[Jason’s POV]
I had just finished a Karate session in the backyard with Jeff, my guardian and mentor. “I’m tired. Can we take a break for a while?” Panting, I headed into the house for a cold drink. It was late afternoon and we had been working out for two hours straight, as per our daily routine. I knew the schedule well enough: Waking up at six am, breakfast and a three-hour workout in the morning, then lunch. After lunch, a little free time before practising again. In the evening, a shower then dinner and one hour of bonding time with my guardian, then it was sleeping time.
“Jason, I am going out to get a gun. Time for you to learn how to use one.” Jeff decided. I grinned to myself, pleased that my mentor thought I was ready for a new weapon. That was a good sign and meant that I was improving.
The nearest store was about twenty minutes away and I knew I would have an hour to myself. During my free time, I would usually take a nap to make up for my rigorous schedule. I laid on my couch as I closed my eyes and drifted off…
Boom!
I shot straight up.
Something was wrong. The acrid air smelled thick with fumes. Gagging at the smell, I sprinted out of the house and raced towards the source of the noise.
Crap. What was happening? A million thoughts raced through my mind as I hurried to the window. The sight that met my eyes made my pulse quicken and my mouth go dry.
[Sierra’s POV]
“Sierra! Breakfast now!” Christine yelled from the kitchen.
“Coming! Just a minute!” I responded. I put on my belt and tucked my dagger into it, hiding it from sight You never know when one of the Spizards might pop out. Those nasty things. They were a mutant species, a cross between a spider and a lizard.
For years, Christine had been warning me about the horrors of meeting a Spizard. She had told me that it was a large, black, ferocious hairy creature which had eight legs and claws. Its eyes were like black pits and it was surprisingly fast for its size. However, they are able to shapeshift and take the form of a human. The only way to tell them apart is their very rough, deep voice. Although I never doubted my guardian’s words, I sometimes wondered if I would ever encounter. If not, what was the point of training?
“Sierra! Get here now! You are going to be late!” Christine yelled again, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I rushed into the kitchen and plopped myself down on a stool as I gobbled up my breakfast. The last thing I wanted was to be late and get detention. wait what detention? That will interfere with my daily schedule.
“Have you gotten your dagger?”
I nodded.
“Remember never to tell anyone about your true background or one of them will find you.”
I nodded again. I knew full well who my mentor was referring to: the Spizards. I would never tell anyone about my darkest secret unless I was trying to attract unnecessary attention.
