The Warriors Heart

The Warrior's Heart (Chapter 5)

Chapter 5

I was suddenly rushed to a different room, they half threw me into the room, and left me all alone. I stood around for a while, then started pacing as I awaited another persons entrance. I leaned against the wall, I felt myself getting impatient. I climbed onto the table, crossed my legs in the center, and relaxed using the same technique meant to help control pain. I had just relaxed when a door suddenly opened up. Number 1 walked in, Number 7 was on his left, some bandages wrapped around his side, and another person flanked Number 1 on his left. I awaited them to finish entering before speaking. “Is there a reason I’m here or should I go ahead and get dinner?” When in doubt be sarcastic, that’s always helpful.

“Yes, indeed there is. I watched you all day. You’re better than the program gives you credit for. You beat out Number 7 here, and you out maneuvered me in a knife fight. No small miracle on your part, by the way. You have one test left to prove your worth to Beta Team. Beat, or come close to beating Number 3 here.” He gestured to his left. The man nodded, at me out of respect.

“I know you beat the top three all at once of your year, so this should be good.” He smiled, “May the better fighter win.”

I jumped off the table and walked over to where they were standing. I looked at Number 3 and smiled. We shook hands and walked to the opposite sides of the room. The table slid into the floor neatly on some sort of lift, the floor closing over it neatly and seamlessly. I looked over at Number 1 and 7. They walked over to a wall, and a door slid neatly open, they stepped inside and it closed behind them. “Begin when you’re ready.” I heard Number 1 say over a speaker system. A one way mirror appeared as a wall slid up, I assumed that was where 1 and 7 would watch from. I looked back at Number 3 just in time to see him charge me, I moved fluidly out of his way. He did something I never expected, he turned on a dime, and continued to bear down on me. I continued to dodge him, but I wouldn’t last forever, I noticed he was leaning in, moving fast, but unidirectionally. I stopped moving and waited for him to get close. Number 3 brought his fist forward, full speed, setting himself slightly off balance, I took note, as I dodged the fist I brought my leg up and caught his, throwing him further off balance. He started to tumble forward, but rolled out of it quickly. As he  came up I sent a punch towards his face, he saw it a moment too late and it connected with a solid sound. If you ever ask a person if it hurts to really punch someone, and they say ‘No.’ They lied, it can hurt like crazy when you do it right, and it felt like I had just punched solid metal. I shook my hand trying to get rid of the stinging. He fell hard, but got right back up. No one ever gives me a break. Why can’t they just think, ‘Oh he is pretty good, let’s just stay down.’ No, everyone has to get up whenever I’m tired of fighting.

As he got up he slowed his charge, and then he stopped approximately 5 feet from me. “I guess I need to change up my style against you.” He said spitting blood.

“I guess you do.” I shifted my feet to a defensive stance and he swung.

I moved quickly, his fist colliding with the wall behind me. I threw a few jabs into his side, but he threw it off like mosquito bites. This guy was invincible, and yet I knew I was better. “Come on! Hit me!” I taunted him.

“My pleasure.” Number 3 jumped up, slamming his foot into my chest. It felt like an elephant landed on me, as I flew to the floor.

The floor felt like a cold, hard, sanctuary as I landed. I grunted flopping across the floor. I rolled back up into a standing position facing Number 3, who remained scowling at me from across the room, “My turn!” I moved slowly, walking normally towards him.

As I got within 3 feet his feet shuffled into a more defensive position. I started humming some old song. I don’t remember what it was, something about not collapsing, but I just felt like I should be humming it. I put my fists up and started moving in a boxing stance. As I closed in he did the same, I switched my footing and moved in for a quick jab, hitting his raised arms. I kept up the jabs with my left hand, simply messing with his vision, not allowing him time to move. He started leaning to his left and I brought my right hand around in a strong hook to keep him backed up. As I continued the pattern he started leaning his elbows out covering the sides of his face, but revealing his chin. I waited a moment, and once his chin was totally revealed I threw a last jab with my left and took my right brought it back and slammed it into his chin with an upper cut. He fell back with a dazed look on his face. He landed on his back with a thud, and didn’t get up for thirty seconds. When he got up. I heard clapping and looked up to see Number 1 and 7, followed by a girl I didn’t recognize, walking out of the room. Number 1 was clapping “Nice job, I didn’t think you would be able to put him down for longer than ten seconds max.” He smiled, “Welcome to Beta team. We are the, special operations team, anytime they need something “taken care of,” they have us do it. Whether it is a political assassination, or stealing some data, we do it. Let me introduce you to the members, Number 3, the fighter.” 3 nodded, “Number 7, the shooter. Myself, the leader. Lastly Number 6, the hacker of the team.” The girl nodded with a smile. She had a beautiful smile, it suited her face well. I nodded back to her, and nodded to each of the guys in turn. “Our next mission is in three days get ready.” He nodded and turned away.