Young Writers Society

Crow Hokkaido
It was around midnight when I started Sketching. It was something I only did in secret, it helped me calm down.
Now was a good a time as any, I guess.

I shifted on the branch I was perched on, impatiently brushing my black hair out of my eyes. My pencil swept across the paper, and I lifted it momentarily to survey my handiwork. It was a large raven, poised on a branch as if about to take flight.
I snapped the book closed when I heard someone coming.
I climbed down from my branch, watching as a girl came flying around the corner. She turned a few handsprings, her red hair streaming out behind her as the flipped through the air.

After a short while, she stopped to rest, and froze when she saw me. I considered climbing back onto my branch, but decided against it. It would't solve anything.
The girl stood and jogged over to me. I watched her impassively.
She was a lot smaller than me, with bright red hair and grey-blue eyes that were glinting with the slightest bit of surprise.

Doubtless, she thought she was alone out here.

"Were you following me?" The girl asked.

Why the heck would I do that?

"No." I said.

The girl waited, probably waiting for me to say more, but I was silent.

Speak only when spoken to.

It was a principle impressed upon me at a young age, and despite myself, I always find myself falling back on it.

"Well, then, why are you out here?" The girl inquired.

That is really none of your business.
I shrug. "Not tired. You?"

"The same, I guess. That and my bed is above Evangeline Lakewood's, which isn't really the best place to sleep."

I took a wary step back. If she was in the same bunker as Evangeline, then she must be a Shark. I could only guess what she had hidden in those arm guards.

She seemed to see how tense I was, and changed the subject.

"What's that?" She asked, nodding at my sketchbook.

Well, this subject isn't any better.

I shifted the book self consciously in my arms, dropping my gaze.

"It's a book." I mumbled.

"Oh. Well, yeah. It is." she bit her lip and shifted a little before remembering to stand up straight. I could see the gears turning in her head, analyzing every moment she'd shown weakness in the last two minutes.
I stayed silent, and the quiet soon became a little too awkward. I shifted form foot to foot, wondering if I should say something.
Instead I turned, and made my way hesitantly back to my bunker.

William Black

"Ready? Set? Go!!" As soon as Eva had that word out of her mouth my hands were a blur. I could feel eyes upon me as I worked with my hands. The blindfold was well placed, cutting off any light, but I was too good at what I did. Soon I placed my hands on the top of my head and smirked." Finished."

I took the blindfold off to witness a grinning Lakewood, and a stunned group. "17 seconds Black. That's better than when I last tested you." She said, putting away her timer. I looked down at my personal Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle, with a silenced attachment and a variable zoom scope.

She was my only love. I was once asked by Eva what it felt like to drop someone from so far away, only seeing them collapse in my scope. I remember clearly my response. "The recoil." I had shrugged.

As I began to lovingly oil my rifle, one of the heathen brothers approached. Grady I believe. An ugly boy I thought, and only in his position because of his brother." I bet I could put it together faster than you." He challenged. I watched Eva smirk and turn away, hiding her laughter by coughing." What's wrong with you?" Someone asked. She shook her head, refusing to respond.

"Sorry boyo, but no one touches the rifle unless I give them the V.I.P pass, and you sirry, are much to brutish to handle this rifle." I turned away as he gaped at me. He was speechless either from shock I wasn't giving into his wishes, or that he couldn't understand my words. I was pretty sure it was the second.

He glared at me." Next time I give you an order, you'd better damn well obey me. Or else-" with a sigh, I slammed my hand onto the table I was working on causing him to jump." Or else you'll do what? You think your a big boy? Killed someone, so that makes you a soldier? Let me tell you something boy. I trained with the best of them, and one of them, a mule much like yourself, considered himself my better. He's in a London hospital with a crushed windpipe and his wife is crying over his comatose body. I've put bullets between the eyes of people far too important for your insignificant peanut mind to know about. I've dropped 13 Spetsnaz snipers looking for me in abut 30 seconds with head shots. I've become feared by the Italian Mafia for taking out their Don. So before you finish your sentence, realize I've sent people far more important than you six feet under. Now good sir, continue." I sat back, lazily watching him. I could hear Eva coughing from laughter. I turned to find her doubled over. This Grady considered to be an opening.

He pulled a combat knife from his side and thrust with it, aiming for the small of my back. I stepped to the side, watching the knife glide past. My hand leapt out to grab his wrist and began twisting. I swung it around till it was behind his back, and he let go of his knife with a cry of pain. I placed my boot on his rump and kicked him, sending him soaring across the room. He landed with a grunt.

I picked up his knife as his older brother walked over quickly." Stop it! The both of you!" He ordered. He glared at his brother than turned to me." Black, I know your new here, but you will follow the orders of myself and my brother. Insubordination will be punished quickly and violently." I watched a girl rush over to Grady's side, but he shoved her off with a snarl." I smirked and stabbed the knife into the table.

"Whatever you say. Sir." I said, saluting sarcastically. I turned and marched over too my gun, breaking it up and placing the parts into their corresponding places in my carrier. Eva walked over. Quietly I whispered in Russian." Any last offers?" She smirked." You can take Grady's place. And his life if you so wish." She said back in perfect Russian. I smiled at her." Ah lass, three has always been my lucky number." With that I closed the lid with a snap.

Cassia Blake

I'm surprised a sun even shines on this place. I'll admit it though. The sunrise at Pierpoint is amazing, and the best place to watch it is the roof of the south tower. Nobody goes there anymore, because it's so dangerously old. But during one of my visits I stumbled upon the roof, and learned it's quite amazing and quiet.

After talking for a few hours Xander and I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up on the creaky wooden steps with my bow still in my hand. Xander sat a few steps below breathing slowly. The stairwell was still dark when I woke up so I continued my way up the stairs to the opening leading to the roof. I sat towards the edge, and I watched the sunset just like when I was a little girl.

So much has changed, but the sunrise has remained the same.

When the sunrise finally ends I slowly stand up. I look out across the courtyard of the death school, and sigh. The metal roof is still slippery from the morning dew fall. It smells like rust.

How about we play a game? How long until you fall off the edge?

I step torwards the edge until I'm one step away from falling.

Three steps forward. One step back. Three steps forward one step back.

My knees wobble as I look at the cobblestone floor below.

"Cass?" I turn quickly to see Xander standing at the opening to the roof. I don't know why, but I stay silent.

"Look, I know what you're thinking about Cass, but don't." He reaches his hands out torwards me like I'm an injured baby bird. He couldn't catch me even if he wanted to. I'm a few feet away.

"How could you possibly know what I'm thinking about? You probably have it wrong. Unless you guessed the beauty of the sunrise, then you'd be right." I slightly smile, and look out. I step away from the edge, and then I turn to him.

"Thanks." I say, and I step past him heading back down the stairs.

"For what?" He asks his eyes watching me.

"I'll let you know when I know for sure." I run the rest of the way down the stairs not stopping until I reach the gate of the school. The cage keeping me in. Clusters of students make their way torwards the mess hall. That can only mean one thing. Classes are starting soon.

After I grab an apple from a fruit cart, I start walking to my first class. Sparring with instructor Rodriquez was a famous class throughout the country. Half of the students end up dropping out within the first semester. That's pretty much how it is with most classes. You either pass, fail, or die. You better hope you die over failing in this world. The school says if you pass all your classes in the top ten then you are considered for the Elite class. After graduation that means you are considered for leadership jobs, and anything that doesn't consist of being a soldier who will envitably die on the battlefield. That's what every student strives for. It's what every student kills for. Literally.

I'm early when I finally arrive at the sparring field house. I look around. The cocky and newbie students are the ones doing push ups, and jumping jacks. (First to go in my opinion. Pre class show offs never prosper.) Then, there are the slackers. The ones who are aiming to get by on only technology classes. (They turn into the analysts of the world.) Lastly, there are the Sharks, and the rest of us. The ones who fight everyday to be the best. (Sharks want to. The rest of us have to) The five castes of this bloody anarchy. Cocky, newbie, slacker, shark, and survivors.

Here we go.

The bell rings and I flinch. I already notice that I share sparring with Evangeline, that Lun girl, and that creep Peter Wise. (Learned his name after I broke his nose yesterday.) He glares at me across the room. Not with anger as much as despising desire. I shiver at the thought of his touch. I flinch as someone taps my shoulder. I turn to see Xander. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't need to. He is assuring me that as long as he is here, Peter isn't.

