Shadow Moses [Fransykes]

Chapter 39

Hannah glared at me, her head tilted. Her hands were up, as well as the blades she clenched onto. Her bangs, moist from sweat, lied over her eyes as her chest visibly moved in the even rhythm of her deep breaths. Still, a wide smile remained on her face.

I backed away from her, panting. 

My gaze fell into the grass tickling my ankles as my eyes searched for the knife she knocked out of my hand. 

The silver piece of metal glistered between the low grass blades, as if laughing at me, mocking my pathetic fighting skills. I quickly picked it up, twisting its leather handle in my sweaty palm. 

I wiped my forehead, drawing a deep breath before I looked back at Hannah.

"Where did you learn how to fight like that?" I asked.

"Alissa taught me." She smiled sweetly. "Now take your position dear brother."

I rolled my eyes. What was I even thinking? Of course it was Alissa.

"Don't you think this is enough for today?" I asked. "Like, I get it, it sparks your ego to get a chance to prove to me how you can so effortlessly beat me up, but I'm done."

"You're done when you fight back," she said.

And again, she stepped towards me before I even detected she moved. 

She raised her hand and her knuckles flew towards my face. I let out a sharp exhale, but on my shaky knees, I dodged, stumbling back. 

I didn't even realize I moved. It was a reflex at this point. Perhaps it meant I was getting better.

"Don't avoid me!" She yelled. "Fight back!"

"For fuck's sake Hannah,I'm not going to hit you," I repeated for who knows what time in the past hour. "In fact, I'm not going to hit any girl ever."

She raised her eyebrows. "Are you suggesting we're weaker?"

"I'm not suggesting, it's fucking biology," I said, "you're physically weaker."

"I'm sorry to tell you," - she stepped towards me, - "but the only one physically weaker here is you."

Her hand flew.

I didn't dodge the blow.

Hot blasting pain stroke my jaw. I gasped, dropped my knife again then landed in the grass on all fours.

The coppery flavor of blood spread over my tongue as I bit on my lip hard, rubbing my chin. I waited for the ringing to stop before I spat the liquid stirring in my mouth out, drawing yet another shaky breath.

"You really love doing this don't you?" I threw a glance back at her. 

She placed her foot on my hip. "Yeah, pretty much."

She pushed me into the ground with a smile. 

I flopped to my back.

I didn't bother to resist or recoil. My lungs burned as all my effort went into breathing.

Hannah sat on my chest, slipping her knife to my throat.

"You're dead," she clicked her tongue.

"Fine with me," I said, "just please act like I'm dead and let me lie here."

She frowned, hitting my chest. "You're no fun!"

"If you consider me trying to punch you fun then I guess you'll never be satisfied."

She jumped to her feet then pulled me up as well.

"I'm serious," she said, crossing her arms, "if you don't get over that thing you have about hitting girls you're gonna die."