SEED

Chapter 14

I followed Hailey through the city and arrived at a casino. I couldn't believe she gambled. I was sure that was why she was being hustled the first time we met. I wanted to get in there and bring her out, but I had learned my lesson after the beatdown Brad gave me. I relented my inferiority and cursed out loud. I wanted to confront her, but I just had to let go. I hadn't realized it, but following Hailey got me lost. I began to panic and looked for a way out."Cole!!" I heard a voice call from behind and turned to see Brittany approaching me. "Hey," I said in relief. "What are you doing here?" she asked. I thought for a second and replied, "I was just taking a stroll; I was about to return to N-Tek." "I was just going that way" God, Brittany was an angel."Why don't you join me then," I said, taking advantage of the situation. "Sure," she accepted my proposal.We walked through the city and had a little chat along the way. We passed through a park, and I bought her some ice cream. The whole thing would have been romantic if we were dating, but unfortunately, we were not. We turned around a corner and finally arrived at Neuro Tek. "Here we are," She said as we stood in front of the building. "Do you want to go in?" I asked. "No, maybe another time" she rejected my offer, but I understood her. "Okay then, see you later," I said goodbye to her and walked in.Back in My RoomThat night I couldn't sleep. I couldn't get my mind off that Brad Smith gave me a beatdown in front of a girl. I picked up the byfi goggle stolen and put Ion. I needed to get a dumbbell from the gym at N-Tek. It was high time I built up some muscle. I turned on the infrared and sneaked out of my room. I typed in the access code I got from Anne when I got to the gymnasium.It took me about 30 minutes to transfer the dumbbell from the gym to my room. That just makes me more determined to build up some muscle. I took my laptop and surfed the internet for workout videos. I began with some pushups and sit-ups. After that, I did some stretches before I began on the dumbbell. I took a lot of breaks in using the dumbbell. After all, I was a novice.Samdorado (Two Weeks Later)I had spent two weeks at Samdorado and had gotten quite a name for myself. I had managed to complete fifty-eight strikes without being caught. I had stolen equipment and caused a commotion, yet I had not been caught on camera. I was beginning to think it wasn't luck; maybe I was just that good.Today, there was a competition held at the school. As soon as we got on the field, I recognized the obstacle course, and it was the same course I failed. I began to warm up for the competition when Angela approached me."Cole, why have you been avoiding me?" She asked as I turned toward her. I couldn't respond; I didn't want her to see me as less of a man because I was scared of Brad."Well, I wanted to let you know I've broken up with Brad," she revealed."What?" I said in awe and felt a hand on my shoulder. "Hey babe," Brad said behind me. "I can't believe you broke up with me because of this chicken." He exclaimed and turned to me. "How about this, Pierce? I'm not ready to give up on her yet. See the obstacle course; it's a one-on-one race, so here's the deal. Win, and I'll let you have the girl; lose, and you disappear from our lives". He declared, and I stared at Angela. I didn't want to feel more of a loser, so I accepted. Brad went up to Agent Podolski and fixed up our match. In a short moment, Agent Podolski announced our names, and we stepped up. I looked at the obstacle and smiled, I had felt the urge to have revenge on it, and I was about to get it."Go!!" Agent Podolski yelled, and we took our paths. As soon as I turned around a corner, a dummy of an infected shot out, and I ducked. I heard a gunshot and grimed. Brad obviously didn't know it was a test of swiftness. A part of the wall on my left moved to the other side to hinder my progress, but I jumped over it. I looked up and saw two giant screens. One revealed my progress, and the other was Brad's progress. It looked like the big guy wasn't getting anywhere, and I could feel victory in my grasp.I came upon a dead end and didn't know what to do. I looked up at the screen and saw Brad overtake me. The little red for that represented him was no way ahead of me. I touched the wall before me and noticed the difference; it was hollow. I moved back and battered through it. It was quite easy because I had built up some muscle. I ran and came across monkey bars over a tar pit. I looked at Brad's progress and noticed he was in the same spot. I jumped at the bars, but as soon as I got hold of one, a hand shot out of the pit and grabbed my leg. I looked down and saw dummies of infections crawling