"Alright Students!" Most of us jump at the booming voice that enters the door.

Instructor Rodriguez.

Literally the most terrifying woman I have ever seen. Hands down.

"We will begin today with a small test!" No matter what she said, it was like she was yelling. "This test will determine your choice of sparring partners this quarter final. Throughout the quarter you will spar with multiple people, but your final spar will be determined with this test. So, I suggest you win because if you lose, you will choose last. Most likely you'll get picked by someone who can easily defeat you. Therefore you might die, get injured, or well...quit the class. So I suggest you work hard!"

"What's the test?" Evangeline spoke up. There was no fear in her voice.

"Well, Miss Lakewood it's a simple cardio test. Nothing to difficult for your insolence." She walked straight over to Evangeline and slapped her across the face. She wasn't even fazed.

"Good. You know how to control your anger...Never speak out of turn in my class again! Now, I'll explain. It's simple. You are to run around the campus in less than 15 minutes. Anyone who doesn't make it back in time is out. The first 10 choose first partners. You're time begins now." A shot bursts through the field house and bodies shoot off. Many trip others as they run.

Good to know there aren't any cheaters here.

I may have had a slow start, but I quickly catch up. The only students in front of me are Evangeline...and Peter. Evangeline sees me and growls. I know she wants to win, but I also can't let Peter choose me for sparring everyday.

Screw it.

I reach my foot out and trip Evangeline. She crumbles, and when I look back I can see how quickly she gets up. There is a look of anger and admiration on her face.

Not so bad of an idea after all.

Before I can even plan an attack on Peter he has already crossed the finish line.

Crap.

The times passes, and other students arrive. 15 fail. 20 survive another day.

Dang.

"Alright. Those of you who made it, congrats. Those of you who didn't, leave now. " Rodriguez ignored the sobs, and continued on. Now to the business of partners. Mister Wise. You choose first."

"Gladly." He said. "How about the little traitor Cassia Blake?"

Are you serious?

"Good choice. Well since Cassia was picked we will move on. Evangeline?"

"Lun Calmari." She hissed.

"Alright." My mind became fuzzy as she continued through the selection.

Great. Just great.

Lun Calmari

I was still kicking myself over what happened with Blake by the time classes started. How could I have been so tactless? Of course she wouldn't want to talk about her past! I decided that a heartfelt apology was in order, preferably sooner rather than later. Perhaps this was salvageable.

Still, the conversation hadn't been entirely counterproductive. Blake was weaker than I thought. Not physically, obviously, but emotionally. Words could destroy her, and words, fortunately, were my specialty. I could do whatever I wanted with this girl.

A quick lunch, and I arrived to class long before the bell rang. Sparring. I had no doubt that I would fail miserably at this class. I had no combat skills to speak of. No matter who I was paired up with, I was doomed to be crushed, or worse, killed. Nevertheless, I had to at least make an effort. Without this class, I would fail the school entirely, and end up in prison. Perhaps that was meant to be my fate all along.

The bell rang, and I summed up the people in the room with me. Lakewood was present. Ah, Lakewood. everything seemed to center around her, and she'd only just arrived.

Blake was already there when I arrived, standing a ways apart from the others. I saw her gaze flick to me, then carry on to the rest of the room. She looked a little fearful when she saw a boy across the room. A tall, dark-skinned guy put a hand on her shoulder, and she seemed to relax a little. I filed this new information away.

And, of course, the instructor. She was intimidating before she opened her mouth, even to me.

"We will begin today with a small test!" Oh, excellent, a test. So I could fail on day one. "This test will determine your choice of sparring partners this quarter final. Throughout the quarter you will spar with multiple people, but your final spar will be determined with this test. I suggest you win because if you lose, you will choose last. Most likely you'll get picked by someone who can easily defeat you. Therefore you might die, get injured, or well...quit the class. So I suggest you work hard!"

Lakewood stepped forward. "What's the test?"

"Well, Miss Lakewood, it's a simple cardio test. Nothing too difficult for your insolence." Somehow, I wasn't to surprised when she walked up and smacked Lakewood across the face. The sound echoed through the room. "Good. You know how to control your anger...Never speak out of turn in my class again!

"Now, I'll explain. It's simple. You are to run around the campus in less than 15 minutes." Oh dear. My running skills were sub-par. "Anyone who doesn't make it back in time is out. The first 10 choose first partners. Your time begins now."

A loud bang resounded over the field. Right now? The crowd burst into motion, and I hurried after them. I was not off to a strong start.

Students were tripping each other left and right. If that happened to me, I was screwed. I made eye contact a rather suspicious-looking boy running next to me and winked. He looked surprised for a moment, then tripped over his own two feet and fell to the ground.

I only barely made it back in time. I was one of the twenty who remained, but I was pretty sure I was panting hardest of all. Mission accomplished, however. I'd passed the first test.

"Alright. Those of you who made it, congrats. Those of you who didn't, leave now." I hardly heard the instructor over my own ragged breathing. Black spots danced in my vision, and I thought I was going to puke. Alright, new goal: build up speed and endurance.

By the time the instructor moved on, I was able to stand upright, and didn't feel quite so dizzy. "Now to the business of partners. Mister Wise, you choose first."

"Gladly." The boy that had seemed to spook Blake earlier smirked. "How about the little traitor Cassia Blake?" I finally made the connection between these two. I had heard of some sort of event involving some dude getting his face bashed in by one of the new girls.

"Good choice. Well since Cassia was picked we will move on. Evangeline?"

"Lun Calmari." Oh. Oh no. The plan this year had been to avoid Lakewood entirely, and now I was being thrown right at her! No way would I pass the finals against her!

She knew it, too. As she stared at me, her face twisted into a vile grin. I hurriedly checked that my face was set in an unreadable mask. It was, as keeping my real emotions hidden had become a habit for me.

Alright, yet another new goal: don't die to Lakewood.

Evangeline Lakewood

I turned the knife meditatively in my palm. That girl...Cassia Blake...she was certainly full of surprises.
Scoffed softly, rolling form my bed as the bell rang. Day two at this mourgue.
Will came bouncing out of the boy's bathroom, stretching in such an exaggerated way it was almost funny.
As he fell into step beside me, I smirked.
"Nice bedhead." I murmured. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Bedhead? Excuse me, Ms. Lakewood! it takes a considerable amount of time and skill to get your hair to be this brand of disheveled."

I glanced behind my shoulder, checking for other Sharks.
And there he was, just like the day before.
Copernicus Hewitt, always right at our heels.

I gave Will a look and promptly switched to Russian.

"He's going to be a problem." I muttered in Russian, inclining my head discreetly at Copperhead.

Will shrugged one shoulder.
"Not if he joins with us."

I smiled.
"And I suppose you have a plan?"

"I wouldn't have brought it up if I didn't."

"I'll leave him to you, then."

......

That day, I was particularly looking forward to sparring class. That would be my chance to get even with Cassia Blake.
Tripping someone wasn't too big a deal, but to me, it was dangerous. If I let Blake get away with that without a scratch, there was no telling what the other students with start to think. If anyone saw Cassia trip me, they'd have to be shown any act to try and cripple me, however small, would be dealt with.

swiftly and severely.

The students were all gathered in the gym, talking in small groups. I spotted Cassia and her one man escort almost immediately. Standing a ways off from the other students. I toyed with the idea of attacking Cassia before class started, but then I'd have her pet bodyguard to worry about.
No, I'd wait until I could get her alone on the sparring mat.

When she couldn't hide behind that boys' gun.

Instructor Rodriguez swept in, and the talking gradually subsided.

"Alright! Now we'll start with the actual fighting."

A few students looked nervous, probably worried about being thrown in the arena without being taught first.

Lightweights. Should've been more prepared.

"Blake. How about you be the first person on the mat."

Cassia didn't refuse. She silently slunk over to the mat. I came very close to grinning then.
This was perfect.

"Now let me find you an opponent--"

I was already walking over the mat.

"Alright. Guess you'll fight Lakewood."

I felt the pet guard's eyes on me, and I looked over at him, flashing him a vile, sneering smile.

I shrugged off my jacket, and it dropped to the ground behind me with a heavy, metallic, thunk.

