Demon Hunters: Last Class

Episode 18: Toni- Healing

B-Ko was talking, but I wasn't paying attention. Plans seemed to calm everyone down and bring people together, but all they did for me was slow down the action. On the field, I needed to feel the flow. Worrying about plans was distracting. Our secret play worked, but barely. When B-Ko called the play, I wasn't even paying attention. If Lyric hadn't run past shouting my route, I would have forgotten what to do.

As B-Ko tried to rally us for the final quarter, I stared across the field at the new boy, Duncan. I'd always been able to sense other animus, though I didn't always understand that was what I was doing. It was like when a new cat moved into my territory, but stronger. I smelled them, heard them, felt them. B-Ko said my name, but all I heard was the rumble of his growl. The wild smell of him made me feel violent.

"Toni, run in circles and taunt the boys," B-Ko said.

"I can do that," I mumbled.

Duncan watched me over the distance, bearing his teeth.

"Tucker!" B-Ko cried.

My attention returned to the huddle in time to watch the blue guy lurch forward and fall on his face.

"Help!" someone shouted.

Ms. Perdy, Mr. Holden, and Cookie rushed over. B-Ko took charge of pushing back gawkers while Andrew checked on Tucker. Before he called me over to help, I'd forgotten that I was also a healing student. Despite kneeling beside the big blue boy, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Di. She stood on the edge of the crowd wearing a look of worry I'd never expected to see on her face. Larry and Lyric came to her side, each taking a hand and lending her their strength.

"Toni, focus," Andrew said, in that tone he used when he led lessons.

"What!" I snapped. The look on his face was not amused. "Sorry. What did you say? I wasn't listening."

"Help me assess the patient."

"This isn't a patient, it's Big Blue."

"He's your patient, Toni. What do you observe?"

I wanted to argue with him, instead, I studied Tucker. He was breathing, though his big chest rose and sank in shallow dips. His normally cornflower colored skin had paled to a powder blue that leaned towards gray. I poked his arm and he barely reacted. His pulse was slow and his ki was dangerously low. I shared all of these with Andrew and he nodded his agreement.

"What's wrong with him, Andrew?" Perdy asked.

"I think it's his hellfire. Do you know the last time he fed?"

Perdy's cheeks darkened. "As far as I know, it's been a few months."

"That's a lie," I interjected. "I ate lunch with him yesterday. He ate the extra fruit cup I stole from McClintock– ignore that part. Tucker ate yesterday."

"No, he needs to feed his hellfire or his body starts to consume itself," Andrew explained.

"You're not listening. He eats a lot, every day. Like an impressive amount."

Andrew shook his head.

Perdy fidgeted as if mulling over a decision. Finally she rolled up her sleeves.

"I need you to grab some of the stronger boys and take him to his room. I'm going to tell the other deans what's happening and then meet you there."

"Why don't we just run him to the cafeteria and fill his belly.'' I tapped his gut for emphasis.

"No. To his room And only boys, Andrew."

"I can help," I said.

"Toni, stay," Perdy said. "Holden, I need you to keep an eye on the new cohort. Take them to their rooms after the game."