The Only-Live-Once Society | Book 2

Chapter Ten

Mr. Goldsmith wasn't lying when he said things were going to get tighter. Three weeks later and there are CCTV cameras covering the wall that surrounds the school. Ex-students who have years of service under their belt have been hired to stand guard. Every window has sensors, every entrance and exit is monitored. The school has become fort knox.

I have a twenty-four-hour protection detail with me. Elijah is taking it very seriously. He has me training more than ever to make sure the next time someone comes, I won't be such an easy target. I haven't told him I don't think all the training in the world could have helped.

We're all sat in the Grand Hall, waiting for Stan. It's evening and we're going on another 'mission'. When Stan enters the room an eager silence descends and everyone looks to him, excited. He stands in the middle, looking so much like his brother and not at the same time. He's wearing a black top and blue jeans. Completely casual.

"There's a topic we have never really covered - something we've never really taught. Does anyone know what that is?"

No one answers.

"No one? You can't think of one thing you might need in the future, that you've never held in your hands in the confine of these walls?"

Elijah clears his throat. "Weapons. We're never taught how to use weapons."

"Exactly." Stan levels his eyes with every student in the class. "Why would you think that is?"

"We're taught other things." Lily says. "We're taught how to protect ourselves without the use of firearms or the like."

"Bingo." Stan says. "In The UK it isn't legal for a Joe Bloggs to own a gun. I know you've all seen Bond, with the big explosions and mass shootouts. Real operative work isn't like that. It's covert. It's hidden. It's behind the scenes. A gun isn't any of those things. If you have to use a gun, it means you've already been made. It means you've been caught. It means it's time to go on the offense."

He yanks a dusty sheet off a crate and inside is a mass of gun barrels.

"Today," Stan picks up a gun. "You're going to learn how to use one."

There's a stunned silence. Everyone stares at the deadly weapon in Stans hand, and at Stan - as though he's grown a second head.

Finally someone calls out, "Are they real?"

"No." Stan chuckles. "These are paintball guns. But you're going to treat them as if they're real. On your feet."

Once everyone is stood up, Stan gives us a smile. "We're going to split into two teams. Ever played forty-forty?" There's a few murmurs of yes and some say no. "It's okay if you haven't. I'll explain it. It's not the traditional game by any means."

He walks around and hands us gun each, speaking as he does. "Team One will be at the opposite end of the school, guarding a box. Team Two will be tasked with getting that box. You're to go undetected. If you are detected or detect your opponent, you have permission to shoot. The team who gets the box or takes out the most opponents- is the winner."

"And what do we get if we win?" Vince asks.

Stan looks at him, a wicked grin spreading across his face, "Well, you'll get to beat Elijah."