VII: 𝓝𝓸𝓿𝓲π“ͺ

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height




I folded my dirty clothes and put them in the basket in the bathroom. It was early, probably around five in the morning. I guess I'm still stuck in my usual routine. At least I have my own clothes to wear this time. Orange isn't a flattering color. No wonder they loved when I peeled it off. I knew today I was going to start my 'training'. You would think they'd want to keep me away from getting my hands on people.

A knock came from the door. The grin that formed as I walked to it was uncontrollable. I didn't want to open the door right away; I wanted to teach myself to use it with him. Closing my eyes, I focused my senses on him. A small goal of mine right now was trying to sense him like I did my father once, like when I was a child. My dad knew that when I get into my mind and let it control me everything around me seemed to blur, my focus soul on what I wanted to kill. He wanted me to break through that, but seeing him wasn't enough. It never worked as well for me. So he'd place a rat in front of me. Bugs weren't enough; it needed to be bigger. Then he'd tell me to focus on killing it, and so I did. He wanted me to find his voice, through the loud protest of violence speaking to me in my head. He wanted me to find his smell through the iron and metallic burning through my nose. Find the vibration that came from him around the buzzing in my head. When it happens, everything vibrates around me, and my mind naturally focused in on it to enjoy feeling it stop. I was supposed to find him through the carnage. It worked, it slowly stopped me from killing them. But it just gave me another gift, my body and mind adapted to it, and now I could use that talent to sense people when they're close by. Sometimes to find them from recent places they've left. I turned it into a weapon once they took him from me.

August had the same smell every time I was near him. Like firewood, it is calm and dominates, just like wood being consumed by fire. His voice was the same, low and overpowering, but not in a controlling way. Not like a horn trying to hush a loud crowd or speakers booming down the highway. It was like hearing the wind at night, hearing it rustle through the trees, moving weak branches and dirt. It was like a dance. His body vibrations. I always associate those with music. It reminded me of feeling Beethoven, specifically Moonlight Sonata, when my father used to play it on the piano. I sat and touched it, feeling the vibrations of each key under my fingers.

"Open the door"

I let out a satisfied breath as he appeared slowly. The usual unwelcoming stare and distaste look greeted my smile.

"Good morning, honey," I grinned. He let himself in and scanned the room. I closed the door, leaning back against it. "The tongs are in the top drawer if you want to look through those as well. I won't judge"

"I promise you that's the last thing I want to see" He turned back to me, taking in my appearance. "Change"

I snickered.

"No" I folded my arms, grinning at the attempt.

"You're training, ripped jeans and a small shirt makes you seem like an imbecile"

"Or I know I can whoop your ass and still look sexy doing it," I purposed. He deadpanned.

"There is nothing correct about any of that Vendetta," he continued, looking around the room. I liked the way my name hummed out of his mouth, filled with disgust maybe, but I loved it. His 6'2 ass walked around taking in everything. I scanned his body. He wore a black tank top and matching sweats. I got a better image of his body, muscular arms with tattoos painted against them, almost making two full sleeves. The runes I saw slightly from prison revealed themselves a little more, and when his arm lifted to check the top shelf, something followed his V line.

"I can't wait to get you under me," I all but moaned, checking him out. He stiffened slightly before looking at me over his shoulder.

"Stop being such a whore, it's unattractive," he hissed.

"Tell your body to stop reacting to it and I might" He rolled his eyes at that and grabbed a band from his wrist, handing it to me.

"Put your hair up"

"Only if you let me get on my knees after" I tilted my head up at him with a seductive glint on my expression. He stared down, almost in disbelief.

"I wonder if they'll be that upset if I kill you now"

"The only way you'll get close to that is if I'm in a submissive position. I usually like being the one on top" I scanned him up and down, returning to his face with low eyes. "ask nicely and I'll get into your favorite"

He clenched his jaw as his glare hardened.

"you have no self-respect," I gasped quietly.

"How'd you know?" I tilted my head with a grin.

"I better get a fucking pay up," He mumbled exiting, I smiled as I grabbed my jacket and followed.

