Death's Shadow

Chapter 1

Maxine Romano AKA Maxxy, groaned as Principal Dan came over the school intercom announcing for all students to go to the school gymnasium for a surprise assembly. She looked around at all the seniors in her AP chemistry class, she being the only 10th grader in the room had yet to find some good friends, or any friends at all for that matter. So she stayed seated in her rickety old chair seated in the back of the room, as close to the window as she could get it. Once all of the other students had left she slowly stood, dragging her feet as she glumly left the old science class behind.

Once she reached the gymnasium she slid into one of the wooden bleacher seats painted a faded purple and light blue, her Belle View high school colors. The gym was not that large of a room simply the size of a half basketball court with just enough room to fit a small set of wooden bleachers. The art club, consisting of five members, had been working hard all school year to paint the old room with their school colors and mascot. Their hard work had paid off and the room was now full of vibrant purple and blue with purple-headed glossy starling birds, the school mascot, that looked as if they were swooping around on the walls. But these beautiful paintings were not what caught Maxxy's attention, that was completely taken up by the dozen soldiers in Italian-American military uniforms.

The men's presence loomed over the room, causing her to perk up in curiosity. Maxxy against what others might think, had always been interested in the workings of the military. One man in specific cause her attention, he stood in the middle of the room with Principal Dan by his side. His blonde hair was shaved to military precision and his tan skin showcasing days of being out in the sun. With a strong jaw and kind brown eyes many would consider him handsome, Maxxy just found him and his position curious. His uniform was a deep forest green with red and blue trim, the colors were those of the Italian-American alliance flag. He stood with confidence surveying the crowd of rowdy students and speaking to Principal Dan at the same time. The two were speaking quietly and Principal Dan seemed to be looking over some note cards.

When the two broke from conversation the principal checked the crowd seeing if all classes were in attendance. He didn't look over a very large crowd, seeing how Belle Veiw High was one of the smallest school in the region housing only 200 high school kids in all. Once Principal Dan was sure we were all here he called out for silence, after a minute all of the students had become quiet enough that he would not have to shout to be heard.

Principal Dan began speaking, "Students of Belle Veiw High, many of you might have know of the newest attacks from the Beldurra, a terrorist group with the goal of destroying the Italian-American Alliance. So far the military has been able to repel all attacks and we are thankful for that fact. Beside me stands Commander Jason Alder of the Italian-American Alliance, he will be speaking to you about the importance of the military and what you can do to help them keep this alliance safe. Please give him and his group of soldiers a big round of applause!"

The students stood to cheer for the men in uniform, many of them had family members in the military and were always proud to see the beautiful protectors of our freedom. Once they had quieted down again Commander Alder spoke, "My friends, you are the generation . . . "

As soon as he began talking Maxxy started to tune him out, instead she turned to study him and his soldiers. They were all heavily armed, many had their hands planted firmly on their guns, ready to draw at a moment's notice. From what Maxxy could tell they had all been in battle very recently. Tuning back into Commander Alder's speech she was just in time to hear the dreaded words, "I need a volunteer."

A bunch of hands shot up in the air most of those hands were connected to the lean arms of cheerleaders or the buff arms of school jocks. The commander searched through the crowd and called out to one boy in the front. The kid's name was Charlie he was the linebacker for our football team. Once Charlie stood beside Commander Alder the commander pulled up his fists like a boxer. Charlie took a step back and stared at him, the commander said, "Put up your fists and throw a punch."

Charlie slowly put up his fists and a small smirk came over his lips then without warning her threw a hard right cross. The commander grabbed his fist and was somehow was able to pull the boy into a choke hold, all Maxxy had been able to see was a flurry of appendages flying around in a whirlwind of activity. The commander released his hold on Charlie and let him drop to the floor saying, "Go sit back down."

Then the commander turned to the crowd and said, "I need a volunteer."

This time the air was full of buff arms and had almost no lean cheer leading arms. The commander called up another boy and again the boy was taken into a choke hold. Again and again he called on the boys, again and again he put them down, and again and again he said the horrible four words, "I need a volunteer."

Finally there were no hands that raised at his dreaded question. No one dared to go down the wooden stairs and fight the machine of a man. But every time someone had previously gone down they had all attack right away and the man had always grabbed their fist. So what if Maxxy didn't throw a punch at his front? What if she threw a punch at his back? With this possible scenario running through her head Maxxy raised her hand.

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This is one of the most boring things I have ever done in my life. I looked over the sea of teenagers all of them with fear in their eyes. The general had sent me to this small school and told me to look for a diamond in the rough, someone who could bring talent to the prodigy program. Not one had caught my eye yet, well there was one. My eyes drifted to the young woman who had come in late she sat quietly near the door secluded from other the students, her eyes were focused but as I searched them I saw no fear, just pure spunk. Then suddenly her hand shot up, she looked right in my eyes and stared a silent challenge daring me to ignore her.

"How about you," I said pointing at her. She stood and her frame was about 5'10 and she looked to weigh about 140 pounds. She was lightly tanned with long wavy bronze hair, she had a refined look about her demanding command and daring to be challenged. As she walked towards me she had a smooth gate much like a runner might. When she stood before me she looked me in the eyes and her body relaxed. I put my hands up and steadied myself then I gave her a small smile and said, "Give me your best shot."

She nodded her head and put her hands up they guarded both her head and her stomach, her knees were slightly bent and her position seemed to mirror my own. We studied each other her eyes skimmed over my body and then locked on my eyes, without one tell tale sign she leaped to the left and spun around so she was at my back I tried to spin around to meet her but she had time to get in a hard blow to my back before I could. I jumped forward intent on avoiding her hard fists then spun to meet her head on she stood back a few feet still in her fighting position.

I gave a bright smile, she had been the first one to land a hit on me and it would most likely going to leave a bruise. When she saw my smile she cocked one eyebrow up and glared at me, I let out a small chuckle before beginning to advance on her. She side stepped and began to work her way behind me. I leaped towards her but suddenly she wasn't there I spun to track her quick movements but before I could find her I felt a sharp pain in my side. I gritted my teeth together and spun to see her with a cute smirk on her face. I relaxed my position and smiled again then I reached out my hand for hers. She immediately stopped and glared at me before slowly relaxing and she clasped my hand with a firm shake before pulling away and glaring with distrust. Then I took the liberty to introduce myself, "My name is Commander Jason Alder, just call me Jason. I have something to speak to you about after the assembly."

She nodded her head once before turning and heading to her seat. All the sudden cheers rose up around us and I saw the girl freeze for a second looking like she was about to be attacked before she quickly sat down, with a small sigh I continued the assembly.

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AN

Hello. It sucks I know . . . but any suggestions please give them I'm all for changing some of this.