Cassia and I faced each other on the mat, poised to spring.

"Remember girls, bruises, not bloodshed. I don't want any weapons pulled in my class, understand, Lakewood?"

I gave her my best angelic look.
"Me? Now, why would I do something like that? It takes all the fun out of things."

Instructor Rodriguez ignored my jibe for the time being.
"Fight!" She barked.

As soon as I heard the order, I leapt, lashing out with an elbow and smashing it into my opponent's neck.

Cassia stumbled back, coughing.
I didn't give her time to recover. I snapped out with a kick, catching her in the stomach.
She doubled over, but recovered quickly and managed to black my next barrage of attacks. We stayed locked in a stalemate for what seemed like hours. This girl was better than I thought she would be.
Alright Blake. Time to throw you off you're game.

"I heard about your little episode with Pete. Shame really. He was quite a handsome boy before you broke his nose."

Cassia glowered. I had struck a chord, but it wasn't enough.

She swung a fist and I ducked to the side. Her attack went sailing past me, her momentum carrying her forward. I grabbed her wrist and pulled, using her own weight and my strength to send her sprawling to the ground. I knelt on top of her, grinding my knee into the small of her back.

I clutched the back of her neck, and bent down to whisper in her ear.

"Those rumors aren't true. I know. I'd be hired to bring rich bluebloods like you in to them sometimes. I know what you went through."

She reared up, throwing me off her. She pinned me to the ground, a look of pure fury burning in her gaze.


"Shut up!" She snarled.

Almost there.

I sneered, and spoke soft enough that only she could hear me.
"I know everything you had to go through. I'd watch them. The cells, the torture, the screams,"
I lunged, grabbing hold of her neck.
"The burns." I whispered.

That was it, I had pushed her over the edge. She let out a enraged scream and threw me to the mat. I rolled back onto my feet and calmly faced my adversary. She attacked with a volley of vicious strikes, but the swings were loose, desperate. she wasn't aiming, all she was doing was swinging in hopes to hit something. I weaved out of the way of her attack until I spotted an opening
In her desperateness to hit me, she had left her face wide open.
I slipped through her swinging fists, and drove my elbow into he nose. The fight was mine again.

I kept on my onslaught, a knee in the stomach, a kick in the chest, I smashed my foot into the back of her knees and she crumbled to the ground.

I kept on my attack mercilessly. She'd never have a chance to get back up until I decided this fight was over.

A figure flashed from the watching crowd as I charged again, standing in the way of Cassia.

It was the Japanese boy I had seen on the first day.

"Stop." Was all he said.

His angualr brown eyes flashed with an unspoken challenge.
I gave a small chuckle, then a giggle. Then burst out laughing, throwing my head back as the insane cacophony echoed through the room.

"I won't stop until I decide it's over, boy."

The kid just looked at me.
"Fight me." He said.

Cassia Blake

“Fight me.” I looked up to see a Japanese boy standing between me and Evangeline. I have never seen him before, and yet he looks oddly familiar.

“My pleasure.” Quickly Evangeline swings her fist towards the boys face. He quickly deflects the punch, and grabs her fist with one hand. By the look on her face you can tell this is exactly what she wanted. She managed to use his momentum to pull him over her shoulder. He slams onto the ground with a thud. He coughs loudly, but it doesn't slow him down. He trips Evangeline, and pins her to the ground by the neck. She scratches his arms, but he doesn't budge. She is trapped under his body weight, and her eyes are wide. It's almost like she’s…

Scared.

After a moment his eyes goes wide, and he releases her. It was almost like he was a bloodlust trance. But once again he has clearly fallen into her trap, because she smiles viciously and kicks him hard in the jaw. The blow throws him backwards onto the mat.

“Alright that’s enough Lakewood you’ve proven your point. Good job using the act of fear to weaken your opponent. That won't always save you from your attacker in situation, but luckily for you Miss Lakewood it worked with this fool. Congrats.” The class remained silent waiting for what was next. “Blake, Hokkaido get out of my class. I expect you both to be here tomorrow. Early at that. You’ll make up for your stupidity tomorrow as you’re running laps!” Rodriguez yells. The boy she called Hokkaido slowly sits up.

“But-”

“No buts Mr. Hokkaido! Now, I suggest you get out of my class...now!” He stood and we both rushed out through the doors. I quickly passed the boy rushing into the courtyard. He jogged to keep up.

“Hey wait-”

“What the hell was that?” I stop and turn so fast towards him that he nearly runs into me. “Did you honestly think you had a right to do that? I could’ve gotten back up! ”

“What and let Evangeline cripple you? I was doing you a favor.”

“Excuse me? What did you just say to me? I didn't need to you to stop her! Look, I can take care of myself. Believe it or not I’m made of freaking glass like everyone thinks.” My voice echos through the empty courtyard.

“I didn't say you were! I was...I was just trying to help.”

“Well look where that got us. People need to stop trying to help me! I don't want it. Let her beat me up! By stepping in you made me look weak! Evangeline clearly knows now that I’m easy to beat, and she’s gonna tell everyone. I didn't even get a chance to fight for myself.”

“I'm...sorry. What happened back there.”

“She struck a chord.”

“She’s got a knack for that. I’m Crow by the way.” He holds out his hand to me, but I ignore it.

“Just do yourself a favor, and leave me alone.” I turn to walk away but he grabs my wrist. I try to struggle out of his grip, but it's too strong. With one swift motion he rips off my glove revealing the scars.

“I knew it…” He whispers. My eyes go wide as I look around the courtyard then towards the clock. The courtyard will be streaming with students any minute. My gaze goes back to him, but he is still staring at my arm.

“Give it back.” I ask quietly, but urgently. “Please! Now!” He remains silent. “Ugh. I'm sorry about this.” I quickly kick him and the stomach throwing him back hard against the concrete. I run towards him, and grab the glove from his hand. The bell rings, and the kids swarm.

Crap.

I start sprinting towards the south tower. Running away from my problems...again.

__________________________________________________________________________

7 hours later

(Start playing Never Too Late by Three Days Grace now if you want the full emotion of this scene. Just saying )

I’ve been sitting up here ever since my confrontation with Crow. I can't stand the thought of running into him, or Peter, or Evangeline. Its just the way Crow looked at my arms. A mixture of intrigue and disgust.

I hate this place.

All a sudden an apple rolls up next to me. I pick it up, and turn around to see Xander standing in the roof opening.

“You missed lunch, and dinner. Thought you might want some food.” He slightly smiles.

“Leave me alone.” I turn away from him, and throw the apple backwards. Even with my back turned I can tell he caught it.

“It wasn't that bad you know. You actually kept up a really good fight. Not many can even last that long in the ring with Evangeline. You and I both know Rodriguez would have kicked you out of class if you didn't show her your potential. You clearly impressed her today.”

“I don’t care about the class or Evangeline. Please just leave me alone Xander.” I rub my hands across my arms. “I see how others look at us. They see you as my bodyguard. Not my friend. I don't want that for me, or for you. They’ll break me down, and anyone who stands in the way. Lakewood made that very clear on the mats today.”

“It doesn't matter Cass…”

“Of course it matters. You just don't get it.”

“Stop that! Stop pretending like you’re the only one who is hurting here! Everyone has gone through crap, and everyone has lost things. You’re not alone, and yet you still choose to be selfish. I’m trying to be here for you. Now, instead of later. I'm sick of thinking about tomorrow. Tomorrow you can suck up whatever baggage you’ve got on you back and keep going. But right now you’re allowed to be upset. Having emotion is not weak. It's what makes you stronger than the rest of the students here. Can you try to see that for once? I might not know you that well, but I freaking see you! I see you. You aren't what they say you are, but instead of just sitting here turning into what they see go out there and prove them wrong! Be that warrior you were when you broke out of that prison, that warrior who broke Peter Wise’s nose, the warrior I saw a few hours ago on the mats today, and be that warrior I see now at your low points. They’re all the same warrior, and they are all powerful in their own ways...Words can hurt you Cass, but they can't define you...Not if you don't let them. Please.” A tear streams from my eye. I hear his footsteps cross the rooftop, and he sits down next to me. Close, but far enough that I don't shudder at his closeness like I do around most people.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” He asks.

