Little Red

Chapter 9

Derrick's approach gains my attention as Theo slowly gets to his feet.

"Well done Ara.  Theo, look alive!  You look as though you've been hit by a truck."  He jokes good-naturedly, looking at the groaning male.

"You can say that again."  He mumbles, but we both hear it.

"Well you better heal quickly, because the peak is about to begin." He informs as he walks off.

"Peak?"  I question with a frown.

"Yeah, that's more fancy talk for the real workout."

At my questioning glance, he laughs.

"In our wolf forms."  He informs me with a grin.  "That's where it gets really brutal."

"Oh."  I remark quietly.  Hopefully, he didn't hear the surprise in my voice.

Here it comes.

He mistakes my gloomy demeanor for fear.

"No worries.  If this is how you fight in your human form, I can't wait to see how you are in wolf form."  He assures with a raised eyebrow.

No longer feeling so chipper, I simply nod in response.

"Alright gang, over here!"  Derrick yells, causing us to gather around.  "You know what's next: the peak. Today we're not holding back.  Let's go!"  He yells, as though something really exciting is about to happen.  His bright smile is at odds with the jagged scar along his face.

Immediately, people start bursting out of their clothes, until I am completely surrounded by wolves.  Now only Derrick, Theo, and I remain.

"Hey, it's okay to be nervous."  Theo reassures once again.

I ignore him, turning to the questioning voice of Derrick.

"Ara, now we fight in wolf form.  Is there a problem?"  He looks genuinely confused.

I don't know what to say, and pretty soon everyone is regarding me curiously.

Samuel emerges from the shadows, like the Angel of Death, and strides straight for Derrick. He pulls him aside, speaking low enough that even I can't hear him. They seem to go back and forth for a while before Derrick nods in understanding.

"Okay, everyone, partner up and begin."  He smiles brightly at the wolves, seemingly unperturbed by their conversation.  "Ara, can I speak with you for a moment?" I catch the flicker of concern in his eyes.

I nod, shooting a very confused-looking Theo a small smile before turning towards Derrick.

"Hey Theo?"  I call. 

"Yeah?" 

"Never underestimate your opponent.  Overconfidence is the downfall of both man and wolf."  I repeat one of Eli's many lessons.

"Oh, yeah, um okay. Thanks."  He nods, scratching the back of his neck.

I smile as I walk off, remembering how fond my brother is of dropping a token of insight at the end of every session.  At first, I was irritated by his obvious show of intelligence right after kicking my butt.  But over time, I began to see how helpful his tips were.  It also helped that I was getting my own hits in by then.  He once explained to me that training is pointless if you approach it the same way every time and never learn from your mistakes.  Therefore, after our sessions, he would critique something he noticed me do wrong and I would do the same for him.

Derrick's voice snaps me out of my memories.  

"Ara, I want you to train with Samuel."  He says.  "In your human form, of course."  He adds with a smile.