One More Troubled Soul

Eleven-Are All The Good Times Getting Gone?

Adira's P.O.V.

The training with Gina and Jason is a pain in the ass. I don't think I've ever been so sore in my life. I've found muscles I hadn't known were there during this session. We've been at it for a couple hours, and I've only been paired with Jason.

"Keep your arm level and your weight balanced! He'll knock you off your feet!" Gina shouted. She paced around me and Jason, watching as I blocked and feinted from his attacks.

We're not using any weapons, just our fists, but I'm not eager to know the damage Jason can do if he had a sword or a gun. I have numerous bruises across my skin, but they fade away quickly, and I'm pretty sure I'd lose some fingers if he had a weapon.

Jason lunged forward, his arm pulling back and swinging around. I quickly slammed an open palm against his wrist, grabbing hold and pulling closer. I used the elbow of the same arm to catch him right in the face and leaped back as he stumbled away.

When he removed his hand, I could see blood on his lips. I felt a sense of satisfaction. It was the first time I was able to get in on the offensive with him. But he showed no emotion: no pain, no anger, nothing. He merely studied me with guarded eyes. He hadn't even broken a sweat, while I was panting with rivers running down my face.

Jason nodded and stood straight, folding his arms across his chest. "Well done. You've improved significantly these past few hours." He smiled.

I sighed and stood up, smiling back. "Really? I'm surprised I'm still standing."

Jason chuckled. "You're a lot stronger than you think, Adira."

Gina gave an exasperated huff. "We don't have time for this. There's still something we need to do before we move on."

Jason's grin faded. He swiped a hand across his face and suddenly looked very tired. "Okay. You'll be taking her, right?" Gina nodded and jerked her thumb to me, her expression one of stone. "Follow me, Adira." She turned away to a set of dark double doors, and I felt a sense of confused excitement when I looked upon them.

They hadn't been there before. I'm still getting used to things appearing upon command, or even just randomly when you didn't even ask for it. They're just...there, and it's very unnerving. I glanced back to Jason, looking for some explanation, but he had disappeared.

I sighed and followed Gina, wondering what was going on. "What's behind there?" I asked aloud. Gina grabbed hold of the handles and said, "Some people who've been asking for you." Before I even comprehended what she said, she yanked open the doors to reveal people I hadn't thought I'd see again.

"Kayden? Brendon?" Their names left my lips in a hushed whisper. Both boys smiled as they walked across the threshold. "Hey, Adira." Kayden said softly when he approached. Brendon, however, swooped me into a huge hug while laughing. He spun in fast circles, and I couldn't help but laugh, too.

When he set me back down, Kayden wrapped us both in a group embrace. Nothing could describe the joy and happiness I was feeling at the moment. I don't think my grin did it justice, either. But it faded when a thought occurred to me. I pulled back from the two boys. "But, where's James? Did he survive?"

Kayden's blue eyes clouded with worry. He exchanged a look with Brendon, who ran a hand through his red hair before answering. "We don't know where James is." My heart rose with hope. "That means he's alive, right? He survived whatever happened down there?"

"He's dead." Gina spoke then, her arms crossed and her face set in a mask.

And just like that, my hope splattered like a bug on a windshield. "Oh..." I shook my head, confused. "Then, where is he? He should be here with us."