Chap 4: Memory's of a fight, and going to a new home.
Warning:!!!
May contain traces of peanuts, sap, bad language, and fluff.
*~**~*
"So where are we going?"
Irvine asked Dom, who was driving, as they stopped at a red light.
"Well, I hear that there's a party on, wanna go?"
Nodding his approval, Irvine sank into his thoughts.
This is so different for me......My first relationship...well, with a guy, and I know nothing abut him! All I know is that he's a good kisser, but relationships bult on passion don't work out to great....maybe this was a bad idea?
His thoughts and muses were abandoned as they pulled into a driveway, and Dom stopped the car.
"Let's go!"
Glancing around when he got out, stretching, Irvine saw someone familiar walking towards the house, his back towards him.....
Shit!
"Shit!"
Dom looked at Irvine, confused,
"What?"
"Fiona and Karl are here!!"
"......so?"
"So? She' one of my closest friends, she doesn't know......"
"That your into guys?"
"Yeah."
After a bit of persuasion on Dom's behalf, they went anyway,
*~*
***
We're stuck in a place so dark you can hardly see,
The manner of the matter splits with the words I breathe,
And as the rain drips, the city questions around me,
I block out the sight of at powers to be,
I duck away into the darkness, times up.
I wind up enthrust in a world with eyes shut so tight that it blurs into the world of pretend.
Then my eyes ease open and it's dark again.
***
*~*
Irvines eyes focoused on the roof of his rooms, and his mind slowly drifted into awakness, sadly, as he was still tired.
Proceeding to the kitchen, he stopped breifly to greet Viola, his older sort-of sister, who he flatted with, as it had been her or the orphanage at one point, and now they just flatted anyway, who was watching with interrest Domitan, who had fallen asleep on the couch.
Continuing to the kitchen, he asked,
"Coffee?"
"Nah, had my morning fix of caffine, but who's this?"
Jerking her thumb at Domitan, Viola started to lace up her boots.
"A guy."
"Nah, what's this guys name? You do know him, don't you?"
"Dom, Domitan, a friend."
"Right. What's he doing here?"
"There was a party this side of town last night, it was to late, and he was a tiny bit drunk, so I made sure he didn't drive."
"Did you drink?"
"No, mother."
"Funny. What're you doing up now, anyway?"
"Couldn't sleep, what's the time?"
"6.30, you should try to get some sleep, you'll be tired all day now."
"Oh, and you wont?"
"I'm used to it, well, gotta go, work awaits me."
"Bye."
Sipping his fresh coffee, Irvine retunred to the couch, shoving Dom's legs out of the way so he could sit down.
The awake and alert Domitan asked him,
"Who was that?"
"My sister, what? Getting jelous?"
"No, she just asks so many questions, it's like shes your mother."
"Yeah, she does, doesn't she? Oh well, I'm going back to bed. Get me up at seven."
*~*
When morning came, Fiona groaned, stretching out, but hey, that was wrong.....this wasn't her bed!
Eyes snapping open, Fiona sat up.
What the hell?! Where am I?!
As if in answer to her mental question, someone kissed her cheek, asking,
"How you feeling, Fi?"
"Urgh."
Focussing her eyes on the person, Fiona observed Karl, but more importantly, the cup of coffee he was holding.
In one swift movement, the coffee was in her possession, and she was already drinking it.
"Hey, that's mine....."
Sighing in defeat, Karl sat down on the edge of the bed.
"So, where am I?"
Looking around with bleary eyes, Fiona bit back a yelp when her arm screamed a protest at being moved, strange.
This room had blue walls, with bokshelves a closed door, white roof, brown beams, (hehe, guess who's feeling a bit of deja vu right now? hehe, wasn't me....*looks away, acting innocent!!*)
"Your here, I think this is Reece's place."
"......Reece?"
The pain shooting through her body made Fiona immobile, confusing her completely.
"Yeah, she had a bit to much to drink again last night, well, at least, whatever she had, it's being thrown up now."
".....urgh. Poor Reece."
Wanting a better vision of the room, Fiona forced her vision to clear, ignoring her pounding head, throbbing bones, and bent arm.......
"What? Karl, what's wrong with me? I keep seeing that my arms broken, but it's not...."
