Runaway

twenty seven

twenty seven

"Keep up!" Xavier calls, I glare at him from the other side of the gymnasium. The building is massive, and from where I'm standing Xavier is more of a dot than a person.

When I asked Xavier to teach me how to fight I guessed it would be like how it is in the movies, I was never allowed to see anyone train so the best I got were Hollywood films. Apparently Hollywood is wrong. Most of learning to fight is fitness, strength and conditioning none of which are things I have ever done before.

While most werewolves start training from age five, I never did and it puts me at a massive disadvantage in any fight. Even after one month of training Xavier still won't let me fight, I'm weak not strong enough to fight. He never says those words but I know it's the truth, without my wolf my sense aren't heightened and after years of physical abuse my body is fragile. I need my wolf.

Squeezing my hand into a fist I take off in a run, hoping to reach Xavier before I break a sweat. My fitness and strength have definitely improved but a month isn't long enough. Trying to catch up to werewolves who have spent twenty years fighting, I did not think this through.

Finally, I reach Xavier struggling to keep my breathing steady. "You're getting a lot better Belle, your stamina is so much higher than when we started." A small smile forms on my face, the first time Xavier had asked me to run one lap of the gym I had collapsed after 100m and had to go back to the hospital. The only time I'd ever done any physical activity was running away from my pack which was fuelled by adrenaline and desperation. "Normally I wouldn't do this but considering the circumstances, I'm going to teach you basic combat."

My eyes light up, at last I can learn how to fight, how to defend myself. "We have to tread very carefully though, because of the abuse you suffered having someone approach you as if to attack you, could trigger bad memories." Xavier's eyes watch me carefully waiting for me to flinch and fall back into myself I suppose.

Instead, I nod my head. Too scared to speak in case my stutter comes back. At least when I'm training I can feel semi-like this Luna everyone believes I am, but the moment I open my mouth and that stupid stutter comes back it's like the world is collapsing.

I follow Xavier through the empty gym into a smaller room completely covered in padding. "This is the room we use to train children from 5-12 to make sure they don't hurt themselves. It's covered in something (I haven't decided yet!) that prevents any serious injuries from taking place." Xavier explains watching me carefully.

"We're going to start with your stance, you need to stand with your feet apart one in front of the other." I watch Xavier move his feet, right foot in front.

"This will help with your stability and make you harder to knock off your feet."

I move my feet to mimic Xavier's looking back at him for reassurance. Feeling his eyes on me, my hand start to shake.

"It's okay Belle, you're doing fine, you just need to focus." Xavier says moving closer to me, "now raise your hands to eye level, with your dominant hand at the back."

I stare at Xavier blankly, "can you repeat that please?" I say with a small smile.

Xavier sighs, coming to stand in front of me. "Raise your hands."

I bring both my hands up, "now form them into fists. Clench your fingers against your palm and place your thumb over your second and third knuckles." Xavier holds up his fist and I find myself stumbling backwards.

After a second I stop myself, he's not going to hurt you, he's showing you how to make a fist. Straightening up, I place my feet apart and raise my arms with my hands in fists.

Finally, I look back at Xavier who's expression had become nonchalant. I watch him walk towards me, gently reaching his hand out, "I won't hurt you."

I nod slowly, as his hand makes contact with my fist, sending sparks through my body. "Almost," Xavier says his voice a whisper. I watch him adjust my thumb to sit over my second and third fingers only. "There you go." For a moment, we both stare at each other, unmoving.

"Okay now place your dominant hand behind your less dominant hand." I look at Xavier blankly. Sighing, he reaches out once again, this time his hands make contact with my forearm and my whole body is filled with fire. "Are you right-handed?" Xavier murmurs avoiding my gaze.

I nod my head, watching, mesmerised, as Xavier moves my right arm behind my left, raising my arms to eye level.

Xavier takes a step back and the warmth leaves my body. "Okay, now walk towards me."

For every step forward, Xavier takes one back. "Now, attack me."

I stop, dumbfounded, "w-what?" I stutter.

A small smile creeps onto Xavier's face, "Belle, the only way you learn to fight is through fighting. You're not going to hurt me. I just want to see how you would naturally attack someone."

"Um, o-okay." I move towards Xavier, swinging my right arm at him. He blocks easily, his hand wrapping around my arm and flipping me around so my back is pressed against him. Xavier's arm wrapped around my neck, my heart is beating so fast I'm sure he can here it.

One second more and Xavier lets me go. "That wasn't too bad, you need more power behind your punch though. We'll work on that before I show you how to anticipate your opponents movements." Moving backward, Xavier motions with his hands, "again."

I try again, only to reach the same result.

Then again.

And again.

And again.

I line my feet up, watching Xavier, but before I can move there's a knock on the door. I turn to see it swing open, revealing an all too familiar face.

"D-dexter?" I stutter in disbelief, what? How? A million questions run rampant within my mind. Could this get anymore confusing?

"Isabelle?" He replies mirroring my shocked expression.

We both turn to look at Xavier, searching for answers.

"Dexter, what are you doing here?" Xavier says in shock.

"You asked me here." Dexter replies, "I got a formal letter from the Committee and everything." I watch Dexter reach into his pocket to pull out a folded piece of parchment paper.

I catch Xavier shaking his head and muttering under his breath.

"What's going on?" I say in a whisper, my hands shaking.

I feel Xavier's hand brush over my skin, "it's going to be okay, don't panic."

My eyes meet his and for a moment I fall into the comfort of his gaze. The warmth beneath those dark green eyes. All I want is to collapse into his arms, sinking into the comfort of his arms, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Instead, I find myself pulling away. "I'm done." I say into the silence catching both Xavier and Dexter off guard.

"I'm done with not knowing what's going on. I am not a pawn in this world. I am a living, breathing, person and I deserve to be treated that way. I don't care about Alphas' and Lunas' and witches and whatever weird politics goes on in this world." I pause to take a breath, focus Isabelle.

"But you can't continue to test me and keep me in the dark. I have literally had half of my memories locked away!!! I'm ignorant enough of this world as it is, I don't need anyone else keeping secrets from me."

My eyes meet Xavier's, "now tell me what the hell is going on!"