The Hidden End [Ender's Game]

+ Chapter 04

PART 01 || CHAPTER 04
​Training Partners

Classes turned out to be even more tiring in the days that followed. The amount of homework and assignments they had kept on piling up, and Morgan's stress level increased. When she wasn't studying, she was in the battle room, and when she wasn't in the battle room, she was fast asleep on her bunk. Sometimes, she was even too tired to eat, and she'd rest her head on her arms and sleep during meal times.

The final straw was when they began to have combat classes. It was the second week through, and Morgan had to admit that although she was good at academics and strategic thinking, when it came to actual hand-to-hand sparring, she had no idea what to do. They were in their white uniforms in the gym, standing on the mattresses. Dap began to teach them the basics of fighting, and she was practically shaking in her spot.

All this time, she'd been smart enough to avoid physical confrontation, but even in training, things would hurt. She was going to get knocked down and beaten, and unless she got good fast, she would keep being everyone's punching bag. She knew Bernard and his friends would just adore to be able to hit both her and Ender, and she wasn't about to give them that satisfaction.

The first combat class was fine; it consisted of just basic training and a bit of blocking, which Morgan found bearable. She knew that she would need extra practice, and mentally made plans of training by herself during free time. A couple of other Launchies were struggling too, especially those who weren't so quick or agile. Morgan didn't look amused. She understood their pain completely.

That evening, Morgan sat on her bunk with her desk out. She was finishing up her assignments when Bean climbed up halfway up the latter and propped himself up on his elbows. "Wanna go to the gym and train some more?" he asked. There was an odd air of cheerfulness to him, which made Morgan scrunch up her nose a little.

"I'm doing homework," she said. "Maybe another time."

Bean smirked a little. "Is it 'cause you know you're bad?" he teased.

She looked up at him and pursed her lips. "I never take on a battle that I know I can't win."

"I bet if Ender asked you to come, you'd say yes," Bean said seriously. 

Morgan scoffed. "What does this have to do with Ender?" But she knew he got her and it was true; if Ender had asked her to come along, she would've. It wasn't because she liked him the way normal girls her age would like boys. It was because she felt like she could trust him to some extent, and she knew they could help each other out. After all, Ender was the closest she's gotten to someone with her mindset. 

"Bean, no offense, but you sound kind of desperate to hang out with me," Morgan said, changing the subject. "And a little jealous too."

Bean rolled his eyes. "Don't be so full of yourself. I only wanted to help. Been on the streets all my life, y'know. Picked up a couple of things on the way." He sighed and started to get off the ladder. "But if you don't want my help, don't think I'll cry about it at night."

He was about to walk out of the bunk room when Morgan swung her legs over the edge of her bed and jumped, catching up to him. "Fine, fine, you talked me into it."

~ ~ ~

"You're holding your arms up wrong," Bean sighed. He practically yanked Morgan into the right position, and she winced.

"Damn it, Bean," she snapped. "What's wrong with you?"

"You're never going to be able to fight if you learn things the wrong way," he said. "Now try to hit me." Morgan swung at him, but he easily blocked her. "Put your whole body into it." She tried to swing again but he dodged and grabbed her arm, flipping her forward and onto her back. "Gotcha."

All the air in Morgan's lungs seeped out. Her entire back felt as if it was on fire after hitting the mattress hard. She coughed and gritted her teeth, swearing under her breath furiously.

"Okay, now I'm gonna teach you how to do that," Bean said.

It didn't take very long for Morgan to get it. After about half-an-hour of practicing with Bean, she managed to flip him on his back once--even though she had the feeling that if he'd been trying, she wouldn't be able to pick him off the ground at all. When they both walked back to their bunk rooms, she was sore all over. She just wanted to go take a hot shower and sleep. That's all.

But then she saw Ender sitting quietly on his bed with his desk, and when he looked up at her with his cerulean irises, she forgot all about her other plans and went to sit down next to him. "Hey," she said. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing much," he shrugged. "Homework."

"I see." He didn't look too eager to carry out the conversation, and he only had eyes for the screen of his tablet, so Morgan got up and left him alone to go talk to Bean for a while longer. But the entire time, she swore she could feel someone's eyes on her, watching intensely.