Karl stared at her for a while, then answered, not meeting her eyes, not even looking at her.
"Don't you remember? You picked a fight with a few older more experienced, most probably drunk fighters, and, well, you didn't get anywhere."I would've helped, I swear Fi, I would've....."
Karl slowly brought his gaze to meet hers, a look of pleading for forgivness. "I would've, but they held me back, I couldn't get out there to help you."
Thinking hard, Fiona remembered something, noise....pain....shouts....Karl..people...fighting....knees in her ribs....
When she opened her eyes again, Fiona found h\she was drenched in sweat, and gave Karl, who was watching her worriedly a weak smile.
"It's...It's alright, I remember.....they were stopping you....you couldn't help it....I'm alright.....it doesn't matter...."
As though trying to prove her point, Fiona forced herself up and out of the bed in one movement, feeling a bad pain in her arm, then her ankle colapsing, hearing a faint dry of 'Fiona' from Karl, and then the clang of the cup hitting the floor, at the same time as her.
*~*
When she woke up the next time, she was back in that bed, this time with Karl and Reece watching her.
Smiling weakly when they noticed her, Fiona asked in a raspy voice,
"Just how bad did I get beat?"
Reece gave her a sympathetic smile as Karl informed her of the broken arm and sprained ankle she had aquired.
"When your up for it, we'll go get you a cast. For now, sleep. Your feeling like crap right about now, hey?"
Nodding slightly, Fiona drifted back into a light, troubled slumber.
*~*
At one thirty, after getting the cast, Fiona suggested they went to Van's, as that's where they would be staying for a while, unbeknownst to Van.
The door opened to admit them, a tired looking Van greeting them, turning to go back to the lounge.
Fiona entered, one arm around Karl, hopping, trying her hardest not to disturb her sprained ankle.
Van glanced up from the couch at the thuds, and gasped,
"Fiona! What the hell happened?!"
"Nothing much, I got into a fight, that's all....."
"That's all?! Karl, where were you?"
Karl looked away, and mumbled something about being held back, then turned to Reece, asking,
"Why were you throwing up, Reece? I didn't see you drink anything last night."
Seeing Reece's face pale, something clicked in Fiona's head.
//Wow....wow.....shit...//
Suddenly, Fiona asked,
"So, why are you home, Van? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Oh, I came here for lunch, but..........SHIT! Karl, can I get a lift? The bell just went!"
Nodding, Karl left with Van, leaving Fiona and Reece to talk.
Finally, Fiona broke the silence.
"So, are you going to tell them?"
"Tell them what?"
"Oh, come on Reece, I'm not brain dead, admit it."
"Alright,"
Sighing, Reece continued,
"So.......I'm pregnant."
"I knew it!!! Oh Reece, who's the father? What are you going to do with it? When? How long have you known?"
"Slow down. I don't know, don't know, don't know, don't know."
"Do you know anything?"
Sighing, Reece feebly asked,
"That I'm gunna have a baby?"
"Right, so.....to find out all of that, we'll have to get a doctor to give you a test!!"
"But, Fiona,"
"No Reece, this isn't about you any more, this is a baby as well!"
Though it was stern words, Fiona was giggling, acting like an old lady.
"Nah, if you don't want anyone to know, then we'll just tell the guys we're going for my injuries, and then both see a doctor!"
*~*
After Karl got back, they all sat down, thinking and mildly talking, untill Karl sighed at one of Fiona's questions.
"Why did they hold me back? Because they wanted to give you your initiation test."
This confused her completely.
"My what test?"
"Iniatuon test, for the gang they're a part of."
"Gang?"
"Ok, Reece, I believe it's your task to explain, is it not?"
Poking her tongue out at him, Reece turned to Fiona.
"Right. I'm part of a gang. Ah, that beating up was a test, which you passed, by standing up for yourself against gang members. Don't ask me how you can fail that test, you just pass or you don't. Ah, once your healed, you'll be taken to a training place with me, most probably, and after two weeks, you'll have another test, an easier one, and decide yourself wether or not to join the gang."
As this sunk in Fiona's brain, Karl asked,
"For the training, is the punishment the same as it used to be?"
This got through to Fiona.
"Used to be? How would you know, Karl?"
"Ah, I used to be a member of this paticular gang."
