It's time you meet your tutor, my dear," he says and takes my hand while turning to the door. Knots and flip flops my stomach turning I follow Tristen through the door into the room under the stairs. With total surprise by what I find. In my mind, we would be walking into a room, normal room that would look close to what was at the front door. No, not this room it was huge. The size of a basketball gym but no hoops. It had dark walls with both walls at the far ends of the room lined with rolls of weapons. In the middle of the floor were a circle that could hold twenty some people. The outline of it was in gold with the inside the bright red that matched from outside the room. To my left was a rope that hung from the ceiling that looked to be three stories high to the floor.
At the far left of the room was a set of double doors. With someone walking out of them. It was a lady, tall, thin, dressed all in black. Her hair pulled up in a knot on top of her head. The closer she came I noticed that her clothes were military style. Black t-shirt tucked into black cargo pants with black boots. This lady meant business. The feeling of intimidation is an understatement. Her skin was pale that made her green eyes pop and the red paint on her lips gave more of a dramatic appearance. In her hand was a notebook with a black cover with two circles again, the red and gold intertwining this time. I was starting to see a theme. Stopping just a few feet from us, she stood with her arms behind her.
"It's nice to see you have finally made it," she spoke.
"Sorry Chloe, that will fall on me. I let her get distracted on the way in." Tristen came to my rescue. Nodding her head yes, she tilted her chin and moved toward the back of the room. We followed. Not noticing a small closet looking room tucked into the right corner. Chloe pushed in on a corner block and out popped a door small enough for a person to walk through in a single file line. But, we did not go in. She reached in and pulled out clothes that were like hers. Turning with them reached out to me she said, "This is for you to wear every class. You will be here six thirty A.M every Saturday and Sunday. To be able to work one's mind and understand their powers with control, your body must be just as strong."
Collecting the clothes from her I remain quiet. Chloe turns while we follow her. She continues without missing a beat. "Your Spirit Courses with follow after your Physical Training with a thirty-minute break at eight thirty, each day completing at eleven a.m." As we made it to the other side of the gym, she stopped and turned to Tristen, "Are you retaking this course also?"
Laughing to himself, "No, no. I am just dropping her off for today," he explains. "On that note, I will leave." He goes to kiss my head and Chloe coughs. Shaking his head, he tells me he will be back to pick me up at eleven.
Remember I am just a thought away from you. Have fun.
Yeah right, with Major Pain as my instructor. I do not think today will be fun. Chloe turns and I follow her. Going through the doors that she came out of when I first saw her. This seemed to be the locker room. Rolls of red lockers lined the walls and made different rolls in between. The benches were painted gold as well. I was starting to think that maybe this was like a school. Chloe pointed to a locker that had McComas written over it. Putting my clothes down I start taking my boots off. "I will be waiting for you in the gym." Hurrying along I did not want to upset her any more than I have already with just making her loose her weekend to train me.
Out in the gym, Chloe was stretching her arms and bending down to work her leg muscles. Walking up to her she pointed out I should do the same before every class. "What we are going to go over is what I expect you to have completed by the time I get here. This will be your warm ups." She stated. We ran eight laps around the gym which equaled up to 1 ½ miles. A hundred sit up with fifty crunches. Chloe explained that the core needs to be the strongest part of our body besides the mind due to that is what holds our stance firm. Adding forty push-ups and fifty squats also. I was going to have to show up earlier than 6:30 to complete these before she got here.
After getting a drink of water, she was standing in the middle of the circle of the gym. Walking up to her I finally got to get a good look at her. She was no more than a few years older than myself, but she looked so sad. Her eyes even though they were fierce, they showed empty. Her body so powerful but it did not have the power of a woman. No elegance about her at all, nothing but strength. In her military stance on legs shoulder with apart and hand gripped behind her back, all serious. My heart hurt for her.
"Do you know the reason why there is a circle inside another circle?" she asked.
"I thought it was just to point out a starting point in the room," I answered.
Shaking her head, no, she replied, "No, it because circles never end. And these two circles represent our founding families. The red circle is our mother, Lilura. Her love and nurturing for us her children flows through every one of us. It's the core of our people. And the gold is from our father, Sabriel. The gold for his angel strength to protect his people." She walked out of the circle, "No matter where we go or what is thrown at us, we White Lighters, can always draw upon our family to guide us. Do you know what our purpose on this world is?"
This kind took me for a loop. Not really knowing how to answer that I just shake my head no. She started walking around the circle leaving me in the middle. I turn to follow her every move. "We are the children of great people. Being great people comes great responsibility. And our is simple but, complex. We are to keep balance and peace for humans. We are an extra force to have them living their lives as God had promised them. Giving them the chance to live a life of free will to choose God's path without the hand of evil pushing them to choose otherwise."
This was becoming deep now. I knew that we came from an angel, which was a stretch for me to really come to terms with, but to think that there really was evil out there besides the right and wrong choice was something else. "What do you mean when you say evil?" I ask.
She stops and looks at me, "there are things out there, creatures and beings that are not like us or even human. There are from another realm and can and will cause havoc on this Earth. The sole purpose of these things is too kill as many humans and have their souls enter Hell for eternity. Even though Norms are not my favorite people, it is my duty and yours to protect them. And give them the chance to choose for themselves."
"So, we are like an army." I state.
Nodding her head yes, she starts walking around the circle again. "This is our calling, yours too. And you are way behind the others. IT will not be easy, you will have to work harder and put more into it just to get to where the rest of the convent is. But, from what I understand you are to be someone of great worth for us. And for that I will be extra hard on your training. Today, we are just going to work on your body getting prepared for this. Your mind will need that strength to be able to filter out and to comprehend what it needs too."
