Backstage Pass to Mortal Kombat

Chapter 13 - I Hate You

Chapter 13 - I Hate You

This one is new, by the way!

“First you made me walk around this camp three times, carrying weights on all four limbs, and now you want me to do what?” I hissed, looking at the biggest book I’ve ever seen. It must have been two hundred chapters, maybe even more. The leather spine was weathered and torn, threatening to simply fall apart if someone dared to open it.

Bo’ shrugged at my reaction, obviously not thinking this was such a big deal. “Just stand on your arms, I’ll put the book on your feet, and you have to walk up and down the side of the beach. Liu does this every day – I don’t think it should be too difficult for you.” He ended this with his trademark grin, causing me to scowl.

“You’re insane, Bo’. Liu is also a professional fighter, and has been for many years. I’m just a maid, remember?”

“I thought you didn’t want to be a maid?” He shot back, his small beady eyes glowing as he smirked. God, why did he have to be such a happy person? Maybe I could hate him if he wasn’t so nice and upbeat. I wanted to hate him; he was the reason my legs were cramped beyond repair the other day – and now he wanted to do it again?”

“I don’t.” I muttered under my breath. My frustration was evident as I glared down at the book, wondering if I would even be able to stand on my hands. I’d never even done a cart wheel, how was I supposed to walk on my hands up and down the entire side of the beach? “Aren’t we supposed to do some warm ups, though? I’m doing the extremes first, that can’t be good for my body.”

Bo’ cocked an eyebrow, “What do you mean ‘warm ups’? This is the warm ups. When you’re at the level Liu is, you’ll be carrying boulders on your back.”

My eyes widened, which caused him to burst out laughing. “I’m just kidding; perhaps you’re right, these are a bit much for you…how about a simple run through the woods?”

The breath I had apparently been holding was let out; a run, ah, that sounds much more peaceful. I nodded quickly, just in case he changed his mind. “That sounds much better.” He smiled and gestured for me to walk beside him, I did. “Alright, here is what you’ll do,” He began, pointing to the woods that started just on the edge of camp. “Run through those trees. There’s a path there; follow the path until you reach a sign that says ‘Training Fields’, then turn back and run back here.”

I looked at him in a side glance, wondering what the catch was. “What? No weights, no books; nothing that’ll weigh me down? Just a simple…run?”

He thought about it for a moment then nodded. “Sure, we’ll go with that.” Before I could ask what that meant he hobbled off, leaving me to my thoughts. I looked over to the opening in the trees, where he said the path was. No signs, no life; nothing. Maybe I’ll bring my iPod and listen to music on the way… I sighed deeply before walking back to my hut, deciding it’d be best to change out of skinny jeans and a t-shirt – I also wanted to get this damn mask off my face.

Once I reached my hut, I pulled off the silk mask and threw it to the floor; I still wasn’t careful with these things. I didn’t worry about closing the door behind me, like I probably should have, I just walked over to my dresser and pulled out my basketball shorts and a sports bra, then walked over to my bed to change. As I pulled off my t-shirt, I heard a throat clear behind me, reminding me the door was open. I whipped around, holding my shirt to my chest to cover myself. Even if I was still wearing a normal bra, I didn’t want anyone to see me.

Hanzo was standing in the doorway – imagine that – leaning on one leg while his other crossed in front of him. His arms were crossed as well, covering his bare chest. He was wearing running shorts and tennis shoes; obviously going for a run. “What the hell – don’t you knock?” I yelled at him, gripping my blankest off my bed and clutching that to my chest as well.