Death's Shadow

Chapter 11

Over an hour later Maxxy and Roxy sat chuckling, a while into their conversation Dr. Elaine had brought Maxxy a seat and two mugs of green tea for the both the girls.  The tent flap the covered the opening of the tent flew open and Maxxy immediately shot up trying to block Roxy from what ever maybe coming through the door. To her surprise General Brooks, Commander Jason, and Alex, along with a man she didn't know came bursting into the tent all with angry expressions on their faces. None of them looked towards the girls but Maxxy wasn't fooled they were dangerous and she refused to let them near Roxy. With a deep breathe Maxxy realized how foolish her thinking sounded she couldn't stop any of those men even if she wanted to an the General wouldn't hurt one of his students. 

So instead of turning into a guardian angle she relaxed back onto her seat following the men with her eyes. They were surrounding Peyton's cot he had fallen asleep early but their quick entrance must have woken him up because he was sitting but at full attention. General Brooks stood at the end of his cot glaring down at him and Maxxy could see Dr. Lindsey, who had taken Dr. Elaine's place, hurrying to the Generals side looking confused.

The generals powerful voice echoed through the tent as he began to speak, "Peyton! What did you think you were doing?"

Peyton didn't move a muscle and sat there staring in confusion at the people surrounding him.

The man who Maxxy hadn't yet met spoke up, "This is where you reply boy."

That must have shaken Peyton out of his stupor because he began to speak, "What do you mean what was I thinking?? I didn't do anything!"

The General looked terrifying with his eyebrow scrunched together and his lips in a mighty scowl, "You didn't do anything? YOU didn't do anything??"

The General sudden gained a calm demeanor and it terrified Maxxy more then anything before, " One thing I will never tolerate in my camp Peyton, is a bully and that is what you are."

"I am not a bully! What did I do?"

"You assaulted another student."

"You mean that idiot who followed you around? I didn't assault her if anything she assaulted me I'm the one in a hospital bed with a broken arm."

Maxxy immediately knew they were talking about her and again she stood blocking Roxy from the other people. A hand grabbed the back of her shirt and tugged slightly, looking down she saw Roxy trying to cairn her neck and see around her. So Maxxy took a small step sideways out of the girls line of view.

"You have a broken arm because the one you assaulted acted in self defense, although it may seem a little extreme you are in a land of extremes to survive you must be the best you have proved that you are not that."

Again the man who Maxxy didn't know spoke, "For such an assault we should send you home but you have gotten a second chance seeing as you got a broken arm for your folly, so instead you will be granted extra chores instead of free time until farther notice. I hope you brought rubber gloves."

With that the men headed for the door but the General caught her eye and looked quickly to the door silently telling her to follow them. So Maxxy turned and gave Roxy a small nod before following the men out.

Once they were in the open air Maxxy looked around it was dark and the stars shined bright in the black sky. The men all stood about 10 feet away from the tent opening waiting for her to join them. She walked slowly towards them trying to judge what they might say. Soon she stood before them her back straight and her eyes cold.

"Well done, Maxxy." Jason said quietly.

This startled Maxxy, good job? What had she done well? All she had done so far is snap a kids arm. But she waited sometimes she would get more from the silence than the noise.

"My name is Alan Lakewood. I am the dean of students if you will," The man who Maxxy didn't know said, "I run things when the General can't be here."

Maxxy gave him a small nod remembering the name. Then she turned her attention to the General he would explain Jason's odd comment and the reasons for this new man to be introduced to her. The General gave her a small smile before beginning to speak, "If you would Maxxy follow me as we walk there is much we need to talk about."

So they turned and the little group began to walk through the large camp. 

"As you know Maxxy, you are not going to train with the other kids specifically. Instead we have put together a special training program for you, sometimes you may train with others but most often you will be learning on your own at your own speed." He paused then turning an taking something from Alex, when he turned back to her he handed her a manila folder full of paper.

"This is all of the information you will need look through it carefully it will have most of what you need through the rest of your stay here. In your trunk you will find school supplies have been added. As long as you are on time and you be yourself you will do amazing." The General smiled kindly at her before nodding towards the sleeping tent they had stopped by, "Now go get some rest you have a very early morning."