Synectica

Chapter 12

         Netta landed with a thud against a nearby tree. She struggled to get up quickly again. Her arms were bruised from falling so much and her ankle felt swollen; she probably sprained it tripping over a tree branch. She put up her arms defensively to block another punch. Her arms stung and she stumbled backwards again from the force of the blow - but she didn't fall again. She planted her feet firmly on the ground and tried throwing a punch. She missed when her assailant moved to avoid her and she began to lose her balance. Her feet were taken out from under her and she landed on her back, hard. She groaned in frustration.

         "That was a bit better," said James. "Now what did you learn this time?" he said offering her a hand.

         "That I hate you," Netta mumbled grabbing his hand and pulling herself up. She winced at the new pressure on her ankle. She stood up straight to avoid letting James know she was injured. He'd have to stop training and heal her if he found out, but then he'd go even harder on her.

         "What's wrong with your foot?" he said, staring into her soul as only he could do.

         "Nothing," she lied. He raised an eyebrow at her but said nothing after.

         "Again," he said flatly. He got into a sparring stance again and Netta was forced to copy him.

         Netta made the first move and tried to hit him in the gut. James blocked her effortlessly and hit her in the shoulder. She stumbled back and landed on her injured foot. She kept her gaze cold and showed no sign of pain. James tilted his head at her and studied her for a second before making his move. He sent a punch to her jaw and Netta ducked to avoid him. She felt satisfied avoiding his attack until she felt a crack in her injured ankle. James sweep kicked her and she fell awkwardly on the ground. The pain in her ankle was too much now and she let herself stay on the ground. James extended his hand again. Netta sucked some of the pain from her ankle and turned the brain signals that told her brain that she was in pain into electrical energy. She grabbed his hand and shocked him. James gasped and then twisted her arm behind her back so that her face was in the ground.

         "I said no powers," he said sternly.

         "And you're a jerk," she spat back. He let her go and she turned over. "You knew I fell on my ankle and you kicked it anyway," she said glaring at him with a piercing stare.

         "It's ok to admit you need help. We're teammates, you have to tell me when and if you're injured so that we can adjust a battle strategy."

        "Really? Because every time I've told you I'm hurt, you help me and then go harder on me. Right now you're acting like my superior, not my teammate. And is there something I should know? What battle strategy? We're in Pennsylvania, not a war zone. Are you planning on getting us attacked?"

         "It's good to be prepared," he said illusively. "And what are you going to do if some thug attacks you in an alley? Or if you need to defend yourself from your foster brothers-"

         "How dare you pry into my personal life!" Netta shouted at him.

         "You think I didn't check up on you? I know you live in foster home with a mother that works too much, a father who's a drunk, and two brothers with school suspensions."

         Netta glared at him still, but didn't retort.

         "You need to learn how to develop your powers," he said a bit more quietly.