"You? You were part of a gang?"
She couldn't believe this, surely he would have told her at some point?!
"Yeah, hard to believe, isn't it? But the punishments, they weren't to friendly."
The sad look in his eyes was obvious, and Fiona wondered just what they had been.
"No, they're better now, just extra duties, no party;, stuff like that. The new leader changed it, he didn't agree with the old way."
"Karl, what was the old way?"
Memorys of girls after they had been drugged and raped, after being beaten to very near death flashed in Karl's mind, but he answered with,
"Nothing, just, nothing."
Not believing him, but with more to think about, Fiona left it at that.
"So, Fi, what do you think?"
"Ah, I'm not sure, do I have to train?"
"Well, even if you do, then don't join, you'll know more selfdefense then before, so I suggest you do."
Karl's opinion on this settled the matter for Fiona, and she agreed.
"But, ah, where is it? Will I still go to school?"
"Ah, your family goes overseas for three weeks, and you stay at a friends, one that doesn't live around here, about an hour away."
"So, I go to a place an hour away, and say I'm visiting a friend? Don't worry about an excuse for my family, havn't got one."
*~*
Irvine showed up at three, after school, and when he saw Fiona, he sweared.
"The last place I come.........."
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing, what happened?"
Not wanting to admit that he'd spent his lunch ringing Fiona's place, thankfully not leaving any messages, Irvine drew her attention away.
"Oh, uh, I got into a fight."
"What?"
"I was a bit......hypo last night, in a bad mood, and they got on my nerves...guess that'll learn me."
"Right, you alright?"
"As good as a broken arm and sprained ankle will get."
Moonbay arrived, and they all started to ring others and talk, mainly relaxing as much as they could, with all the secrets and topic changing.
*~*
The next day dragged to long for Irvine, Karl, Moonbay, Van and Thomas, who all wanted to be with Fiona, though when Karl met Irvine in Zoids class again, he had a plan.
After a whispered argument, Karl swung at Irvine, his fist colliding with his jaw.
Irvine yelled, and kicked Karl in the ribs, only to find Karl's fist launched into his guts, making his fall to the ground, when, right on time, Mr Hiltz interrupted them, yelling,
"What Do You Think Your Doing?!"
The two guys kept glaring at each other, ignoring the teacher.
"Shuboltz!! Get out of my class, your not to be back for two weeks!!!"
Scowling, Karl left, waiting just out of sight of the door.
"You, go to Dr D, he can deal with this."
Nodding, Irvine left, wondering how he'd get out of visiting the principal.
Karl met him outside, and they grinned at each other.
"Hook, line, sinker."
"Yeah, but I've gotta go to the principal now."
For some reason, Karl's grin didn't fall at all, it merely grew, and he dragged Irvine off to a door labeled, 'Principal'.
Without so much as a knock Karl barged in, Irvine following reluctantly.
"Hey, old man."
The office was a normal size, and in the middle was an old man, throwing darts at a board, but having been startled by Karl's entrance, his throw was way off, about two metres from his target.
"Karl!! Please, don't tell me that-"
"No, old man, Irvine's the one that got sent to you."
"Irvine?"
Turning to face the second teenager, the old guys face broke into a smile.
"Someone new!!!"
Irvine was amused.
The old guy was glad for different students to get into trouble?
"Well, to who's actions do I owe this pleasure?"
Ignoring the strange use of english in the sentance, Irvine replied,
"I got into a fight."
"Oh, a violent one? goodie. Havn't had a challenge in ages."
"Calm down old man, you know Fiona, the blonde?"
"Her? Yes, the one who hangs out with Flyheight? The one always late?"
"Yeah, my girlfriend-"
"Isn't she a bit young, Karl?"
"NO, and stay outta my buisness, old man, but she's away today, we're a bit tense, worried-"
"You staged a fight to get out. Same old story, Karl, get an imagination, would you?"
Irvine watched the conversation with a smirk.
So Karl was familiar with the old guy? How?
"Oh, forgive me, Irvine, there will be no punishment, just seeing Karl is enough for me, not to have to be near one of his friends, I perfer the normal students-"
"Hey!"
Both guys yelled at the same time, then became furious with Dr D's reply of,
"What? Your not normal to be friends with Karl so......hey, come back!"
