The Animal Inside

Chapter Twenty-Four: This Isn't Funny Anymore

“Camera’s off Kefira.”

I opened my eyes and sat up.

“Thank God,” I sighed.

Adrian helped me to my feet. I stripped off my turtleneck, which was now wet with blood. My singlet was soaked as well, sticking to me like a second skin. I ripped off the empty pouches of fake blood that I had secured to my stomach and just below my neck.

“Can you get my bag from the car?” I asked Adrian. He walked over to the car, and tossed me my bag. It landed at my feet, and I carefully pulled out a towel, making sure not to get blood on my other clothes.

As I started to dry myself, Arian’s phone rang. He answered it and put it on speaker so I could hear it.

“That looked awesome. I almost believed you were dead,” Kody said.

“Did it broadcast?” I asked.

“Yep; to the entire world. Just in time for the six o’clock news.”

“Thanks Kody. Meet you back at the house?” Adrian said.

“Yeah. See you soon.” Kody hung up.

I pulled out my extra set of clothes from my bag. Adrian was packing up the camera equipment.

“Is there anywhere I can change?” I asked.

“Right there,” Adrian said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“I...um,” I stuttered.

“Don’t worry. I won’t look.” Adrian turned away. I changed quickly while he made himself busy with some cables.

“All done,” I said. I put my bloody clothes in a plastic bag, and packed it into the car. Then I help Adrian pack up. When we were finished, he turned to face me, a concerned look on his face.

“What?” I asked.

“That cut on your head. Hold on,” he said. He called his shadows to him. They swirled around the cut, healing it. I felt the blood down my face disappear.

“There,” he said softly. “All better.” We were standing so close to each other. Our breaths were mixing in the small space between us. We stayed like that for several moments. I thought he might kiss me, but Adrian pulled away, taking the last bag to the car.

I slipped into the passenger’s seat, my face burning. Adrian slid into the driver’s seat, and we were off.

* * * * *

My face hit the thin padding on the training room floor.

“Again,” Kody said, staring down at me.

I pulled myself up and stood a fighting stance. Kody came at me, swinging his fist at my face. I blocked it with my left arm, and drove my right fist into his stomach. He hunched over slightly, shocked at my successful hit. It was one of the only hit I had gotten on him today. While he was still hunched over, I pulled him closer to me, kneeing him in the gut, and then quickly darted away. Kody recovered quickly. He rushed toward me, ready to punch. I put my arm up to defend myself, but the punch never came. Instead, Kody knocked my legs out from under me and I fell onto the mat. He put his foot on my back, holding me down with surprising strength.

“Five...”

I struggled under his foot.

“Four... Three...”

I tried to roll away but Kody’s strong hold had me paralysed.

“Two... One. You lose, again.” His weight disappeared from my back, and I sat up, looking at him with distaste.