The Secrecy✔

Chapter 3

Liz Collins

It has been approximately a year since I arrive and stay here at Tori's house. I have learned a lot in the duration of my stay. There are many things that I should know and I have been gradually learning them day by day. I have changed to be someone new.

"Liz, Ready??" Edward yells from downstairs, calling me that it's time to train.

"Coming~" I yell back, but not so loud though. I run downstairs and see Tori at the dining table.

"Lessons with Ed?" She simply asks as she is taking a big bite on her apple.

"Yep!" I briefly reply back, not wanting Edward to wait for me any time longer.

Talking about Edward, he's my training coach who teaches me fighting skills, also considered as a friend of mine. Edward is a very fit and well-built tall blond guy. He has this strict and cold aura on his face. However, that what was I thought he would be. Turns out, he is very different. He is kind and considerate. Plus, he is a very calm and patient guy. He teaches me a lot of skills and I'm thankful to have a coach like him.

"Mind if I join today?" Tori asks me when I take an apple and start walking to the basement.

"Sure! I guess you're free today, huh?"
I raise my eyebrows and Motion her to come along.

"Yeah! I also want to see how you're doing. In addition, maybe you can have a duel with Rick." She expresses as we are going down to the basement.

"Maybe." I half agree to what she's suggesting.

We went to the basement and were unsurprisingly greeted by none other than the two tall guys, Edward and Rick.

Rick is one of Tori's best fighters. He isn't as patient and calm as Edward, but he sure is friendly. I do get along well with the two of them. However, Rick barely has time to visit us, so I'm assuming he isn't busy today.

"Hey, you two!" Edward greets us while he is preparing the training equipments.

"Hey, Tori is here to join us, too." I inform them as I am ready to train.

"OK!"

After many hours of training and warming up, Tori decided that we had a combat. Tori and Edward are now having an intense hand-to-hand combat.

Edward was throwing some attacks and other moves while Tori was quickly blocking them. They kept sparring seriously and the result was a tie.

"It was a good match, you two!" I said when I gave them towels and a bottle of water each as they were stepping out of the big blue mat in sweats.

"Yeah! Now it's your turn." Tori exclaims excitingly. I have to admit, this is my first duel ever. Rick and I got ready and we got on the same mat.

"Uh... Which combat should we have? Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, using weapons or something else?" I asked them as Rick and I were standing in the middle of the mat.

"Hmm... Why don't you have a combat using all of your skills? Let's say it is a free-skill combat. No weapons or anything, just yourself." Edward suggested.

"Yes, I agree. I don't want to depend too much on weapons anyway." Tori said.

I nodded and we both went into position.

"Don't go easy on her, Rick!" Edward shouted.

"We'll see." Rick replied with a sly smile on his face.

"Ready.... START!" Tori signaled.

We were both circling and I was concentrating on the match. Rick then made his first move and I quickly blocked it. We were sparring seriously. Rick kept throwing attacks and I mostly blocked them all.

I try to concentrate and think more about this match and know what strategy I have to use. Rick is an offensive fighter, so I will be using The Small Body overpowering The Greater Force.

I waited for my time to strike when my opponent is in exhaustion. I saw that Rick is starting to wear out, so I took this opportunity to knock him down and throw some fistful attacks on several of his physical weaknesses that I have detected. He starts to drain out and now I'm using my last technique which is a round swing and a trip.
He falls on the mat harshly and groans.

I turned my head to the spectators to see that Tori had a wide grin on her face and a proud smile on Edward's.
I lightly smiled back at them before going back to help Rick get up.

"Man... What have you done to her, Ed?" Rick grumbled while he was reaching for my reached out hand to give him support. "Last time I checked, she was just a kitten."

"Told you not to go easy on her, didn't I?" Edward casually replied.

"Damn! You have turned this girl from a kitten to a tiger!" Rick stated as he was grabbing my hand.

I took this opportunity to get back at him for what he had just said and grabbed his arm and fully turned it 180° degrees, making him yell in pain.
"That's for calling me a tiger." I flatly said as I let go of him.

"You're mad, woman!" Rick grumbled as he barely stood up when we all chuckled.

I have already cleaned up and changed. Tori and I offered the guys to have dinner with us. We talked about things and the guys now went home.

I went to the music room which was very big and wide. Not to mention, there's a larger area for dancing too.

I walked to the piano and started playing some songs. The door creaked open and Tori came in. In this one year, I also learned how to play some musical instruments like the piano, guitar and violin which was tutored by Tori.

Tori immediately took a seat on the stool when she had her light brown guitar in her hand. She started strumming the strings. I stopped playing the piano and listened to the beautiful tune coming from the guitar.

"You know, you're always good with piano back then. You always played a lullaby to relax yourself." Tori calmly stated and I just nodded, some memories flashing back in my head. We just stayed there in a comfortable silence when Tori suddenly spoke.

"You know, I think you can go outside now since you're ready."

"Really??" I was surprised because I haven't been out of the house in this one year. I felt bored staying in the house, but I'm not allowed to go out due to my safety.

"Of course. But you still need to be careful and alert of your surroundings." Tori strictly advised.

"OK! Since I can go outside now, can I get a job? I can't just stay here and do nothing."

"Sure, but I think you ought to work with me because it is much safer than working somewhere else."

"You mean, working in the Parkinson's company?"

"Yeah. But I need to check first if they need more employees."

"Hmm.... OK! I'm going to bed now, goodnight!"

She nodded and I walked out of the room and went straight to bed.