A Forbidden Love

Chapter 8

Elizabeth's point of view

As the days go by I have been training hard. It has been tough but it is necessary. We've been training in the woods because Travis pointed out that I won't always be fighting on a smooth surface. I didn't mind. I used to come to the woods a lot mostly because it was quiet and no one would find me here. Despite knowing the place well I still manage to stumble on broken branches that have fallen onto the ground. I can't always make them out due to the overgrown jungle of grass. The crisp autumn leaves also don't help but the sight of it all is breathtaking nonetheless. I reminisce the times I would come here to take photos and I find an old tree with my carving in.

When I was 13 I went through a lot. I was starting to understand things a lot more and my father found a new woman. I was angry as I didn't understand why he would betray my mother like that. I felt hurt because he always said that my mother was the only person he would ever love so I could wrap my head around why he would be with another. The woman tried to get along with me but I wasn't having any of it. I came to this tree and I felt angry but somehow the peace and quiet enveloped me and I felt calm so I carved my name into the tree. This place became home to me.

I would fall asleep here, cry my eyes out and scream in anger. I would admire the night sky and the sunrise and sunset here. I would feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and embrace the songs of the birds. The crows would gather and caw and the wind would howl and caress my hair. This place became my haven. A place where I could just be me and not have to worry about putting an act on. Not having to put a costume on in a sense. I still come here just not as often. Not since my life has been so hectic but now I will be here more again. My home.

Things with Travis are still at the awkward stage. He's trying but there's still so much I want to ask. I hesitate to ask because I'm petrified of the response. He continues to work hard with me. Every morning I wake up early and go for a jog. It's important that I gain some sense of speed because I'll probably have to chase after creatures or run from them. I go early in the morning because it is still dark and I need to learn to focus in all conditions. Even if it rains I still go for a jog even though I end up looking like a drowned rat at the end of it.

Right now I am currently with Travis. We've been at it for what seems like centuries. He wants me to get better at punching but the more I do it the less impact my punch has. "I can't do this." I whine like a little girl. I feel a little sore but Travis doesn't let me stop. He doesn't coddle me but he is a good teacher that way. He frowns but stands there holding a cushion. He knows I won't make an impact so the cushion is just his way of teasing me.

"Think of what makes you angry." He coaches me but I feel no rage. What makes me angry? I don't know at all. "Can't you just go easy on me?" I plead with him but he just scoffs frustrated. "Do you think a vampire is going to go easy on you? Or a lycan? Or a witch? No they won't. Focus. Use your anger as a fuel but control it. Don't let it consume you." I continue to punch and try to think. What makes me angry?

After a few moments I have it. All that anger I bottled up after every betrayal I felt. My ex, my father and that woman, my mother leaving me and my real father who didn't bother to seek me out. I scream and punch the pillow and effectively knock him backwards causing him to fall down. He observes me baffled as I stand there, my breathing rapid as I fight to catch my breath. "Oops sorry." He gets up and dusts the dirt off his faded jeans. He smiles at me. Is he proud?

We take a break and I down some water feeling bliss as it glides down my throat. "Will you be going to the party that the entire university is talking about?" I look at him confused mostly because I have no idea what he's on about. I don't pay attention to what people say in university because it's usually something boring. I clear my throat and glance at him. "I believe you should attend. If the vampire is going to make another move then a bunch of drunk students will certainly be on the menu. It's at some bar."