Aymee Parker B2 - The Cursed Mark

Chapter 31 : How to return a favor

"No, no, not like that," McMahon corrected her. "You have to whip with your wrist to inject more force into your shot. And don't be afraid to bend over, or even roll on the ground afterward if it helps you aim better."

Aymee clicked her tongue. She knew he was right. The half-blood rolled her shoulders to loosen them. It had been a while since she had done a javelin throw, so she was a little rusty. Aymee observed the target they had placed at the other end of the classroom. The weapon had indeed planted itself in the target, but far from the place which she had aimed at. Had it been an enemy, she would have missed it.

In a flash, the chase against the Lestrygons came back to her. The rocket bike had skidded over a stone, but seeing her lousy throws just now, it wouldn't have hit anyway.

McMahon handed her a second javelin.

"Think about your posture this time. It'll be the last of our session."

"The last?" wondered Aymee.

"It's almost ten o'clock."

Aymee almost jumped when the time was announced. She hadn't realized at all that it was so late. Aymee tightened her grip on the javelin, nodding her head.

"All right."

Aymee got into position, swinging her weight on her heel to ensure her support.

"Relax your hips more," the teacher reminded her.

Aymee opened her eyes after taking a deep breath, positioned herself, and then threw the weapon while paying close attention to her form. Aymee waited a moment before opening one eye, then the other. The javelin had landed right on the line that traced the outline of the target's central circle. Aymee straightened up, pleased with her improvement. McMahon smiled back.

"Not bad, for one last shot. Not bad. That wraps up the session nicely."

Aymee almost danced out of joy, but instead walked towards the target to retrieve the weapons. McMahon grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Oh no. You go to bed. Here, in case you come across a professor or someone."

He handed her a pass note with his signature. Aymee didn't complain: she was exhausted. They were already in mid-March but she was still learning a lot with him.

Luckily I don't have the Mark this week, Aymee thought as she picked up her bag. Otherwise, I would surely have impaled my foot on the way or dislocated my shoulder.

Aymee bade the teacher good night before leaving. The half-blood had time to cross three corridors and climb a staircase before recognizing the sound of running footsteps. Reflexively, Aymee surrounded herself with Mist and continued further down the hall, deciding that it was better to take a detour than run into someone. Even with McMahon's pass, she was too tired to deal with whoever this was.

Despite this precaution, the sounds of running footsteps continued to approach. Aymee lengthened the span of her steps, jogged, and then ended up running for good. The half-blood could still hear footsteps behind her. Her heart rate skyrocketed and she kept glancing behind her more and more trying to see who could be tailing her like this even with the Mist. Were her footsteps so loud despite her efforts? Aymee had turned so many corners and made so many U-turns that it was impossible for those footsteps not to be chasing her. Her stress level was so high it would have blown the ceiling of the school.

My gods, who is it!?

Finally, arriving at the end of the corridor in front of a T-junction, Aymee got fed up and steered to her feet. She pulled out her wand and turned, ready to face whoever was so determined to catch up with her. Aymee knew she had the advantage of being concealed under the Mist. In other words, she would have no trouble stupefying the person tailing her.