The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Five

"Ha," Maddox sneered. "It's a shame I have to mess up that pretty face of yours. It's not too late to give up, you know."

Zariah ignored him, remaining alert and focused. Aiden cursed under his breath. He wished he could step in and help Zariah if things took a turn for the worse, but he knew he couldn't. If he did, she would lose any chance of being welcomed into the Unit. And once a soldier was proven unworthy, they couldn't prove themselves again. It was one of the worst Tests the Program had to offer; and it wasn't even an official one. Zariah was on her own.

Theo stood beside Rania, observing the beginnings of the fight with a grim expression. Aiden couldn't tell whether or not Rania was glaring at Maddox or Zariah. Aiden hoped that she'd come around eventually. Virgil stood by Aiden, balling his hands into fists. If there was anything Virgil hated more, it was injustice, and there was nothing just about this brawl.

And then it began.

Maddox struck first. He lunged for Zariah's legs, to which she responded by leaping over him and landing a vicious blow against his neck. He howled with pain, swinging a bone-breaking punch in Zariah's direction. She dodged it easily, not even breaking a sweat. She kicked his knee in, causing him even more agony, and dodged another powerful hit from the burly soldier. They kept duelling like this, Zariah resuming her defensive stance and Maddox assuming his offensive attacks. They circled each other, each of them breathing heavily, until Zariah smashed her elbow into Maddox's side in a sudden movement, causing him to recoil in anguish.

"Get him, Zariah!" Virgil shouted. A few whoops followed. Eden whispered to one of her comrades, who nodded in return. Neither of them looked happy.

"Show her who the real leader of this Unit is, Maddox!" one of Eden's crewmates yelled.

While Maddox was down, Zariah kicked him hard across the jaw. The crowd groaned. Grunting, he grabbed Zariah's leg, throwing her onto the mat beside him. Aiden's heart raced. Maddox slammed her head against his knee, and Zariah speedily grabbed his arm, deflecting the next crushing strike and rolling free of the bulky soldier's grip. Members of the crowd shouted encouragement. Zariah pressed a hand to her mouth, but quickly retracted her hand. She'd been struck hard, and Aiden winced. He could only imagine the pain she was feeling. She threw a few hard punches into Maddox's abdomen, and punched him across the face before driving a hard kick into his side. He retaliated by smashing his knee into her chest. Zariah cried out, but roughly managed to shove the soldier off before driving her fist into his kidney. Maddox fell to the ground, and Zariah loomed over him, ready for the next attack. Her eyes were hurricanes as they peered at Maddox with all the hatred in the world.

Maddox howled with rage, struggling to his feet. Zariah braced herself, prepared to completely end her opponent. He rushed over to the nearby weapons rack, selecting a large knife before turning back to Zariah with a look of murder. Aiden's heart hammered in his chest, and he tensed up, prepared to use his own knife on Maddox if he needed to. She narrowed her eyes. If she grabbed a weapon, she'd get cut off by Maddox before she even got close. Her only option was to assume defensive maneuvers and dodge the blade. She seemed determined by the challenge.

"Hey!" Theo hollered. "That wasn't your initial agreement. Put the knife down, Isaias!"

Maddox spat in Theo's direction, blood spattering the floor of the training gym. "This ain't your business, Ines. Stay the fuck out of it!"

Aiden watched anxiously, swallowing a pit of dread. If Zariah didn't move fast enough, she'd be in serious trouble. And if she was, there was no going back. This was it.

Maddox charged, slashing at Zariah with the knife. She moved swiftly, avoiding the blade and dodging a punch from Maddox's free hand. After a while, Aiden heard Eden's hiss of frustration, and saw her grab a set of throwing knives.