Time: 15:24
Location: Backyard
Days until Mission: 2
Training was getting to me.
What was it? The fifth hour by now? I lost track a couple of hours ago. Fiske had basically drilled the Vesper base route into our brains. That took up a couple more hours, but this time, no one dared to close their eyes.
My muscles burned as I weaved in and out of the obstacle course for the seventh time. I barely missed a sharp stick that would've pierced me if I hadn't jumped it. My wolf's senses went into overload. I could focus on anything that moved and hear anything that made the slightest noise possible.
It would've been an unbelievable feeling if my legs didn't feel like they would fall off. I finished the course and collapsed onto the soft grass. I morphed back to my human form and lay there, worn out.
I looked up at the sky and smiled. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.
"Lovely, isn't it?" I looked over to the person to my right. "The sky, I mean. It's like a painting. Unrealistic and beautiful," Ian said.
"I thought you didn't like art." I pointed out.
He laughed. "I don't like modern art. Even I could do better and trust me, I'm no Janus."
"Well, I like modern art." Ian cocked an eyebrow. "You can interpret it anyway you want. Everyone sees something different." I said.
He turned his gaze to me. "I wish I could do that." He said, smiling slightly.
"Do what?" I asked.
"See the good out of things. It's Kabra nature to detest anything below you. I don't like it sometimes." His eyes shifted back to the blue sky.
"You don't have to do that." I said softly. "You don't have to follow rules all the time."
"This is coming from Amy Cahill?" He said, smirking. I blushed and looked away from his cocky face.
"Well, y-yea. Sometimes you just have to break free and do what you want to do." I said.
"Even if you had my parents?" He pushed the topic.
"Well, I'm not as brave as you are, so I'm not sure." I said, and then realized what I said. Too late now…
"Oh, I'm not as brave as you think I am. I'm a coward at heart." He told me.
"No you're not. A coward wouldn't choose a clue over the money." I said.
He smiled sadly. "I had no choice, but I like your point of view."
I don't know why, but I turned pink at the compliment. "Thanks."
"Why do you get embarrassed so easily?" He asked, propping himself on an elbow.
"I do not!" Lies…
"Yes, yes, just ignore what I said." He rolled his eyes. I hit his arm. "Ouch!"
"What?" I asked, innocently.
"You're lucky that I like your innocence." He said and I blushed, as usual.
I didn't respond. I just looked up at the sky. Suddenly, Ian cleared his throat.
"Well, I must be going. It was nice chatting with you, love." He got up off the grass and brushed off his clothes.
"Hey, Ian?" He turned to me. "Drop the love, okay?" I asked, politely.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart," He winked at me and walked away. I rolled my eyes and stood up. Well, that wasn't as awkward as it could've been.
It was actually…pleasant.
Wait, what? It must be the training.
Time: 19:42
Location: Dining Room
Days until Mission: 2
I couldn't lie. The closer it got to the mission, the more anxious I got. Not to mention that my birthday might just be my death day.
Now that's a happy thought.
I poked at my food as Fiske rambled on and on about the mission. I caught parts of it, but other parts went in one ear and came out the other. I didn't really care, though. I've heard it about six times.
"Now, Amy, what are you supposed to do in the control room?" Fiske asked.
"I am supposed to disable the traps or other obstacles." I said automatically.
"Very good. Hamilton, what are you doing while…" And conversations went on like that.
I started to think about our enemies. I had never seen a Vesper before. What would he or she look like? Would they look daunting? What did they do? What if we get caught? What if our morphing goes wrong? What if I stay in morph for too long? What if Dan stays in morph for too long? What if anybody stays in morph too long?
I was on edge. Maybe Dan was right. I do stress about things too often. I clutched my head as the questions repeated themselves.
"Are you alright, Amy?" Fiske asked, and I looked up to find everyone's eyes on me.
"Yeah," I mumbled. "It's just a little headache."
"Oh, okay," He eyed me once more before asking another question.
Maybe I had gone too hard during training today. Everything ached. I looked around the room at other people and they didn't looked faze one bit. I slowly grew tired and I knew this wasn't from Fiske's lecture this time. I locked eyes with Ian.
You don't look well. He mouthed.
Thanks. I mouthed back.
You know I don't mean it like that. He responded.
I'll get over it. I yawned in the middle of my sentence, so I'm not sure if he got what I said.
I tuned Fiske back in and began to listen.
"I must warn you though." He said, "Vespers are not known for their mercy. If you happen to get captured, for whatever reason, do not, and I repeat, do not act stubborn or tough. That will just get them angry. Take it from me, I've been captured before and it wasn't fun."
That was useful knowledge, not that I would act brave anyways. I looked around the room at the grim faces and came to one conclusion.
This wasn't going to be a joy ride.
I coughed and that got Fiske's attention. "Amy, I think it would be wise if you went to bed a little early tonight." He advised.
"Yea, that's probably smart. You look pretty bad." Dan piped up. I shot him a look and walked out of the room.
Once I had gotten to my room, I changed clothes and plopped on the bed. I laid there for awhile until I felt my eyelids droop.
Then I had the dream.
A/N: Another chapter, blah blah blah… I hope you liked it! Review, tell me what you thought. I do like cliffhangers, don't I? Huh, well as long as people read and review the story…I DON'T CARE! :D
OH JOY, AGAIN WITH THE CAPS LOCK. Much better…Um, thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. They all got ice cream! :) YAY!
Well, look at me. I'm rambling once again. Okay, this chapter was mostly Amy/Ian. You're welcome. Wow, I'm extremely out of character today. Meh, I'm tired, leave me alone.
Have a nice day.
~Nataliya
