Underride Guard

Sequel to The Next Stop. DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE NEXT STOP, IT WILL NOT MAKE SENSE!

Chapter One

I streched my sore limbs. Eventhough I had a bed I still found myself sleeping on the floor next to it. I guess old habits die hard huh? I looked at my watch and groaned to lie back down. I basically had jet lag without the jet part. Why they had me be nocturnal was beyond me but it definitely sucked now. It was four in the morning and no one would be awake for a couple more hours. I tried to shut my eyes and catch some more sleep but it was useless. I decided to go for a run in the mean time and get a jump start for today. I was already wearing a tank top and sweatshirt so I pulled on some sweats from my trunk and slipped on my nikes. I made my way towards the indoor track to find it vacant just the way I liked it. I started streching so I wouldn't pull my newly reforming muscles.

I wrapped my wild curls into a knot on top of my head and started out on a steady pace. I wasn't supposed to push myself much because I was still recuperating even if I was capable of jogging a couple miles at a time I wasn't to the point of full out running much less sprinting. I couldn't do anything to help until I was back to full physical condition and I was tired of waiting alone for everyone to come back from doing their part. I heard the doors to the gym open and mentally groaned. I didn't like new people or crowds so much yet and I liked my peace. I pretended to not let it bother me, to not even seem like I noticed someone entered.

I could hear the jogger approaching me from behind quickly. They passed me pretty quickly in a hooded sweatshirt and gym shorts.

"Show off," I muttered as I rolled my eyes.

Everyone knew who I was but I still didn't know everyone here. I heard the guy who passed me laugh and I blushed as I realized they heard me.

"Now, now, no need to be jealous Addie," the guy said turning around to run backwards so he could look at me.

I rolled my eyes for a second time realizing it was Asher not caring so much that it was him that bothered me. He slowed his backward running so I could catch up to him and then he turned around to jog at my pace beside me.

"When did you get back?" I asked.

"Last night. We hit an obstacle and had to improvise which meant speeding up the mission. You do know you can use that arm now, right?"

I glared at him that he was actually refrening my left arm. I didn't move it much and found myself carrying it close to my side like it was still in its sling and that's how it was now. I didn't hold the comment against him though because I knew how much he was upset it actually was injured in that way and I know it was a lot of the reason that fueled him to reach the level as a member of task squad. That and I'm sure his background in law enforcement didn't hurt. I knocked into him with my right shoulder.

"Shut up," I muttered but smiled nonetheless.

He really was my only friend in the world right now and I cherished him more than anything because he stuck with me still eventhough he didn't have to. There wasn't technically a class system here but at the same time there was. It was sort of like rankings of a military army and I was definitely at the bottom of the totem pole. Sure I was valuable because I some how "held the key," but I couldn't do anything worthwhile. I was stuck at the base and not allowed to leave to help any of the teams. I was still in training and still strength building. Asher tried to reassure me I was still helping just as much as he was but I knew it wasn't true there was just no reason to argue with him.

"So you couldn't sleep again my little nightowl?" he asked breaking the silence.

"If I'm an owl then how come you're here at four in the morning huh?"

"Because I knew you would need my company."

"Oh really? How did you know I was here?"

"Because you weren't in your room."

"You went in my room?"

"I was quiet," he said defending himself, "No one even stirred."

"You're going to get caught one of these times and you're going to regret it."

"Oh come on, it's not technically against the rules and you know it. If someone's got a problem with it they can pull the stick out of their butt and get over it."

"Yeah try telling