Backstage Pass to Mortal Kombat

Chapter 33 - Nadie

[[Sorry for the late upload, guys! My Word on my computer stopped working and I've spent the last three days trying to fix the f*cking thing. Finally, it works again. It's the only program I like using because it seems to be the only one on my computer that corrects spelling, grammar, and has the layout I like best. This chapter is pretty good, I think, and I'd like your opinion! Thanks guys!]]

Day one was spent resting and eating to regain my energy. After the fight with Hanzo, my shoulder was thrown out; sore and stiff the next day. Stretching and slow cartwheels down the side of the beach were my work out for the day.

Day two got more serious; I was standing in front of the water, doing spin kicks, high punches, lunging attacks, uppercuts, and everything else I could think of. My body was covered in sweat from head to toe, my breathing was slightly ragged, and I could feel my muscles begin to ache from exertion. I wouldn’t allow myself to stop until I was satisfied with my efforts, until I knew I had a chance against Shao Kahn. He saw I knew pyrotechnics; he would be expecting it. Weapons were an option, but if they were knocked out of my hands I had to know I was still protected.

My arms and legs shimmered with sweat, while my face was simply drenched in it. The sun shone down on me, warming my back. In my sports bra and shorts I could feel my skin tanning under the sun. It felt nice to be somewhere warm and sunny again, and not have to be in that cold cell.

“Make sure you take it easy, now.” Johnny warned, approaching me with a fresh canteen of water. The tribe down the beach was very nice, and I didn’t quite understand it. Offering us water, food, and anything else we may need.

As I took the canteen from him, I spoke my thoughts before taking several long gulps. “Why are they being so nice to us?”

“I wondered the same thing,” he replied. “They told me how word has reached them that you’re going to fight Shao Kahn and they’re happy to help…I don’t know how it could have spread so fast. It seemed like they knew before we even got here.” He shrugged, “I guess rumors just fly around here.”

I frowned; he was right, they knew I was going to fight him before we even got here. Curious, I looked behind Johnny to the tents. They were a Native American tribe – that much was obvious. The tents were made of beige material that looked like animal skins. A fire pit stood in the middle of the tents, still smoking from hours of use in the previous night.

After drinking the very last sip of water, I shook the canteen and looked at Johnny. “I’ll go get some more from them…they won’t mind, right?”

He shook his head, “They said to just return when the water was gone. You sure you don’t want me to go? You can keep training.”

“No, I’ll only be a moment.”

With that, I set off towards the tents. The smell of the lavender smoke filled my lungs; a warm smell of the ashes and embers swirled in the air. It was strangely calming as I neared the fire pit. The smell distracted me from my actual mission. I closed my eyes and stood next to the burnt wood; vaguely smiling at the comforting scent and the sand beneath my toes. Serenity swept over me, welcoming me to sit on the warm sand, and so I did. The water canteen sat next to me, empty and forgotten.

“They say the smoke of burning wood calms the spirit.” A thick voice spoke behind me. I whipped around suddenly, forgetting the smell, looking over my shoulder.

A tall, deep skinned, man stood behind me. His shoulders were broad, decorated in leather straps that held small weapons across his chest; hammers with stones for the heads, hatchets, and a couple arrows. His long brown hair was tangled, with random braids tied around his face and shoulders.