Winter's Father

Chapter 8

                Winter Soldier
   This is day four of training. Its been quiet today. I know it's always quiet because Jace doesn't talk, but I haven't really said anything except for instructions. I guess I feel bad for yelling at him yesterday, which is unusual for me to feel bad for doing something.

   Today we're working on how to block hits. Jace pretty much gets the idea how to dodge a punch or kick, but he needs to work on it. He also needs to know how to block a punch properly.

   "You need to know how to block a punch. It's pretty easy once you get the idea of it. First, you keep your hands up like this," I said, showing him how. "Then when someone throws a punch at you, you move one of your hands, being quicker than them, and block it. You always keep the other hand ready just in case they throw their other hand at you, and you can block it. The main key here is being quicker than your opponent." I said, demonstrating all of it.

   "And once you get that down, you can grab their hand and twist it, or even flip them. But you have to do all of this in a quick motion, too. It's all about being quick. Even if your just blocking a hit, you have to be quick. When your throwing a punch or a kick, you have to be quick. Got it?" I said, making sure he heard every word that was coming out of my mouth. He nodded.

   "Okay then. Now, you'll block my punches, but I'm going to go slow. I'm going to go faster as we go along." I said. "Are you ready?" I asked as I got into a stance. He nodded as he got into a stance as well.

   "Hold." Said a voice that came into the room. The voice belonged to Strucker, I think that's his name. "I need to have a little chat with Mr. Jace." Strucker said. Jace looked at me as if he were asking for permission. I nodded and he walked over to Strucker.

   "Can you do me a favor and hack these codes?" Strucker asked as he pulled out a device. Jace nodded and took it from him. In about twenty seconds, he was done. "Ahhh. Well done." Strucker said as he put the device away.

   "So are you making progress?" Strucker asked Jace. Jace nodded again. "So, you still have I only talk to people that I trust policy?" Strucker mocked. Jace didn't respond.

   Then Strucker slapped him. The kid should've saw that coming.

   "You better get over it, then." Strucker said and left.

    I walked over to Jace. His face was red from where Strucker hit him. But he wasn't crying. I guess what happened yesterday got to him.
  
   Talk to him.

   A thought ran through my head. I didn't ignore this one.

   I squatted down so I could be face to face with him.

   "Hey. He's right, you know. You have to speak up sometime. Nodding or shaking your head just isn't enough. It may be for me, but it isn't for them. And if you don't, Hydra will make you. Trust me on this." I told him. He just stared at me. "I'm trying my best to help you on this. I know I'm the last person you want help from because well, I'm the person that causes you to need help. Just listen to me. Please." I continued, stressing to say the last word. He just kept staring. I let out a sigh and stood up straight.

   "That's it for today." I said as I turned to go out the door.

   "Wait." I heard a small voice say. "Don't leave yet." The voice continued. I turned to see that the voice belonged to Jace. I headed back towards him.

   "What did you say?" I asked, squatting back down.

   "I want to finish today's lesson." He replied.

   I was shocked. He was actually talking. It was weird to talk to someone and they said something back.

   "Okay. If you want to." I said. "I do." He answered. "Let's do it then." I said as I stood back up. He stood up, too.

   I could tell that the rest of his training was going to be more talkative.