JEOPARDY: The Cursed Soldier.

11. The Hero

Trigger warning!

This chapter will contain hints, and mentions of high school bullying. Please read with this in mind.

Thank you and Happy Reading.

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Kayla could name about a hundred things she hated about working for Angela. But watching the geared-up and uniformed Skyview football team practice in the chilly school stadium wasn't one of them.

Every cell in her body stirred as she stood by those bleachers, her every sense in tune with the sweating, fierce men.

Their sheer aggression sent a rush of anticipation and longing through her. She could picture herself running, bumping, and shoving the jersey-ed up men on the field before tossing the oval-shaped ball for the win.

Football looked like something she could do and excel at.

Fortunately (or rather unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it), Ivan was so good at the sport that the coach had begged him into the team to increase their chances of winning the nationals that year.

Obviously, Angela had taken it up on herself to be the supportive girlfriend who attended his every practice—her minions with her. Even though everyone knew she was just keeping an eye on her man.

Admittedly, Ivan was a god on the field. His focus, speed, and stealth were impossible to ignore. What was even more impressive was the fact that he was the leanest in the team of buffy players, but also their top scorer. Another reason that made Kayla believe that she'd have been great at the sport.

"Guuuys, is that the little duck?" Abby suddenly interrupted the girls' ogling and pointed towards the main buildings where Miranda was stalking into the hallways, a bag on her back, and books in her hands. Completely unaware of the danger she was about to be in.

"It is her. Am I tripping or we haven't played with her all semester?" Freeda added, her eyes taking a mischievous glint.

"Uh huh! I think she's been avoiding us. Angie, should we call her to entertain you?" Miriam ran her eyes through the group, feeding on their excitement before settling her eyes on Angela.

Angela smirked. "I think we should. I'm bored. Plus, I've missed her so much... Kayla, go get her. And make sure she is fully awake this time. A fainted duck is no fun... If she resists, break her legs, or hands, or something... Just make sure she's awake."

Kayla nodded and strode towards Miranda. Her heart thundered hard in her chest, fighting against her choice.

She didn't want to do it.

She was ready for everything her job entailed, except fetching innocent girls and taking them to be humiliated.

But she couldn't refuse.

Angela could kill her for something that small. The code dictated as much. Epsilons obeyed everything commanded of them by their superiors unless they challenge their superiors for their titles, Something Kayla would never do.

Kayla followed Miranda's scent into a music room, where the girl was sitting alone, reading. The moment Kayla neared her, Miranda looked up, her eyes widening in alarm.

"Please, don't hurt me. I have done nothing wrong," Miranda begged, scrambling away from Kayla.

Kayla clenched her fists but still stalked toward the girl. "I'm really sorry. But I don't have a choice. Just come with me."

"You do. Everyone has a choice. You can choose to not hurt me again."

Both Kayla's fists and heart clenched tighter, forcing her whole body to a stop. "Listen, I'm just a bodyguard who gets orders and obeys them. And right now, I have been ordered to take you to Angela. If you refuse, she told me to break your legs... That can't be worse than what they will do to you... So, please, just give in and they will be easy on you."