Sentinel

Chapter 9: Training

Will hadn't bothered to park, instead, he idled his truck in front of my building. I took the stairs a bit fast, not wanting to be seen with my sword. I hurriedly went around the front of his truck and climbed into the passenger seat.

"Good afternoon," I said as I closed the door behind me.

"Hey," was all he said in return. He had shaved his stubble but his hair was just as messy as it was yesterday morning. I glanced at his clothes. He was wearing a dark gray t-shirt and jeans that made me feel like I chose the wrong outfit.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"My house."

"Does that mean your parents house?" I hoped not.

He laughed. "No, I don't live with my parents."

"Do you live by yourself?" I wanted to know if there was going to be an audience.

"I live with Nathan and Brynn."

"Are they going to be there?"

He shook his head. "They both have lives and are out for the day."

That was a relief. "Are you implying that you don't have a life?"

Will shrugged. "It's difficult to come back after two years. Most of the people I knew in high school have moved away. And there are a lot of Sentinels that don't think too highly of me anymore."

"Oh," was all I could think to say.

Will lived on outskirts near the woods. Just a little under a five-minute drive from my place. I recognized the area a bit because it was close to the college. I had a feeling they lived there to intercept chimeras that were lurking at the edge of town. The house was nicer than I thought it would be. It was two stories and light blue with white trim. The front yard was a decent size but I was sure the backyard was much bigger.

We got out of the truck and I followed him inside. The front door opened up to a spacious living room with a connected dining room and kitchen on the left. For a house of twenty-something-year-olds, it was really clean.

"I'd give you a tour but I'm sure you want to finish our lesson before Brynn and Nate get home."

He was right.

We walked straight through the living room and out a sliding glass door into the backyard. The yard was surrounded by a tall wooden fence and the grass wasn't kept as well as the front. Will walked to the middle and faced me.

"We'll start with hand to hand," he said.

"Why?"

"That you've survived the last three month means that you are somewhat okay with your sword but there will be times when you'll be without it, especially if you fight a Sentinel. The first thing they'll do is try to disarm you." He smiled and made a 'come here' gesture. "Come at me."

I swallowed my complaint and leaned my sword against the house. I turned back to him and squared my shoulders as I tried to think of a strategy. I had nothing. I'd never been in a fistfight before.

Deciding to go on instinct like usual, I charged him. I aimed for a low tackle hoping to bring him down fast. He stepped out of reach just as I grabbed for him. My momentum caused me to pass him and as I did he reach to give my back a small push. My weight was already forward so the push was enough to send me sprawling across the grass.

"Try again." I knew he was smiling without looking back at him. "And you don't have to try to tackle me. Feel free to throw some punches."

Without a word, I pushed myself off the ground and faced him again. I racked my brain for a better plan. My reach was much shorter than his so I needed to figure out a way to get close. I charged him again, this time at a more manageable speed. When he dodged I was able to follow him but he still danced out of the way of my arms.