Starting Over Anderson || ✔

Nineteen: Hood

112 - 428 days A.D.

When I realize I've stumbled upon the legendary organization the Hood itself, I can't contain my excitement. Growing up with myths and stories about them, I know more or less about what they do so Aaron doesn't have to explain that. He only needs to confirm what I know. I know the risks, but I don't shy away. This is what I want, to be a part of something this big. To help others, to make Isa proud, to have something to live for.

Being a part of the Hood also means being a part of an extended family, Aaron emphasizes. We forget our last names and put the others before ourselves. We look out for each other. We'd die for each other. There's nothing we wouldn't do for each other. According to Aaron, they're planning a major job at the moment, and I might be the perfect addition to the group. I just need a little training from the professionals.

A little after an hour of briefing me in the study, Aaron assembles the boys for us to meet. Oren, tech wiz extraordinaire; Red, master of disguises and running away; and Grim (like Grim Reaper, though I still think Aaron suits this name more), specialized in the hitting department. Aaron himself is the brains, and honored leader, of the Hood. There used to be more, Aaron told me, but their numbers dwindled down to four after a horrible job gone wrong.

All four of them seem to be around their early to mid twenties, Grim looking like the oldest among them. At first, Oren and Grim are skeptical about my joining them. Red is a little more welcoming. I'm the first ever female in history to be part of the Hood. They're afraid that I'd bring them down. I understand where they're coming from, but I don't back down from my decision. Neither does Aaron. Apparently, their protests are overruled because what Aaron says is law.

Also, I can't help noting how the Hood seems to be made up of very beautiful people. The four standing before me is proof of that, and the pictures Aaron shows me of deceased members confirms that. I spot one in particular, in the picture of thirteen boys posing at the beach, who looks exactly like Aaron. He has his hands around a younger Aaron's shoulder and they my both smile up at the camera so beautifully that my heart skips a beat. 

This is when the boys excuse themselves to finish up more work and Aaron tells me the story of the Hood, in a time and era where they reigned supreme.

Before Aaron, there was Brooke. He is Aaron's brother by blood, and they were both recruited during their teenage years by their cousin who was, at that time, the leader of the Hood. Eventually, the old dogs retired and Brooke rises up to take the lead, his brother as his second-in-command.

Two years ago, a new organization, calling themselves the Kings, got under their radar, though they're more of a gang than an organization. The Kings deal drugs, weapons, and launder money. They're illegal in so many ways that the Hood are forced to operate. Brooke had everything all planned out. They'd infiltrate the Kings's base and take them out from the inside. All they needed was a bait. 

Brooke got his high school best friend Garrett to do the job. Garrett isn't one of the Hood, but that makes it better so the Kings don't suspect. However, Brooke's plan backfired as Garrett being blinded by the Kings's riches, betrayed his own best friend. Garrett fed him fake information while revealing plans to the Kings. Not once did Brooke doubt him.

Long story short, the Hood were walking into an ambush on the day of the attack, which was a few months ago. They were picked off and killed like ants. Realizing that their plans had leaked, Brooke called for a retreat, but it was too late.

And then Brooke was shot. Straight through the heart with a poisoned dart. Dead in five seconds. Didn't even had a chance to say his last prayer. They couldn't even recover his body for a burial.

It was a massacre. Thirteen down to only four. The remaining Hoods learned to be careful, they learned the consequences of underestimating their opponents. They learned not to trust easily. When Aaron was forced to rise as alpha, he sworn vengeance for his brother's death. Red, his childhood friend, became the second-in-command, the beta. Of course, Aaron didn't take me in without running a background check on me. I'm clear, and Aaron takes me in because he is half-convinced that I am the key to taking down the Kings.

Thus began the grueling hours of training, both physical and mental. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are gym days, aiming to get me in top shape. And also to improve my stealth. There are other outdoor activities as well, like wall-scaling, rock climbing, speed driving et cetera. Red is my personal trainer. He gets me to do runs every morning (even on un-gym days) and controls my diet. Which means I don't get to eat junk food.

Tuesdays are tech days. Oren teaches me all I need to know about tech on these days. Of course, knowing is barely enough. He teaches me how to make them as I go - how to make a sim duplicate (from scratch), how to make a comms unit, how to crack a safe, pick a lock (yes they fall in the tech category) et cetera.

On Thursdays, I have target practice with Aaron. I try out all the different weapons available and eventually find that I'm most comfortable with knives and daggers rather than guns. Target practices are the most boring, though I know how crucial it is for me to know how to aim. It's just repeating the same thing over and over again, really. Starting with trying to shoot a dummy's chest within a meter with my preferred weapons. Target practice comes naturally to me, seeing how I'm already Queen of Throwing Darts. Once I'm able to hit bull's eye, Aaron increases the range, until I'm able to shoot like a pro sniper with an actual XM2010 ESR. I don't even want to know how they get the XM in possession.

Saturdays, I get fighting lessons from Grim. He teaches me fighting styles of every kind, starting with karate and taekwondo. It's strictly no weapons allowed at first, and then as I get better, Grim teaches me how to increase my pain-infliction with weapons I can conveniently find around, like sticks and stones and broken glass. He also tells me to carry a pocket knife around and be alert. That being said, he likes to tackle me randomly and totally out of no where. Ten out of ten times, he'd pin me under in less than ten seconds.

Finally, after a week of hard long training, Sundays are reserved for bonding time. It's when we all go out as a family, to go sight-seeing, or bungee jumping, or rock climbing (the boys are usually already at the top in a minute flat while I'm barely two feet away from the ground), canoeing, hiking, and every other activity that I suck at. They're patient with me though, and guide me through until I complete what we set out to complete, after they laugh their asses off at my lameness.

I could never have imagined myself, hanging out with a bunch of tough guys I can gladly call my family, doing the things I do. I remember how I'm afraid to go against school rules and yet I'm technically living as an outlaw (I'm positive most of the  things in the armory are obtained illegally). So much have changed. I'm no longer Jenna Maxson, the girl full of bitterness and hate, especially after the crash and the events that followed. I am Jenna Hood, and I love who I am now. I love the training, the fights, the heist (I've assisted in a few minor ones), the thrill, the feel of adrenaline coursing through my veins. It's life like I never imagined, and I don't regret one bit. Being a part of the Hood is the best thing that has happened since the father died.

And after almost a year of preparing, I'm ready for my ultimate test.

***

Author's note

Hey all! How are you doing? So this is basically the process where Jenna turns into a badass. Again, mistakes will be corrected when I finish uploading the whole story, so please bear with me *grimace*

Okay, well what do you think is the ultimate test? *smirk*

Also, a huge thanks to all of you who are reading this. You guys are my motivation when I'm feeling like giving up. I love you all xoxo.