Project Infinity

8/9

Chapter Eight

Instructor Miller leads us to a different tower.Instantly I can feel the atmosphere change.There are weapons lining each wall that are threatening to fall off,and a wide circle drawn in the centre to mark as a fighting barrier.

We pass that and enter a laboratory,its shelves packed with files and bottles of chemicals.There is a strong smell of acid and rubber here,and it makes me gag.

"Hey,nice to meet you."The girl Cassandra is smiling at me.Her eyes are wide and intelligent,with rectangular glasses propped up on her freckled nose.She looks friendly and intuitive.I smile back at her."Hey."

Before I can say anything more,Instructor Miller interrupts.

"Today we're here to train you mentally on your resistance to strong emotions.I will be giving you serums containing different emotions and we will see how well you do under their influence."She holds up a tray of different coloured liquids,and I shudder inwardly.

"Beth,you first."Instructor Miller looks at me,and I step forward and accept the vial from her."Take note,remember to steady your breathing and remember who you are."She says,and I swallow it down.The first one tastes spicy,and it makes me choke as it goes down my throat.

"What was that?"I yell once I can from a proper sentence."Did you poison me?I have my rights and I demand to see Angela!"

I don't understand why I'm feeling so angry,but I can't help it.Instructor Miller looks at Cassandra and whispers,"I gave her an anger serum.If she doesn't take control of it soon,leave the room until I tell you to come back."

"Beth!"Instructor Miller grips hold of my shoulders and looks me in the eye."Control your anger.You need to know that it's not real!"

I struggle against her grip.In the background,I see Cassandra running out of the room.

In that small space of distraction,Instructor Miller goes behind me and puts me in a headlock,before squeezing my pressure point and there is darkness.

Chapter Nine

My head pounds.There are voices of different people gathered around me,but I don't want to open my eyes and see who they are,or what they're thinking of me now.

"Her heartbeat is quickening-she's awake."A voice-probably a doctor-announces.Busted.

"Beth,can you hear me?"Someone asks.I force my eyes open and see Ian,Cassandra,Instructor Miller,Angela and the doctor gathered around my bed.

"Hey,"I croak."What happened?"

"Speaking of which,what was that,Beth?"Instructor Miller is angry.Her eyes flash with annoyance as she says this.

"I'm sorry,"I tell her."I don't have the experience,and-"

"It's okay,Beth."Angela gives my hand a reassuring squeeze."You're a beginner.I'm sure you'll perform better in the other rounds of training."

She shoots a glance at Instructor Miller,who is rubbing her temples like,What am I going to do with her?

"You feeling better?"Cassandra asks,biting her lip."You look...awful."

I laugh despite everything.Ian raises an eyebrow."How are you even laughing?"

I shrug."You learn to laugh at pain after awhile."Soon Cassandra joins me,and Ian rolls his eyes,but smiles."You're the strangest initiate ever in all of Skylark history."

"Deal with it."

"I think we should let Beth rest for awhile more until dinner."Angela interrupts,slowly leading my friends out.

"Aw man,you're ruining the fun ma'am."I hear Ian's protests as the door closes.

"Do you really want to run around the headquarters for ten rounds again,Ian?"I hear Angela's answer,and then the door slams shut.

Now it's only Instructor Miller,the doctor,and me.

She turns to me with a sigh."Beth,I know I shouldn't be so hard on you since this is your first time,but your reaction was a bit too severe."

I nod slowly."Sorry,Instructor Miller."

"Call me Evangeline.I'm not fond of formalities."

"Um...sorry Evangeline."

"It's fine.You need to know that the emotions are not real.It's controlling you to feel a certain way,so you need to control it back.The secret is to think of something special to you,and you'll pass.Okay?"

"Okay."

Evangeline gives me a satisfied smile and pats my hand."Good.We'll resume training after breakfast tomorrow-meet me and Cassandra at the same training tower."

I nod and she leaves the room,leaving me to my own thoughts.I think of my training accident,and bite my lip with anger.If I carry on like this,I will be a threat to my friends' safety.I need to improve.I have to.

*insert barrier here*

Hey readers(mostly Tigerlark )!

I just want to say thank you for the support,I know the chapters are getting worse and worse but I'm trying :) Next week when the exams are over I'll try to give you guys longer chapters and better quality writing.

I'm in a rush now,so I won't spam for too long.

Thanks again,

Katherine