‘We’ll all keep an eye on her,’ Carter said. ‘Seriously, these days we almost never leave the building to train, anyway.’
He had a point. And even though she didn’t want to see it – she didn’t want Rachel in Night School for five minutes – Allie knew he was right. They could get through this.
Wiping away the last of her tears, she looked up at him. ‘When did you get so smart?’
His lips quirked up. ‘I’ve always been smart. You just weren’t paying attention.’
She had to smile at that. Despite everything.
It struck her that this was the third time in one day she’d ended up in Carter’s arms. Fate kept throwing them together.
She cleared her throat. ‘Thanks, Carter. I was totally losing it. I don’t know what I would have done …’
‘No worries,’ he said, as if it meant nothing at all that twice today he’d picked up the pieces and put her back together. ‘I was just there. That’s all.’
He glanced at his watch then stood, and turned back to face her. ‘Now. Let’s get down there. And start making Rachel hate Night School.’
After throwing on her Night School gear, Allie rushed into Training Room One. She was late and the dimly lit room was already a buzz of activity.
Working in pairs, black-clad Night School students practised complex means of attack and self-defence. As she entered the dim, cube-shaped room, they were in the middle of a manoeuvre she hadn’t seen before. The training pairs were punching, kicking and twisting in and out of each other’s grip.
The move was more intricate than anything she’d ever tried. The windowless room was already too warm and smelled of sweat. She scanned the fighters for familiar faces.
Carter and Sylvain were both talking to Zelazny at the back of the room. As if he’d felt her gaze, Sylvain looked up. She saw him observe her puffy eyes, the tracks of her tears. His brow knitted.
Allie shook her head and mouthed, ‘I’m fine’ at him. Then turned to find Rachel.
She was across the room with Nicole.
She looked so odd in Night School gear. So wrong. It was like she was in a play, pretending to be an athlete. She stood, red-faced and awkward, as Nicole showed her the basics of the move. Already sweating, Rachel appeared perplexed by the instructions.
Good, Allie thought. But her heart felt hollow. She hated seeing Rachel suffer.
Nothing about this was good.
When she couldn’t stand to watch any more, she turned to look behind her. Jerry Cole and Zoe were practising nearby, and Allie headed towards them. The instructor wasn’t tall but he was strong. His moves were pure power, but Zoe was more agile. Her birdlike quickness meant she easily eluded his kicks, but she couldn’t knock him down either.
‘OK,’ Jerry said, holding up his hands and laughing. ‘I’m defeated. You have destroyed me, Zoe.’
‘Awesome.’ She air-punched happily.
‘Uh … hi,’ Allie said, walking up to them.
‘You’re late.’ Zoe’s tone was accusing.
‘Yeah … sorry.’ Allie cast an apologetic look at Jerry. ‘I got held up. It won’t happen again.’
She saw him take in her red nose and puffy eyes.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked.
Feeling stupid, Allie nodded. ‘Yeah. It’s just a … thing.’
For a second she thought he might challenge that, make her explain more. Then he seemed to decide against it.
‘As long as you’re OK.’ He stepped back. ‘You’ll be training with Zoe.’ He gave the smaller girl a jovial shoulder pat and she grinned up at him. ‘So you’ll need to be one hundred per cent. She’s ruthless.’
His laidback attitude was not at all what she’d expected. In the past, being late to Night School would earn you a week’s detention and a public chiding. At least.
Things really had changed around here.
The other students were still practising around them. Raising his voice to be heard over the rumble of conversation and the thudding of bodies against the floor, Jerry said, ‘I understand your strength is back to normal now.’
‘Yeah.’ She held up a fist half-heartedly. ‘I’m ready to rumble.’
He shot Zoe a warning look. ‘And you are not allowed to hurt, kill or maim, remember?’
Zoe nodded so hard her ponytail bounced. ‘No actual damage.’
Jerry walked Allie through the technique the other students were practising. It wasn’t quite as complicated as it looked, but it wasn’t easy either. Hand to wrist. Foot to shoulder. Bend back. Twist. Hand to wrist. Repeat. Try not to fall down.
After they’d tried it a couple of times at half speed, he seemed satisfied. ‘Zoe can show you the other things we’ve been working on lately. Wave me over if you need help.’ He gave her a smile. ‘We’re all glad to have you back in training, Allie.’
‘Thanks,’ she said shyly.
When he’d gone, Zoe turned to her, cocking her head to one side. ‘Want to fight?’
Allie grinned at her. ‘Absolutely.’
They were working through the third manoeuvre when Sylvain and Carter walked up to them. Sylvain looked solemn.
Night School: Resistance (Night School 4)
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