The two guys left Dr D to his insults, and ran for Karl 4WD, jumping in.
*~*
A week later, Fona's arm was still in a cast, but her ankle was nearly better, though she was only able to use it for a short amount of time, and to run was dangerous.
Reece had started to train her again, still on punchs, now wtih a punching bag, but no gloves, proving that her hands were able to become stronger.
After returning to school, Fiona found that her cast gave her a new identity, with loads of strangers wanting to sign it, so that when she got a new one, within one day, that two had no room left on it.
Reece did go and get the tests, but Fiona only knew that she had been for three weeks, as Reece woudn't admit as to whom the father was.
Fiona's only reply to this had been,
"As long as it's not Karl's, Irvine's, or Van's, I don't mind." After being assured it wasn't, they returned to the car.
*~*
a couple of weeks later
*~*
When Reece started to show, worryingly so, they decided that then was a good time to train at that place, and so it was, Fiona saying goobye for two weeks, and the others having no idea.
*~*
"Wow."
"Home sweet smelly home."
Reece got Karl to park the car, then jumped out, still agile despite the baby she carried inside herself.
Fiona exited a little slower, starting around.
This place was huge.
Not expensive, but huge.
There must have been three levels, and a large courtyard.......
"Reece, did this used to be a school?"
"Bingo!"
Shaking her head in amusment, Fiona followed reece through the front door, watching as Reece greeted others that were around, seemingly knowing everyone.
"Hey Reece!"
"Hey!"
"Long time, no see, Reece!"
"Same here!"
After they actually entered the building, Reece stopped at a desk, seemingly the reception, but what would have been a secritairys desk.
"Hey, reece signing in, with 1763."
A guy with sandy hair gazed at her, repeating,
"1763?"
"Yep, that's the one. Oh, can we have adjoining rooms?"
Fiona watched as the guy Reece was talking to, who looked about twenty, raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, ops, sorry, I meant to say first that 1763 is for third floor."
The eyebrow lowered.
After a bit of fluffing around, Fiona was handed a pile of papers, told to fill them out by the end of the day.
By the second floor, Karl had joined them, and was carrying half the papers for her, greeting as many people as Reece was.
At the next floor, Reece took out a key, and opened a door about half-way down the corrider.
"Welcome to your room for the next few weeks."
"Here?"
"Yep."
Entering, Fiona found a single bed, dresser, and a small room, with the door she had entered, and three others.
"Let's see what's behind these doors."
Taking another key, Reece opened one door, exposing another room, similar, but with a few things more homlike in it, like photos and posters.
"My room!"
"Man, you still sleep in there?"
Karl had followed, and was now sitting on the bed, watching them with mild interest.
"Yes, you've got a problem with that?"
"It's been like that since you first came here to train, five years ago."
This confused Fiona.
"Five years?"
"Yeah, we started early."
Reece proceeded to the next door, exposing a clean bathroom, with a welcoming shower except.......
"Reece, where's the hot water tap?"
"Oh, you earn hot water and those sort of privlages later, as your training gets better."
"I have to earn a hot shower?"
"And hot food, warm bed, shoes.....you have to work hard to get things here."
Fiona sighed, and walked dejectedly back to where Karl was.
"Bring me hot water?"
"Sorry, no shortcuts, you've got to prove you can handle this, just as much as anyone else does."
"Asshole."
"Spoilt brat."
Reece made disgusted noises when the two began to kiss, reminding them she was present.
"Look, I'll leave you two alone for goodbyes later, but right now, I've got the privelage of howing her around, so come on. Behind this door is your own gym, where you can work out n peace."
Fiona stared.
It was the size of a classroom, which she suspected it had been, and was filled with weights, machines, and even a cabnit filled with water bottles.
"We may get bad food, but the water here is as good as it gets, you have to stay healthy at least."
As these facts all settled into her mind, Fiona was draggde away by Reece.
"We've got to find your schedule.......let me guess, you put it with the other papers?"
Nodding mutely, Fiona watched as Reece threw the pieces of paper everywhere, working through them untill she reached what she wanted.
"Oh, don't worry, there's no need for a clean room, it can be as messy as you want."
Reece stood, and showed Fiona her schedule.
