Hidden world

Chapter 49

ALEX'S POV!!!!! (I write this chapter in loving memory of Camen... not really!)

I stretch my arms out on either side of me. My eyes are sticky with tears and hard to open. I cried for a long time last night before falling asleep. I get out of bed and my chest seems to cave. How is it to stay normal when Camen left a hole there? My stomach twists and I start to cry again. The only thing to keep me going is that I have to go to work today.

I go into the bathroom and splash my face over and over again. How can he love her but not me? What is wrong with me? I wish Rumi could be here but she is looking at DNA tests for her relation to Camen. She is pretty freaked out that her brother was supposedly in love with her and kissed her. He didn't know so it's not too bad.

I get ready then head out, ready for a distraction. Once I get into the military compound they all stare at me, or at least it feels that way. Some people look at me sadly but I try to ignore the sympathy. I don't need it to be okay.

I keep walking and pass a girl with long wavy hair I remember her from meeting a couple days ago. I think her name is Lae, she is the only one who didn't mess with me and make fun that I am a so called "newbie". She stops me by gently touching my arm. Silently, she gives me a soft smile then she hugs me. After that she walks away without saying anything.

Speeding up a bit I go to registry then to the recruit training room. Punching bags hang from the ceiling and all of the recruits are lined up, punching at intervals. I see a man with black hair he has tan skin and wears a dark shirt and lack sweat pants. He comes over to me, takes my arm, and puslls me to a punching bag. He coaches me on how to punch the bag before leaving.

I ready my hands in front of my head n defense and punch out with my right hand jabbing the worn black bag. I punch again and again with every punch my body tenses even more. I stop when I feel a hand resting on my back. I turn around and see Evan. He has a weird look on his face and then looks at me closer.

"When you out stretch your hand tighten your abdomen. It will help contact." Evan coaches, lightly placing his hand on my abdomen before taking it away so fast I'm not sure it was even real. Maybe I hallucinated it.

I nod in response and use his advice. I punch several times then stop. "How was that?" I ask

"Nearly perfect," He says giving me a smile of approval. The smile reminds me of Camen. I shiver and then Evan asks "Do you want to go to the practice mat?"

I look over my shoulder and see a large mat surrounded by people who are sitting down. I shrug and walk over to it, sitting down beside Eden. The boy named Robert volunteers and stands in the center of the mat. He looks at us all like food.

"Who do you pick?" The man who brought me to my punching bag asks.

"I want newbie." Robert says in a tone that makes me shiver all the way through. He points to me and by instinct Evan reaches over to keep me from standing.

"No, I'm going," I snap at him standing up and brushing his hand away.

I step onto the mat and blindly hear the coach counting us off to start the fight. All I can focus on is the silly cat calls in Robert's favor.  Robert makes the first move, going for a punch in my gut. So as not to get hit I duck away and wind up behind him as he regains his balance. I get into a perfect stance and kick his back so he falls to the ground.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Camen. He cheers me on and critiques me. Camen is dead. How can he be here? My confusion distracts me and Robert gets up, making his way to me, punching me in the jaw. I stumble back but end up just far enough away so I can kick him. I side swipe him and he falls to his knees. My fighting skills are more professional now, not as messy.I fling myself toward him and punch his jaw, bruising my callused knuckles. I then kick his chest causing him to fall down. I put my foot on his chest, signaling I am done.