Wreckless

Eight

My fist slammed into the lifeless red bag that was hanging from the wall, i punched it again, each hit stronger than the first.

I could feel the sweat slowly cascading down my face but there wasn't enough time to wipe it away.

The whistle blew and we were rounded up. Liam and Niall stood side by side in the middle of our surprisingly small group.

Zoe was trying to wave at me, but with a quick glance from Niall she stopped.

"Alright, we need  to get something clear with you." Liam began as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

"No matter what kind of horror tales you've heard about area five, you need to realize that we don't have very much patience." Niall continued.

"We are the police of all the areas, but they don't know that." Liam added, his brown eyes gazing over the crowd.

"Because we seem hard to trust, when we have to be somewhere, we wear colours appropriate for that area, which also means we have access to every area, when ever we want."

"But you can't take it for granted." Liam finished, i'm started to get the idea that they've practiced this.

"You will be training for eight hours a day, starting at 4 in the morning." A few people groaned and whispering began, but a oud whistle was what shut everyone up, marching feet stomped towards us and a person broke through into the middle to join Liam and Niall.

"Obviously you'll get breaks, but don't expect them to be long." The new guy said, a smirk on his face as he looked around, scanning every person individually.

"Also, we don't tolerate people magically disappearing during the night." Liam said as his eyes met mine. I could feet my breathing quicken but as soon as his eyes met mine, they'd moved on.

"If you are spotted in the streets, we will find out. Because there is a rule in this area." Niall began, a grin on his pale face.

"It's a simple rule really; if you can't handle it. You might as well become homeless and get on the train to no-where-land now." The new guy added, someone behind me scoffed, earning everyone's attention.

"I'm Louis, I'll also be a leader, or what ever it's called." The new guy- Louis, said and everyone's eyes diverted back over to him.

"Can we have Zoe and Elizabeth in the middle." He added, my eyes darted over to Zoe as she looked over at me, stepping forward.

I copied her actions, my feet finding the courage to stand beside Zoe as we stood defenceless in the middle.

They'd caught us.

I bet Harry rat us out!

Why did i think i could trust him?

"You two, it has come to our attention that your appearance has some how changed. And what's more strange is that no one has come forward to say they saw you." Niall announced, his eyes looking over at my red hair, and Zoe's new piercings, and very visible tattoos.

"You can all go get a drink of some sort." Louis said dismissively and everyone rushed to leave the room.

"When did you leave?" Liam asked, i glanced over all three men as they stared back at us.

"Around midnight." I answered, Zoe gripped my arm which was hidden behind my back.

"How many tattoos do you have?" Niall questioned as he nodded his head toward Zoe, her eyes widened slightly before she pinched me, and cleared her throat.

"Four" Was all she managed to croak out. Liam nodded to himself, as if he was having a conversation about in his mind.

"Did you get any?" Louis asked, his eyes squinted slightly as he scanned any skin that was showing of mine. Which was only my arms, head and neck, so i knew he wouldn't have been able to see it, but Zoe decided t get dressed in something that showed all of her new editions to her skin.

"Just one." I said, my voice was surprisingly strong, nothing like what i felt internally.

"Where?" Liam pressed, fully in the conversation now, and not the one in his own mind. I took a deep breath and shrugged.

"On the back of my shoulder." I didn't lie like i'd wanted to, i wanted to say on my ass so they wouldn't ask to see it but:

"Let us see." Were the three words i'd dreaded to hear, i really couldn't be bothered to explain why i've got some geeky Elvish writing tattooed, or what it says, or what it means i just-

"Now." Liam snapped and i flinched, turning around and re-positioning my shirt to expose my new tattoo, the large bandage came off in the shower so it looked raw.

"What does it say?"

"Not all those who wander are lost," A deep voice boomed, making me jump.

"It's Elvish, right?" I recognized the voice, it belonged to Harry. After pulling my shirt up, i turned to face him. A smile on his face as he looked over at me.

"Yeah, it is."

"Haz! Mate, how have you been?" Niall said, giving him a bro hug. Zoe's eyes widened as we watched all the guys bro hug and exchange happy responses.

"That was all, you two will be first to fight." Liam said, now fully composed after the weird little meet up with Harry, who's face flashed with concern at his 'friend's' choice of words.

"Fight?" Zoe exclaimed, giving Liam a very dirty look, i had to suppress a smile as she stared him down. Making him shift uncomfortably.

"Yeah, we need to monitor your strength." Louis interjected,  clearly sensing the tension that they were holding.

"Why us?" She pressed, clearly annoyed by the situation.

"Because you both snuck out. Now i suggest you get ready." He said as people filled the room once more. I exchanged a worried glance with Zoe as i made my way back over to the punching bag.

My legs felt weak as i faced the red bag, i'd never been in a fight in my life, now i have to fight my only friend?

My fist collided with the bag, it was a pathetic attempt and the hit didn't even make it move. I sighed and lent my head against the cold wall. The heat in my face slowly fading.

"I know it sucks, but you need to defend more than attack." A deep voice soothed from behind me, i rolled my eyes and stood straight, facing Harry.

"I don't want to fight her"

"But you have to. Suck it up Lizzy, this is the only way to stay in here, so when you do attack, go for the throat, 'round about here" He said as he pointed to the spot below his Adams apple. I nodded and looked away.

He sighed heavily, before finally leaving.