Promise - Kate Bishop

Episode 3 - Echoes

A young Maya sat in class, unable to hear anything. She watched all the other kids giggle with each other, talk across the room.. Looking up, she read the teacher's lips, "Turn to page.."

Or at least she tried. She gave up soon after, starting the page on her own. When the teacher noticed her lack of attention, she walked over to examine what she was doing. About to reprimand her and tell her to pay attention, she glanced at the page, soon smiling softly.

-

Shadow puppets were being moved and played about on walls, a chuckle from a man, and a giggle from a young Maya sounded in the room.

"What sound does the sky make?" Maya signed and mouthed to her father.

"It's quiet like you." He signed and whispered.

"What sound does a dragon make?" She signed.

Her father made a face of contemplation, before making a bear claw sign and growling, producing a laugh out of a little Maya.

"Are dragons real?" Maya questioned.

"Um, no. Maybe they are, but dragons live in a different world." Her father signed and whispered.

"What if they learned to come into our world?" She wondered

"Well, that would make them stronger."

"I thought I was going to school with kids like me?"

Her father shook his head, "It's impossible. See, you are one of a kind."

"But you said we could pay for the deaf school." Maya stated.

"I'm sorry." Her father answered. "But in the end, it'll be better for you."

"Will I have to stop signing?" She worried.

"No. You have to learn to jump between two worlds.

"How?" She asked.

"Just by watching."

-

Two boys bowed, starting their match. Maya watched intensely from the side, locking in on any detail she could. She watched as one male took down the other, the instructor giving them a water break after.

Her father approached her, "Hey, be good in class today. But remember, for your match, it's more about speed than size."

Maya nodded, her father getting up and leaving to watch the match as it was just announced.

Maya entered the mat, noticing the other kid immediately look at her prosthetic foot. He looked at her as if she would be the easiest match to ever walk upon the mat.

"Bow," the instructor said, "And fight!"

The male immediately went to knock her down as he did his previous opponent, but she moved quickly, getting behind him and pushing him over onto the mat.

The room broke into cheers and applause. Young Maya smiled happily.

-

An older Maya appeared, showing she was in a boxing ring fighting a male. Again, he took note of her foot. He went to make a move, but Maya beat him to it. She quickly pushed him, kneeing him in the chest causing him to go flying into the bands, then punched him harshly in the face. The male curled over, but stood back up.

Maya watched his right hand carefully. She swiftly moved out of the right jab, caught his arm, and flipped him over onto the mat.

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