Gianni and Me

Chapter Six

The training is intense.

 I know the instructors called this week a "calmer week", and I truly think they believe that, but to me, it's all incredibly terrifying. There's absolutely no way I'll be able to keep up. No way. 

To my right, two separate groups are going through different knife handling combos; I hope they're premeditated, because if that's sparring, I don't even want to know what the actual fights look like. 

My left is slightly different. People are fighting five on five, all in one group. They take turns defending and attacking each other. One guy actually gets hit in the face. Another women takes a kick to the gut. It doesn't slow them down, it only gives them more gumption. 

One of the instructors blows a whistle and they immediately stop to do a set of jumping jacks, push ups, and sit ups. I feel exhausted just watching them. 

I search for Charlotte, who's a part of the five on five combat and currently plowing though the exercises. Now that I think about it, Charlotte's always been in really good shape. I just figured it was cause she cared about health, now I know it's because she's been keeping up with this. 

Preparing for the day she'd come back. 

Like she always knew she would. Eventually. 

I can't blame myself for not putting two and two together. I mean, who would assume that your best friend is a part of a secret military organization? And I definitely don't blame her for not telling me. The family is probably already inconvenienced enough that they have to train and protect me.

Wait. It's their fault that I'm here. Not mine.

Charlotte gets a punch to the gut and I cringe as she lets out an oof. This is just... all so intense. Maybe there's a bathroom nearby. I doubt anyone will notice my absence. 

Without so much as a look in the group's direction, I quickly slip out one of the steel double doors. 

Okay. I can do this. I can find my way back to the main quarters. 

I walk past the steel doors of Unit Four... that has to be a good sign if the door numbers are getting smaller. 

"Are you lost?" A strong, female voice speaks from behind me. I whirl around. A girl with black rimmed glasses, freckles and brown hair pulled back looks at me quizzically. Not suspicious, just curious. Her black tank top has a white M on the right breast. 

I blush and look down the long hallway in front of me. "I... I'm looking for the main headquarters." I state rather bashfully. I wonder what unit she's in. She looks to be in her mid-thirties. Maybe she's an instructor? 

She nods and her grey eyes sparkle. "I'll walk you! I'm just waiting on my husband and we'll show you back. I'm Tricia, by the way. I'm one of the instructors of Unit Three." 

We shake hands, and she gives me an easy smile. For an instructor, she seems super nice. Not that they were mean... just intimidating. 

"I didn't realize MIDAS agents... um... love." I awkwardly say. Great, way to make this weird. 

Tricia throws her head back in a laugh. "Of course, we do! Actually, most of us just date one another, since there are so many of us, and we are in the same line of work. It's... simpler."

I nod with a smile, though my heart sinks when I remember Liam's words two years ago. This is why he didn't want more. And still wouldn't want more. It's too complicated if you're not doing the same thing. 

"I'm Olive." I startle out. Gosh, where have my manners gone? 

She chuckles again. "I assume you haven't been here long?"