Unlucky Fortune

3. Takes one to know one

I wake up in the peacefulness of my room, but the screaming from downstairs is was makes me fall out of bed. I jump up and grab a big jumper not bothering to look at it and rush downstairs. I see everyone is fighting each other and Will is desperately trying but failing to stop them. I put me thumb and forefinger in my mouth and whistle loudly. The room goes silent as everyone covers their ears.

"If you are going to shout you should at least do it when people aren't trying to sleep!" I tell them. James gives me a big smile at what I said.

"Glad someone agrees with me!" He replies to my comment. I role my eyes and take a seat. Everyone looks at me.

"What? Have I got mud on my face?" I ask sarcastically. When they don't answer I quickly wipe my face. "So are you going to tell me what is going on or what?" I ask. Will is the first to recover.

"Nothing. Go and get ready for your test. We need you in combat as quick as possible." He tells me. I cock my head to the side and raise an eyebrow.

"Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me and tell me what this fight is about? I mean ever since I have got here I have told nothing but the truth." I reply.

"No you haven't. You haven't told us anything about what happened." He grits out.

"Maybe because it is painful. Okay? And it isn't like I've been lying about that! Those eight scars down my back should be enough proof that I don't want to share!"

"Yes well that's not the only thing! You lied to me! You lied to me when you said you loved me! You said you would never leave me! But you did!" I look down.

"I left you for reasons that if I told you then you would've left me." I try to ignore what he said about love because neither of us said that to each other.

"Then tell me now. Cause for fuck sake Hal. I'm still madly in love with you." I shake my head.

"It's too late. You started a family on your own and moved on." I tell him and stand up. I look around the room and notice that everyone else has left. I walk out and into the kitchen. One word is on my mind though. Love. We never said it to each other. Not once. But here he is declaring his love for me when he must have someone else cause he has a daughter. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them Matt is in front of me. He coughs awkwardly and scratches the back of his neck.

"So... Um even though I hate you right now and I tried hard not to listen but I did... Uh it isn't what you think it is Will. I mean yeah he slept with other girls to try and get over you but it isn't what you think it is... Uh Ellen is-" he gets cut off by Pat.

"Matt. That is something you should be saying. Okay. We aren't aloud to talk about it." She hisses. He nods his head and turns around walking out. I look at Pat and she gives me a small smile. "Sorry... Now get ready you got your test. I'm watching you with your bro so eat up and get dressed. Be ready in thirty." She tells me and walks out the kitchen. I'm left in the kitchen confused about many things but I get my breakfast going.

~~~~~~~~

Bang. Bang. Bang.

My gun goes off repeatedly yet not even firing. My target has been taunting me waiting for my shot, but although it never comes I still hear it. I still hear their screams. I put the gun down and put the safety back on.

"I'm not shooting." I shout to Pat and Pete. I sense them walking over.

"Why?" Pat asks.

"Because I don't want to." I reply as I pass her the gun and walk off. A really loud bang goes off and a whistling goes past my ear. "You missed!" I shout and walk to the front door of base. I open it and come face to face with Will's mum: Kelly.

"Get back out there. If you don't finish your testing you are a disgrace to your family and our people. God knows what my son finds interesting in you. You are weak and worthless and you will most certainly not be the cause of our 'salvation'. Why? Because you can't even admit defeat. You can't admit that you did wrong in so many ways last time." She screeches at me. I look at her expressionless.

"At least I did something and didn't hide away in my house trying to force my son to marry some stranger." I reply and barge past her hitting her shoulder on the way.

"You bitch!" She screams at my back. I just raise my middle finger at her,

"Takes one to know one." I run up the stairs and change out of my clothes and grab my towel. I walk into my ensuit and turn the shower up to hot. Just as I am about to get in someone knocks on my door. I grunt and grab my towel wrapping it around my body. I then walk to my door and open it. Will stands there staring it my shoulder where a bite mark is, the conversation from earlier makes me feel awkward and I adjust my towel so it covers more of my body. I snap my fingers in front of his face.

"Why did you offend my mother?" He asks. I sigh,

"Just putting her I'm her place."

"Oh... Okay. Also with you test performance you didn't use your bow and arrow or a gun. Why?"

"Cause I don't use them any more."

"Hal... They're your best weapons."

"Were. I've been using a knife or sword for four years. They are my best weapons now." He sighs at what I tell him.

"I know you've improved on them. However a gun is a more guaranteed kill so you must have two on you at all times when working. You're fine to go out into combat. Your uniform is in the basement. Go and fetch it and then I'll expect you back by tomorrow. If you aren't ... Well I don't know." Is all he says and walks off. I stand there with more door open and wrapped I'm a towel trying to get my head around what he said because he said it so fast but when it registers I go inside my room and turn off my shower and I put on some loose clothes and then run out my door. I run down to the basement and see everyone's uniforms lined up in cabins. I walk down and stop when I see my old one and take a look at it. The back is still uncovered and there are big slits down the sides of the jacket. My mask has the embroidered logo of my family on it. Sighing I turn away and walk to the one that looked like my design. The black leather jacket now has a hood and the legs are tight fitting but flexible enough for me to move around. I have fingerless gloves like I asked for. It covers as much skin as possible which I want because I don't want people to see my scars. I put my uniform on and then stock it up with knives and four swords. I put two guns like Will said I should, on either side of my waist and then go out through the small window in the basement. This is going to be a long night.