“I’ll let you know when I know…” I turn to look at him. He smiles, and a small laugh escapes his mouth.

“I’ll wait for that day.” He says. We both sit for a long time watching as the sun slowly goes down over the forest. I grab the apple from his hand, and take a bite. In the corner of my eye I see him slightly smile at me, but we both don't say anything.

For today I will sit here in silence, but tomorrow I will stand and continue my fight against the noise. My fight to survive. Just like I always have.

Crow Hokkaido

I had seen her when I first joined the rebellion. They had shown me around the fortress, but passed right over the door to the dungeon.

"What's that?" I remember asking

"Don't worry about it, son. And don't go in there."

So, stubborn idiot that I was and am, I went in there.

She was the only one in the room. In one of the front cells.

"Explain." I demanded.
The rebels didn't seem to hear the anger in the order.

"Her parents are important govornment officials. Her family is paying for their crimes."

I believed in their cause, I still do, but something like this was unnecessary cruelty.

"And you're taking it out on an innocent child?! What control does someone have over what family their born into?"

"I admire you're spirit, boy, but remember you're brand new here. Until you have more experience inder your belt, you'll listen to what you're told, and do it without question. Step out of that room, and never speak of it again, understand?"

I had glanced back at her, and found she was looking right at me.

I knew I'd be back.

And I was. that night.
And the night after that, and the night after that,for an entire year. Cassia Blake, as odd and stockholm-syndrome-ish as it might sound, had become my only friend. the one person who knew I could draw, the only person who I let really understand me. then one night I came she wasn't there anymore. I had no idea where she was, or if she was even alive until I saw her on the mats with Evangeline.

It hurt more than I let on when I realized she didn't remember me.

Without realizing it, I had walked down to my tree. The one I had been sitting in the night I met the red haired Shark.

Well, as long as I was here.
I hoisted myself up into it's branches, climbing until I was near the top.

I settled down on a long, twisting branch that drooped down in the middle, as if it were grown solely for the purpose of someone sitting on that limb. I brought my leg up to my chest, and rested my elbow on it.
I sat there for the rest of the day, watching the students milling around the school's courtyard.

"Hey!" Someone shouted.
I looked down. It was the redhead.

I looked back out at the courtyard.
"Go." I said. The last person I wanted to be bothered by was a Shark, no matter how different they may be.

Instead, she started climbing up the tree.

You just won't give up, will you?

"Leave me alone."

The redhead sat down and the branch below mine. After a small pause, she said
"I heard you stood up to Evangeline."

"Yeah."

another pause, a little longer.

"That...that takes a lot of courage."

"Guess so."

"Why did you do it?"

I looked down at her. Her eyes were the only thing that betrayed her emotions. A little uncomfortable, but mostly just curious.

"Someone had to do it."

William Black

I watched with a grin as Eva kicked that kids butt. When they were kicked out that grin widened when Grady announced he was to spar with me. Eva whispered." Try not to get you block whopped off." I let out a little snicker. I entered the fighting area and glanced as Grady glared at me. I could tell he wanted to get back at me for humiliating him the other night. I stuck my hands in my pocket and approached him. He glanced at Instructor Rodriguez who merely nodded. He was off like a bolt from a crossbow.

I stepped. He flew by. My hands where still in my pocket. He growled at me as the Instructor watched me curiously. I grinned at Grady." Come on mate, my dead granny could have already had me on the ground now." He let out a snarl and began to swing at me. Dodge. It became patterns. Swing, dodge. I don't think he liked coming up empty. Rodriguez spoke up." Stop playing with your food Black." That got him.

He began to swing harder and faster. I let him hit my arms and shoulders. Better to be hit there, rather than hit somewhere more vital. But my hands began to strike too. His vitals though. He began to cough as the tide began to turn greatly. He now simply tried to protect himself as my hands began to fly, my knees smashing into him, causing him to double over. I turned to look at Rodriguez." I never said stop." She said. Even Lakewood was grinning. I looked into his beat up face as he bled from his nose." P-p- please." He coughed. I grabbed him by his hair than smashed my knee into his face. I could feel the bones break in his face as he flew backwards into a bloody heap.

I gave a dramatic bow to the class and turned to a smiling Rodriguez. Than I felt the movement behind me. My leg cocked than snapped out. It definitely connected cause I heard a squeal. I turned to see Grady's admirer lying in a heap. I raised an eyebrow as she limped towards a bloody Grady, who like his animal self, pushed her away angrily. I turned and left the class.
---------------
"Your a Dragon master aren't you?" I looked up from my book on the bodies nerve locations to come face to face with the kid known as Copernicus. I cocked my head." And what makes you say a thing like that?" I asked. He let a smirk appear on his face." Because of how you dropped Olivia. That's a dragon kick. And when you were beating up Grady, it was almost like you were floating. And the way you held your knuckles. Almost like talons. And you don't seem like an Eagle." I glanced at Cop, respect in my eyes." I'll grace you with a response. Yes. Good eye." He sat down next to me and pulled out a tablet, rapidly clicking on folders.

"There's only three dragon masters on earth at the moment. One is in a monastery in China, and the other was hired as a tutor for a young man." He looked me in the eye." Your the third because you were trained by the second one. Shaolin monks aren't very open to new students, and your definitely not a Chinese monk. Your also known as Ghost, an underground fighter from England who is world known. A sniper who trained with SAS but never joined their ranks. So who are you really William Black?"

I watched the boy. He was good, I would give him that. Eva didn't even know that I had been trained by Long, or simply, dragon. From 6 till age 14 I was trained in Shaolin fighting techniques, and as soon as the my visa had been approved, I fought in front of the Five, the Shaolin masters. After being named a member of their order, I was immediately sent to be trained for SAS.

"Than you probably also know it's dangerous to be my enemy." I said, as I pretended to study my fingernails. Cop grinned." You proved who is more dominant between you two. Wether you like it or not, your on a fast track to leading the Sharks. Chances our mutual friend Lakewood beats you to it though is highly probable, so I'm guessing you'll be second in command. The brothers time is definitely over. And I'd like a place in this new order."

The kid was smart, I could give him that." You'll be kept with your head. You join Eva and I, I can promise you your head. Don't place yourself in the way when either of us want or need something, than you'll be just fine. Help us, and I'll see to it that Eva knows about it. What she gives you is up to her." Cop smiled and shook my head." Remember, I'm as liable to betray you as I was to betray the brothers." I grinned at him." I wouldn't expect less."

Copperhead

My eyes slid open, staring up at the stone ceiling. Apparently, nobody had killed me in my sleep, a status that was tragically underappreciated in this day and age.

Sitting up, I swiveled my head, scanning the bunker. Most of the Sharks were still fast asleep. One of them was thrashing about in his covers, and I didn’t know whether to be amused or impressed that he was punching solid concrete without even waking up.

I tossed my thin linens to the side, clambering down the iron bunk frame. I kicked Peter’s hand back as he snatched at my ankle in an attempt to trip and/or murder me. “Apologies, Pete,” I said as he cursed and clutched his wrist, “but you’ll have to get up earlier than that if you want to surprise me.”

Peter muttered something about my mother and turned over, trying to catch more sleep before classes started. I stretched my arms, suppressing a smirk. The important people were already wide awake. Grady, for instance, had already left to go for a morning jog, as he did every day. Nobody knew where Brandon went during the mornings; nobody wanted to, either.

Still, if I was lucky, he was still in his room. The Shark leader had a bunk separate from ours, as if to further mark his dominance. Grady, being the abominable parasite that he is, had immediately chosen to bunk with his brother.

I walked through the narrow aisle between the bunks, careful not to stumble upon the various death tools each Shark had left out. Going up to Brandon’s metal door, I seized the knob. Brandon wouldn’t kill me for one intrusion; besides, this was urgent.

The knob turned easily, and the door opened inward. In hindsight, the fact that it was unlocked should have spoken volumes about who was actually inside.

“Grady!” Olivia leaped towards me, arms wide. Sadly, my reflexes couldn’t move me fast enough, and she tackled me to the ground.

“Grady, I was waiting for you,” Olivia purred, nuzzling against my chest. Looking down, she was clad merely in a tight bikini, her skin rubbing against mine. She giggled, and sighed adorably. “What would you like first? Dinner, a bath, or m…” She trailed off as she looked up, realizing who had actually opened the door.