"This is todays list........you should be in sword fighting, then lunch, then kick boxing, then a shower break, then english, then personal time, then dinner, and there's going to be a party, and tomorrow you've got these,"
Pointing all the days out to her, Reece laughed at her question,
"That's all good, but when do I sleep?"
"Oh, everybody asks that, you don't. It's that simple, you just don't sleep. Oh, and I'll have to change this, they've got you down as experienced in everything........must've missed that part of it........one thing, girls aren't allowed in the basement, and guys aren't allowed third floor, it's just an old room, it means no guys in the girls rooms, and vise versa. Ah, yeah, I've got to show you around. Actually, how about I get a yearmate to show you? They've made extensions since I was last here......yeah, come on."
Leaving the room, Reece laughed when Karl asked if he was allowed up there, on third floor, since he was a guy and all.
"Why wouldn't you be alloud up here?"
"Girls quarters, no guys, yeah Karl go say hi to some others, we'll be back later."
Fiona followed Reece to another door, and smiled when it opened, to reveal at least ten other teenage girls.
"Reece!!!"
At least half of them squealed in delight, while others settled for a pleased expression.
"Hey! Listen, I need to get a guide for me and my girl, Fiona, OI!"
Shy, Fiona had stood as far from the door as she could without Karl stopping her, but Reece conned the girl into the room.
"So, what are you all doing in Raylene's room?"
"She's gone, couldn't handle it, and this is now Thorn's room."
"Thorn?"
A girl with blonde hair and grey stood up, and embraced Reece.
"Thorn? I thought you were going for Rose?"
"Decided on Thorn. I like it better, now."
Fiona raised her eyebrows at that, had this girl changed her name or something?
After a few more greetings, Thorn exited with them.
"So, Thorn, why was everybody in there?"
"Oh,"
Startled, the girl of about eighteen turned to face Reece.
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what? Hang on, the girls only come together in the leaders room when one has been shoved out..........who got burnt?"
Fiona only understood very little of this, but when she asked later, being shoved out was when you were kicked out, not to be a gang member, for one of a few reasons, including not being able to handle it, disobeying a serious rule, getting pregnant with another candidate, or fighting another student, of course, only when the intent was death, or just as bad.
"Cornet, she slept with Jeremey, got pregnant.......speaking of, how long?"
Blushing, Reece asked,
"Is it that obvious?"
"I havn't seen you since you were anerxic looking, you think you can get this past me? So, who's the father? Anyone I know?"
"No, you don't know him, so they got rid of Jeremey? That's a bit harsh, others have done that before, they didn't get rid of them...."
"Yeah, but he didn't only get her preg, he got caught doing drugs three times, smoking five, and skipping all the time......"
"Isn't that bad for him? I mean, didn't he come from an orphanage? Isn't it better for him here?"
"Apparently he didn't think so."
After a short silence, Reece started walking again, joining arms with Fiona, who was very quiet.
"Come on, Fi, don't be shy, we've got to show you around. Maybe it wasn't a good for you to see all the girls at once, they can be.....intimidating."
This scored a snort from Thorn, who linked arms on Fiona's other side.
"You've got that right, they're bloody rowdy bitchs, but it can't be helped."
"Alright, Thorn, we've got to find the......well, let's show Fi her teacher that she's supposed to be with now, it's........
*~*
Right..........no comment.........thanx 4 the reviews!!!!!!!*happy grin!!*
Warning:!!!
May contain traces of peanuts, sap, bad language, and fluff.
*~**~*
"So where are we going?"
Irvine asked Dom, who was driving, as they stopped at a red light.
"Well, I hear that there's a party on, wanna go?"
Nodding his approval, Irvine sank into his thoughts.
This is so different for me......My first relationship...well, with a guy, and I know nothing abut him! All I know is that he's a good kisser, but relationships bult on passion don't work out to great....maybe this was a bad idea?
His thoughts and muses were abandoned as they pulled into a driveway, and Dom stopped the car.
"Let's go!"
Glancing around when he got out, stretching, Irvine saw someone familiar walking towards the house, his back towards him.....
Shit!
"Shit!"
Dom looked at Irvine, confused,
"What?"
"Fiona and Karl are here!!"
"......so?"
"So? She' one of my closest friends, she doesn't know......"
"That your into guys?"
"Yeah."
