The Beasts Inside Us

Chapter 9

"I was actually heading over there right now, if you'd like to join me."

I grin at Ava, still trying to see how I can use this to my advantage.

If I could somehow show Caide how weak Ava is, maybe he won't trust her to take over my jobs anymore. He needs to know that I'm irreplaceable. No one can help him like I can.

Ava backs away a step, looking somewhat hesitant as she notices my grin. I'm sure I look psychotic with my Cheshire smile, but I can't hold it back. I'm too excited at the thought of my new idea.

She regards me with doubt clouding her eyes. They skip around the hall nervously, never once meeting mine.

"Come on, it'll be easy." I try to persuade her, realizing she's about to deny my offer.

She finally meets my eyes and her shoulders sag in defeat.

"I- uh.. I guess right now is a good time."

"Great, let's go!" I grab Ava's arm and pull her toward the stairs that lead to the training room. Our steps echo in the silence and I ponder my plan.

Caide usually visits the training room before lunch, which means he'll be here in around an hour. That just means I'll have to hurry her training a little before we spar.

As we walk, I turn my head slightly to examine the girl next to me.

Ava's stance is a little slouched as she treads cautiously beside me. I can tell just by that how nervous she is. Her eyes stay focused on the ground and she looks deep in thought. Probably questioning her sanity for agreeing to this.

I also notice her attire. Ava is not dressed in an appropriate training outfit. She's wearing her maid outfit, which is a slightly unflattering black dress that comes down her below her knees, with a white apron. She needs something that won't make her trip when fighting.

As we make our way down the steps, Ava notices her attire, too.

"Um.. maybe we shouldn't do this today, I'm not dressed appropriately."

I wave a dismissive hand.

"It's fine.. you can just borrow something from me, I keep my training clothes down here."

I smirk at the defeat that shines in her eyes as she agrees.

I will finally get Ava off my back.

When we arrive, I shove the door open and the sight of the training room causes Ava to gasp.

This room is the only modernized part of the ancient castle. It's gigantic, with treadmills and punching bags on one end and different kinds of weights on the other. In the middle stands a fighting ring, illuminated to make it the center of attention.

I stare fondly at the ring, feeling nostalgic. The best memories that I have with Caide come from training.

He is always happiest while training. You can tell by how swiftly he moves that, while fighting, he is in his element. I can think of only a few times when I have actually defeated him while sparring. And those were just by luck.

I shake my head and turn to Ava.

"We'll start at the punching bags so you can learn to punch and kick, then we'll move to the ring." I know she should have way more than an hour of training before she's ready for sparring. But I want to get on with my plan quickly so I don't have to worry about Ava anymore.

"So fast? Shouldn't we wait a little longer? I don't think I'll be ready for the ring anytime soon." Ava looks a little scared and I almost feel bad.

Almost.

I can tell something isn't right with Ava. The sooner she's gone, the better. I soften my gaze and try to look encouraging. I know this manipulative behavior is not apart of my nature, but it seems that Ava brings out the worst in me.

"I can see a lot of potential in you, I'm sure you'll be fine.. if you want, I'll let you have a weapon of choice while we're sparring." This might sound like a dumb decision, but I know I can take Ava if she decides to try anything.

Ava doesn't relax. "A.. weapon? I don't want to hurt you."

I laugh, "trust me.. you won't."

With that, I pull Ava over to the changing room. She follows reluctantly, almost pouting.

"Ok.. here's a tank top and some shorts. Go change."

She takes the offered change of clothes and walks into a small room to the left.

I am already wearing clothes comfortable enough to spar in so I wait.

Five minutes later, we're at the punching bags.

"Ok.. I want you to just throw a punch at the bag so I can see how much you know already."

Ava turns toward the punching bag and takes a deep breath. She lifts up her hands awkwardly–causing me to already shake my head in disapproval–and throws a weak punch.

"Ok, first of all, your stance is all wrong," I take a moment to rearrange her feet and arms. "Second, what is this?" I grab Ava's hand and put it in front of her face.

Ava goes cross-eyed looking at it.

"What's wrong with it?"

I sigh and open her hand, making her let go of her thumb.

"If you punch like this, you're going to break your thumb." I fix her hand.

"Ok, now next time you punch, keep your chin down and your eyes up on your target.. also, hit with the force of your body all at once."

Ava nods and goes for another punch.

This one is a little better, shaking the punching bag a little with the small force of it.

"Ok .. better. Keep going."

Ava practices for another ten minutes before I decide to move on. I teach her how to kick and go to my own punching bag while Ava practices.

I begin forcefully punching, trying to get most of my frustrations out. I want to beat out most of my anger so as not to go too hard on Ava whilst sparring.

After a while, Ava stops practicing and turns to watch.

Knowing I have an audience, I go full force into the punching bag that I now imagine is the source-of all-my-problem's face.

I have never disliked someone. Period... except for Lucas. I don't understand the strong dislike I have developed towards Ava. Though I'm angry and maybe a little jealous of her, does that really condone wanting to punch her?

I shake my head–it's not just jealousy. There's something about Ava that hasn't sat well with me since I met her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ava wince when a particularly hard punch sends the bag flying a little.

"Allie? I- I don't think sparring is a good idea."

I take one last punch and turn to her, "don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

Ava nods silently and follows as I lead her to the ring.

"You sure about the weapon?"

Ava looks down at her empty hands, clenching her fists, "I'm sure.. I don't want this to be unfair."

I almost laugh. This is very unfair.

"Suit yourself."

We step onto the ring.