A panicked slap across the face sent me sprawling. Olivia jumped back, her face turning crimson. “Wh-wha...Nick!” she yelled, covering up.

Rubbing my cheek, I sat up, gazing at her innocently. “I’m afraid so. Do you know where I can find Brandon?”

Olivia struggled to speak, blushing furiously as I stood up, walking around the room. The Hayes’ bunker was neatly kept, giving away nothing of our paranoid leader. Unfortunately, it was also empty.

“Shame,” I said, turning back to Olivia. “So,” I murmured, looking her up and down, “you’re up early.”

Olivia’s arms crossed over her chest, which I now noticed was quite...voluptuous. Her flawless skin seemed to draw you in, contrasted by a fierce blush in her cheeks that hinted at innocent shame. Any other man would have dropped to his knees and begged to caress her. Except Grady, perhaps.

“I know it’s none of my business,” I continued, tearing the duvet from one of the bunks, “but were you really planning to do that on our floor? The odors take ages to remove.” Walking back to Olivia, I offered the sheet.

She snatched it, wrapping the white cloak around her modestly. “Sh-shut up! I wasn’t planning to go that far...just maybe-”

“Seduce him,” I concluded exasperatedly, massaging my forehead with two fingers. “Get him to notice you. Olivia, you do realize…”

“I know.” All the anger had diffused from Olivia’s voice, and she looked down, her tone weakening. “He would’ve...I know. I just...I…”

My hand scooped under her chin, tilting it up. She was still looking down due to my height, but the message stood. “Now, now,” I chided gently, “please have a little more self-respect.”

Swallowing, Olivia nodded, wiping her teary eyes with her wrists. It was actually quite adorable.

“I feel obligated to commend you,” I said while drawing back, “for your arousing performance. I’m sure that any other man would have been sufficiently captivated by your forward tactics. Might I suggest an apron for a more immediate effect?” I offered sincerely.

Olivia stared at me, lips pursed in bewilderment. Then, she began to laugh. It was clear, bell-like, but most of all, genuine. Hearing it was like choruses of heaven. “It sounds so stupid when you say it like that, Nick.” She grinned.

“Yes, most things do.” I felt my lips form a smirk, and a chuckle rumbled forth.

Olivia gave me a small, sad smile. “Still...I’ll try again. Someday, I know that it’ll all work out.”

I sighed. “I should know better than to tell you otherwise. Even so…” I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around her, pulling her close. I released a heavy breath as she returned the gesture. “Don’t let it consume you. You...you’re more than his lackey.”

We stood there for a while, holding each other as time slowed to a crawl. Hugs were hardly necessary in most cases; they did help with people, however.

“Wow,” Olivia said, heaving a bit, “that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard from a psychopath. And you’re even hugging me...you must hate me so much right now.” She pulled me tighter, on the verge of a sob.

“No, I think I’m benefiting far more from this deal.” My voice was a bit muffled. Olivia looked down and realized why.

To put it in appropriate terms, I’m about a head-and-a-half shorter than Olivia, which means I come up to her...well, anatomy reveals the rest.

She immediately shoved me away, and I landed on my bottom on the bunker concrete. “Perv,” she accused, covering her chest once more.

Rubbing my bruised buttocks, I chuckled and looked up. Olivia stood over me, offering her hand while still looking mildly annoyed with my behavior. I couldn’t be sure that I saw it, but perhaps, beneath that mercurial promiscuity and mortified defense, she was smiling.

“Honestly...you’re just as bad as he is.”

---------------------------------------

I locked my arms around Olivia’s waist, grimly restraining her as she struggled to escape. A small crowd of students had gathered, crowding around the gym mat. It seemed that the Sharks were the favored entertainers of sparring class.

“Stop it,” I muttered, immobilizing her with all my strength. Evangeline was smirking on the sidelines like she’d just killed a man, which was...often, to say the least.

But Olivia and I weren’t the ones fighting. Rather, the crowd’s was on the two combatants in the ring, circling around like wildcats, then pummeling each other in a black haze.

Did I say black haze? My apologies, I meant Black and Hayes.

Grady roared as he swung forward, missing the shorter boy who swooped beneath his reach, then sprung back up and uppercutted viciously. As Grady recoiled, William rammed his elbow into his chest. Olivia cried out softly as Grady crumpled.

Will was relentless, and Grady barely had time to get his hands up before he leaped up in a flurry of jabs and kicks. A cruel light shimmered in the other boy’s eyes; Olivia’s were wet with tears.

“When you love someone, you share in that person’s pain,” I mused. Will yanked Grady from the ground by his hair, bringing his knee up, smashing it into his nose. Grady practically flew backwards, crashing into the edge of the mat. The students who had gathered immediately backed away, successfully intimidated.

I sighed, releasing my grip. “Olivia, I’m-”

She cut me off, shoving me backwards and running forward. A tear fell from her eye as she drew her fist back, aiming for Will’s head. Will, finishing his dramatic bow, acted reflexively, viciously striking her leg at the knee. A dragon kick, I recognized.

Olivia collapsed to the ground. She glared balefully at the victor, limping to her feet as though it was all she could do. Gritting her teeth, she trudged over to Grady, offering her hand with a smile.

Grady sat up, lashing out viciously at her leg. Only this time, I heard a crack as he connected.

Olivia clutched at her shin, biting her lip. I watched as she fell over soundlessly, dropping to the mat. Grady just stared at her.

Two more Sharks came to help Grady up. He begrudgingly accepted, being hoisted to his feet. Staggering slightly, he looked down at Olivia, sprawled on the floor. A cold regret flooded his expression, his scowl softening as he realized what he’d done.

“Probably a broken leg,” I explained to Instructor Rodriguez, who then eyed me suspiciously as I walked over to the Sharks.

“I can take her to the infirmary,” I offered to Grady, who was staring at his hands as though not comprehending their strength. “She’ll be fine, I promise.”

I jerked my thumb in the direction of the students, who were now whispering busily among themselves. “Why don’t you get to work straightening out these gossips? Show them who’s really in charge. Don’t mourn the loss; make up for it.” I patted Grady lightly on the back, the two other Sharks giving me worried looks.

Grady nodded numbly. “Yeah...I can do that.” Shaking off his own injuries, the Shark lieutenant stormed towards the rest of the class, fury burning in his gait.

I smirked, setting to work. Olivia had passed out from shock, making her somewhat easier to pick up. Scooping her into my arms, I bade Rodriguez adieu and walked out of class.

---------------------------

I sat in the chair, kicking my feet out as I tilted the tablet and maneuvered my tank around the camp, taking out scores of men at a time. The score bar in the top left screen shot up rapidly as high-definition blood splattered the earth.

Yes, this was just a game. Quite a fun one, too. Still, I kept my ears peeled for the movements behind the white curtain, the shadow of our school nurse leaning over a lump on the bed.

The rustle of the curtain alerted my, and I stowed my tablet under my seat. I popped to my feet, looking up as the nurse parted the curtain.

“So, how is she?” I asked.

“Copernicus…” the nurse trailed off, staring down.

Huge, muscled arms wrapped around me, crushing me into a hug. “I promise you, she’ll be just fine!” Nurse Moe cried, tightening me against his bulging chest.

“That’s...wonderful,” I said, tapping out frantically on his shoulder. Nurse Moe sometimes extended his patients’ stays with excessive hugs; broken bones weren’t at all uncommon here.

“She’ll be here for a night or two while she recovers. After that, we can get her to crutches. It’s only a small break, so she’ll be alright!” Nurse Moe beamed.

“Excellent.” I took a step back, recoiling slightly. This was by far the less pleasant of the two hugs I had received today. “Can I see her?”

“But of course!” Nurse Moe stepped to the side, parting the curtain. “Have fun, you two!” he said as he walked out the infirmary door.

“Sheesh,” I heard Olivia mutter as I walked in. “You’d think a man that size would have chosen a better career.”

“I think he’s very wise,” I replied, sitting down on a stool beside the bed. “Doctors get paid well; besides, there’s quite a demand for them, these days.”

Olivia giggled. “How are you, Nick?”

I saluted lazily. “Without emotions. And you?”

She sighed, gazing down at her cast. “Oh, you know...just...lying down.” Her leg was wrapped in plaster, immobilized and suspended from the ceiling.

