Thriving in The Dark [(TDM) ENG]

XII

It had been three days since my last mission when they assigned me to a new one. No matter how much I hated my life at the League, I would find it essential to train myself every day with the other kids. Every time I walked into the gym and breathed in its dusty, sweaty air, I would remember my first week of training. I used to be all skin and bones, and the training killed me every time; but as the weeks turned into months, and then into years, I grew stronger and could finally bear it.

My group walked into the gym and that day was no different from the others, except for one thing: Hunter was late, very late. That was odd. He always took the training really seriously and was always in the gym before anybody else. I started to worry.

Doggett, our trainer, seemed unfazed and started the training as always. It looked like he didn't even care that Hunter wasn't there. I looked at the other Yellows, all smiling and laughing; because of course, they were relieved by his absence. It made my blood boil.

As always, we were divided into groups of two to fight with each other. The winner of each group would be sent on the mission, and the others would stay at the League. During my first weeks, I would always lose the fight, but as I got stronger, I was able to win and be sent on many missions.

But that day I was worried about Hunter. What could have made him miss the training? I tried to reassure myself. Maybe he forgot to set the alarm, maybe he has a fever. But nothing could allow me to shake off that weird feeling off my chest.

I got punched and kicked many times and almost fell to the ground, distracted by my overwhelming thoughts, but I got up, dodged all her attacks, and let off all my anger and fear by kicking and punching my opponent so many times she fell to the ground with blood dripping down her nose and the cut on her cheek. I felt sorry for her.

She cried and screamed. The static electricity around us made my hair frizz, and I could sense her desire to use her powers against me. But that was against the rules, so I just raised my hand and called Doggett over to let him know I won. "Jeez, Camila, you never win a fight, when will you ever learn?" he said to my opponent, still aching on the ground. He turned to me "Good job, Lillian. You'll be assigned to mission 327 this evening with all the other winners." he turned back to her "Now, Camila, if you stop whining, James will take you to the infirmary and stitch up that cut on your cheek".

She got up slowly, looking at me as if our fight was my decision, and limped to James, one of the guards, who took her to the infirmary. Doggett was already leaving, but I had a question to ask.

"What about Hunter? Why wasn't he here? Will he come to the mission this evening?"

He turned "If Hunter didn't show up, I don't care, that's his business. And yes, he's coming to the mission. Now go to your room to get ready and let me do my job."

I was left speechless, frozen. "But he can't go! He didn't train today, that's the rule!"

"For Christ's sake, leave me the fuck alone and go to your room, right now!" he shouted, then walked back to another group of kids.

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I didn't go to my room, obviously. I went to look for Hunter.
He wasn't in his room, nor in the washing rooms, nor in the infirmary. Where the hell has he gone?

I wanted to talk to Cate, so I walked to her office. As I got closer, I could hear two voices silently discussing with each other.
Ignoring the desire to eavesdrop, I knocked on the door. I really needed Cate, I didn't care if she was talking to someone else. Something weird was going on and I needed Cate to know.

"Come in!" said Cate, and I didn't waste any time.
Inside the office, to my surprise, was Hunter with Cate. I let out a sigh of relief and wanted to ask him something, but Cate interrupted me.

"Lillian, we were just waiting for you." I looked at Hunter, he seemed distressed. "There's something going on and I know you've noticed"
I nodded and she continued "Hunter missed his training because of me. I had to tell him something very important, and I need you to know too"

I stood there, frozen, waiting for her to continue.

"There are some evil people in the League who don't really care about you kids. They're here for the money and I've been trying to tell Alban but it's like he doesn't listen."

I finally sat down, all worried. "What does this mean? Please, be as direct as you can, I want to know" I said.

She sighed and continued. "They... are scared of some of you. I've overheard some trainers and some guards. They've seen some of you use your powers and kill hundreds of people, destroy hundreds of buildings in the blink of an eye and...
they've had enough of it"

A terrible thought crossed my mind. "And...? What do they wanna do? Send us back into the streets?"

Cate took a deep breath and grabbed my hand softly. "They want to kill you, you and Hunter. By sending you on a deadly mission today. I need you both to run away and never come back. This isn't a safe place anymore."