Eyeless Jack x Reader

Chapter 15

*Your POV*

"To kill?" I asked. Jack nodded and continued walking. I kept silent for the rest of the way. There was no more to be said. Once I start this training there is going back. Jack turned and stopped at a clearing. It was a decent clearing with somewhat even ground. Thick dark trees surrounded the area, sealed off from the rest of the forest.
"This is where we will be training." Jack broke the silence. I merely nodded and stood awkwardly at the entrance. Jack beckoned me to come to the middle of the arena and I obeyed. He pulled out a pair of knives from his pockets. My eyes followed the blades nervously and I gulped.
"We will start with knives for now. Later on we can find out what's best for you." He handed one of the knives to me and backed away. "I'll start off easy, but I'm warning you, I will cut you if you don't defend or attack." My hand held onto the cold handle of the knife and I took a breath. I ran straight toward Jack with the knife leading the way. Jack slide to the left quickly and slashed at my arm. My hoodie's sleeve ripped and revealed a small cut. It stung, but I can't let my guard down.
     "(Y/N)! You have to try to hit me! You can't pretend to attack, that will never teach you." I gritted my teeth and jumped back. I tripped on a rock and fell to the ground. I winced and my face flushed with embarrassment. That didn't go as plan. Jack chuckled quietly and I quickly gif to my feet. I was pissed off now. I ran toward Jack again, but as he slide to the left I followed his movement and slashed at his stomach. He jumped back and looked at his hoodie. It was torn, but his shirt was in tact. I growled in frustration.
     "That was better, but I feel like you're holding back." Jack said and shook his head. "What? You don't want to hurt me?"
     "What? No!" I retorted and stepped back. Jack tilted his head to the side.
     "Then why won't you-"
     "Hey, guys! Slender told me you were training." Mari stood at the entrance at the arena, waving at us. When did she get here? I didn't hear anything.
     "Yeah, but (Y/N) won't attack me." Jack mumbled. Mari laughed and stepped forward. Her black hoodie was caked with dry blood and her were stained red.
     "Want me to help?" She offered.
     "Sure..." Jack grumbled and walked over the side.
     "Looks like you ripped his hoodie. You were aiming for the stomach?" Mari asked as she took off her hoodie. I nodded and watched as she tossed her hoodie to Jack. He caught it, sat down and placed it on his lap. I looked at Mari. She wore a plain black tank top. Her chest had a few scars, but what was more mysterious was her arms. They were wrapped in bandages, hiding something.
     "Hmmm... I see you are interested in my bandages... Well, it doesn't matter." Mari pulled out two knives from her belt.
     "I already have a knife." I said nervously. Mari grinned and gripped tightly at the knives.
     " These aren't for you, these are for me." She gave one last smile and disappeared. My eyes widened and I searched frantically for Mari.
     "Jack." Her voice rang through the air.
     "What?" He glanced around and sighed.
     "Am I allowed to cut her?" She asked.
     "Yeah, but don't really hurt her, just enough to teach her to defend and attack properly." Jack said with a serious tone.
     "Alright. Ready. Set. Go!" There was no noise now. I glanced around, still unable to find her. I can't hear her, why? Did she leave? Where did she go?
     "Behind you~" I felt a slash on my back and sudden movement. She was gone again before I could even see her. I felt my back and saw blood on my hand. My eyes widened at the sight if my blood. It stung my back and made my movement difficult.
     "Mari, go easy on her, it's her first training session." Jack called from the sidelines.
     "Okay..." I heard her voice from behind me and turned around. How come I didn't hear her? Mari smiled and walked away, her back facing me. It's my chance. I ran up to her, ready to strike, but she turned around and slashed at me. I jumped back, my cheek stung.
     "The problem is that your attacks are too predictable and loud." She said. I stood there and thought back. When Mari walked, I didn't even hear her footsteps. "If you're going to attack like that, you must be able to surprise them." Jack got up and swept sand off his pants. He walked over to us and sighed. He handed Mari her hoodie and glanced at me.
     "Training is over. But you must train everyday to plan out and improve your attacks." Jack faced Mari, "what is it toady?"
     "Saturday." Mari replied instantly. Jack nodded and left the arena. I stumbled after Jack.
      "(Y/N)!" Mari called after me. I turned around and faced Mari.
      "What?"
     "Take care of Jack for me, okay?" Mari smiled lightly and disappeared. I stood there for a moment in awe. How did she do that? I decided not to think too much and continued to follow Jack. I caught up to him and sighed.
    "Mari is in a completely different level than you, so don't get discouraged." Jack said. "She went through grueling training and torture from Zalgo." Jack mumbled in a serious tone. "You don't want to be trained in that way at all. You would die if you did..." His words took me back for a moment. Die?