“Well, it can’t be all that bad.” I said, reaching over to her leg and tapping it. I glanced at her. “You know, I really appreciate the way you stood up for Grady.”

She looked a little surprised. “Why, thank-”

“I’d say you were outstanding.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Wait-”

“Honestly, I can’t stand that William Black.” I made a gesture of playful cluelessness with my shoulders.

Olivia grabbed a pen from her nightstand, tossing it at me. “Jerk,” she said, though she was laughing a bit as well.

A rush of warmth flooded through my body, immobilizing me strangely as the pen bounced off my cheek. I stared down at my chest as it pattered to the floor. My heart was pounding loudly inside my rib cage, thrashing in its confines. Had the nurse poisoned me?

I shook my head, looking back up at Olivia, who was staring at me expectantly. “Well, yes,” I said, clearing my throat. “But enough on that matter. Rather, now I must ask you this: Are you still set on pursuing Grady?”

Her nod was expected, though it still seemed to pour ice into my chest. “Yeah. If I gave up this easily, how could I call myself a Shark?” She smiled cutely.

“I don’t see how that applies…” I scratched the back of my head, standing up. “No matter. Get well soon,” I said, chopping her lightly on the head, "idiot. I’ll see you later.” I turned to go.

“Seeya, Nick,” Olivia called.

“It’s Copperhead!” I responded.

She made a gesture as though putting on a helmet, staring at me meaningfully. I snorted and pushed through the curtain.

The door opened soundlessly, letting another person in. My eyes narrowed. Grady?

The boy was looking around nervously, wringing his muscled wrists. In his hands, he held...a scrap of paper, and a rose.

“Copperhead,” he said as I approached. “How’s Olivia?” He spoke with a low tone, as though ashamed to raise his voice any higher.

I glanced back at the curtain; Olivia didn’t seem to have heard him. “She’s asleep,” I lied in a whisper.

“Oh.” Grady stared at the floor, crestfallen. His shoulders sagged as he sighed softly. “I suppose it’s better this way. She probably doesn’t want to talk to me.”

She does, I thought while nodding in agreement with his sorrow. She does, Grady, she does.

Grady held his hand out, giving me the paper and the rose. “Then...could you put this on her nightstand? So she can see it when she wakes up,” he explained, a hint of carnation in his pale cheeks.

I nodded. “I will.”

The Shark lieutenant breathed a sigh of relief, smiling. “Thanks, Copperhead.” Turning, he quietly exited the infirmary.

I watched the door for a moment, as though a ghost had come and gone in Grady’s visage. Glancing back at the curtain, I could see Olivia’s outline, lying down, daydreaming of her prince.

Quietly, I opened the note. It was messily scrawled with a few spelling errors, but as I read, the words became strikingly clear. Each one etched itself into my mind, burning at the back of my skull, sending chills racing across my skin. I read it over once more, perhaps hoping that this time, it would say something else, that the message would be different. It wasn’t.

The world seemed to shift under me as I stood there, rooted to the floor of the infirmary. I glanced to the note, the rose, and back to the note. Olivia shifted in her bed behind me.

My mind was quick to reach a resolution, as it always was. I swiftly pocketed the note, walking over to the garbage can. Opening it up, I tossed the rose inside.

It was dying anyway, I thought as I walked out of the infirmary, shutting the door behind me. But that small, terrible voice at the back of my brain reminded me: That meant that it was real.

---------------------------------------

At one end of the scales, Grady’s sins stood trial. At the other, his good deeds clustered valiantly. And in the courtroom of my mind, the sin far outweighed the good. The verdict was guilty. And I was judge, jury, and manipulator.

That merciless showman, William Black, was seated against the wall, reading a book. His leg was extended into the hallway, and the crowd swerved around it, avoiding him like the plague. His reputation had spread quickly.

I walked over, running my tongue over my lips. This was where I would take matters into my own hands, as I had done so long ago. But this time, there would be less terrorism on a national scale.

“You’re a dragon master, aren’t you?” I said. Will looked up from his book.

“What makes you say that?” His eyes flashed with a hint of amusement. I smirked. It was obvious if you looked closely enough.

“How you dropped Olivia,” I responded, a hidden edge in my voice. Will didn’t seem to notice, so I continued, showcasing my research on the dragon masters, and their elusive fighting techniques. It seemed to earn his respect.

Will glanced at his fingernails ostentatiously, smirking. “Then you probably also know it’s dangerous to be my enemy.”

Disgust stirred in the pit of my stomach. I gratified the boy, flattering his ambition with meticulous words. “The brothers’ time is definitely over. And I’d like a place in this new order,” I finished, staring at him coldly.

Will laughed and replied wittily, but his words were drowned out by the mantra that roared in my mind, eclipsing all else in its magnitude. The blood pounded in my ears, coursing through my veins like liquid fire.

William Black, I thought, smiling, nodding, and agreeing with him, you will pay. I swear it.

Aria

I stayed in the back for everything for the first class, not wanting to draw attention to myself. I felt bad for the girl, Cassia, getting thrown around by Evangeline like that but she'd held her own for a small time.

Then Evangeline had been challenged by the black haired boy, the Japanese boy who never said much. I was somewhat impressed, that took guts. So of course, I followed him to his tree and asked him why he did it.

"Someone had to," he responded, looking bored.

It was the end of the day and we'd done so much. I had taken a knife combat class along with training and conditioning. Miraculously, Evangeline was in a different knife combat class than I was, no doubt she'd taken one. Then I had gone to lunch and after came strategy. My last class was general weapons combat. I'd learn how to shoot a gun, an arrow, weild knives and swords and a lot more. It was an interesting class, they all were. But all the teachers were very no nonsense and I'd been disappointed to see there was no martial arts class. So naturally, I had to ask Mr. Rodriguez if he would do one on one training with me for martial arts.

He looked about as thrilled as a person could who is constantly angry but hey, it was a baby step.

I sat there on the branch for a while and he kept eyeing me, trying to read me. To be honest, I did the same thing to him and we both knew it. But he was weird, different somehow.

As dusk approached and the others headed to dinner I jumped down from the tree, rubbing my sore backside and he soon followed. I turned in the direction of the training gyms.

"Where are you going?" he asked, "Aren't you going to dinner?" I paused, I'd never heard him say that much at one time.

"No," I said, "I have a private lesson."

"For?" there it was again, the short responses.

"Martial Arts." I replied and something flickered across his face for just a second. Surprise, maybe. He didn't say anything before turning and walking towards the dining hall. I'd eaten earlier and Rodriguez said he would have some post practice snacks that were muscle friendly.

"Hello, Aria." he said, putting down a training mat. I sat down on the mat and began to stretch out. My body was limber, stretching in intense ways, even for a fighter. He eyed me, somewhat surprised.

"You seem so quiet." he said, and I nodded.

"Rule number one. Be observant. Recognize when it is your time to act."

"Rule number two?" he asked.

"Be humble," I recited, "Recognize when you have an opponent who is stronger than you." I paused. "Rule number three, Keep your temper. Recognize that solitude is the only time in which you can be angry."

"And the final rule?" he asked.

"Keep your center," I said, "Recognize that you must not show emotion of any kind in front of your opponent, whether that emotion is confidence or fear." He smiled in approval.

"You're a good student," he told me and I stood up, feeling stretched.

"Thank you, sir." We moved to the mats but kept our shoes on. In combat nobody would obey fight courtesy or care about formalities. He lunged right at me and I blocked with my arms, keeping them close to my center. I kept my face as expressionless as possible, wincing only slightly when he hit me in a place that hurt.

I began retaliating, using my legs to attack and always keeping my arms and my center intact. It was a beautiful fight, full of grace and finesse. I pulled out my knives from my armguards, training knives. The blades mere made of a heavy plastic that could inflict bruises at worst but they felt legitimate. They were exactly the same weight as my steel knives. Although they were obviously blunt, they could still do damage to the neck or head so it was understood in the training area that with practice knives, anything above the shoulders was out of bounds.

Mr. Rodriguez pulled out a sword, it was short, like my knives but he fought with it admirably. The fight lasted a long time, maybe 10 minutes. Normally fights lasted less than 5 minutes but we were very evenly matched. I could feel the sweat dripping down my face and I gritted my teeth, careful to not let him notice that.