The cafeteria wasn't crowded, as you would think. There are over two hundred people living here and maybe thirty in the cafeteria. Pirate made me stay at his hip the whole way here. You kill a few people, and no one trusts you anymore. It was like a buffet. Workers ran in and out, placing hot food on the displays and filling up the drink holders. Tables, booths, and couches lined the inside. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't this frat party all-you-can-eat-looking shit. The lights were slightly dimmer than the hall, and soft music played in the back, mixing in with people's voices.

"Remember, I called dibs" A familiar voice came from the side of my pirate. The guy from last night smiled at me. Three other men accompanied him. All big and strong like baby boy.

"Of course, you'd call dibs on a serial killer" The blonde rolled his eyes before they landed on me.

"look at her"

"This is Joey. You've already met him, unfortunately. Alec, Luis, and Chase-"

"The rest of the five," I grinned, scanning them. All of them, but Joey gave a weird look.

"Don't do that; it's disturbing," Chase commented. He was blonde, with striking, pale blue eyes. Besides Joey, he was the shortest of them all. But built.

Joey was the shortest. He had buzzed red hair, brown doe eyes, and a nose, lip, and ear piercing. Alec was the tallest, with short black hair, dark blue eyes, and a birthmark on his cheek. He looked more serious and detached than Pirate. That says a lot. Luis was the only one with a kind smile. He was slightly shorter than Pirate, with longer hair than the rest. It rested in a bun in the back with some flyaways; he had green eyes and a nose piercing that gave his kind look a little edge. They all were handsome and well-built men.

I wanted to kill them all.

"So, how are you adjusting here?" Luis asked. I tilted my head at him, slightly amused.

"See, she's creepy" Chase walked between us to go eat.

"I know it's in your nature, but don't try to make her feel comfortable. She's a psychopath," August warned. Luis looked back at me with a frown.

"Everyone has their reasons for killing, we do," He countered. August gave him a stern look. "Right," Luis sighed, following Chase. Joey threw his arm around my shoulder. I gave him a warning glare, he just smiled down at me.

"Don't worry, my sweet little psychotic bird. You don't scare me." I gave him a calm smile.

"Pirate"

"Stop calling me that"

"oh, Pirate," I sang, making him turn his head to me noticing joey. He stepped closer. Joey looked unfazed.

"Can I have this one?" I smirked at him. He gave me a glare.

"Come on man, let her have me" Joey grinned at him. August looked like he wanted to smack his friend.

"She doesn't mean like that idiot"

Joey's face slowly realized and let go of me, joining his friends.

"Can I trust you with eating utensils, or do I have to get you a doggy bowl?"

"Although your friends are delicious looking, you are the only one I want, my sweet pirate. Unless you're into three ways" I grinned up in his face. He looked down at me, bored. I saw his friends watching from the corner of my eye. They seemed locked in on our exchange.

"If you touch one of them, Ross won't be able to stop me from killing you," He sneered.

"What if they touch me?" I looked down at his lips, slightly licking my bottom one.

"Then I'll look the other way and let them kill you," he shot back.

"Ouu" I clicked my tongue and shook my head. "But I like it more when you're watching"

Our stare-down made the room seem quiet. Alec slowly made his way to us, his hand resting on the blade tucked in his waistband. I hope he's better at being discreet when it really matters.

"It's fine Alec" He dismissed him without breaking the stare. "She just enjoys trying to get a rise out of me, like a whore" He grinned tightly before walking towards them.

"Darling, you know it gets me hot when you call me that," I sighed, following behind.Β 

The options they had were a lot better than prison food. I missed eating real shit that's bad for my health. I loaded my plate with waffles and bacon; grabbed a water bottle and some fruit then followed august who never let me stray two feet from him. They all sat at a table in the back. You could see every inch of the cafeteria from it.

"So you're training with us today, huh?" Chase spoke up through the solid five minutes of quiet eating. His voice gave away that he didn't like me, like everyone else. I wonder why? I'm such a loving person.

"Apparently,"

"So, we get to hit you?" His lip turned up at that.

"You can try." I smiled tightly back.

"With pleasure."

"Excuse Chase, he likes to prove his dominance like a rabbit animal," Joey spoke between swallows. Chase's glare shot at him.

"Don't excuse me. I meant what I said. Don't be butt hurt because I'm better than you," Joey almost choked.

"Better than mwah?" he held the fork to his chest.

