The Hunters Mark

4

{ Elijah ~ El-eye-jahr }

-✧-

T H E  floor burned under Cora's bare feet as she trained with the newest recruits, letting them practice dagger skills. This — being Cora's strongest point — wasn't much of a challenge, however in the harsh heat of the sun, a shiny cover of sweat began to cover her forehead as she dodged yet another incoming knife.
Cora's feet scraped against the hard concrete as a rather powerful boy grabbed her hands and pushed her backwards, making her lose her balance. He easily picked up her smaller frame and sent his dagger into her chest. Cora took an intake of breath, before sighing after realising she was wearing a knife-proof vest and the boy backed off. Her feet were burning from the sweltering heat of the ground and throbbing from the pain of them sliding across the uneven floor. They began to feel numb as Cora took yet another skid and a small blood trail could be seen from her path.
"Alright everyone, take a break, get some water and regroup." Elijah commanded. The recruits sprinted into the shade, gulping down the lukewarm water in their bags. This was her punishment for losing control; being the recruits dummy. She had been her for an hour or so, and knowing that she still had three hours to go, Cora groaned loudly. She limped over to a small tree and collapsed next to it, enjoying the few moments of rest. She started to wrap up her mangled feet when a hand reached out to hers.
"As much as I would love for you to cover those up," Elijah stated, referencing to her bruising feet, "Sonja's orders are to make you suffer so you won't flip out again. You have to keep your feet uncovered, I promise I'll pamper you when we get back." Elijah told her kindly, twisting the bandages out of her hands and stuffing them into his pocket. He lent down next to Cora and looked at her, waiting for some kind of reply. Cora scowled and looked over to the recruits, watching them mess around with their water.
"I wish we had that." Cora whispered, not really to Elijah, but he took like that anyway.
"Had what?"
"A childhood, time to mess around. Both you and I were taken at such young ages that by the time we were that age, we had no character or sense of humour or anything. We were just soldiers shooting bows and training." Cora ranted, letting an irritated frown show on her face. Elijah reached for Cora's hand and grasped it before it shot away. He squeezed it sympathetically and intertwined his fingers with hers.
"We can still have fun Cora. See?" He said cheekily, before pouring the remains of Cora's water bottle on top of her head.
She would have liked to have enjoyed the feeling of cold water over her body in the days heat but, the feeling of water being thrown violently into your face was not one Cora appreciated. She gawked at Elijah as he laughed and he let out a high-pitched scream as Cora growled, grabbing a spare bottle and launching herself at him. They chased around for what felt like hours and just like yesterday, Cora let herself free from her hard exterior, Apart from this time, she was happy. She laughed, she  truly laughed, she enjoyed herself.
This was going to be one hell of a story to explain to Ilana when she got back.
After their waterfight, Elijah cut her punishment short and, as promised, he bandaged up her feet and gave them a massage which was unbelievably bad, but Cora thanked him nonetheless.
As she made her way back to her room, she giggled, Cora couldn't believe that she had just had a water fight with Elijah, and he had actually laughed! He was usually so uptight but today he showed a completely different side of him. She enjoyed the memories of their time while she could, for she knew that would not happen again anytime soon.

-✧-

C O R A didn't bother to even attempt to comb through her locks as she climbed out of bed, pulling on an oversized hoodie and sweatpants, Ilana did the same. Ilana began to smack her cheeks roughly, leaving a tinge of pink in her fingers place.
"Lana! What are you doing?" I rambled, tugging at her fingers and bringing them away from her burning cheeks.
"I'm trying to wake up. Why have they called us out at this time in the morning? I was out late last night." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes and resting her head on my shoulder.
"You were out late last night? Doing what?" I asked, a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth. Ilana's cheeks turned an even brighter shade of red as she smiled. We both giggled loudly, rolling around on the floor like crazed children. The door handle clicked and swung open to reveal Damien and Elijah, both looking irritated.
"Will you lot hurry up, we're going to be l-late!" Damien screeched, stumbling slightly as his eyes met with Ilana's. His eyes stayed glued to the floor, only occasionally glancing at Ilana.
Cute.
"Coming Eli!" Emilia giggled, sauntering over to the door, wiggling her hips as she walked, smiling at the blushing boys behind Elijah. He rolled his eyes and intertwined his hands with hers. He whispered something in her ear, too quiet for even my hearing, that made her smile drop. Cora watched as his hand loosened around hers and found itself on her waist, pulling her closer to him. Cora's eyes dropped slightly.
"Get out and to the Hall." Elijah said calmly, his voice not raising, but still loud and firm. There was a clutter as the girls scrambled outside and hurried down the hall, trying not to wake other sectors up at this time in the morning.