The Pause

Chapter 13

It had been about a week since his confrontation with Andrews. Nathan sat, lost in his thoughts. He hadn't wrapped his head around the encounter COULD HE BE RIGHT? He thought to himself WHAT COULD THEY BE HIDING? He began to spiral, questioning everything until hearing "N-Nathan" a whimpering voice in his ear. He recognised it as Elliott's. He realise that he'd been so caught up in the Andrews thing he hadn't taken in his surroundings.

He was sitting in a large, abandoned PE Hall attached to the school building. Chipped paint and cobwebs across the walls with a basketball court lining the floor. The room was lit by an old generator powering the remains of the lights as was present throughout the school building.

For the past few days the groups had been given self study/training. More off duty work before the final challenges

He noticed Roberto in the centre of the court, fully decked in athletic wear holding a bow staff. Practicing defensive manoeuvres for 1 on 1 combat. His arms were bandaged heavily following the obstacle course incident. He was still shaken yet seemed incredibly determined. It was as if he had more motivation to make it now than ever. Yet Nathan wondered how much was because of the injury and how much was to beat Simon.

"Nathan?" Elliott whimpered again. They were sitting at a bench in the left of the hall, facing onwards to Roberto. Nathan turned to his friend. "What is it buddy?" He asked sympathetically. There wasn't something right with Elliott. Granted he was never the most confident but today he seemed especially quiet. "I'm. I'm scared. About all this" Elliott muttered. "About losing?" Nathan asked, confused as to what the boy meant. "No. No. About if we make it. If we go on that mission. If we become soldiers. I'm. I'm afraid I'll drag you all down. I'm a liability" Elliot looked to Nathan holding back tears. "I'm sorry Nathan. He mumbled. Nathan put his arm around the smaller boy. "Hey listen. What have I told you. We're in this together. I promise you my friend. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you. That is the Nathan Hendrix guarantee" they smiled at each other whilst Elliott wiped his eyes.

"NATE" Roberto shouted from the centre. "You're up". Roberto threw Nathan the staff. He had some experience carrying poles and bats and using them as weapons, but never a staff. This was a whole new field for Nathan. "Well look at you tough guy" he heard from the door. It was Emily, leaning against the wall smirking with a staff of her own. She approaches Nathan with a cocky smile on her face "how about a little duel, some practice for what's to come". Nathan takes a step back, "no I. I can't hit you". Emily rolls her eyes "because I'm a girl?". Nathan begins to stutter "n-no.. because. Um. Because y-you're. You. and I don't want to hurt you" he barley let's out, his face redder than a rose in bloom.

Emily flicks her hair. "Awww aren't you a gentleman" she mocks. Nathan can feel Roberto and Elliott staring at him, their eyes drawn to the drama and they are loving every second. Emily rushes, thrusting the staff towards Nathan's chest. He blocks it and rolls on the floor, trying to get a sweep for her legs. She catches him off guard and counters.

Back and fourth they keep going, striking at each other, using their strength and agility. Neither resisting until the other falls. Nathan lunges for Emily's waist but she knocks him off course. He falls on his back as she stands over him. Extending her hand. "Fair match" she says to him. Nathan reaches out, only to grab her staff and pull her to the ground, giving him the upper hand. He stands above her, holding both staffs firmly. "Never let your guard down. Out there, fair matches don't exist" he laughs, flashing an arrogant smile. Emily sighs. "You really are an asshole aren't you?". "I do try" Nathan replies. They both smile at each other.

Hours later. The group hang by the car repair shop. Crowded around a fire they lit. The orange glow illuminating, inviting, filling them with feeling of. Home. "It's hard to believe it's only been a few weeks" Elliott chirped. "It feels like we've known each other forever". The others smile, each one transfixed on the fire. Yet finding comfort in the closeness. "Um. This may seem like a stupid question but. Once this is all over. We're still gonna be friends right?" Elliott asks, looking up the group. "Of course", "why wouldn't we?" Nathan and Emily chip in. Roberto stays silent, staring only at the flames. His only movement to readjust his bandages.

"Roberto?" Elliott asks. His voice more concerned. Roberto looks up "what? Look you guys are nice people but I have no obligation to any of you. I'm here because I need to be. Not because I want to. Once this program is done and these wounds heal I'm out of here"

Elliott looks devastated. His lips begin to quiver. Nathan pipes in. "So you're just gonna ditch us. Wow just as I was starting to think you weren't a tool". Roberto scoffs "like you're any better. You're here on a hopeless revenge mission. You don't care about these people, all you want is to fulfil this lifelong vengeance bullshit". Nathan rushes Roberto. One punch and he's knocked to the ground, Nathan stands over him breathing heavily. He looks to his hand, his knuckles bruised, he sees Roberto clinging to his face. Nathan backs away and quivers.

Elliott takes Roberto away. Emily stays behind with him. They sit together, near the same spot nights before. "He'll be ok. Don't blame yourself" she tries to comfort him. Nathan still shakes. Until. He feels. Warmth. Emily holds him close, she rests her head on his shoulders. The two of them sit in silence, purely enjoying the other's company. They stare into each other's eyes. She pulls him close and they kiss. Nathan's world begins to spin, his heart pounding through his chest, it feels as if a huge weight has been lifted off of his shoulders and he is prepared to fly.

"This may be a bit of awkward timing considering recent events. But I do have an empty dorm if your interested?" Emily flashes Nathan a smile that conveys a thousand things, yet simultaneously means only one. He blushes more than ever thought humanly possible "I would definitely be interested" he struggles to get his words out. They rush back to Emily's dorm. The rest of the night was a blur to Nathan, yet he remembers the passion, warmth, intimacy. The one night he didn't worry about anything, the one night he didn't feel afraid.

The one night he felt safe.. safe. With her