I think you're extrordinary...

Chapter 4: Limits and Laughs

My head ached and pounded but never the less I woke up and trudged to breakfast. Eating small and delicate bites I occasionally flitted my eyes towards Five who looked away and blushed red. I could feel Allison's eyes skim across Five and I's faces. I turned to face her and cocked my head to the side slightly in confusion. To which she raised her eyebrows at Five and smirked slightly before returning to her and Luther's conversation.

"Today." Father's voice boomed over the table, silencing our whispered conversations, "we will test the limits of your powers and as Number Seven has nothing valuable to test the limits of she shall assist me." I nodded and returned to my food. The others dashed to their rooms to get into their training wear, while I wandered towards the courtyard and waited for the bustle of noise that signified their arrival. Soon enough it arrived and them too, Mother brought out large podiums with ladders behind. 

"Number Two, you'll be practicing moving target practice. Seven, walk back and forth infront of the podiums and Number Two must throw and not hit you." He announced, stepping away to the side. Five passed a panicked look to me and Diego which I blinked at and began to walk. The silence was deadly. I felt the first blade whistle past my ear amd the second narrowly miss my hip. The third pinned me to the podium by the corner of my pinafore.  Looking towards my father for confirmation, I yanked the knifes out of the podium and my skirt then handed them back to Diego with a polite nod. "Three, One and Four, I should think you may not be needed for a while, Pogo shall fetch you if necessary." Luther's face betrayed him, you could tell he was upset and confused. "Number Seven, please climb to the top of the first podium." He commanded and watched as I peered over the edge. "Now jump." He commanded as serious as ever. "Five shall teleport to catch you." Five looked in my eyes, terror evident. My smile shook as I tried to assure and comfort him. I pushed myself off the podium with a not so gracefull jump and felt a pair of arms wrap around me and then being squished and pulled apart again to the ground. I wobbled in his arms and nearly toppled us over.

"Well done Number Five, the next highest Number Seven." He shouted again. Five's rage bubbled at the surface as he whispered a short promise.

"I won't let you get hurt, and if anything happens, I'll kill him." Gulping at the prospect of getting hurt for what seems like the millionth time this week, I pulled myself to the second podium.  Again, I felt the squeeze and stretch off being teleported but this time I fell for much longer.  I was given no time to recover as our father then gestured to the next podium. This one was maybe twice or three times my height and towered over me compared to the others. I felt the comfort of the arms wrapping around me but not the squeeze and stretch. Panicking, I wrapped my arms around his kneck. For the last couple feet we fell freely to the ground. Luckily, Mother had put out a crash mat for this one. Crashing to the ground, I heard his small groan of pain. His hands were still hugging my back holding me down. My arm came free and I pushed myself up and saw Mom running with a first aid kit. Five's eyes blinked open and pulled me back down on top of him.

"I'm so sorry Vanya" He murmured into my kneck. Stunned silent and still shaking, I didn't try to move until I heard Ben snicker slightly. Flushing red, I jumped off of him and helped him sit up to be checked for injuries. After we were told that we were fine, I walked back to my father's side and felt his eyes on me. Five remained silent with his eyes on the ground clearly upset or in shock but I knew my father didn't care. 

"Number Six, I want you to pick up Seven. With the tentacles." Hargreeves demanded. "You will put her on the podium. Grace, Two put out extra mats." Breathing heavily, I walked over Ben and closed my eyes tightly. Feeling a sudden suction curl around my back and on the back of my legs, I instinctively moved to a seating position. I collided quickly with the podium and then the tentacles released and shrunk backwards.  Opening my eyes, I gave a short smile to Ben who wasn't very happy about having to use his powers on me. After climbing back down, I heard the instructions my father was giving Diego and Five. 

"Number Two will aim for Seven and Five you will remove the knifes before they reach her. If you fail it may be a fatal mistake." Rushing to Five, I dragged him away before he could say or do anything that would get him punished. Soothing him by rubbing his arm, I looked him in the eyes and said:

"Please don't be angry Five, he's just trying to push your abilities."

"No, he's trying to antagonise me by getting you hurt and what if I fail? I've already risked your life once today."

"That's where you're wrong, you won't make the same misktake twice and motivating and antagonising are often the same thing. I don't think he considered your feeling when he choose me to be a human dart board. I'm the least usefull, he needs Mom and Pogo and all of you but he doesn't need me so he doesn't mind risking me." The truth stung me as I released the insecurities and truths that were festering inside of me. 

"But I need you," He said, grasping my hand and staring into my glistening eyes. "I need you Vanya."

"Well then we better hope Diego cares a smidgen about me," I deadpanned. Knowing Deigo didn't care and would risk my life in a heartbeat. I shuffled with disinclanation towards the podium.

"Hey Diego?" I asked quietly, his head turned, suprised to hear me adressing him. "I know you don't like me but could you at least try not to kill me. I'd really appreciate it." I said with more than a hint of sarcasm in my voice that shocked those around me. Ben and Pogo were long gone to meet the others for normal training. I half expected the sharp pain to sink into my shoulder but I heard a clatter and saw Five standing smugly by a littered knife. Diego took advantage of Five's distraction and the next knife grazed my arm slightly. Hissing as the pain, I snatched at my arm. Father motioned for Grace to stay where she was. 

"We cannot afford distraction, now you know what happens when you don't pay attention." He bellowed over to Five whose face was contorted in a mix of anger and determination. The next few knifes never reached me but soon Five and Mom were next to me. Five holding my hand and smirking at Diego and Mom reaching for a bandage. 

"Vanya, I can't wrap the bandage while your shirt is on. I'm afraid you'll need to take off this arm." Mine and Five's faced went beetroot red. Him and Diego both turned around staring intently at a tree in the distance while I removed the strap of my pinafore and unbutton the top half of my shirt of and shrugged the right sleeve off that was stained with my blood. She quickly wrapped the bandage and secured it. I saw Five turn in my peripheral vision, I smirked as I saw his face go even deeper red as he saw my bare back and bra. Normally, I'd be embarrassed but I just wanted to giggle. Number Seven didn't giggle but maybe Vanya did. Although I tried to pull my pinafore and shirt back on, it caused an intense pain. Mom and Diego had began to pack away the equipment, leaving me and Five. He took off his blazer and pulled it over my shoulders. 

"Thanks." I muttered as we walked back to my room. 

Wow, what a day.