The Family - Volume 2

Chapter 2

- Is that all you've got, Joy?" cried Zoé.

I grumbled and went back on the attack with such force that my adversary had to retreat until he hit a tree, which finally stopped its course.

- Don't underestimate me too much.

I'd started training again a few days ago and was gradually regaining my strength. Today, as every day, we were training in the forest near our cabin. The tall trees surrounding our hideaway provided a fairly secure spot.

About two weeks had passed since I had regained consciousness, and I still couldn't accept what had happened. I was dead, and if it hadn't been for Chris I'd already be in the afterlife. I wasn't sure how I felt at the mere thought. Was it fear of losing all my loved ones for good? Or immeasurable anger at the main culprit, Tyna.

At this shameful memory, I couldn't contain my rage and almost cut Zoé into slices. Fortunately, she managed to avoid my blades and moved a little further away.

- Say, Joy, a little more and I'd have been done for. I think we'll stop for today.

- I'm sorry, Joy.

Frustrated, I tucked my óplo away in my pocket.

Zoé joined me and gave me a friendly pat on the back.

- You're doing more than well, your strength is coming back at a phenomenal rate, I can hardly believe it.

I shrugged without adding anything more.

Zoé placed her face in front of me so that our eyes met.

- Here we go again, like every time I let you think for more than a second. I suppose you've been thinking about Tyna again and it's upset you.

I pushed her away.

- It's not that I...

- You're lying to me! Haven't we been through enough together for you to keep ignoring me?

It was still hard to believe that I could talk to Zoé with such ease and that I didn't feel like hitting her anymore. This mission had really brought us closer together, and I understood better why Emma had chosen us. In addition to blood ties, The Family shared a great history that brought many of us closer together. So two people in the same group who couldn't manage to keep it together certainly didn't please Emma. As well as wanting to save The Family during this adventure, the Ancestor had also wanted to give us a chance to become friends. I still couldn't accept it, but it was true. This adventure had brought us much closer, and I wasn't going to break these new bonds because of the past. The past was over, I had to look to the future.

- Hello? Anybody home?

Zoé was still standing in front of me, waving her hand in front of my eyes to make me react.

I came out of my thoughts, I really had to stop thinking, I was lucky to be alive, I had to make the most of it.

I pushed away my dark thoughts and threw an embarrassed smile in Zoé's direction.

- You're right, it's true that this defeat is weighing on my mind day and night, but I shouldn't worry about it. Tyna may have won this battle, but not the war.

- Absolutely!" exclaimed a delighted Zoé.

A voice rang out a few meters away from us.

- Come on, girls, dinner's ready!

Zoé looked at me defiantly.

- The last one in is a sissy!

Without further ado, we set off into the forest.