The Burning Girl

Chapter 10 - A R R A N

I wake up with a start, surprised at the bright white ceiling I see above my head and the scratchy sheets beneath me. I sit up quickly, blinking rapidly waiting for the room to spark some memory.

Training camp.

I pinch myself hoping it's a dream.

Nope real enough.

I swear under my breath, but I'm up on my feet and walk to the small sink in my room. I look at myself in the mirror and notice that the black eye Tom gave me has only gotten worse. I gently feel out my cheekbone, and wince as my fingers brush it. I turn around, inspecting myself for any other injuries that lovely man may have given me. A couple of bruises on my back, but nothing too serious and sore skin around my wrists from where my hands were tied.

Turning the taps on, I wash my face carefully, and try and soothe my stinging wrists. On the chair across the room, a pile of neatly folded black clothes lies on the seat. Underneath are a pair of standard, black boots. I check the sole and notice that they are flexible for running, and have good grip.

What am I going to be doing?

I pull on the t-shirt and black khaki trousers, smoothing them down and inspecting the fit. I hear a knock on the door. Pulling my last boot on, I hop over and open it.

A girl about my height faces me. She has a blonde pixie cut and bright green eyes.

"Alright handsome?" She grins.

I blush hard. "Umm..." I mumble.

She has sharp features; high cheekbones, strong jaw and a snub nose. But her eyes, they remind me of something and it's not good.

She coughs, noticing my awkwardness; she smiles again.

"So ... Alto sent me to get you."

I blink, trying to hide my confusion. I really need to stay calm.

"For your training? I'm Cassandra Collins, by the way; but you can call me Cass, everyone does."

She turns around abruptly and starts to walk down the corridors. I stumble after her, briefly remembering to shut the door. I fall into step beside her, and we walk through the corridors. It begins to smell damp and earthy as we walk.

How big is this place?

We walk at a slight gradient downhill. I realise that we must be under the farmland above, to be walking so far. After about ten minutes, we start to go up a hill.

"I'm going to have to blindfold you," Cass says, bringing out a small scarf.

"Why?" I ask, slightly taken aback.

"Tom says that you shouldn't know how to get out of the quarters until we can trust you." She lifts up the blindfold. "I'm sorry, you seem like a nice guy, but Tom is second in command."

Is he now, that makes sense. I grumble to myself.

"Fine," I sigh.

She ties it behind my head and pulls it a little too tight.

"How many fingers am I holding up," I hear her say.

"Well, as I can't see anything I wouldn't know," I say.

"Oooh , someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!" She laughs, teasing me. "I'll guide you," She says, poking me in the back.

We carry on walking in the tunnels, the ground getting rockier and steeper; all the while Cass is guiding me strongly by the arm. Her grip vice like on my bicep.