The Insiders

Chapter 10

Chapter 10- Amy

"Defence," Steve says in the training half of our room. "is your greatest feature of your gifts." He looks at all of us. We're all standing in a half circle. Thomas is closest to Steve, then me, Bryce, Coren and lastly Sharlene. Sharlene and Coren have been together since before breakfast this morning. There has to be something going on there, even if she says there isn't. But at the same time there is that Peter guy, Sharlene's boyfriend. I feel Bryce tap me on my left. I look. He nods his head toward Steve. I quickly turn my head to Steve. I've just been asked a question. Crap.

"Sorry what?" I ask blankly.

"Apparently not." Steve laughs along with everyone else.

'He asked if you were paying attention' I hear Sharlene in my head.

"I was paying attention!" I lie quickly. Everyone has a little smile on their face.

"As I was saying," Steve continues. "today we're going to practice defence . For this session I will not tell you how to use your power. You'll just have to figure it out. Everybody pick a partner."

We quickly begin to pair up. Coren and Sharlene end up being partners. Bryce is my partner. Leaving Thomas alone as always.

"Steve, should I be in a group of three?" Thomas asks formally as always. Thomas is a great guy, but he needs to learn how to cut loose. He is always so formal and tense. He hardly acts like a teenager.

"Thomas, that'd be a great idea." Steve responds. Thomas walks to our group on the right side of the room instead of Sharlene and Coren who are on the opposite side of the room.

"Remember this is defence. Only one person should be attacking at once physically or mentally." What am I going to do? Blind Thomas and Bryce? Attack them with strength I obviously don't have? I have no advantage over these boys.

"Begin." Steve orders. I turn to look at Thomas and Bryce.

"Who's gonna attack first?" Thomas asks. We all look at each other waiting for someone to volunteer.

"How about me and you?" Bryce suggests to Thomas. Thomas nods in agreement. I can't help but sigh in relief. I take a step back while they angle themselves to face each other a few feet away.

"Tell us when to start." Bryce directs me. I count to three then tell them to go. Before Thomas can even take a step Bryce has him in a neck lock. Speed. Why do I always forget about Bryce's speed?

"Amy," I hear Thomas struggle to say. "Ask me how to beat him." It takes me a minute to register what he's asking me. His power is knowing. If I ask him, He'll know. He'll know how to beat Bryce. Should I let him do that? I don't want Bryce to get hurt. Thomas's face is past tomato red.

"Amy!" Thomas chokes out. I begin to panic. I need to ask. Thomas's face is past red now it's almost blue.

"Thomas, How can you beat Bryce?" I spit out. I regret saying it as soon as I say it. I can see the wheels in Thomas's brain clicking. He's going to hurt Bryce. My Bryce. Thomas quickly jumps into action. He bends his knees and does a flip. He lands on his knees on Bryce's shoulders with pristine balance. I hear Bryce let out a groan. Suddenly, Thomas leans back bringing Bryce to the ground with him. Bryce just lays on the ground. He doesn't open his eyes. He's not going to open his eyes. I run over to him as fast as I can. I push his brown-blonde bangs away from his closed eyes. Bryce's chest is moving. He's breathing. Thank god. I realize this whole time Thomas was talking to me.

"I'm so sorry Amy," Thomas apologizes. I slowly stand up and turn to him. My face hot with anger.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I scream. "You could've killed him!" Before I realize what I am doing, I launch myself at him. I knock him to the ground. I begin punching him in the face. He just lays there. He doesn't even attempt to push me off of him.

"Fight back you prick!" I scream at him. I instinctively shine the light from my hands into his eyes. Thomas cries out in pain. I'm quickly shoved off of him by Steve. Thomas won't stop shouting out of pain. Steve is talking to him very quickly and quietly.

Did I really hurt him that much? Are my lights that powerful? I begin to walk towards Thomas to see if I can help, but I'm interrupted by another yell only this time it's not Thomas's, it's Sharlene's. I look over at the other side of the room. Sharlene is on the ground being supported by her hands and one foot while the other is stretched. She is panting from fighting like everyone else. The room is suddenly quiet. Sharlene and I make eye contact then she looks back at Coren. Coren has a furious spark in his eyes. He begins out of the room.
"Coren." Sharlene says after him, but he quickly exists the room. She gives a heavy sigh and slouches onto her shoulders. I look over at Thomas who has now stopped making any sort of sound. I stand up and go over to Bryce. I sit down and begin to pet his hair until he wakes up.