The Family Business (Spinoff to the Reawakening Series)

Chapter 7 - Playing Favourites

My fists hit the hard surface of the punching bag, the force going up into my arm. Sweat is dripping off of my forehead and down onto the mat of the local gymnasium. My breathing is quick and shallow, exhausted from this workout. The final hit lands on the bag and it swings back and forth in the air, almost captivating as I attempt to catch my breath.

"Nice work Harlow. You've definitely got your punching down to a fine art. We just need to do a bit more work on your kicks and defence moves, then you'll be able to easily defend yourself from anyone coming your way." Nick, my self defence teacher states as he looks at me with impressed eyes.

It's been around a month or so since Uncle Sam first showed me a couple of moves that night. Throughout my hunts, I've gotten into a lot of close calls and I know it's because I can't properly defend myself. I couldn't keep asking Uncle Sam or Cas for help, they'd get too suspicious. And there was absolutely no way I was going to go to my parents for help, not if I wanted the third degree.

So I looked up some places in town and saw a self defence class being held in town. It was a bit embarrassing when I first came, it mostly filled with women but I knew I needed to get over that because I needed the training. And as it went along, Nick saw the potential in me and suggested that we have some one on one sessions to really build up my skills.

"I don't know, I feel like my right hook isn't quite right." I say, frowning down at my taped up hands.

Nick reaches forward and places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "Stop putting yourself down man, you're natural. Are you sure you haven't had any training like this before?"

I let out a weak chuckle and shake my head as I reach for the towel beside me, beginning to wipe it over my face and arms, "Uh... No, I haven't."

"Well I tell you what..." He says, picking up the gloves and other equipment we've used, "I wouldn't want to go up against you in a fight."

The side of my mouth turns up slightly as a sense of pride comes over me, "Thanks Nick."

"Hey, I see some pure talent in you kid. I don't know a lot of people that can move the way you do. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you came from a long line of warriors." He says, walking over to out the equipment away.

The faces of the hunters in my family comes to mind and I let out a chortle, "Yeah... That'd be cool."

"So I'll see you again on Monday?" Nick calls out over his shoulder.

I walk over towards my bag and toss the towel in, "Yeah, I'll be here."

"All right. I'll catch you next week man." Nick calls out.

Picking the bag up, I slip it over my shoulder and make my way towards the door as I call out to him, "All right, see you then."

The gymnasium is fairly quiet as I make my way out towards the parking lot, looking down at my phone as I reply to a text message from Madeline. She's out of town at the moment with her parents, visiting her aunt and uncle and three little cousins.

We've been really good, actually better than we've ever been. I feel a lightness and freedom after finally telling her I love her. I've been spending some time with her family, as well as her spending time with mine. Mom and her have particularly been getting along, Mom really taking a liking to her. Dad's conversation in the shop with me months ago comes to mind, how he knew Mom was the one. Now more than ever o u der stand what he meant. For me, Madeline is the one.