"Is that all you can do?” Indigo taunted Pierce. “A five-year old could kick your butt.”
If Pierce had thought Trainer Rick was tough on her, than Indigo was ten times worse. She analyzed Indigo’s position, figuring out the best way to push him out of the circle painted onto the ground. They were in the gym and practicing hand-to-hand combat. So far, the score was four to zero, and it wasn’t in her favor.
Pierce feigned a punch to the left while using her leg to hook around Indigo’s ankle. She was too slow though, as Indigo ducked beneath her fist and dealt out a sharp jab to her stomach. It was only thanks to her fast reflexes Pierce managed to avoid the brunt of the punch.
They settled back into a position just out of reach from each other. Pierce tried to distract Indigo by running straight on at him, veering off at the last second. However, Indigo’s arm flashed out and snagged her around the waist, throwing her to the ground. Pierce jumped back up, almost nailing him in the face with her head. Luckily for Indigo, he jerked his head out of the way and attempted to pin her arms to her side.
Pierce wrenched one arm free and head butted Indigo in the guts with all her force.
“You have a hard head,” he grunted.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Indigo blocked a kick from Pierce and unsettled her balance while her leg was in the air. Pierce berated herself, I shouldn’t have kicked so high. That was a dumb move. She rolled away from Indigo.
“Out!” Indigo crowed. “You’re crossing the line.”
Pierce looked down at herself and realized the upper half of her body was indeed outside of the circle. She pushed onto her feet and said, “Okay, you win. Now can we stop?”
“Okay. We’ve been at this for almost an hour.”
“I don’t see why this is part of my curriculum.”
“There’s probably a good reason that you just don’t know.”
“Do you know?” Pierce asked.
“No, but I’m sure either Dr. Spencer or Claries knows.”
“What are we doing next?”
Indigo took a moment to consult the training plan Rick had left behind.
“Strength training.”
“Really? After that brutal workout you just put me through?”
“Half hour break then we start working again.”
***********************************************************************************
“Add twenty more pounds,” Pierce demanded from beneath the barbell.
“Are you sure? You’re already increased your weights enough for the day.” Indigo didn’t make a move for the weights.
“Do it,” Pierce said. “According to the graph, I should be able to lift one hundred pounds by now.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re not exactly improving as fast as the prediction graph says you should be.”
“I don’t care.”
“Fine,” said Indigo.
He put the iron plates in place and said, “Do your reps.”
Pierce lifted the bar, thinking, Gosh, this is heavy. She lowered it, arms quivering just after three reps. Indigo started to remove some of the weights but she snapped, “Leave it. I know I can do this myself.”
“If you say so.” Indigo resumed his sitting position and acquired a look of disinterest as he played with a medicine ball.
Clang!
Pierce’s arms gave out on her and the barbell dropped, pinning her in place. The iron bar pressed against her chest, making it impossible for her to take a deep breath. She shook out her sore arms and regripped the barbell. Gathering up all her strength, Pierce tried to lift the weights up; she had hardly gotten it an inch off her chest when her body screamed Enough! and the bar came crashing down again.
“Do you want help now?” Indigo asked.
He’ll never let me live this down if I accept his help, Pierce thought. Out loud, she said, “No, I’m fine.”
“Stubborn much?”
Pierce saved her breath and heaved the weights up; she couldn’t even manage to budge the weights a centimeter this time. The iron was really starting to dig into her ribs in an uncomfortable manner. Pinned beneath the barbell, Pierce tried to think of a way to get herself out of this problem. I suppose I can try slithering out from the barbell.
Pierce began to wiggle her way out, but found it harder than it looked. Indigo came over and removed all the weight plates from the bar.
“I don’t have time to waste waiting for you,” he said.
“Thanks,” Pierce replied, not bothering to hide her grumpy tone.
“You amuse me too much for my own good.”
“I don’t find anything amusing.”
“Of course you don’t, which is why I think it’s funny.”
Indigo slid Pierce a grin curling from the corners of his mouth.
“Whatever,” said Pierce, rubbing her arms. “Ugh, I have science with Dr. Claries after lunch today. I think we’re dissecting a cat.” Oh, that’s just perfect, Pierce thought. I get to lose my lunch in front of Dr. Claries, as if she doesn’t think lowly enough of me already.
“I made these rolls just for you,” Cook Asha said.
She bustled out of the kitchen doors and plowed her way through the crowded cafeteria to Indigo and Pierce’s table. Cook Asha set down a basket of sweet rolls and said, “I figured if you liked them so much I might as well make some more for you today.”
Asha looked at Indigo for a second as if sending him a telepathic message before hustling away. Pierce reached for a sweet roll and bit into it, expecting the smooth, buttery flavor to coat her tongue. She chewed for a seconds; the flavor still tasted the same, but something seemed off…
“Do you not like it?” Indigo asked.
“I do,” said Pierce. “But I think Cook Asha might have used a slightly different recipe this time; something about the texture is weird. Try one and see for yourself.”
Indigo shook his head, declining her offer.
Pierce shrugged and went back to eating.