out. I heard the sound of an EMP going off at the other course. Damn, Brad was cheating. I got hold of my gun and shot the dummy. The game was on now. If Brad wanted it to bring weapons in this, then so be it, I didn't have time to waste at the bars, so I swung to a bar, getting to half the distance, and jumped down. I was almost at the finish line now; all I had to do was climb a tall wall. I ran at it and climbed with all my might. I looked at Brad's progress; victory was surely mine now.I climbed up the wall to meet Angela awaiting me. Without a word, she grabbed my collar and kissed me in front of the whole school. I gotta admit, I felt kind of embarrassed then."I knew you could do it, sweetie," she said as she pulled away. I was about to reply, but I suddenly saw Brittany behind us. She stood there with a medal in her hand, looking like she was depressed."Brittany," I said, and she slowly walked up to us. "Sorry for interrupting, but I'm here to congratulate you and give you this medal for getting first place." She said and put the medal on me. "Thanks, I ..." I didn't even finish my statement, but she had already turned to leave.My mind was clouded in thoughts, so I didn't notice when Brad walked up to us. "Congrats, man, the best man won. I'm a man of my word, so I'll let you have the girl. Enjoy your victory while you can" He shook hands with me and left. "Come with me, Cole," Angela requested. "Where? I mean, don't you have your obstacle course to complete" I inquired."You're my boyfriend now, aren't you? And I want to celebrate," she said, dragging me to the empty classroom. I can't explain what happened there, but for your information, we didn't make out. She had planned for this, so we celebrated with her friend and my crazy buddies and kissed a little.The competitions ran throughout the day, so basically, that's what we did at school. I walked to the entrance, and guess what? Mr. Grayson had ditched me again. I didn't even bother to call him cause I knew he couldn't stand me."Cole, how about you go home with me" Angela suggested nudging my hand and pulling me. "Sure," I said, having no other option. She drove me to N-Tek in her car, and I offered to give her a tour of the place. We got down and walked in, and we hadn't even gotten far before we came across Anne."Hey Cole," Anne called out as she approached us. "Anne," I said with a smile but cursed at my luck. I was hoping she wouldn't ask about Angie, but she did. "Who is she," she asked, turning toward Angela, who held my hand."Eerrmm, she's my ..." I tried to make up some words, but Angela interrupted."I'm his girlfriend," She declared, and I noticed Anne's slight mood change. "Anne, I'll like you to meet Angela; Angie, this is Anne, my best friend." I gave some introductions and put a little something in it for Anne."It's nice to meet you," Angela said in her usual tone, and I was surprised. She excused herself and walked away, but I felt her depression. I took Angela around N-Tek, and it turned out that the school had never gone on a field trip to the place. We met Miss Monroe and Mr. Grayson in the corridor, and I had to introduce Angela. Of course, Miss Monroe was thrilled about her, but Mr. Grayson grouched. After the tour, I took Angela to my room and later escorted her out. She gave me a peck and drove away. I was supposed to be happy today, but I was dull. Even though I got the girl, I lost two others.Samdorado (The next day)Angela was the best girlfriend a guy could ask for. She was aggressive and all that, but deep down, she was quite cool. Today was great except that Anne and Brittany were still avoiding me and Hailey was nowhere to be found. I convinced Angela that I could go home alone and go to the casino where I saw Hailey.The place was called Vienna City and had this strong stench emanating. I took a deep breath and walked in. Loud music filled the atmosphere with people talking at the top of their voices in Vienna City. Three strippers attacked a pole and were dancing to please the crowd. There were a lot of gambling machines, and people gathered at the slots and others at the poker table. I forced my way through a crowd and bumped into a waitress. "Watch it, buster," the waitress yelled, and I turned to see who it was. "Hailey? Wait, you work here?" she inquired angrily."I ..." "Forget it," she said, dragging me out of place through a backdoor. "Why did you follow me here?" she demanded. "I didn't; I just happened to explore and ended up here." I lied."Why did you follow me here?" she demanded. "I didn't; I just happened to explore and ended up here," I lied. "Oh, come on," she said in distrust. "Hey, if I may ask, why do you work here," I asked in a quiet tone. She sighed and leaned against the