After a bit of persuasion on Dom's behalf, they went anyway,
*~*
***
We're stuck in a place so dark you can hardly see,
The manner of the matter splits with the words I breathe,
And as the rain drips, the city questions around me,
I block out the sight of at powers to be,
I duck away into the darkness, times up.
I wind up enthrust in a world with eyes shut so tight that it blurs into the world of pretend.
Then my eyes ease open and it's dark again.
***
*~*
Irvines eyes focoused on the roof of his rooms, and his mind slowly drifted into awakness, sadly, as he was still tired.
Proceeding to the kitchen, he stopped breifly to greet Viola, his older sort-of sister, who he flatted with, as it had been her or the orphanage at one point, and now they just flatted anyway, who was watching with interrest Domitan, who had fallen asleep on the couch.
Continuing to the kitchen, he asked,
"Coffee?"
"Nah, had my morning fix of caffine, but who's this?"
Jerking her thumb at Domitan, Viola started to lace up her boots.
"A guy."
"Nah, what's this guys name? You do know him, don't you?"
"Dom, Domitan, a friend."
"Right. What's he doing here?"
"There was a party this side of town last night, it was to late, and he was a tiny bit drunk, so I made sure he didn't drive."
"Did you drink?"
"No, mother."
"Funny. What're you doing up now, anyway?"
"Couldn't sleep, what's the time?"
"6.30, you should try to get some sleep, you'll be tired all day now."
"Oh, and you wont?"
"I'm used to it, well, gotta go, work awaits me."
"Bye."
Sipping his fresh coffee, Irvine retunred to the couch, shoving Dom's legs out of the way so he could sit down.
The awake and alert Domitan asked him,
"Who was that?"
"My sister, what? Getting jelous?"
"No, she just asks so many questions, it's like shes your mother."
"Yeah, she does, doesn't she? Oh well, I'm going back to bed. Get me up at seven."
*~*
When morning came, Fiona groaned, stretching out, but hey, that was wrong.....this wasn't her bed!
Eyes snapping open, Fiona sat up.
What the hell?! Where am I?!
As if in answer to her mental question, someone kissed her cheek, asking,
"How you feeling, Fi?"
"Urgh."
Focussing her eyes on the person, Fiona observed Karl, but more importantly, the cup of coffee he was holding.
In one swift movement, the coffee was in her possession, and she was already drinking it.
"Hey, that's mine....."
Sighing in defeat, Karl sat down on the edge of the bed.
"So, where am I?"
Looking around with bleary eyes, Fiona bit back a yelp when her arm screamed a protest at being moved, strange.
This room had blue walls, with bokshelves a closed door, white roof, brown beams, (hehe, guess who's feeling a bit of deja vu right now? hehe, wasn't me....*looks away, acting innocent!!*)
"Your here, I think this is Reece's place."
"......Reece?"
The pain shooting through her body made Fiona immobile, confusing her completely.
"Yeah, she had a bit to much to drink again last night, well, at least, whatever she had, it's being thrown up now."
".....urgh. Poor Reece."
Wanting a better vision of the room, Fiona forced her vision to clear, ignoring her pounding head, throbbing bones, and bent arm.......
"What? Karl, what's wrong with me? I keep seeing that my arms broken, but it's not...."
Karl stared at her for a while, then answered, not meeting her eyes, not even looking at her.
"Don't you remember? You picked a fight with a few older more experienced, most probably drunk fighters, and, well, you didn't get anywhere."I would've helped, I swear Fi, I would've....."
Karl slowly brought his gaze to meet hers, a look of pleading for forgivness. "I would've, but they held me back, I couldn't get out there to help you."
Thinking hard, Fiona remembered something, noise....pain....shouts....Karl..people...fighting....knees in her ribs....
When she opened her eyes again, Fiona found h\she was drenched in sweat, and gave Karl, who was watching her worriedly a weak smile.
"It's...It's alright, I remember.....they were stopping you....you couldn't help it....I'm alright.....it doesn't matter...."
As though trying to prove her point, Fiona forced herself up and out of the bed in one movement, feeling a bad pain in her arm, then her ankle colapsing, hearing a faint dry of 'Fiona' from Karl, and then the clang of the cup hitting the floor, at the same time as her.