"Damn right"

"Didn't you get your ass kicked by Rose?"

"Rose is damn near a man!" he exclaimed.

"Just because she had a beard doesn't mean-"

"Guy's please," Luis sighed. They gave each other one more nasty look before going back to eating. My attention went to August, who just ate quietly. He had frowned brows like he was thinking of something.

"Thinking of ways to kill me?" I placed a strawberry in my mouth.

"Absolutely."

"figure it out quick, I might get to you first," he huffed humorlessly.Β 

"What's your deal with him?" Chase spoke up again. My grin dropped to an aggravated stare. He was getting on my last nerves.

"Who do you think would get to who first? Me slicing your throat open with this butter knife or him stopping me from it?" My voice was icy and detached. Luis almost looked taken aback by the switch.

"Novia," August warned.

"You can't blame her. He's fucking annoying," Joey added in.

"I can't wait to kick your ass," He grinned.

"Why wait" I dropped the knife and stood, him following. August blocked me from moving.

"What did I tell you?" He warned.

"I won't try to kill him, say thank you" I directed that last part to Chase, who looked beyond excited to fight.

"Kiss my Italian ass"

"Chase" August looked back at him. "Don't provoke her"

"She started it" He glared.

"I didn't, but I'll be so pleased to end it," I moaned. He looked at me like I was crazy.

"This is what you wanted, Bane, to train her. Let her fight me in the ring. Maybe she'll learn some house training"

He looked down at me with unsure eyes. Clearly, this isn't how he wanted to start his morning.

"I won't kill him, baby," I cooed with excited eyes. His jaw clenched as he looked at Alec. He just shrugged his shoulders in a why not kind of way.

"If it goes south, you have the collar and the three of us there too," He said dryly.

he gave me one last glance before grabbing my arm as we all left the cafeteria of staring eyes.

We walked into the institute, now this building was filled with people. We made our way through the crowd and to the elevator. Chase and Joey almost fought on the ride up over joey stepping on his foot. If I don't kill him first, Joey probably would. We made it to the private level, and August took my arm and led me away from them to the side.

"This is training. The point is to test skills and improve on flaws in combat, not to kill."

"You sound like my father" I rolled my eyes.

"Remember, if you get out of control, I have the button to your collar and it will hurt badly" He began wrapping my hands.

"You know, if you keep shocking me so often I'm going to build a tolerance" I looked him in the eye. He looked back, dead serious.

"Can't build a tolerance to a bullet" He gave a harsh stare before walking over to his friends.

Wow, so I get shocked if I whoop someone's ass. Wonderful. This is going to fucking hurt.

I walked to them as they finished wrapping their hands as well. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and watched as they stretched and pumped themselves up.

"You should probably stretch, they get pretty aggressive" Luis came to my side.

"They have to pump themselves up to get aggressive" My voice came out apathetic as I looked at him. "I don't"

"If I didn't know what you've done, I'd think that's badass"

"And since you know what I've done?"Β Β 

"Still badass but in a scary way" He grinned. I returned it as august spoke.

"You all know how this goes but since she's here, we'll have to start over" They slightly groaned at that.

"You're telling me I have to kick his ass again?" Joey sighed, looking at Chase.

"living in denial is bad for the soul," He responded, fixing his shirt.

"Joey and Chase will go first, then she will fight the loser. If she wins, then the winner and so on" He placed the large mat more into the middle of the room. Watching his muscles flex was delightful.

"Ready to get your ass kicked?" Joey grinned as they walked on it.

"Cute"

All you heard was a chuckle before the swish of a fist flew. Chase dodged, sending one to Joey's stomach. He quickly recovered and missed the kick going towards his head. He blocked Chase's punch and locked his arm, sending blows to his face. Chase twisted behind him out of the hold and flipped Joey over him onto the mat with a loud huff. He slammed a kick down at his head, which Joey dodged, trapping Chase's legs and sweeping them from under him. Getting on top, he sent punches. Chase locked Joey's arms and head-butted him, sending him back with a bleeding nose. They both got up with quick speed. Chase darted at him and just as rapidly, Joey's fist slammed into his jaw, sending him stumbling back again.