wall. "If I tell you, promise me no word of this comes out." "I promise" I gave my word, and she began to talk. Apparently, after N-Tek recruited her, her mum felt ill, and she needed money for her treatment and resorted to this."Okay, but why shouldn't I discuss this with the school," I asked when she was done. "You haven't read the rule book, have you?' Apparently, all students at Samdorado are to be on good behavior. They might help with the fees, but I'll definitely be kicked out," she relayed."Cole, you can't tell. As soon as I become an agent, I will end th.." She didn't end her statement before the hair dragged her.I turned and saw a man accompanied by three guards, and one held Hailey. "What did I tell you, girl, no breaks during work hours," the man exclaimed."Hey!!" I yelled out, and they turned their attention to me."Oh yeah, I forgot; take care of the distraction," the man ordered.At the call, the guards shot at me. I steadied my grounds and caught the first of the first attacker. I pushed him into a wall and dodged the punch of the second guy. I kicked the guy's foot, and when he stumbled backward, I kicked him to the ground. It looked like my workouts were paying off. I dodged another punch from the first, but the other guy hit me with a board on the ground. I almost tripped, but I bounced back up and punched the guy. I grabbed the hand of the first guy and rolled him over me to the ground. The guys got up and drew up pocket knives. I quickly spotted a trash can cover, tossed it up with my foot, and kicked it at one guy. I jumped back just in time before the other guy got me. He began to slice and dice, but I ducked and sidestepped. I hit his arm, stopping another swing, and using the same hand, I elbowed him in the face. By this time, the third guy had tied Hailey up and joined in, but I didn't notice.I stood there with my back facing the big guy, and he lifted me up in the air. Without hesitation, he threw me, and I crashed into the wall. I got back up painfully but just in time to dodge a kick. The leg of the guy slammed into the wall, and I grabbed it. I aimed at his vital point and broke his leg. The guy screamed in agony and clutched to the ground. The first two guys jumped behind me and caught me off guard. They crowded me and began to give me a beatdown."That is enough!" Hailey commanded. , breaking loose of the bondage and holding their boss with a gun to his headThe two guys stopped pounding me and helped their injured buddy up. They walked past Hailey, and she pushed their boss at them with the gun pointed at them."Consider yourself fired!!" the boss declared and left with his thugs. "I did; goodnight," I exclaimed as she approached me. "You idiot!!" she yelled in anger. She punched me, and then the unexpected happened. She pulled me and kissed me. I was stunned by the kiss but regained my composure after pulling away."I...thought you didn't like me," I inquired. "I don't," she replied and left without another work. I couldn't help but smile at her as she disappeared into the night.N-TekI managed to sneak into my room in tattered clothes without anybody noticing. I threw my clothes away and took a shower. I felt refreshed after my shower, and then my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID, and it was Angela. The truth is, I was never ready for any relationship right now, and the fact is I couldn't choose someone to be with yet."Hey, Angie," I said as I answered, and Angela immediately burst out into words I didn't get. "hey, I have something I've got to tell you," I said, trying not to sound suspicious."What is it?" she inquired."It's quite complicated, but I'm quite confused right now. I mean, with our relationship and stuff. I have these girls on my mind, which includes you, and I can't choose. I only agreed to this because I was caught in the situation, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions yet. The fact is, I like you and all that, but can we just keep this low till I get my mind settled." As I spoke, I felt a huge lump in my throat, but I had to let it out."I understand, Cole," She replied and shocked me. "Really?" I asked in surprise. "Yeah, I was thinking of it, and I agree with you. I kind of forced you into this. I don't know about these other girls, but I will not give up. I'm surely going to win. See you tomorrow, honey". She declared and ended the call.I fell onto my bed with a huge sigh. I acted like a jerk tonight but was quite pleased with myself. Angela was an aggressive type of girl, and those types never gave up. I got that information from my pervert buddy and best friend, Ronny Black. I thanked my stars for the fact. I was going to make things right, and I was going to start with Anne and Brittany.