I make my way quickly towards him, not looking towards the Fire boy. I stand on the other side of the teacher and don't lift my eyes to meet the crowd. I'm too ashamed to do so.
"My name is Tomas Strakturus (Too-MAS Stra-ck-TWO-roos), but you will call me sir or teacher. I will be teaching you Simple Defense for your first round of coursework. You will obey my every command, you will pay attention, and if I catch anyone doing otherwise, I'll send you straight to the mills. They always need help. I would advise you to listen closely. There are 96 of you here in my class. Don't think that I won't notice things just because of the large crowd. As you can see, I noticed the hairstyle Maia is wearing and the scar below Trey's eye. You will also notice I know your names. This is simply my habit, to know my Trainees' names before they come into my class."
Murmurs break out amongst the crowd.
"Did I ask any of you to speak?"
Silence.
"Now, I will demonstrate what we are going to be learning today using Trey and Maia. If you two will please stand facing each other. Yes, that's right. Now, take your strong foot and put it forward. Bend your knees slightly. Good, maintain a good balance. Trey, I want you to nicely act as if you're going to kick Maia's head with your left foot, since your right is your strong foot. Do not actually hurt her."
I hear the teacher's instructions, I follow them, but my mind is elsewhere. I'm staring at the boy across from me, who looks perfectly normal to the casual glance. However, my intense scrutinization of his stance and posture is telling me he can't wait to actually land a blow on me. My palms are sweating profusely and a chill is going up my back. I watch as the Fire boy takes his left leg, lifts it and balances with ease, acting as if he is about to kick me. Teacher Strakturus stops him a few inches away from my body.
"Good, Trey, good form. Maia, I want you to look at his stance right now. How can you evade this kick coming at you?"
My mind goes into hyperdrive thinking not just about that answer, but also how to get out of the situation I'm in.
"I can move out of the way."
Teacher Strakturus scowls. "You could, but it's likely you'd lose your balance and get kicked by Trey. Try again."
Instead of answering, I raise my hand to where, if the Fire boy was to continue his projected kick, I would block him with my lower arm.
"That would be correct." Teacher Strakturus addresses the crowd next. "Pick a partner! Since we are trying to keep you all equal here, it must be a boy and a girl. There are equal amounts of you here, I assure you. So do not try and tell me any differently. I'll give you a bit to figure it out. Maia, Trey, you two are already partners."
"But-" I start to say.
"Do you have a problem with my teaching methods, Maia?"
I bow my head. "No, sir." I have everything against them.
As Teacher Strakturus walks away, Trey's demeanor changes completely. His obedient and compliant stature changes to one of mischief and arrogance. His mouth turns into a vicious smile. I cringe.
"Who would have thought," Trey whispers, "that we would get paired in the first class? I must say, I'm going to enjoy this immensely."
I don't reply. I silently urge all of the other Trainees to hurry picking their partners. I want this class to end and the sun has barely topped the horizon. I'm starting to see better and I notice I'm shaking.
You shouldn't be this afraid of him, my inner brave voice tells me. He's just a swordfish, thinking he's top of the world.
He's going to hurt you the first chance he gets! He's not safe! Run! Run! The other part of me is screaming.
Chapter 8- Twisted
Start from the beginning
