Automation Era: The Battlefield

[10] training

[10] training

Angelo led our group out of Irene's house, right back into the forest, through muddy pathways and thorny foliage, into their secret training arena.

The arena was a stretch of land at the edge of the forest, guarded by the trees all around. Scorching sunlight streamed in through the leaves above us and burned my skin. It was a "secret" because getting here had been like navigating a labyrinth.

Angelo spun once he was in the middle of the arena. "First off," he said. "Gotta work on your stamina. You can't walk two damn steps without sweating."

I nodded, eyeing the arrows and bows spread around me. Some broken, some sun-bleached-all of them worn out. I wanted to grab one and try it. To measure distance again, to estimate angles, to have numbers and sines and cosines clash in my head.

But Angelo said, "Now start running."

"...You're joking." Scarlett pushed me aside and stepped in front of me. "Dude, I'm not about to waste my time learning how to run. Teach us how to aim and use these weapons. We have to win a battle, not a race."

Astounding how Angelo could so accurately show disgust with minimal facial expression. Just the slightest scrunch of his nose, the typical frown, and I could tell the extent of his irritation. Kinda disappointing. I'd thought they'd behave better around each other after that tiny sentimental moment when we'd discussed Xander.

"Listen." By Angelo's flat voice, I was surprised he didn't add: dumbass. "Dumbass." Never mind. "When you mess up during a battle," he said, "and find yourself in the wrong position, with enemies all around you, the only thing that'll save you is running. As fast as possible."

"Then teach us how to not mess up."

I tilted my head a bit, frowning, arguing against the logic in my head. What a pretty idea, to never make a mistake. To never mess up. To never taste the bitterness of failure. Only that wasn't possible, no matter how much I craved it.

Angelo was on my side even if he didn't know it. He gave Scarlett a long, apprehensive look then shook his head. "I can't," he said, words lost in a sigh. He opened his arms, admitting defeat to how the world functioned. "It just happens sometimes. No matter how great you are. It happens." I caught Yaseen looking at him with those caring green eyes. "Now," Angelo continued, "let's start running."

Let's? He was planning to run with us?

And he did. He ran first, and then glanced over his shoulder, threw a daring grin at Scarlett. "You scared? Too slow to even try," he taunted. Maybe the way he laughed afterwards triggered the competitive beast in Scarlett, because that was when she bolted after him, trying hard to catch up.

I joined last. We ran along the edge of the arena. Angelo was fast, so light on his feet. Scarlett couldn't keep up. Predictably. But she tried. She tried so hard, and I respected that about her. She'd never give up. I didn't know how, but it was like she had her own fountain of hope, in her own way, in her own world. The hope that kept her striving and functioning even with all the anger stashed in her chest.

Not even five minutes in and my legs felt like noodles. With no breath in my lungs, I lurched to a stop and panted. I braced my hands on my knees, then I noticed Scarlett was still running, so I quickly straightened and continued.

Eventually even Scarlett's energy drained. She slowed, then slowed, then barely trudged two steps forward, holding onto a tree trunk. "This," she breathed, "is harder than I thought." To her left, Yaseen offered water.

Angelo was behind me. I hadn't outrun him, of course. He'd just gone for an extra lap. I didn't know why. As he passed by me, he grabbed my arm, moving me aside, but then he froze. He squeezed, his torso bent slightly forward, free hand holding his waist.

Pain. Again.

Another glitch?

His grip hurt, but I didn't complain. I gave him a second to gather himself. He breathed out shakily then opened his eyes and caught my gaze. Too bold for me, so I looked away. How could he just hold eye-contact like that? Explain or move on, I wanted to tell him. This weird silence was igniting the need to overthink in me.

"How was the run?" Angelo asked, but his voice was uninterested. Distant. Like his eyes as they finally skittered around, scoping for witnesses. None. Yaseen and Scarlett were busy pouring water and drinking.

"Terrible. My waist hurts too now." I gave him a sidelong glance. "So...you're not alone."

Wary, Angelo studied my face. "You don't worry about me," he said and gave my shoulder a firm pat. The force made me jerk forwards a little. "Okay? Don't worry. Go get some water."

I did. And the moment I headed towards Yaseen and Scarlett, I realized they'd noticed us and were staring now. Scarlett's eyes more on me, Yaseen's more on Angelo. That guy could just sense stuff. The worry in his expression gave it away-he knew something was wrong with Angelo.

And I was so sure that whatever his issue was, it was related to how desperate he was to have us on his team.

I'd think about this more, except that a burning pain flared along my palm and it made me hiss. It was quiet enough that nobody caught it, but when I looked up, Scarlett was frowning at her palm too.

"Alright," Angelo said, "let's get back into training."

Scarlett lifted her eyes off her palm, caught my gaze for a fleeting moment, then looked at Angelo and nodded, dismissing whatever we'd both just experienced.

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heyy!! The reason why it's taking me so long to update is because I'm having trouble with the plot. When i planned it, it was all great. But now that i'm writing it...well, i realized it's just not good. Which is sad because i love the characters and the character development i have in mind. I won't abandon it tho! I will keep posting whenever i finish a chap :) i'm just more focused on plotting other books that hopefully have more potential than this mess.