This I knew was not going to be a good day. Taking a deep breath, I nod in understanding of what she was saying to me. Which was, get ready for you will be tortured today. With that she came at me to attack. Her right arm pulled back next to her face in a fist and her left hand stretched out to grab ahold of me to steady for a punch. My body in its own fight or flight mode moved to the right just as her hand almost grabbed me. Turning fast to face her for her next move I see her crunch in cat like form and her eyes stare into the center of me. With a wicked grin I knew she was going to attack my center next. With her left shoulder she tucked down and ran at me full force. Her right arm was curved to come at an upper cut into my stomach. Within inches from me, I put my arms in front of me to attempt to block the force of her blow. My reflexes caught me and my eyes closed as I braced for a full body contact from her. But, nothing happened.
Scared to look but my curious side getting the best of me, I open my eyes to find that she was right in front of me not moving. My breath left my body, rushing out. Stepping back, she still did not move. Her form was perfect but she was frozen. Looking around the room to see who decided to take pity upon me, I realize we were the only ones there. Stepping back up to Chloe I get close to her face to look at her. And her eyes bolt open. She was awake and alive but just not moving. Now I was scared. What happened? How did this take place? I had no clue how to fix it. Pacing around her I was biting my nails thinking how I could fix this mess I know somehow, I have caused. Tristen! He would know.
Tristen, I need you.
Oh, how I hope he could hear me. Never really trying to contact him before, I go to the locker room to find my cell. Grabbing it and running back into the gym I hear a noise. It was like someone trying to talk but was having a tough time forming words. I hurry back to Chloe and her eyes are huge. The worry showing on her face scared me. I knew something was not right.
Tristen please hurry! I really need you here now!
Groaning to myself, I realized he was not able to hear me. Was I blocking him again? The door to the gym open with a slam. Tristen standing all battle like ready to take on the world if needed. Running over to me, he wraps his arms around me. Relief flooding off him as he did so. "Oh, I was so worried. I heard you but I could not get an answer back from you when I reached too you." He said.
Pulling away, "I am so glad you are here. We need help." I say while pointing at Chloe. He turns and his mouth drops open. Facing me again he asks what happened. "Well, she was charging me in an attack mode to practice defending and well this happened." I say franticly waving my hands as I talked.
"Okay, okay. I can fix this. Just stand there and be calm please." He says. Tristen walks to Chloe and places his hands on her shoulders. I could see his shoulders rise as he inhales deeply. Gold radiance out of his hands and filter around Chloe. It filled her whole body as if it was thawing out her. Slowly her limbs let loose and she tumbled to the floor. I ran up too her, frighten to touch her. Sitting next to her on the floor I placed my hand on her shoulder. My shock ran through my whole body. She was scared, nothing like this has ever happened to her before. Being taken over by someone, especially someone new, was not something that went on here. That was something that only happened in battle. Or so Chloe had heard since she has never been in any battle beside when sparing with other lighters before.
I let go of her, and moved away. It occurred to me that I am different. Not only from the people that I have knew my whole life. But from these people that are own people. They should be who I relate to more than anyone and I don't. They are afraid of me. Tristen sensing my emotions, kneels next to me. This was the comfort I needed. Not really in the mood to be touched but, needing to know that he was still there. His eyes connected to mine for a few moments to let me know that he understood me. He then leaned over to Chloe to check on her.
"Are you okay," he asks.
"I think so, but I do not know how that happened" she answered. "I was told she was new and like a child with her powers. But, it seems that she is very much in control more than we thought. Or at least her emotions are. I think that we need to take the rest of the day off. My body needs to refuel after that."
We all agreed and I went to change back into my clothes. Replaying over and over what happened in my head I was beating myself up. I could not believe that I caused her pain. I was not wanting to do that. What is wrong with me?
Walking out of the doors into the gym, Tristen was there waiting for me. His face lite up, that is something I will never get use too. He stayed at my side all the way to the car. Opening my door for me I slide in. When closing it through the rolled down window he leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek. Oh, how that boy is killing me.
After getting in and driving back out the long drive, Tristen grabs my hand in his and slowly rubbing different fingers over my palm. The tickling sensation ran from his touch up my arm. As I look over to him I see the grin on his face. He was trying to play with me. With that I reach over and start to tickle him for real. The sound of his laughter was amazing. That warmed my heart and made me feel so much better than anything else I believe could.
By the time we made it back to my house, word had already reached my family. I guess it was really like a school. When you get into any trouble the call to the parents happen. Nan was making busy work in the kitchen when I walked in. Her singing to herself stopped and she turned to me. The smile that was she was trying to hide made me smile. She was proud of me. Here I thought I'd be in trouble. "why are you smiling?" I ask.
"It's not every day that you find out that your Granddaughter puts her training instructor in a freeze bar hold on her very first day," she states with pride beaming through each word.
"Is that what I did, a Freeze Bar hold?" I ask. She just smiled. At that time the boys came running through the room from outside. Almost knocking nan over. This place never calms down for a minute.
"If you would be okay with it, I would like to show you how to stay focused. Just a few exercises." Tristen says.
"I think that would be great idea. And with you she is more protected as you are too" Nan states.
"What do you mean protected for us both?" I ask. "I just put my instructor down and you think I would be good with Tristen"
"Yes dear," she answers. "Tristen and you are connected unlike anyone else is with you. Not only are your emotions with him but your body response to his in a different and better way than with anyone else."
Grá fíor, we can be more with each other than anyone else could.
Now it made sense. Tristen would be safer with me than what my instructor could, due to my body will protect Tristen no matter what before myself. How my life has changed in just one week of being here. And to think that before moving here the most important thing to me was just making it through school to get to be on my own. Now, I could not even think of being anywhere but in this small town with my family.