My Kidnapper's Mistake

Chapter 6: Lesson in Defence

Anya's P.O.V.

I was sitting on the hard bench, leaning with my back against the wall, studying Julian's profile instead of paying attention to how he was wrapping my hands. In that moment I realized that I was no longer afraid of him, but rather a bit intrigued.
"Why do I have to wrap my hands if I won't have time during or before an actual fight to do so?" I asked never taking my eyes off him.
"What is the point in getting hurt during practice and being unable to aid when you are actually needed?" Julian countered, finishing up. He clapped his hands on his thighs and got up.
"C'mon." He motioned me over to where the boxing bag was hanging from the ceiling.
Julian took me by my shoulders and guided me until I was on exactly the right spot.
"Feet apart like this." He kicked my feet apart and then moved to stand behind me.
"Make fists. Don't tuck your thumbs in. You don't want to break them. And hold up your arms like this..." He trailed off and took my arms to guide them, "This will be your default stance, if you are having a stand off or circling someone and after each blow you keep your arms up like this."
I nodded, unable to concentrate on anything other than his breath in my neck.
"And loosen up." He shook me and moved to stand by my side.
"We'll start with a basic punch. Follow me." He demonstrated punches left and right a few times and instead of following I was mesmerised by his fluid movements.
"Now you." He stopped, crossed his arms over his chest and looked at me.
I punched the air a few times before he stopped me and corrected a few things. I punched the air a few more times.
"Better, now to block a punch to the head just hold up your forearms like this..." He demonstrated and I followed.
"Good now do a sequence. Right. Left. Left. Block."
I punched the air, beginning to feel a bit silly.
"Good, now try that on the boxing bag a few times." He didn't say how many times to repeat the sequence and turned to leave.
"Wait! How many times do I have to repeat it?"
"Until I get back."
"Where are you going?"
"I'll maybe go watch some television." I swore I could hear the humour lacing his voice and as he exited, he waved at me over his shoulder.
I was beginning to lose my excitement over the prospect of learning how to fight and was beginning to doubt that I would enjoy any future lessons.
I faced the boxing bag and started hitting it. At first I was surprised by it's weight and how hard it was. It felt like my first blows bounced right off. I started putting all my weight and strength behind the blows and still the bag didn't even sway.

After what felt like an hour of punching, sweat was dripping down my back, strands of hair had escaped my ponytail, I was breathing heavily and my knuckles were sore and probably a bit swollen.
"You're never going to get anywhere that way." Someone spoke up behind me.
I whirled around, fists still raised. Brian was leaning against the doorframe. He pushed off and walked up to me.
"Well this was the only way I was taught." I felt defeated, knowing that Brian was right. I would only be a liability during a fight.
"Yes. Well. My boy Julian is an excellent fighter, better than most. But... he is a crappy teacher to say the least." Brian chuckled.
"What do you suppose I do?"
"You are tall, with long legs..." Brian trailed off his eyes roaming my jogging shorts clad legs.
"Brian. Finish the sentence." I snapped my fingers in front of his face.
"Use them to kick out at your opponent and aim high. People tend to recover slower from blows to the head. You are also fast, you don't need to use much force if you can get a couple of quick softer punches in the same spot. That would have the same effect as one powerful punch and punch with the power of your shoulders not your wrists. Don't aim for the bag, aim through the bag."
"How do you know so much?" I cocked my head watching him intently.
Brain looked down, rubbing the back of his neck."Well, I used to fight out on the streets when I was younger."
I hadn't expected that. I could feel the tension rising.
"Could you show me how to kick?" I asked.
Brain obliged immediately and showed me. When I felt confident that I would be able to do it on my own he turned to leave, but stopped half way to the door.
"Maybe instead of blocking the blows, try ducking them. You are fast enough and not strong enough to be able to block a really powerful blow." Brain added as an after thought and left me to practice.

Julian came back not long after that, carrying two bottles of water. He smiled at me as I demonstrated.
"Brian got his claws into you," he held out the water to me with a smile on his face, "I knew he wouldn't be able to resist coming down here to check out our newest talent."
"You knew he would come down here and help me find a style that fit my build?" I asked through gulps of water.
"Yes. If I had asked him to teach you he would've said no, because he is against you helping us, but he would never let me teach someone to fight and I counted on that."
"You sure know you're team." I smiled at him, somehow knowing that he considered this team his family. He was not just another gang leader, he would risk his life for his gang. He would risk his life for his family no matter what. It was this realization that made me feel a little bit of security here, facing a criminal and possibly a murderer.