident you'll win, it'll be no biggy doing a match," Cole says, heading over the the ring, I follow.

We get in a fighting stance, Cole shoots the first punch. I dodge it easily. We continue to fight, every once and I while, one of us manages a hit on the other.

I notice his stance, his feet are planted firmly on the ground, as opposed to light. I decide this is his weakness and to hit him hard where he's exposed. I swing my leg behind his. Cole's legs shoot out from under him. I expect to pin him on the ground once he falls, but I find myself falling with him. His hand attached to my arm as he takes me down longside him.

We hit the ground with a thud, then Cole flips around quickly, pinning each of my arms over my head. "Gotcha," he says with a grin. We stay in this position for a while, catching our breath. It's only when I realize how intimate it actually is that I notice Cole's eyes locked on me, searching my face once again.

He then snaps out of his trance and seems to realize the postition we've found ourselves in. His hands detach from my arms as he lugs himself of the floor, allowing me to breath fully again.

"I have to say, you're pretty good T." he says, offering me a hand to help me up. I take it gratefully and he helps me from the ground with ease. "You almost beat me there," he laughs nervously. "Don't get to comfortable, I'll get you next time." I pause for a moment when I realize I've said next time, as if this will happen again. Obviosuly he won't want to spare with you again idiot.

"I'll hold you to it," he says, running a hand through his sweaty hair. I decide since he gave me his own critiques, to give him mine. "You're too heavy on your feet, practically a board nailed to the ground, it makes your legs and easy target." He pauses for a moment, as if contemplating my words. "You're observent," he notes, turning back around to face me again.

"Being light on your feet is important, it helps you be able to dodge and make hits faster and more efficient," I further explain. He nods again, "Thanks T, I'll definantly pay more attention to that."

I watch as he makes his way over to the benches, collapsing into it. He grabs a small towel and wipes his face, clearing the droplets of sweat away. I glance at the clock 6:15. Everyone else will start to get up soon, so I decide to make my exit.

I grab my jacket from the side of the room and begin to leave when Cole calls for me, "Feel free to come to the gym any time if you ever get up early. I'm here most days anyways, I don't mind the company." I look at him confused, "Why do you come here so early in the morning?" I ask.

He heaves a sigh, "Things get a little crazy around here at times, it's nice to get away, even if that is at the crack ass of dawn." I nod in understanding.  "Are you sure you didn't mind me coming. If you just want to be alone I under-" "Nope. Not at all, I enjoyed it actually," he interrupts. I give soft smile before leaving the gym.

I don't know if it's the adrenalin from our recent combat, or the tiredness that has overcome me, but I feel a warm sensation weave through my body as I leave the gym. Cole may drive me mad, but maybe he's not that bad. Don't get too close though, he's still one of them. You can't trust anyone. I sigh at the remembrance of this.

Cole may be keeping his own secrets of being a red, but that doesn't mean he'll keep mine. I wonder what other things he might be hiding but catch myself before I get to entranced in the thought of him.

When I reach the bunkers once again, I collapse onto my bed, enjoying the last few minutes of rest I get before another grueling day of training. What are we even training for? What are they doing here? The questions ring through my head in rapid fire. My train of thought is then shattered when I hear the door swing open, slamming against the wall.

Great. Another day of training it is.

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HEYYOO
I'm having a really fun time writing this. Let me know if you guys like where I'm going with this.
I know I'm not the only one who has read the TDM series a million times.
The only one I haven't managed to get my hands on yet is The Darkest Legacy.
I'm so impatient and want to read it so bad.
If you've read it, what do you think of The Darkest Legacy?