Strange Thoughts

Part Three-Chapter One-Jay

Cheshire strikes out at her opponent, a skinny redheaded boy about the age of 12. He is not to be underestimated, he is fast and has extremely good hand eye coordination. Cheshire's panther tail swishes back and forth. She is getting agitated.

This is not good. If you lose your confidence during a fight, you are going to lose. You start doubting every move you make, and begin to be more defensive than offensive. You always want to be offensive.

"Chesh, hang in there." I say. Cheshire's green panther eyes pierce me for a moment, and she stands a little taller. She holds up a massive claw, and takes it down the boy's back. He falls to the ground.

I run over and pick the boy up. He gives me a weak smile. I know that he's okay. "C'mon Callum, let's go meet my friend." Callum nods. He throws an arm around me and I help him limp to the marking room.

"Cheshire, this is my close friend Callum." Callum runs his hand through his hair. He smiles. Cheshire looks down, showing the first sign of sympathy I have seen from her.

"Callum, will you excuse us for just a moment, I'll call you back in soon." Callum obliges, limping his way out of the room.

"Callum lost his older brother a year ago. He was my best friend, and I've made it my job to help and protect him ever since."

"I'm sorry. I just... I needed to hurt him. I need the victories." "I know you do, and he's okay. A little banged up, but he's okay, and that's what is important. Just please, try to become friends with him. He looks up to you."

Cheshire's eyes widen. "Looks up to me? I've done nothing but hurt people." I lift up Cheshire's sleeve to show at least ten black rings on her arm. "He's at four, working his way up. Most people choose not to fight him, because they don't think he's a worthy opponent. He gets underestimated too much. He admires you for getting so many marks so fast."

Cheshire turns around. "Callum, you can come back in!" she yells. Callum limps slowly, a grimace of pain on his face. He begins to rub some cream on the cuts on his back.

"I'm Callum. I really appreciate you fighting me. I learned more about how to defend myself against animals, like you." Callum covers his mouth with his uncut hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you."

Cheshire smiles kindly down at Callum. "Don't worry, you didn't insult me. I like you." Callum beams. He's not used to this kind of praise, things are pretty bad for him around here. He lost his cred when he lost his brother, and he can't seem to get it back.

"I'm sorry I hurt you." Cheshire cocks her head at him. All of a sudden, her head shoots up. She eyes the door, her hazel eyes turning a shade of green.

Cheshire must have heard something. She shifted her senses, so she looks like a human but can hear like a panther. That's pretty smart.

"What did you h--" I get cut off by heavy footsteps landing outside the door. Lion pokes her head inside the marking room. "Chesh, I brought some important people for you. Make good use of Brute, he's here to work for you. You can let him fight in the arena again if you want, but there may be better uses for him. It's up to you."

Lion pushes a familiar, tan, blonde, muscular man through the door. I recognize him as Brute. Cheshire bares her teeth at him. Brute winces slightly. I look back at the door when I see Cheshire's expression turn to horror.

A young, pretty girl with coffee colored skin is standing with a scowl. Beside her, is a young boy, with blue eyes and styled brown hair. He is expressionless.

"Why did you bring them?" "They know too much. They are better of with us, contained, then they are out in the world telling their secrets."

"But Lion, you know what Cody can do, right?" Cheshire asks, concerned. Lion points to the metal band around Cody's neck. It had looked like a choker to me until now.