Russian Games

Pt. 2: Born to fight - By: Brooke

Zelda's POV:
Potestas District Tues. Nov.13 7:00 pm
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I walked home that night. The air seemed especially cold as I watched the clouds of my breath slowly escape my lips. My redish blondish brown hair was tangled at the ends, and my Lilly white skin began to look a little red. I was returning from the entry booth at Potestas borders. 5 trains and 2 buses I had to take to get me back to the center of the district (the city of Lights).

  I lived in a large (yet not the largest), most powerful, and somehow poorest district. We all were warriors brought up in training schools for combat and we weren't well educated. Which made sense as to why I was an outcast, I was 18 and I had already graduated the local college with a medical degree. My parents had homeschooled and trained me themselves. They thought Potestas system was corrupt and weak. Despite everyone's slight hatred for my family, my father was the tactic expert of the American army, he was the leader of our attacks and probably was the only reason America was barely losing. My mother was also our districts best combat trainer, she has managed to train some of our best soldiers. It would make sense that I had to sign up early. And I was grateful for that, I loved fighting. It gave you a perfect sense of adrenaline, blasting iron into someone's chest, or sending your fist into someone's skin allowing their bones to crackle. It released tension and anger and everything that controlled you in a bad way.

  I continued to walk with my hands in the pockets if my peacoat as I sank my chin into the warmth of my red scarf. I was surprised it wasn't snowing, even the street lights were cold as they covered themselves in a 7 o'clock frost.

  I turned down an alley way to cut through Alex Frye's neighborhood. Alex was my best friend, but he didn't want me to sign up for the army. Why, I didn't know, considering he was in the top ten soldiers of this district including me. He would know that I went down to the admissions office if he saw me walking back home this late.

  I climbed over a chained link fence gripping my cold hands and combat boots into the cracks. I then hoisted my self over letting my feet hit the ground without one sound. I looked at the end of the alley way, across the street, behind a glowing street lamp, and I saw my house with all the lights on. The silhouette of my mother stood in the kitchen window with my fathers arms around her waist. My parents were so in love with each other, it made me happy. I took off across the quiet street and slipped through my front door.
"I'm home," I shouted into the house.
"We hear you brainiac," my brother shouted from upstairs. He was fifteen, yet acted a lot older than me, or at least he tried.
"Hey there sweetie," my father said wrapping his arms around me, lifting me up, and spinning me around.
"Dad I'm eighteen," I stated, "Not five."
"You all signed up," my mom shouted from the kitchen.
"Yep," I hollered in reply. "I leave in exactly a week."
"Hey," my dad started, "so does Alex, that probably means you guys will be in the same quadrant." He turned and went back through our living room into the kitchen.
"Perfect," I puffed rolling my eyes.
I removed my coat and hung it on our coat rack, then kicked off my shoes by the door.
"I'll be right back," I yelped running up the stairs to my room. I slammed my door shut and looked up at the window across the room. A shadow was crouched in the frame.
"What the hell Alex," I gasped.
"How'd you know it was me," he said jumping onto the floor. He made the slightest sound as he reached for my desk lamp and turned it on with a click.
Alex was tall, standing at 6"3 and was thin. Although in his case looks were deceiving because he was impressively strong. He had jet black hair that he always kept trim, and these beautiful hazel eyes; green at the pupil and brown on the brim. He had a irresistible smile that revealed a small gap between his two front teeth, and a laugh that sounded like a melody. He was without a doubt one of the most fascinating boys to hit the planet, and everything about him was lovely. Alex was someone I was proud to call my best friend.
"What are you doing here you stooge," I asked punching him in the arm.
"I wanted to see the soldier," he smiled, "I know you signed up."
"Nothing in my life will ever be unknown to you will it," I said annoyed turning for my dresser.
  "Probably not," he smirked.
  "You aren't mad are you," I teased turning past my dresser and passing my bed. I then crouched down in front of my side table and pulled a pair of fuzzy socks from my drawer.
  "I'm not mad," he said, "I knew you would do it."
  I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I know you all too well Zel," he grinned.
"Fine you win," I said, "we are probably in the same unit too. We both take off next week according to my dad."
"I think it's gonna be until death do we part for us Zelda," he suggested.
"Yeah," I laughed, "minus the marriage part."
"Whatever you say," he said turning back towards the window, "I was just checking in. I better get back home for dinner or my mother will have a fit."
"Alright," I smiled, "tell her I said hi and that you're a pain in the ass."
"Will do," he saluted jumping out of the window and into the cold night.

I gently closed the shutters behind him and locked them tight. He was such a freak, although I'm glad we were going to be stuck together.

"Zelda," my mother shouted, "dinners ready!"
"Coming," I called back.

I dashed out the door and down the steps. Starting tomorrow I knew my life wouldn't be the same.