They both were bleeding out the nose. The sight made my stomach erupt in butterflies. I watched hungrily as each blow became more powerful and needed to prove something. They tussled, flipping and groaning as blows connected. August stalked around them, like a trainer ready to pick out everything they did wrong. They breathed harshly as the tension grew between them; the egos flew with each hit. They had stamina but less control over their emotions; it seemed. Joey hissed as Chase pinned him to the mat, arms stretched backward, his foot between his shoulder blades.

"Tap," he demanded.

"Suck my dick, you pussy boy!" Joey all but yelled. If Chase pulled any harder, he'd dislocate his arms.

"TAP BITCH!"

Joey tapped.

The sigh of relief that came from his body was amusing as he rubbed his shoulders. Chase looked proudly at August, then smirked at me like I was supposed to be intimidated.

"Chase, you need to focus back on your speed. You could have ended this a lot sooner if you focused on defense instead of trying to show off," August instructed/ridiculed. "Joey, excellent form, but you need to focus on your hyper-focusing"Β 

Joey nodded as he left the matt, but Chase looked annoyed. I guess being humbled isn't really his thing. I can't wait to break the rest of his pride.

"Okay" Pirate walked over to me. "Novia and Joey"

"Fuck yes" Joey pumped but cleared his throat. "Don't worry baby I'll be gentle" He placed the ice pack down and went back to the matt. Luis lightly touched my shoulder, getting a glance from Pirate. He gave me a kind smile.

"Please don't break him," I chuckled schemingly as I removed his hand and headed to the mat.

"No killing she-devil!" Chase called out.

My only goal was to get to him. I enjoyed fighting, but I wanted to save my best for that cocky bastard, so I'll make this quick and easy for Joey. He's less of an annoyance. And I think my pirate favors him more.

I turned my focus on Joey as he got into a fighting position. My head tilted with a smirk as he charged at me like an idiot. He swung at me with his right arm, dominant. I leaned back, sending a crack at his face with both hooks. His head flew back, and I didn't waste a second sending a breath-taking kick to his chest, using the momentum to spin and send my other foot at the side of his head. He smashed against the mat, taking hefty breaths. He tried to rise, but I kicked his head back and it slammed on the mat.

"Damn," Luis groaned, looking at Joey. Alec and August shook their heads as Chase studied my fighting. Trust I had a plan for exactly that. Joey quickly raised and came at me again. I dodged his blows. The whip of us moving around each other amused me.

"Beat the bitch already!" Chase yelled at him, annoyed.

Fine.

With the next swing he took, I grabbed and flipped him onto the mat. He tried to break from the grip, so I kneeled. Sending a deafening punch to his face. "Down boy." His blooding face dropped back to the matt. "There you go," I sweetly stated as I stood.

"This doesn't change how I feel about you, my fallen angel" He tried to appear smooth but it was choppy and sounded painful.

"Joey, go take a seat and put Ice on your face," August sighed. Luis helped him from the mat and took him to the wall. Then his eyes landed on me, a split look up and down before he turned away. "Good work".

"Don't tell me you like it when I'm violent after all Pirate" I crossed my arms with a grin. He ignored it and ordered Chase to the mat.

My playful demeanor dropped instantly, and my gaze locked on him as he readied himself. I stalked closer to him than I did Joey. I felt my mind shifting slightly, and pictures of his bloodied face and body flashed in my head. He put his fist up, but before he could fully raise them, I rushed at him. I jumped, sending my first blow at his head, as I flipped my other foot connected to his face. He stumbled back as I landed back on the mat. Lifting quickly to throw my fist at him. He blocked it and swung. I ducked under it, sending the side of my fist to his cheek, turning and kicking him in the gut. He humped over; I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he lifted me off the ground. My legs took my arms place and wrapped around his neck swiftly, using my body as an Anker to flip us. He landed face-first on the mat as I rolled onto my knees. I made my way to him as he lifted, sending a hard kick to his nose. Hopefully, I broke it. He spat out blood as he glared up at me.

"Awe, your lip spilled" I stalked to him, my voice cold and colorless. I sent another kick to his mouth. "Now it's even" I glared. He slid under and locked my legs, pulling them from under me. I landed next to him, grabbing his fist that came smashing at my face, and slammed my fist into his throat. He choked back, grabbing it. I grabbed a fist full of his hair and slammed his head into my knee,

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net