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Chapter Forty Four Raya St Claire, after Archie saved her from the streets
“You should lift your hands like this.” Bear says, stepping forward and positioning my one hand into the air to block off his attacks. “When you’re defending yourself, it is important to keep your hands up. Your face is an easy target, and a direct blow to it can cause you to black out.”
Today he was teaching me how to defend myself, not that I really needed any practice because I knew how to protect myself when I was living in the streets. I had to fight for a place to sleep, and there was always someone who wanted to take it from me because I was vulnerable to them.
Bear smiles at me, knowing that I knew how to defend myself, but teaching me how to anyways. “And remember to block your—”
“I know.” I cut him off, shaking my head at him. “I should remember to block your punches by using my forearms, shoulders, and even my elbows. And I should keep both of my hands lifted.”
“Yes,” he says, smiling proudly at me for remembering what he taught me throughout the months I have already been here, “now, I’m going to cross-punch you. You have to use the techniques I have taught you to block them off. And Ray… don’t hold back on me. I can take it.”
“Hah, that’s what she said.” Rossi chuckles from the corner of the training room, smacking the palms of his hands against his thigs, laughing at his own joke like it was the funniest thing he has ever heard in his entire life.
Bear laughs manically, but he stops almost immediately, shooting Rossi a death glare.
Rossi throws his hands into the air. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your training session.” He says, biting the corner of his lip. “Archie said I should get some tips, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Rossi was the newest member of the group. He was a little bit shy at first, but once we got to know him, he was actually a very funny person to be around… if he wasn’t sleeping, that is.
“I suggest you stay silent, then.” Bear says. “Training is serious and demands silence.”
“I know. I know.” Rossi says. “I’ll be quiet. I’m sorry.”
“Bear, he’s not bothering us.” I tell him. “He can learn a few things from you, though.”
Bear shakes his head, mostly to himself. I don’t think he liked it very much that he had an audience. He loved training with me alone, and there wasn’t people who watched us train.
It was like we were in our own personal bubble, just me and him. Always and forever.
“Let’s just continue,” he says, “remember to block my attacks.”
