Straddle

3. Rebellion

My mother walks out of the bathroom in dark, jogger pants and a grey t-shirt. Sunglasses pushed at the top of her head, and her light brown, curls flow down her back. She grabs a dark backpack next to the door, looking as beautiful as ever.

I curse myself internally. Seriously, how does she pull that off? My brain aggravated by her beauty, remembers all our trips in which she gets hit on and I am ignored. I inherited my father's features: my waves of dirty blond hair and deep blues eyes. I only have my mother's structured face and full lips along with our identical personalities of course, when she's not playing Director.

I know I'm not ugly, but man that face, that body, that bad-ass personality. 

Casper Velt, you are one lucky man, and I hope you still are.

Her faded hazel eyes look to me. She gives me a bright smile as a helicopter appears closer and closer to us, until it is right next to her window. It drops a ladder of rope. She opens the window allowing the wind to blow through her room, some papers that are laying around go flying. 

Her pin that is identical to the one on my tie except it is gold instead of silver, is around her neck in the form of a necklace. She tucks it underneath her shirt, so it is no longer seen.

 My mother's face seems unfazed and focused, but I know behind those brown eyes is pain and loss. She pulls me into a hug. "Don't worry, I'll be back" she says, quickly kissing me on the top of my head before vanishing out of the of the window. My mom was never one to waste time.

So just like that. Gone.

I slump down against the wall. 

It was bad enough my dad had to miss my birthday, and now he's missing. And everyone knows what they say about those who go missing in action.

They might as well be dead.

I shake away the thought, as I walk to my mother's tall dresser. Her office was large with a dark wooden theme exuding the history of the academy. 

I get on my tip-toes, lifting the plant on top of the dresser. I pick up the key that was underneath it, and open the bottom, locked drawer. 

In it are various weapons in case of emergencies, a first aid kit, and at the very back were a large bag of candies. I smile to myself, remembering the day my mother and I created this storage. The candy of course was my idea.

I grab a handful of candy, and walk to her mini-fridge, picking up water and an apple.

What? I can be healthy too.

I slump down by the fridge, my mind going wild. I unwrap a lollipop, and put my water and apple in my grey and purple backpack.

I control my breathing as I twirl the lollipop in my mouth, bringing a sweet warmth in my body. My eyes are heavy, and droop a little. After I finish my lolli, I go back and put another in my mouth.  After doing this two more times, my body pulls me to slumber.

I am awakened by a loud siren. My eyes jolted open as the red light make my head spin. My body begins to panic, shaking uncontrollably. My heartbeat speeds rapidly. Everything I've learned from my training pushed away by my fear.

Remain control, never lose your nerve.

My heart palpitations grow to a normal beat. I concentrate on my steady breathes as I get up grabbing my backpack, and run out of the room. The halls seem silent, showing me everyone are already hiding. 

They are here. You must hide.

I have been through this often enough to know that the Head Director's office was not the safest place to reside. In a rebel attack, practically every room searched or tampered with except for the secret, underground panic rooms. The closest one being in the library. I make a run for the library, stepping on broken glass. Somehow, I make my footsteps soft, making practically no sound.

When I reach the library, I stop short in front of the door. I hear voices behind the door.

"...it'll take more." a man voice states roughly. The man sighs, sounding restless he questions, "Where are David and Zach?"

Really?! What luck. 

I start to back-track from the library door, my mind automatically analyzing and devising a plan B.

My heart stops as I hear foot steps behind me. I turn to see a lean, young man with muscled arm. He approaches me, and I step back my eyes steady, never taking my eyes off of his. His eyes are a dark brown.

I follow his hand as it reaches behind his side, seeming to grab something. Not feeling like staying to see what it was, I break our eye contact, making a run for it. I hear him shout something to his comrades as I round the corner. I stop at an intersection so he can't see me. I am know I am running out of room to run, and have to find a way back to safety. I wait by the wall, catching my breath. 

I hear him come closer. As soon as he came to my view, he attempts to look around, but is rudely interrupted by my foot. I kicked him in the side, turning around and then elbowing him in the back of the knee.

Trying to make a move, his hand grabs my side, but I twist it throwing the man to the ground. Not looking back, I run, guilt  in my chest as I think of his body on the ground. My heart beats out of my chest.

Locker room. Make it to the locker room.

I make a turn into a corner, my destination in my sights. 

Almost...There...

I groan escapes my lips as a hand sharply narrow into my side. A pang of pain builds at the impact. That's going to leave a bruise. 

Sooo Close

I am then turned around roughly, but I swing my fist hitting something hard. I open my eyes, which didn't know I was closing, to see the man with a punch mark on his jaw that is already beginning to bruise. My eyes widen seeing his face, contorted with anger.

Oops.

I struggle to get out of his grip, but he is strong and I am out of shape. I fill a weight of regret as I briefly remember spending my birthday loading up on ice-cream and not training. I turn to see him raise his arm, pulling his hand into a fist as I struggle from his hold. He knocks me down on the ground, my head throbbing. I hit my arm off something, filling a stinging sensation burning the area.

The last thing I see are his brown eyes looking down at me in triumph. I hear footsteps. "She packs a punch" he states. "But I got her"

Everything goes dark.