The next week, the course of my day was always the same. Rise, training, eating, training, sleeping. In the meantime I had smaller breaks where I played mainly with Jude and Nico cards. They taught me a lot of new games that I didn't know before.
I was standing under the warm water of the shower and tried to arrange my thoughts until the water jet stuttered. The timer, which is supposed to limit the hot water consumption, switched off and ice-cold water flowed down my body.
We had to say good-bye to Cate yesterday. She had not told us anything specific about her Op, except that she would be sent back undercover to a camp. In my opinion, she'll probably bring out another child, but you can never be sure.
Jude didn't want to let her go at all, but we all knew she had to go. Vida was sad, too. You immediately realized how much Cate means to her.
When I came out of the shower, I found a file lid in my locker. Alban explained to me that it contains all the information I need for an Op. I was a little excited, but also nervous, as this would be my first Op. The first of many, I hope.
Just for your eyes, it said on the front. I looked around and saw two of the girls talking about something. As soon as they saw me, they gave me these looks, half of which consisted of fear and half of suspicion, and began to whisper. I just rolled my eyes.
Op-number: 311269-E
Op-time: 28 April, 2pm
Psi: Phoenix
Supervisor: Stewart
I remember the day they gave me that name. It was the same evening that Alban told me that I would be training with Cole from now on. He and Cate waited for me in his office and gave me the name Phoenix because of my ability.
Most children have names based on their color. That's why Vida is also called a viper, because this snake is blue and nobody in the league is messing with her. Not even Jarvin, who often claimed not to be afraid of anything. Jude also has his name, even if he is still too young. Because of his ability and kindness, he was called sunshine.
As far as I understand the op, Cole and I are meeting with an agent who has important information about one of the camps. Our job is to secure and bring back the material. It's a little boring, but I'll get out of this building for that.
A knock on the lockers frightened me out of my mind. Cole stood next to me, a funny smile surrounded his lips and the next moment I was also pulled into his room.
On his bed, on which he just made himself comfortable, lay the same file cover that I held in my hand. The only difference was that he probably already had a plan for how the whole thing was going to happen.
"Looks like we're going on an Op together."
He nodded and continued to read through the documents. I raised an eyebrow. "Do I actually still get any information about what you actually need me for, because actually this Op doesn't sound complicated?"
Cole got up from the bed and came very close to me. I could feel his warmth. Somehow it felt comfortable. Somehow, it gave you a sense of security. I didn't understand what the whole thing was about. If I didn't know what to do, then why should I go in the first place. "No, you don't. I have to go now." He said, after checking his watch. "See you sunshine."
Sunshine? Why does he call me that? I went back to my room, which I shared with Vida, Jude and Nico. The camp bed was not comfortable, but compared to the beds in Black Rock it was pure luxury. I lay down and just stared at the ceiling. At some point I must have fallen asleep, because the last thing I heard was someone entering the room.
***********************************************************************************************
"Lilli!" Shouted my father's voice. Frightened, I opened my eyes because I hadn't expected him so early. But whether early or late, nothing changes the fact that he was drunk.
Sighing, I followed the loud voice of my father, who was trying to sway up the stairs. But he stumbled on the first step and fell to the ground.
Suddenly, choking sounds sounded, and I twisted my face as he threw up. The stench after vomiting resisted over to me and also the choking sounds didn't really help suppressing my own ascending nausea.
My father had been drinking for a long time, now for a year. And I've been able to evict him for just as long.
"Ahhhh there you are, Lilllllliiiii." He groaned again and tore me out of my thoughts. He had finally stopped vomiting and wiped his hand over his mouth.
Slowly I let out the air I've been holding and approached my dad, who stretched out his arms to me like a little child. He was humming something up. Without going into it, I grabbed him by the arms and tried to pull him up. But he didn't make any effort to get up, but just grabbed me by the hair and pulled me down to him.
With a little scream, I grabbed my head and bent down to him so that he wouldn't rip out all my hair. I immediately stopped trying to get out of his grip. I already knew it would only get worse.
"You look like her." My father breathed into my ear while he turned the tips of my black hair. Even without him saying it, I knew who he meant.
My mother.
"But you will never even come close to her!" He hissed furiously and pushed me back vigorously.
I stumbled up a few steps and then fell backwards. With my eyes closed, I tried to suppress the tears that were rising inside me. I didn't know why I was about to cry. To one, my head hurt violently from pulling on my hair, as did my coccyx from the hard bump, but it was much more the words that hurt me.
From the corner of my eye I could still see him raising his hand and pulling out.
I snapped out of my dream, panting.
It took me a while to realize I was lying in my bed in the league. Quiet snoring came from the corner where Vida was sleeping and also Jude muttered something incomprehensible.
The bright green numbers of the alarm clock indicated to me that it was almost five in the morning. Oh, great! I can forget about going back to sleep now.
Knowing that almost everyone is asleep, I put on my clothes and took a bottle of water. Before training with trainer Johnson I wanted to get a little fit on the treadmill. Through the whole training sessions I quickly realized that it helps great to reduce pressure.
The light in the gym was already burning, and my body was excited when I saw who beat and kicked the punching bag. Cole must have seen me from the corner of his eye, but he kept punching and ignored me until I stood right next to him.
He's shirtless, and his movements are aggressively quick. His fist strikes out next, a loud thud follows his movement, and he repeats it with the other fist. He looks so angry, and sweaty and...hot.
"I'm not in the mood, sunshine." His voice sounded expressionless, a warning underton lay in it.
"Too bad." I said, and got me some gloves. "But I am."
I did a few exercises to warm up, while Cole sniffed out after a few minutes and he came up to me with a red face and strangely sparkling eyes.
I barely had time to go into combat when his foot was already hurrying towards me. I could just dodge, but then he landed a blow on my sternum. It was a diversion. And then he showed me how angry he really was.
He threw me on the mat and before I could even react, he stuck me under himself. I crawled under him and beat around me, but it didn't bring anything. His face was distorted by anger. I snapped for air, but he didn't stop pressing the air on me.
"Cole..." I was gasping. "Stop it."
He didn't listen to me. Wherever he was, I couldn't reach him, so I tried something else. Since I was still able to move my arms to some extent, I placed my hand slightly on his cheek. He was totally sweaty and you could feel the heat coming from him.
I felt his grip around my neck slowly loosening. "Cole!" I tried it again. My voice was just a whisper, but I kept going.
"Listen to me. I know you don't want to hurt me. I know you can hear me." His pupils widened a little and he began to tremble "Please, you have to calm down." I begged. "I know you're in there."
Not even a moment later, the weight loosened from my chest. I was breathing, coughing, humming and swallowing the air that penetrated my throat. It took a while for me to realize that the quiet sobbing that filled the room was not coming from me.
Cole sat on the edge of the mat, with his back to me, and wrapped his arms around his knees. He was struggling for breath. The mirror on the wall was a spider's net of bloody jumps.
My legs trembled as I forced my body to stand up. I took a stalling step towards him and then another one. He pressed his hand to his chest without noticing that it was bleeding.
I took a little towel from the shelf and wrapped it around his burning hot hand. "I'm sorry" He whispered. "Me too." I said quietly and still stayed with him.