I’ve always been a fighter. That’s just who I am. I’m always had this fiery personality and a lust for thrill. And lucky for me I was born into the perfect family for that sort of thing. Ever since I can remember I’ve been training. I was homeschooled. The first part of my day was filled with learning and the rest was training. I’m lucky I got to sleep. What was my training and what was I training for? The family business. Protecting people is our job. That’s what we do.
A cool drop of sweat rolled down my forehead and into my eye. It stings but I’m used to it. I kicked at the dummy spinning my foot back around for another blow. “You’re getting better,” a low voice spoke as a strong figure walked into the light, “but it’s late now and you should be sleeping.”
“First time I’ve ever heard you say that.” I retorted.
“Tomorrow is your trial you need rest.”
“My trial is the reason I’m up practicing.” I punched the dummy knocking it to the ground before I picked it back up with my foot and kicked it again.
“I won’t say it again. Go to sleep.” He said with a stern voice that meant business.
“Yes sir.” I spoke. Not many children call their parents sir and ma’am but my family does, me and my other four siblings. “Larger families signify strength.” My father would say to us whenever we complained about them having too many kids. We would ration our food out for each other and oldest always got first pick. It taught us to have ‘respect for our elders’.
Tomorrow it’s my turn to get into the Arts for Protection ‘AP’ Academy. My two eldest siblings Alexander and Alma already attend the academy and I have to live up to the family’s expectations.
I picked up the dummy I have set up in the corner of my room and stuffed him into the designated part of my closet where I have 3 more dummies too beaten to use. I shuffled over to my bed and collapsed. My room was always frighteningly cold and the thin gray bed sheets that would barely cover my entire body didn’t help. My mother would say a cold room and thin sheets would help me appreciate the heat and be used to the cold. I guess she was right I don’t even shiver anymore.
All I could think of is my trial tomorrow. No one will tell me what it’s about or even what I’m supposed to be preparing for. All I know is that hand to hand combat will be in it. Am I going to fight someone? What if I lose? What if the person is stronger than me? The questions raced on in my mind back and forth like nothing else mattered. Nothing else did matter. I have to get into this school it’s everything I’ve always dreamed of.
I reviewed previous conversations in my head. “Don’t be nervous, they can smell fear.” My brother teased. “But I’m so nervous. They can tell if I’m nervous? They don’t let nervous people into the academy? I can’t do this. I can’t do this. How am I supposed to do this?” I spoke clearly not getting the joke. Alexander’s voice quieted some and spoke gently, “I was incredibly nervous when I did my trial and I got in. You’ll do fine.” I smiled at him hoping he wouldn’t see the sheer terror I still had in my eyes.
My sister on the other hand was not helpful. “Oh well when I did my trial I was very relaxed. I didn’t have anything to worry about. With my talents I was sure to get in.” She starred at me moving her eyebrows up and back down. I had rolled my eyes and walked away not wanting to listen to her. Second oldest and she thinks she runs the place.
I noticed that when I blinked my eyes would sting and that’s usually a sign it’s time to sleep. My eyes started to dwindle shut while my body lay in calm tranquility as I listen to the sound of absolutely nothing. Slowly I fell into a deep unconsciousness.
