Hunter Academy

Chapter 14

Sophia moved her head to the side as Rae's elbow slid past, barely missing her. Sophia swung her other fist around, aiming for Rae's jaw. Rae stepped back and watched as the fist went past her face. Rae caught hold of Sophia's wrist.

"Whoa! That was close," she mumbled as she stared at Sophia's fist.

"Don't worry. It wouldn't have made contact," Sophia assured.

"It looked like it was about to."

"Well, I would have stopped it, but you moved your head back, so there was no need to stop it. Anyway, it seems you've mastered that move, and we're only on the second day!" Sophia smiled at Rae. "Go work with Zander on the next step."

"Next step?" she asked, confused. "That was all you showed us."

"It was? Oops. Okay." Sophia pushed Rae's hand to the side and lightly elbowed her in the chin. Before Rae hit the ground, Sophia grabbed Rae's shoulder and kicked her legs up. She let go of Rae's shoulder as Rae fell to the ground on her stomach. "That's the next step."

"Anything else to know about the move?" she asked as she started to get up.

"No. There can be if you add something else, but other than that, no."

"What other moves can you show us?"

"Uh-uh. Not until you master this one."

Rae let out a loud sigh as she said, "Fiiinnneeee." Sophia laughed as Rae's shoulders slouched and she walked over to Zander.

"Were you meaning like this?" Carter asked as he flipped Iris onto her stomach. Sophia looked at him, shocked. She quickly covered it up with amazement.

"Iris, Zander, you two work with Rae and Tyler. I'll work with Carter."

"We figured you'd say that," Iris replied as she stood up. She dusted herself off and motioned for Rae. Carter glanced over and Sophia and hesitated for a minute before heading her way.

"Okay. I'm gonna start you on another move," she said as she stared at the ground, deep in thought. They sat in silence for a moment before Sophia noticed movement from the corner of her eyes. She dodged to the left as Carter's fist flew past her face. She grabbed his wrist and curled into him as she slammed her shoulder into his chest. He lost his footing and slammed into the ground, dust flying up around him.

"Carter!" Rae shouted and Sophia's eyes widened as guilt washed over her.

"Oh crap!" Sophia dropped to her knees as she let go of Carter's wrist. "Are you okay? I didn't-I mean-" She fumbled for words as Iris, Zander, Tyler, and Rae dropped down next to him.

"What happened?" Rae asked, panic filling her features as she put her ear up to his chest.

"Reflexes," Iris quickly replied just as Carter started to cough.

"Are you okay?" Sophia asked and Carter smiled.

"You're really strong," he replied and she let out a small laugh.

"I don't think right now is the time to be making jokes." He let out a breathy laugh.

"You're right." They stayed quiet as they stared at each other, small smiles gracing their faces. Iris cleared her throat, breaking their eye contact.

"Let's get him up," she said standing up.

"Yeah," Sophia agreed as she stood up and grabbed Carter's hands. She pulled him to his feet and he glanced down at her since she was a few inches shorter than him. He stumbled back a bit and dizziness washed over him. "Let's go inside and sit down."