Darkness First

Blood and Bruises

I walked trough the hallways to my class. I opened the doors and about 30 people were there talking, some were stretching and running in place to get the pulse up.

Someone whistled and everyone went silent. Our teacher was standing on the matress, where we all will beat up eatch other.

I walked closer and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Okay, so you all know the rules, but there's one who doesn't."

Everyone started talking.

Who?

Another whistle.

"We have a new student in this class. Maria, raise up your hand."

One hand raised from the crowd. I couldn't see her, but she seemed to be tall.

That's just weird. How there can be 'a new student'? Where did she come from?

Our teacher kept talking.

"Maria is a refugee from the east coast. There's been rebelliousness lately and sooner or later there'll be a war"

Everyone were silent.

A war?

We lived inland, east coast wasn't that far. Could the war spread here?

Teacher iterated the rules of the self-defence test, but I remember them too well. To me, the most important rules are to 'be aware' and 'beat the other until the teacher tells to stop'. You don't need the other ones.

"Okay, so the first pair. Maria, you propably want to watch other's performances first."

A deep 'yeah' heard from the crowd.

***

A few pairs had already been on the test. There were paramedics taking care of the students. Some had to go to the hospital, which wasn't too rare.

Our teacher got up to the 'stage' or what ever.

"Maria, I think it's your turn now."

"Sure."

She got up and walked up to John, our teatcher.

And holy fuck she was tall. I thought I was tall, but she's got to be taller than me.

Damn, I just hope that I don't hav-

"So, I know you were your class' best student, so you get Maya as an opponent, our class' best student."

-e to be the opponent to her. Well shit.

Other students started talking quietly and looked around for me.

"Maya, come up here."

My stomach went upside down. I haven't been nervous in tests since the qualification test, when it was about my future and that would I be trained.

I slowly started walking and met other peoples gazes. They knew that I was a very though opponent, but I felt the tense. Maria was different. We didn't even know what it's like in the east coast. She could be a terminator.

I walked to John's other side. I compared myself to Maria. She was taller than me. Maybe 3 centimeters. That was much in this kind of sport type.

We shook hands. Maria looked me in the eye and smiled.

"Good luck."

The round started.

I had a very strange feeling.

Focus.

And right in that second Maria attacked.

She took three steps towards me and tried to punch me, but i dodged. Her movements seem to be very strong and assured.

***

I fell to the ground, so did Maria. My stomach hurts, my knuckles hurt, actually my whole body aches.

I quickly stood up, wobbling a little. So did Maria.

I had hitted her everywhere I could. She was strong, but not so agile, as I am. And her other inferiority: she was impatient. She just attacked, she didn't think how or where to punch.

We glared at each other, both moving a circle to our right, keeping the distance. Everyone were silent.

Maria laughed a little.

"Tired already?"

I puckered up my lips.

"Not so easily."

She ran at me and hitted me twice in the face. I felt sharp pain in my cheekbones but managed to grap her hand before she hit me again. I turned around so her arm was still in my hand and her front was agains my back. I used all my power to throw her to the ground.

She fell in front of me. I kicked her in her rib. She tried to kick me but I dodged, again. I kept kicking her and she tried wriggle away. She kicked again and this time she hit me in my knee. I fell down.

I felt anger growing inside of me.

Fuck this.

I attacked her. I sit on her and hit her everywhere. In the face, chest, stomach..

I was so angry. She was so different. No one had ever hurted me this bad before. She was a competitor to me, and I can't let her win.

Maria didn't move anymore.

"Okay, okay! That's enough Maya!"

I stopped. I gasped and looked at Maria under me. I think she's unconscious. Her face was already bruised. She had cuts and blood on her face and her clothes were a bit ripped. And I definitely look the same.

I stood up.

I hate this.

*****************

Hello!

I loved writing this chapter and I hope you like it. There's so much coming ahead! But I don't want to rush.

I'd love to hear your opinions, is this story even interesting?

I'll update soon again!