Chereads / The Room at the End of the Hall / Chapter 8 - Practice

Chapter 8 - Practice

It was already over me, staring me down with its red eyes. I tried squirming again, I managed to break my arm free but it was already too late. The creature leaned forward and I could hear the most bone chilling laughter coming from it. The laughter was molding and melting together, I could hear men, women, and even a few children. It's jaws opened and it got ready to pounce. But before it could I was woken up by the sudden splash of water hitting my face. I jumped up, the water was freezing cold. My face was already starting to hurt. "Morning brat, time to start practice." I moved my now wet hair from my eyes, sure enough there stood the armored man. "Thanks." I said while panting. He gave me a confused look. "The hell are you thanking me for?" I chuckled. "Well, this was a nice little shower. Plus, I was having another nightmare and you were sweet enough to get me out." I smiled. He scoffed. "Come on!" He threw the bucket he was holding off to the side. I followed him out of the cabin, he lead me to a small open area. "Is this the training area?" I asked. "This is for freaks like you, the real ones in town." I nodded my head, of course I wouldn't be allowed in town. "Before we do anything, what's your name?" I asked. He got into a fighting stance. "I'll tell you my name if you beat me." He lunged. I dodged to the side, but the back of my foot hit a root. I stumbled and almost fell, he caught my arm. Suddenly I was lifted off the ground, he threw me over him. I landed on the ground hard, the wind left my lungs. He stood over me and grinned. "You don't put up much of a fight do you?" I groaned. "I don't know how to fight." I wheezed out. He laughed. "Of course." I slowly stood up, he backed up and got back in a fighting stance. "Let's try again brat." He lunged again, this time I held my arms up to block. His punch landed on my forearm. I winced but quickly threw my own punch. He grabbed my wrist and pulled it to the side. In a second his knee shot up and hit my gut. I groaned and stumbled back clutching my stomach. "What's going on here?" I looked up, Addy entered the small clear area. "Who are you?" The armored man asked. "Names Addy." I took a deep breath. "Hey Addy." I groaned. "Yikes, what happened to you?" I pointed to the man. "He's training me, I think." I rubbed my stomach. "He's just beating you up." Addy stated. "Take a break." I gave her a thumbs up and walked over to the side. I leaned against a tree and took a deep breath. "You his friend?" He asked Addy. "Mentor, actually. Who are you?" He crossed his arms and grinned. "I'll tell you the same thing I told him. You beat me, I tell you my name." Addy shrugged. "Okay." They both backed up a little bit, then got in a fighting stance. He lunged at Addy, she took a step to the right. He punched towards the right, suddenly she shot to the left. She spun around and crouched down. She put her leg out and swept it under the mans feet. He flew forward and hit the ground rolling forward a bit. He quickly stood up. "Good to know you're an actual challenge." Suddenly a bright green shield appeared at his hand. "Now the real fight starts." Addy smiled. A bright white light formed in the palm of her hand. "Wonderful." They both lunged at each other, there was flashes of green and white going everywhere. My mouth hung open in amazement. I'd never seen something so pretty and so fascinating. Eventually the armored man lost his footing, a burst of light filled the area. The man went flying through the air and hit a tree, he fell to the ground and groaned. I looked over at Addy, she grinned at me. She looked forward and approached him. She kneeled down. "How about that name?" He groaned. "General Abrell. Cason Abrell." She smiled and stood up. "That wasn't so hard was it?" He scoffed. She turned and walked towards me. "How are you feeling?" I looked at her with amazement, words couldn't form. "Are you okay?" She looked at me worried. I looked at General Abrell laying on the ground, then back at Addy. "That was so cool!" I exclaimed. She chuckled. "I forgot, you've never seen abilities in action." I shook my head. "Can I do that?" I asked. The thought for a moment. "I'm not sure what your ability manifests as, but ya you can." I bounced with excitement. "How do I do it?" A scoff from behind be caught me off guard. "How are you gonna control you're ability if you can't even throw a decent punch?" I frowned. "Isn't that your job right now?" I looked back at Abby, she was glaring at the General. "My job is to make sure he doesn't go crazy and hurt someone." He shot back. "So you think beating him up is gonna keep him calm?" Addy fires back without missing a beat. I