*~*
When she woke up the next time, she was back in that bed, this time with Karl and Reece watching her.
Smiling weakly when they noticed her, Fiona asked in a raspy voice,
"Just how bad did I get beat?"
Reece gave her a sympathetic smile as Karl informed her of the broken arm and sprained ankle she had aquired.
"When your up for it, we'll go get you a cast. For now, sleep. Your feeling like crap right about now, hey?"
Nodding slightly, Fiona drifted back into a light, troubled slumber.
*~*
At one thirty, after getting the cast, Fiona suggested they went to Van's, as that's where they would be staying for a while, unbeknownst to Van.
The door opened to admit them, a tired looking Van greeting them, turning to go back to the lounge.
Fiona entered, one arm around Karl, hopping, trying her hardest not to disturb her sprained ankle.
Van glanced up from the couch at the thuds, and gasped,
"Fiona! What the hell happened?!"
"Nothing much, I got into a fight, that's all....."
"That's all?! Karl, where were you?"
Karl looked away, and mumbled something about being held back, then turned to Reece, asking,
"Why were you throwing up, Reece? I didn't see you drink anything last night."
Seeing Reece's face pale, something clicked in Fiona's head.
//Wow....wow.....shit...//
Suddenly, Fiona asked,
"So, why are you home, Van? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Oh, I came here for lunch, but..........SHIT! Karl, can I get a lift? The bell just went!"
Nodding, Karl left with Van, leaving Fiona and Reece to talk.
Finally, Fiona broke the silence.
"So, are you going to tell them?"
"Tell them what?"
"Oh, come on Reece, I'm not brain dead, admit it."
"Alright,"
Sighing, Reece continued,
"So.......I'm pregnant."
"I knew it!!! Oh Reece, who's the father? What are you going to do with it? When? How long have you known?"
"Slow down. I don't know, don't know, don't know, don't know."
"Do you know anything?"
Sighing, Reece feebly asked,
"That I'm gunna have a baby?"
"Right, so.....to find out all of that, we'll have to get a doctor to give you a test!!"
"But, Fiona,"
"No Reece, this isn't about you any more, this is a baby as well!"
Though it was stern words, Fiona was giggling, acting like an old lady.
"Nah, if you don't want anyone to know, then we'll just tell the guys we're going for my injuries, and then both see a doctor!"
*~*
After Karl got back, they all sat down, thinking and mildly talking, untill Karl sighed at one of Fiona's questions.
"Why did they hold me back? Because they wanted to give you your initiation test."
This confused her completely.
"My what test?"
"Iniatuon test, for the gang they're a part of."
"Gang?"
"Ok, Reece, I believe it's your task to explain, is it not?"
Poking her tongue out at him, Reece turned to Fiona.
"Right. I'm part of a gang. Ah, that beating up was a test, which you passed, by standing up for yourself against gang members. Don't ask me how you can fail that test, you just pass or you don't. Ah, once your healed, you'll be taken to a training place with me, most probably, and after two weeks, you'll have another test, an easier one, and decide yourself wether or not to join the gang."
As this sunk in Fiona's brain, Karl asked,
"For the training, is the punishment the same as it used to be?"
This got through to Fiona.
"Used to be? How would you know, Karl?"
"Ah, I used to be a member of this paticular gang."
"You? You were part of a gang?"
She couldn't believe this, surely he would have told her at some point?!
"Yeah, hard to believe, isn't it? But the punishments, they weren't to friendly."
The sad look in his eyes was obvious, and Fiona wondered just what they had been.
"No, they're better now, just extra duties, no party;, stuff like that. The new leader changed it, he didn't agree with the old way."
"Karl, what was the old way?"
Memorys of girls after they had been drugged and raped, after being beaten to very near death flashed in Karl's mind, but he answered with,
"Nothing, just, nothing."
Not believing him, but with more to think about, Fiona left it at that.
"So, Fi, what do you think?"
"Ah, I'm not sure, do I have to train?"
"Well, even if you do, then don't join, you'll know more selfdefense then before, so I suggest you do."
Karl's opinion on this settled the matter for Fiona, and she agreed.
"But, ah, where is it? Will I still go to school?"
"Ah, your family goes overseas for three weeks, and you stay at a friends, one that doesn't live around here, about an hour away."
