𝙅𝙐𝙉𝙀 2018, eli moskowitz/hawk

06

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘅 / ❛  movies❜

[ episode eight, molting ]

Johnny stood on top of a van in the junkyard, cracking open a beer can as he looked down at the group of students standing below him, all waiting for his words.

"You've trained hard. You've gotten stronger, tougher, faster," Johnny's voice boomed, "Am I right?"

"Yes, sensei!" The group shouted in unison.

Johnny grinned, shaking his head. "Wrong!" He tossed the empty beer can between Miguel and Marlee's feet with a sharp thud. "Your best ain't shit!" he yelled. "If you wanna win, you gotta give me better than your best."

Marlee raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic smile tugging at her lips. "Inspirational, sensei," she teased.

Johnny shot her a middle finger without missing a beat, his grin wide. "Which is why, from now on, you're gonna get my worst. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sensei!" they all responded with renewed energy.

"Are you losers?" Johnny called out, his voice growing louder.

"No, sensei!" they all shouted back.

"Are you nerds?" Johnny pressed, scanning the group with a sharp look.

"No, sensei!" came the resounding reply.

"Are you sure?"

"No, sensei!" they yelled, louder this time.

Johnny put his head in his hands, letting out a dramatic sigh, and Marlee couldn't help but laugh when she realized what had just happened. She shook her head in amusement, trying to stifle her grin as she looked at the others.

"Move those feet! Go, go, go!" Johnny yelled, his voice echoing through the junkyard. The group scrambled, sprinting over tires and trying their best to keep from slipping. Obstacles were scattered all over the junkyard—piles of scrap metal, glass shards, and uneven terrain that made every step a challenge. Marlee's legs burned as she pushed herself harder, barely able to keep up with the others.

Ahead of her, Aisha led the way, jumping from tire to tire with ease. But then, out of nowhere, Aisha lost her footing and fell forward. In an instant, Miguel was on top of her, tumbling awkwardly, and Marlee wasn't far behind. She tripped over the pile of bodies, and before she knew it, Hawk had crashed into her, followed by Bert and the rest of the group. A heap of flailing limbs and groans of frustration.

Johnny stood at the edge of the chaos, arms crossed, watching them struggle to untangle themselves. "Get up! You're all embarrassing yourselves!" he shouted, his voice stern but with a hint of amusement.

They scrambled to their feet, brushing dirt and dust off their clothes, then rushed forward as Johnny waved them on. They were handed sticks—long, heavy wooden poles—and immediately thrust into the next part of the challenge. "Smash anything you can," Johnny ordered. "Cars, glass, metal, I don't care! Destroy it all!"

Marlee gripped the stick tightly, her arms aching as she swung it at an old car, shattering the windshield with a loud crack. She felt a strange thrill as the glass shattered, the sound echoing around the junkyard. A few other students were right alongside her, taking out their frustration on the vehicles, their sticks pounding against the rusted metal.