Death's Shadow

Chapter 3

Maxxy handed her AP geometry teacher Mr. Suchland, her pink note excusing her late entrance to class. Then she headed for her seat in the far corner of the old classroom, collapsing into the hard seat Maxxy's thoughts began to wander. Her mind ran in circles as she thought about the Prodigy Program, Commander Jason Alder, her meeting with the General tonight, and her soon-to-be acceptance into a secret military unit, all very normal things for a 16 year old girl . . . not.

The commander had set up a meeting with General Brooks, normal new recruits didn't meet the founder of the program but because Maxxy is only 16 not 18, she had to have the personally OK from the General to get into the program.

*RING*

The bell signaling the end of class and the start of lunch rang and Maxxy quickly gathered her things and hurrying out the door. Stopping at her locker she stuffed her books into it and pulled out a sandwich and water bottle.

After a minute of quick walking Maxxy stood at the entrance to their small lunch room. Normal the room was bursting with the sounds of laughter, shouts, and hungry students, but today the room was unusually quiet. Hugging the wall Maxxy hurried to the far side of the room where there were two glass doors leading out to a courtyard where kids could go to eat and soak up some sun.

Maxxy threw open the doors and got slapped in the face but the noise of her fellow students crowding around the soldiers who were sitting at a small picnic table eating their lunch.

It's like their royalty, wherever they go all their loyal subjects follow, Maxxy thought with annoyance. Then she headed along the edge of the courtyard to an old oak tree that sat at the far left corner. Once she was under its leafy ceiling she grabbed a low branch and swung herself up into the branched and began to climb until she was 20 feet of the ground. She settled back and began eating while watching the drama of Kingdom Bell Veiw unfold under her ancient perch.

Five minutes later Maxxy finished eating and was sitting back watching the clouds. A group of baseball players gathered under her tree to eat, one of the players name was Preston he was one of Maxxy's few friends and always loved to play pranks of his other friends. Smirking Maxxy decided to give him a taste of his own medicine, quietly she climbed down until she was on a branch right above his head then . . .

3.

2.

1.

"Boo" Maxxy said in a breathy whisper

Preston let out a girly squeal before swinging around so fast that he landed on his butt. The boys standing around him burst out laughing as Preston clutched his chest gasping for air.

Maxxy dropped beside him smirking, "Hey there Presty! What are you doing on the ground?"

Preston snarled at her yelling, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU, MAXXY!"

He jumped up with a tiny smile on his face, his hands were up like a boxer but his hands weren't in fists instead they were straight. Maxxy stood in front of him mirroring his position. All the sudden Preston's arm shot out at her stomach. Maxxy bent to the side to avoid his hand. Then Maxxy threw a blow at his stomach connecting with firm abs. Preston let out a huff of air and winced in pain. Jumping backwards Maxxy avoided another blow. Laughing they danced around the courtyard exchanging blows.

Someone behind Maxxy cleared their throat, she spun to see them. Commander Jason stood behind her watching her with an amused smile on his face.

Maxxy immediately stopped laughing and stood up straight, "What do you ne-"

Before she could finish her question she felt a hard jab to the back of her ribs. Spinning she saw Preston smirking at her. She narrowed her eyes and slowly started pacing towards him, every step she took Preston's eyes grew larger. When she was so close to him her nose almost touched his she whispered, "Boo."