looked at each of them. "Hold on!" They both looked at me now. "How about this, the quicker you teach me to physically fight. The quicker she can take over and teach me my ability." They thought for a moment. They glared at each other one last time. "Fine, but I ain't going easy on you." The General gave me an angry look. "Alright, sounds fair." Addy said, I let out the breath I was holding. Addy took my spot against the tree and I took her spot in the empty area. "Show me a punch!" He ordered. I punched in front of me. "Don't put all your weight in the punch! Bring your foot back!" He pointes to my leg, I slide it behind me. "Lean back a little!" I leaned back just an inch. "Put your arms up in defense!" I put my arms up to cover my face. "Not that high! Lower and separate them!" I lowered my arms and brought them apart. "Now this time when you punch, put your weight in your body. Don't just hit to hit, hit like you're attacking your worst enemy! Now punch!" I punched the air in front of me again, this time putting my weight in my body and moving forward a little. I could feel the difference in strength. "Again!" I punched again. "Two jabs!" I threw two quick jabs. "Good. At least you have a little bit of strength to you." I looked over at Addy, she smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I looked forward, out of nowhere the General punched at me. I ducked under his fist and jumped back a little. "Stay on guard boy!" For hours he taught me how to punch, different kinds of punches, and what stances I need to be in. Finally the sun was beginning to set, I was sweating bullets. "I think that's enough for the night." Addy said with a yawn. Suddenly my stomach rumbled. "Sounds like it's time for dinner too." Addy and I laughed. "I'll get someone to bring him food." Addy looked at the General with anger. "He can't go into town and eat?" The General shook his head. "As long as he doesn't understand his ability, that's how long he stays in that cabin." I sighed. "It's fine Addy, they're just be cautious." She shook her head. "No, they're being cowards who are scared of something they don't understand!" She shouted at the General. He scoffed. "Look, I'm simply protecting this town. If you have an issue with it than I recommend you find a comfy spot on the dirt." Addy looked like she was about to explode. I jumped in front of her. "There's no issue! Everything's fine, you're just doing your job." He gave me a warning look and made his way back towards the town. Once he disappeared behind the trees I let out a sigh. Suddenly I felt a hard punch land on my shoulder. I spun around, Addy glared at me. "What?" I asked. "What the hell was that?!" I held my hands up. "I didn't want you to say something you might regret." She scoffed. "I was simply saying you should be allowed to eat in town." I nodded my head. "I know, but there's still a risk. Nobody knows anything about my ability. What might trigger it, how to stop it, how to understand it. There's too many questions and not enough answers for everyone to feel completely safe." Addy looked down at the ground. We stood in silence for a little while. "It just feels unfair." I sighed. "I know. But everything will be fine soon. Once I understand this ability I can eat at the town with everyone." Addy looked up and smiled. "I hope so." I snapped my finger. "I promise you, once I get this under control. I'll buy you dinner." She thought for a moment, then smirked. "Sounds like a date." She walked off towards the town. I made my way back to the cabin. I walked through the front door and sat down on the bed. I couldn't help but smile, now I felt even more determined to understand my ability. A sudden knock caught me off guard. "I got your food!" I quickly walked over and opened the door. Standing there was another boy, he looked to be a year or two younger than me. "Here." He handed me a brown paper bag. I took it. "Thanks." I started closing the door. "Are you the new guy?" He asked. "Ya, I guess you can call me that." He nodded his head. "Well good luck, General Abrell is always hard on the newbies." He turned and walked off. I closed the door and shrugged. I walked over to the bed and sat down, opening the bag I could see a bottled water and a wrapped Pb&j sandwich. I took out the water and chugged it. It wasn't very cold but it helped with my thirst. Then I took the sandwich out and ate half of it. I put the other half back in the bag and placed the bag on the desk. I walked back over to the bed and laid down, my muscles started to feel sore. I groaned, my body felt like a bruise. Eventually I found a comfy position and closed my eyes, sleep was sweet. This time, the creature didn't come. It only watched, and waited for the prefect moment.