Divided Mask

Chapter 11 - Bullet in the mind

(unedited)

Wren shot at Carter, he easily avoided her plastic bullets. He stopped and stared at her. Her mind hadn't been clear in nearly two weeks, she'd be staying with Carter a few nights a week. 

"What has you so wrapped up right now?" Wren stopped as well, glancing at the ground, she pointed to her back. "Can I see it?" 

Wren pulled the shirt she was wearing toward her head, she heard him gasp a little, coming closer toward her. She turned her head and watched him get a closer look.

"This is because of the rain and sweat, am I wrong?" Wren nodded her head. She saw the frown that had etched itself to his face. His fingers lightly brushed over the marks. Wren wanted to pull away but didn't. He was the only one to know every time when it occurred. If there were scars there they wouldn't be visible for an extended amount of time. "Well either I deal with this now, or it sends you septic. Why haven't you told a doctor? I understand not telling Mark or Roxanne. What about that other teacher? He seems capable."
 Doctors ask questions. Plus they'd have to alert my dad or the police. Wren sat for a moment. The marks had barely mattered in the last while. She won and her opponents lost. It wouldn't be any different if she had those pitiful marks or not.

Carter began gathering an array of items to clean the wounds. Peroxide, after burn, and others medical items. Wren instinctively put her head down, the pain of the cleaning always pushing tears to her eyes. Her phone buzzed, Mark had asked whether she'd be home. She tossed the phone away from her. He hadn't let up since that night. It was getting increasingly annoying.

"You could just rest for the day. I don't want you to physically burn out." She went to stand up, his hands kept her in place. "I didn't mean get up and leave." She shook her head, not needing to say much. "I know you and Mark haven't really gotten on better terms, so I want to stay your safe place. I worry that you will just aim your head down into your training."

Aim my head down? No chance. I am winning and I can focus on that. Besides burning out  can't happen to me. 

"It absolutely can. I know I don't share everything about my past, but we are similar in how we train, endlessly and hard." She knew he was speaking in truth, he didn't have the tendency to lie. "I'll let you in on how I had to find my balance. I had trained any hour I wasn't working. One day my body couldn't take it. I drove into a ditch." Her face fell, a car crash almost killed him too. "I know little bird, but I know you need to hear the truth. If I'd stayed doing the same things I was doing I would've died. I want you to understand that." His eyes seemed distant, "I don't want to scare you."

You didn't , I didn't know and now I do. I'll go home and rest; thanks for sharing  I know you have to keep secrets.

He smiled a little, "good choice, we can train another day. I'll drive you."

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Wren waved goodbye, she took a short but deep breathe preparing for whatever lecture was to come once she entered the house. Silence filled the air as she closed the door.  No sign of Roxanne or Mark. A note messily written on the counter. "Be back shortly," that was all no explanation. She sat mindlessly in front of the tv, hoping for something to grasp her attention. Nothing had satisfied that craving. Keys jingled unlocking the door. She heard Mark's voice.

"I can come in tomorrow to meet with you."  Wren didn't even bat an eye. A business meeting at most.  He sat down beside her, nearly in silence. She turned to face him more, raising her eyebrow. "Just work." she nodded, her suspicions  being confirmed. "How'd the test go?"

Not as well as I'd hoped. 

"So I'd heard, I was informed you're only passing your combat class, well the others have seen a decline in the last few weeks. Anything I should know?"