Initiation

Chapter 16: King of Annoyance

     Thirty minutes of overthinking about information that could or couldn't be useful make pass making me feel on edge. My right foot continuously twitches underneath the crisp, thin sheets. The door to the room creaks open. My blurry, dazed vision barely makes out a form wearing a dark grey shirt.

     I blink a couple times before my eyesight refocuses. When Sam and I make eye contact, I notice that his eyebrow is perched up slightly. He must have been surprised to see me sitting upright in the bed.

     "Wow you haven't tried to break out yet. I was sure you would have at least attempted to break out of here by now," Sam teases.

I slowly roll my eyes at him, "I still plan on escaping, so Argon will praise me for bringing him information. Don't sound so smug," I retort back.

He simply laughs at me.

"Sounds like a concrete plan."

A preposterous expression forms on my face as I cock both eyebrows. Was he losing his mind or something?

     A boisterous laugh escapes his lips as he leans his head back, "geese you actually believed me!"

My eyes narrow, "I would tell you're are an idiot...but you already know that, don't you?"

"Yup. Surely," he responds after another laughing fit. "You are so stiff all of the time, can't you let loose a little...? Or do you not know how too?"

     Rolling my eyes again I respond seriously, "I could let loose, but you wouldn't particularly enjoy what follows." Sam smirks at me, "add to the fact that you are testing my patience. Could you possibly shut up before I mentally go insane?" I grumble.

     His lips draw into a thin line as he ponders my question.

"Sure thing," he begins with a shrug, "after all, Xavier did tell me to stay quiet, so you could reflect about what he showed you..." I draw in a breath of relief, before my hopes are smashed, "Although, I already went against his orders. Why stop now?"

I glare at him while he continues.

"So, what are your thoughts? You guys are family, isn't. that. something." He says dramatically. "Truthfully, I did not see that coming."

     I had no idea what his end game was. All I know, Sam was annoying me past my breaking point. If this man was a king his kingdom would be annoyance. My glare turns ice cold.

"Maybe you should listen to him," I say through gritted teeth.

"Wow," Sam drawls, "I'm being told by a criminal," his fingers point at me, and then back to himself, "to listen to my boss. That is irony at its finest."

I groan, "yeah, well, I want you to be a mute, so I'm not tempted to blow this room up."

     Sam's laugh trickles into my ears.

"You are good, but you're not that good. There is no way a little girl like you, could single handedly blow up a room," he challenges without realizes he's doing so.

"AHHH!" I shout angrily, "THAT'S IT!"

The covers fly off of my body as I swiftly jump out of the bed. Scarlet flames swirl to life in my palms, eventually engulfing my hands up to my wrists.

     I stand a foot away from Sam, who is a good four to five inches taller than me. I have to crane my neck just to make eye with him. The guards outside hear the commotion and burst into the room.

Sam holds up a hand, "Go back to your post. She just being-" he tilts his head to the side to eye me quizzingly, "a little temperamental. I can handle her," he eases while glancing at them.

     They do as they are told without any questions or hesitation. After the door clicks shut, he peers down at me, smirking.

"You know, I have nine more years of experience on you," he informs.

A scoff leaves my lips, "who cares that you're twenty-five? I can take on any opponent and come out on top," I boast confidently, "My powers developed when I was eight. Technically you have one more year of experience over me."

His sky-blue eyes gleam with triumph.

"Any opponent you say... how 'bout I go tell Xavier about your little proposition and see if you could beat him."

     A wicked smirk forms on my face as my eyes gleam with hunger, "bring. it. on. Argon told me he was one of the weaker leaders. He should be a breeze," I end with a light shrug while waving my hand whimsically in the air.

Sam nods, "if you insist. Let me ask him if a battle would be something he'd consider. Be back in a jiffy."

The flames in my hands disappear, "you do that."

     An amused smile gradually forms on Sam's face before he leaves. I am left standing in the center of the room, alone.

"I would stay sharp if I were you. She's alive and kicking," I hear Sam's muffled voice forewarn the guards.

I chuckle to myself. He kept a safe face in front of me, but deep down he was afraid of what I could do.

     The large hand on the clock moves four spots before Sam re-enters wearing a confident smile.

"Guess you are in luck today Chloe. He says it would be an honor to share a battle with you. Not only that, but this will mark the first time he's battled a sixteen-year old prodigy in his entire career as leader."

"Of course, battling me is an honor. He's not going to get this chance a second time. There are only a handful of aura-fire admixes in existence," I say as a matter of fact, "Sadly, his pride will be wounded by a teenager. Not only that, but he will finally see how powerless he truly is."

     Sam eyes me funny before saying, "for a person who wouldn't talk to Xavier, you sure talk a lot around me-" he points out randomly, "must be because you like me."

"Don't kid yourself. I don't-"

He raises a hand, "wasn't finished. I was just going to add that I'm not sure whether you talking to me is a good or bad thing. I'd have to say bad. I will never fully care what you have to say."

     "You have caused a lot of damage to good, hard working agents. You're just an evil little girl, but I have to admit. I do find your cocky arrogance quite hilarious."

"Whatever, and good. I don't want you to like me. You're just a pitiful, wimpy League agent who, once Argon takes over, will be the first to receive his full punishment." My voice is low and dark as I say this.

     I then laugh at the perturbed expression on his face. He shakes his head before turning around, "come on miss doom and gloom. You're about to learn a valuable lesson and I'm glad I will be a witness."

     I've said it before and I'll say it again. I simply love writing chapters with Sam and Chloe bickering and annoying the heck out of each other. Hope you all enjoyed reading Chapter 16 as much as I enjoyed writing/editing it.

Let me know what your thoughts are in the comment section below. I also have a few questions.

- Did you have a favorite moment in this chapter

and

- How did you like Chloe's conversations with Sam?

and finally

- What do think will happen in the next chapter? Will Chloe beat Xavier, or will she get her *ahem* butt handed to her...?

Until next time! :)