And then suddenly his training sword was against my neck. That was how the fight with training knives ended, when the other person held it in such a way that would kill you. Acceptable places to end a fight included the neck, head, side, heart, or anywhere a vital organ was.

"Match," he said and I dropped my training knives, as was custom for the loser of a match. I wiped the sweat off my brow.

"You're an even match for me," he said, "Though I still won. You held your own really well. Better than almost anybody who has been in this training room."

"Lakewood," I panted and he nodded.

"You two have very different fighting styles. You are all grace and concentration, she uses strength and anger within herself. The key to defeating Lakewood, well, you have to figure that out for yourself. I can't tell you that."

I drank some water.

"Again?" I asked.

"Again." he said. And we continued fighting. After we finished we'd had at least eight matches and I'd beaten him once. Mr. Rodriguez gave me a half smile of approval which was way more than he gave anybody else and then his face turned back to stone.

I took my training bag and headed out into the night air. I was heading to the bunker though I could've sworn I felt a pair of eyes on me.

When I walked in, I definitely felt pairs of eyes on me. Nobody really knew where I'd been and everybody was either playing cards, sharpening knives, chatting with others or getting ready for bed. I threw my training bed onto my bunk directly above Evangeline's and she eyed me.

"Where have you been for the past two hours?" she leered, "Screwing your boyfriend?"

"I don't have a boyfriend," I replied, my face a concrete mask. "Though I'm sure your boy toy, Will could say something different about you." I knew she and Will weren't involved, I just wanted to throw her off. Nobody else really saw them hang out except for some of the sharks and myself.

"Yes, well, unlike you I'm not too much of a wuss to get what I want. Even if it means using others."

I grabbed my towel and some fresh clothes. She had a fair point. I kept my face arranged like a mask as I thought of a come back, no way was I letting Lakewood with the tacky barbie color streaked hair get to me. No doubt she though the colors looked badass. To me they looked impractical.

"And unlike you," I said, "I know I can rely on my own skill to get what I want."

I walked off just then, ready to shower and go to bed.

Evangeline Lakewood

The tunnels were dark, and I could hear my footsteps echoing around the narrow hall.
I had told Will and Copernicus to go without me. They would have enough time to prepare before all bedlam broke loose.

Speaking of Copernicus, what had he told me about this entrance?
My foot sunk half and inch, and I could hear a faint, mechanical clicking noise.

I rolled out of the way, cursing fluently in Russian as miniature arrows came whizzing through hidden holes in the wall.

"Reall, Brandon? A dart trap? How cliche can you get?" I muttered.

I could see a weak light at the end of the hall, and I soon heard voices.

"---Any other suggestions?" Brandon's voice was dangerous and hostile. No doubt Will had decided to say something.

I smirked. "Just one." I purred as I emerged into the meeing room. Brandon looked over at me, and I very discreetly slipped a hand inside my jacket, caressing the knife with my fingertips.

"You're a little late, Lakewood." Brandon growled, his eyes narrowing.

I shrugged "couldn't be helped. Anyway..."

Brandon held my gaze for a moment, sizing me up, then finally said,
"what do you want?"

My smirk twisted into a snarling grin. The knife flashed form inside my coat and I flung it. The little projectile flew through the air and embedded itself into Brandon's throat.

"A change in leadership!" I snarled.

Brandon crumpled lifelessly to the ground, blood streaming from the wound in his throat, and trickling form his mouth.

I looked around coolly at the Sharks. Most sat staring in shock at their dead leader with mixtures of fury, fear, or respect painted across their faces.

Will shifted his gun out from behind his chair, and I could just see the corner of Copernicus's tablet from where he was holding it. They were ready.

I roar of fury tore through the air and Grady shot up from his chair, which flipped across the floor halfway to the opposite wall.

"You traitorus little fox! I'll kill you!"

I laughed. "Oh will you?"

Grady charged me, whipping out his combat knife. He wouldn't have another chance to use it. Will already had his gun raised.

I put my knife away, grinning insanely, and held out my arms as if preparing to embrace him

You don't konw it yet, Grady, but it's already over. You're going to die today, along with anyone who could possibly ever get in my way. You've lost Hayes.

You've lost.

Cassia Blake

Dear Journal,

You know what sickens me about this school? Well mostly everything does, but that's beside the point. I'm particularly disgusted today by the fact that no one is affected by a student's death. It was announced that Brandon Hayes, aka the sharks leader, was found murdered a few nights ago. His brother, Grady Hayes, was officially pronounced missing this morning. Even though no one has seen him in two days. Everyone basically shrugged it off, and continued on with their days. The only difference between this week and other ones is instead of hearing rumors about me, I keep hearing rumors about who killed Brandon.
That leadership position for the sharks is open now, and that makes me very uneasy. I am almost positive Evangeline is going to go for it. She has the skill, and strength to obtain it. If she gets all the sharks to back her up, there is no way anyone will stop her from taking over this school. I don't want to be there to see that day…


“Hey.” A voice says. I jump and grab the dagger sitting next to me. I turn quickly to see Xander standing in the roof opening.

“Damn you scared me!” I say putting the knife back down, and closing the journal on my lap.

“I’m sorry. I should have given you some kind of warning.” He slightly smiled.

“It's fine. I still would have jumped no matter what you would have done. How long have you been standing there?” I ask.

“Awhile.”

“Creeper much?”

“I try.” He laughs.”Hey, um...sparing class starts in 30 minutes. You coming today? I just wanted to ask, because-”

“Because I was forced to do extra workouts yesterday with that Hokkaido kid? Or because Evangeline bruised some ribs?”

“Both…”

“Well those things don't matter. I’ve been through worse...come on let's go.” I stand, and push my way past him to go down the staircase.

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Sparring class today feels weird. Rodriguez didn't start off the class, by picking out two unlucky individuals to fight in front of the class. Instead, today she had all of us immediately get into partners, and start fighting steps. I can't exactly blame her I guess. Brandon was one of her favorite students. At least even Rodriguez has a heart.

“Stop being such a weak disappointment Callahan!!”

Never mind.

Aria Callahan. I don't know much about her. All I know is Hokkaido tensed up the moment Rodriguez yelled her name.

Interesting.

Today luckily I got to pick Xander as my sparring partner. No bruised ribs today. How exciting…

He faces me in the starting stance. I return the glance, and then the whistle goes off.

Ari

"Callahan," Rodriguez called, "Stop being such a weak disappointment."

"Then pair me up with someone who actually challenges me." His eyes flashed, I was testing him. He knew what I could do in practice and he was pushing me because he knew I was holding back. I wanted the others to think I was weak. The whole class fell silent. Nobody aside from Evangeline ever challenged him.

"Hokkaido," he said, "On the mats. You're fighting Callahan."

We moved to the mats and I thought I knew why he made that decision. Crow had a background in martial arts as well and I'm pretty sure Rodriguez noticed my furtive glances in Crow's direction.

"Begin."

Crow immediately swiped his leg underneath through my ankles to off balance me but I did a graceful backflip, landing on my feet like a cat. I lunged at him, careful to keep my arms at my center to block and to use my legs to attack. The whole class gathered around to watch the fight and I kept my gaze hard and steely, my face in an emotionless mask. I was lithe and nimble. Crow was just as graceful, blocking all of my moves. However, I could tell I was a bit more experienced than he and I had learned a few things from my training experiences with Rodriguez.

Part of Wing Chung was to keep your arms completely at your center, but Rodriguez had convinced me that since not all people fight this way, I did need to adapt in some ways. I feigned throwing a punch at Crow's face which he was not expecting as he must have known by now I was a martial artist, though not which kind. So, instead of deftly blocking it, he flinched. I took this opportunity to sweep my legs underneath his and knock him to the ground. He almost leapt to his feet but I landed a swift kick to his hip which made him fall back down. He'd be tender there for a while but I specifically didn't target his ribs, I didn't want him to be out of action for too long.

I straddled him, holding his hands above his head with one hand and braced my forearm against his neck, signaling the fight was over. There were a number of ways to end the fight. People like Evangeline didn't stop until their opponent couldn't move. Others, like me, just put them in a lethal or compromising position. Either one was considered acceptable but Eva fought dirty, most didn't fight like that.

