Let's Kill Her (Book #1)

(ﾒ￣▽￣)︻┳═一(25)

As I wait for the fencing teacher to start our lesson, I roll up my sleeves and look around the open courtyard nervously. The last time I had a class without Sejeong or Sehun, Jungkook almost dropped me out of a tree. I can't help but wonder what's in for me next.

Jennie is here and her eyes are puffy, like she cried all night. She hasn't looked in my direction yet, but I can tell she's tracking my movements - which i think is worse. In my short time here, I've noticed that when people won't look at you directly, they are paying even more attention. Jimin and Lisa are also subtly watching me.

"Today, we will have the honor of welcoming Dr. Yoo as our guest," Professor Odd says, taking his place in front of the class. I would think it was a funny name except I happened to recall that odd is also Norwegian for "the point of a sword." True to his name, Odd is a tall, white thin man with a long face who overenunciates everything he says in a theatrical way. "So let's be quick about getting our fencing gear. I would like you all to give Dr. Yoo your very best performances."

Professor Odd claps his hands together and we form two lines behind him. This time, I make sure to take t one of the last spots and not let anyone be where I can't see them. Unfortunately, Jennie is in the line next to me. She practically radiates anger, and I force myself not to look at her. Judging by how she reacted yesterday to Kai's death, if I even step wrong she might break my nose.

We follow Professor Odd through the garden courtyard and into the foyer with the shields, where we find Dr. Yoo. Every minute standing next to Jennie makes me more tense.

"Ah, Dr. Yoo. We'll just be a moment getting our gear," Odd says, and makes a bow.

Yoo smiles. "No rush, Professor Odd. In fact, I'll join you. It's been a long time since I've been in the weapons room."

"As you like," Odd says, and we make our way down the hall. A guard unlocks a door and we file into a high-ceilinged, windowless room chock-full of armor, swords, and shields. Locked glass cases display every type of knife imaginable, plus arrows and an assortment of compound and recurve bows. It feels like I stepped back in time to a medieval battle room. What is noticeably missing, however, are those weird protective fencing uniforms you always see people with on Tv - not that I really expected any safety gear.

Mounted on the wall are dozens of swords, and I watch as each person in line approaches the wall and selects one, which they then present to either Odd or Yoo for inspection. My unease takes the joy out of choosing a sword, and I wind up just grabbing the one nearest me and following suit. I breathe a little easier when I notice that the double-edged blades appear dulled for practice. I wait behind Jimin for Yoo to inspect mine.

I run my finger down the blade as I walk out of the room. I would have died for a sword this nice in Jeongseon, but Appa wouldn't let me have anything but those wooden practice ones. Jisoo used to joke that I saw The Princess Bride and decided to make it a lifestyle choice by learning all bladed weapons and constantly trying to re-create some dramatic adventure.

We all walk silently back to the courtyard. I notice that Jennie's hand periodically clenches around her sword, and Jimin and Lisa seem on edge. Between the dark cloud of general anxiety created by Kai's death yesterday and Yoo looming over us, it's not really a surprise, though. I'm just grateful Taemin isn't here. My money is still on him for the "You will be eliminated" message.

"We'll start today with some freestyle sparring to get your blood moving, and then we'll begin our lesson," Professor Odd says, and clasps his hands together. "Dr. Yoo, would you like to choose the pairings? And remember, everyone, no boxing or martial arts, just swords."

"How thoughtful, Professor Odd," Yoo says, and looks us over with a smile. "How about . . . Jimin with Yoongi. Lisa with . . . Hyuna. Suzy with" - he scans the group - "Jennie."