Wings

Chapter 16: Trial and Error

**I’m just going to preface this chapter with a violence warning. Obviously parts of this book are going to be about fighting and there are going to be much gorier scenes than what is described here, but I just wanted to give a warning for the first chapter that gave details about using the weapons. I’d also like to tell you that there is a glossary picture for all the weapons mentioned in the side bar (media tab for mobile) that you can reference because someone of the weapons I mention aren’t going to be known by everyone**

I proceeded down to the morning meal, my mind reeling with everything Harry had said. Oddly, I wasn’t thinking about training and fighting for The Recovery; that was something I was hard set and decided on. The thing I was pondering so acutely was the fact that Harry had shared so much about himself. He had brought down a wall I had never been behind before, an even deeper level than the one who took me flying in the lobby and slept by my side for a night. He had divulged parts of his past to me and had also shown an uncharacteristically large amount of compassion, something Harry had hidden in other instances hurriedly. I couldn’t make sense of him and I doubted I ever would.

I was still a bit early for breakfast but only waited about ten minutes before others began filing in, standing about to chat or taking seats at the long tables. The usual group of teens came in, I the only girl thus far because Perrie and Nessa were cooking, and crowded around our usual table. I hesitated to join them, knowing Harry was there too. He was talking to Louis and Zayn, his back towards me, as I leaned against the wall by the door. I was almost positive if I were to join the group I would receive the usual cold shoulder from Harry when he was amongst his friends

Finally the meal was served, Nessa and Perrie joining the group and then I did too. Us three girls were sat on the end, palpable tension between Nessa and I. It was a slow going meal, two people at the table having strange feelings towards me at the moment.

As my plate became emptier, my earlier nerves set in again, my worry over starting to train today and the fear of failure churning my stomach slightly. I didn’t doubt my own abilities of strength, I had built up large muscles for a girl during my years of self sufficiency, but I had never wielded a weapon but my own simple knife, and even that I had never thrown, it was simply for moments of self defense, for slicing or stabbing at an assailant as I had tried when targeted by The Straze. Technique was going to be something new to me and I could only hope it was something I would be able to pick up quickly.

As we all were putting our dishes on the table to be taken into the kitchens, Niall turned to me. “So you’re joining us in training today, right?” he asked. I wondered who he had heard it from; Harry or Simon.

“Yes I am!” I tried to sound more excited than nervous.

“It’ll be loads of fun; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!” I was glad Niall had confidence about this.

An arm got tossed around my shoulder then, Liam coming up behind me. “What’s up over here?’ he asked nonchalantly.

“Kari’s joining us during training today,” Niall told him.

“I am,” I said to the muscular boy.

“Awesome, we’ll teach you some moves.” Liam reassuringly squeezed my shoulder. He could tell I was nervous.

Another person joined us, his deep voice making me jump, as I had not noticed him on the far side of Liam. Niall jumped too, doing a double take in surprise at who was speaking. “So Kari, you are joining us,” Harry stated, subconsciously reaching out and brushing Liam’s arm off from around my shoulders. I don’t think Liam even noticed the subtle action, using at as a cue to leave the hall and head next door. Our little group who had been chatting all went together, the others still cleaning up after the meal.