"End," I said, standing up. We bowed as was customary, though not necessary for this combat class. He took the defeat quietly as the other students stared at me in awe. They hadn't known I could do stunts, they hadn't known I was that adept. The sharks especially were sizing me up. If I wasn't a shark in the tank now, I never would be. I'd just showed everybody what I was capable of. I didn't want to hurt people, but I wanted to be on top. I wanted to be in a military position that would allow me to instruct and change their ways, to incapacitate rather than kill. I wanted to do good, the only way to get there was to be a shark. They could put me on top.

"Very good, Callahan. You're still an insolent little girl and you have much to learn." But Rodriguez had that glint in his eye. He favored me and was pushing me to excel. Evangeline saw this as well and she glared at me.

I drank some water and rested for a moment. Then Rodriguez called out.

"Lakewood," my head perked up, "Callahan."

We walked onto the mats, readying for the fight.

"Begin." he said.

I lunged at Evangeline clumsily, trying to psych her out. She saw through this, however and reacted as if I had just delivered a graceful blow. She blocked me and punched me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I decided not to fake it, I put my all into the fight.

The difference between Evangeline and I was we had very different fighting styles. I was focused on keeping my face made of stone, blocking myself with my arms, keeping my center intact and delivering graceful blows to incapacitate. She was focused on strength. Her face was not stoic and she used her arms to fight mostly. Her blows hurt but because of the delivery, she wasn't able to hit as much or as often as she maybe would've liked. The way she positioned herself was very correct based on her style of fighting but left her wide open to a martial artist. We were fighting for maybe 10 minutes, an incredibly long time.

We were both getting somewhat out of breath when I decided to deliver the final blow. She was about to hit a pressure point on my shoulder that would stun me and knowing her, she would've taken me out right after. I quickly stopped her fist with my hand, spun her so her arm was pressed against her lower back and used momentum from her arm to flip her. Yup. Jackie Chan style. The technique I used would knock the wind out of her but not hurt her.

I straddled her and put my forearm against her neck. She was beat.

"Come on," she gasped, inhaling and trying to catch her breath. "Aren't you gonna finish it?" she taunted, "leave me so I can't fight anymore? Or are you too weak?" she spat. I could feel my mask come apart. I couldn't hurt her, not like that.

"It's finished," I said,

"End."

Rodriguez marked it and I walked away from Evangeline and her malicious grin. It worried me, I'd won. She should've been pissed. But I didn't look back.

I felt a pain in the back of my head and I was on the ground, my vision blurring.

"It's not over until you can't keep going." said a distant voice, and then everything went black.

Crow Hokkaido

My pencil swept gracefully across the paper, Small curves and delicate edges defining the angel's wings.
It was one of my better pieces. The angel had her face upturned, letting gentle rays of light break across it. Her wings spread wide as she rocketed through the pastel sky. On her wrists were the remnants of shackles. the broken chains trailing away from her outstretched arms. On a sudden whim, I colored the angel's hair a gentle shade of red.

I looked up from my work to the infirmary bed I was sitting beside. Aria Callahan lay there, still unconcious. I felt a muscle in my jaw tick.
Evangeline was heartless. She was twisted, and seemed to be the slightest bit out of her mind, but I had assumed even she had the honor to not attack an opponent who's back was turned.
But apperantly, I was wrong. Evangeline Lakewood was nothing if not brave, but while she had courage, there was not a scrap of honor left in her. What would a person have to go through to turn into something like that? In some ways, Evangeline didn't even seem human.

Aria's fists clenched in her sleep, but still her face was unreadable. This girl was intriguing to say the least. She was a Shark, and her lack of emotion had lead me to believe at first that she had even less regard for another human as Lakewood or her cronies. But today, on the mats...

She beat me quicker than anyone else would have been able to. She had me in a position to get rid of me, or at least severely injure me, but she hadn't done anything. If it had been Evangeline, I'd be dead right now.

She hadn't harmed her, either. She'd beaten Evangeline, she could have made an example out of her. Lakewood had even dared her to take her best shot, but she'd walked away.

And this was how her mercy had been repaid.

What was a girl like Aria doing with the Sharks?

The sheets rustled as Aria stirred. I began to close my book, but paused. I flipped to the picture of the angel. Unlike most of my drawings, this one was bright. It had an element of hope to it, vibrantly colorful and meticulously detailed.

I gently tore the picture from the book and quickly scrawled one word across the bottom

Escape

I folded the paer and set it on the table before standing up and turning to leave. A raspy voice stopped me.

"What are you doing here?"
It was Aria, awake and blinking up at me. I lingered at the doorway, gazing down at her.

I could almost feel my defenses crumbling as she stared back at me.
Feeling slightly panicked at the vulnerable feeling inside me, I turned abruptly turned my head, string down at the waxed tile floor instead.

"Be careful." I said to the floor.

The silence lasted for an eterity. I could feel her gaze prickling aginst my forehead, and I was suddenly hit with the urge to look back at her, to let my walls fall.

To let her see me.

At that thought, my internal alarm blared in my head.
What the heck is wrong with me?! She may be different, she might not kill for pleasure like Evangeline, but she's still a Shark.

I quickly turned on my heel and rushed from the infirmary.

William Black

I watched as Grady charged Eva. She seemed to accept it with an ounce of salt, as if she was mainly bored. Well he kind collapesed when I put a bullet into his leg. He fell to the ground, screeching like a newborn. I stepped up and gestured to two sharks. "Pick him up." I have somewhere I want to take him." Perhaps that's when they snapped out of their shock. "I don't take order from you." One snarled, rising from their chair, all the while pulling a blade from their coat. Eva slammed her knife into the table and the shark jumped in surprise. "No, but you will take orders from me." She snarled." And you'll do as he says." Mumbling apologies the to sharks picked him up and started carrying him away, moaning and whimpering about the pain. I picked up my rifle and started to follow them. Eva grabbed my shoulder and said." Get back here once your done." I gave her a bow and followed.

"So your a sniper eh?" The Shark asked. I didn't want to know their names, nor did I need to. To me they were just 1 and 2. Shark 1 waved at shark 2, and 2 released Grady. He looked shocked at that we were letting him go. He began to limp away. This is where the pain began. I began to fire round after round into Grady, not kill shots, but enough to make him wish for death. 1 and 2 just stared in awe at me. Finally I put an end to it and finished him off. When I was breaking apart my rifle they approached quietly." Where did you learn to shoot like that?" 1 asked. I glanced up at him." SAS training school. Bit of an advanced class." They seemed excited as they walked away. I watched Grady's body for a bit. They'd never find his body here. Not in the woods surrounding Pierpoint. They wouldn't care either. With that I got up to give my report to Eva, if she hadn't been massacred by angry sharks. But the girl had already cowed them into submission.

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I glanced casually as Eva hit the Ari girl in the back of the head. There was in instant roar of disapproval from several students. A couple attempted to gang up on Eva. She was ruthless. It would've been all out riot if Rodriguez hadn't gotten things under control.soon kids were being sent to the infirmary. I approached her. She had a bit of blood on her face. I knew it wasn't hers just by her reputation. She raised an eyebrow at me." A little harsh wouldn't you agree?" She glared at me and snarled." This is like war Black, you do whatever it takes to win. Mercy has no room on the battlefield." I looked around at my surroundings." Strange, I must need my eyes checked, because I can see that surprisingly, this isn't a battlefield."

She glared at me. I nodded my head. "I see nothing, I hear nothing." I spoke in Arabic. She rolled her eyes." Why the language switch?" She asked. I responded." Everyone learns Russian. Besides, you know I like to keeps things mysterious and suprise you as often as I can." Several students were looking at us as we conversed in Arabic. "So what's next in the list in your plans for school domination?" I asked casually. She smirked." Put the rest of the Sharks in their places. And I need you to root out the weak. Kill them if you have to." I bowed to her in a courtly manner." Your wish is my command oh great lady." I turned to walk away when she spoke again." Black, don't betray me, or else you'll wish you were dead by the time I'm through with you." I stiffened, and she watched me carefully, trying to gauge my reaction." You command me Lakewood." I spoke slowly, my accent thick and heavy." I'm not a leader, but I'm one of the best damn followers there ever will be. Best you remember that as well." Without another word I swept out of the room, flanked by 1 and 2.