"So, I go to a place an hour away, and say I'm visiting a friend? Don't worry about an excuse for my family, havn't got one."
*~*
Irvine showed up at three, after school, and when he saw Fiona, he sweared.
"The last place I come.........."
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing, what happened?"
Not wanting to admit that he'd spent his lunch ringing Fiona's place, thankfully not leaving any messages, Irvine drew her attention away.
"Oh, uh, I got into a fight."
"What?"
"I was a bit......hypo last night, in a bad mood, and they got on my nerves...guess that'll learn me."
"Right, you alright?"
"As good as a broken arm and sprained ankle will get."
Moonbay arrived, and they all started to ring others and talk, mainly relaxing as much as they could, with all the secrets and topic changing.
*~*
The next day dragged to long for Irvine, Karl, Moonbay, Van and Thomas, who all wanted to be with Fiona, though when Karl met Irvine in Zoids class again, he had a plan.
After a whispered argument, Karl swung at Irvine, his fist colliding with his jaw.
Irvine yelled, and kicked Karl in the ribs, only to find Karl's fist launched into his guts, making his fall to the ground, when, right on time, Mr Hiltz interrupted them, yelling,
"What Do You Think Your Doing?!"
The two guys kept glaring at each other, ignoring the teacher.
"Shuboltz!! Get out of my class, your not to be back for two weeks!!!"
Scowling, Karl left, waiting just out of sight of the door.
"You, go to Dr D, he can deal with this."
Nodding, Irvine left, wondering how he'd get out of visiting the principal.
Karl met him outside, and they grinned at each other.
"Hook, line, sinker."
"Yeah, but I've gotta go to the principal now."
For some reason, Karl's grin didn't fall at all, it merely grew, and he dragged Irvine off to a door labeled, 'Principal'.
Without so much as a knock Karl barged in, Irvine following reluctantly.
"Hey, old man."
The office was a normal size, and in the middle was an old man, throwing darts at a board, but having been startled by Karl's entrance, his throw was way off, about two metres from his target.
"Karl!! Please, don't tell me that-"
"No, old man, Irvine's the one that got sent to you."
"Irvine?"
Turning to face the second teenager, the old guys face broke into a smile.
"Someone new!!!"
Irvine was amused.
The old guy was glad for different students to get into trouble?
"Well, to who's actions do I owe this pleasure?"
Ignoring the strange use of english in the sentance, Irvine replied,
"I got into a fight."
"Oh, a violent one? goodie. Havn't had a challenge in ages."
"Calm down old man, you know Fiona, the blonde?"
"Her? Yes, the one who hangs out with Flyheight? The one always late?"
"Yeah, my girlfriend-"
"Isn't she a bit young, Karl?"
"NO, and stay outta my buisness, old man, but she's away today, we're a bit tense, worried-"
"You staged a fight to get out. Same old story, Karl, get an imagination, would you?"
Irvine watched the conversation with a smirk.
So Karl was familiar with the old guy? How?
"Oh, forgive me, Irvine, there will be no punishment, just seeing Karl is enough for me, not to have to be near one of his friends, I perfer the normal students-"
"Hey!"
Both guys yelled at the same time, then became furious with Dr D's reply of,
"What? Your not normal to be friends with Karl so......hey, come back!"
The two guys left Dr D to his insults, and ran for Karl 4WD, jumping in.
*~*
A week later, Fona's arm was still in a cast, but her ankle was nearly better, though she was only able to use it for a short amount of time, and to run was dangerous.
Reece had started to train her again, still on punchs, now wtih a punching bag, but no gloves, proving that her hands were able to become stronger.
After returning to school, Fiona found that her cast gave her a new identity, with loads of strangers wanting to sign it, so that when she got a new one, within one day, that two had no room left on it.
Reece did go and get the tests, but Fiona only knew that she had been for three weeks, as Reece woudn't admit as to whom the father was.
Fiona's only reply to this had been,
"As long as it's not Karl's, Irvine's, or Van's, I don't mind." After being assured it wasn't, they returned to the car.
*~*
a couple of weeks later
*~*
When Reece started to show, worryingly so, they decided that then was a good time to train at that place, and so it was, Fiona saying goobye for two weeks, and the others having no idea.
*~*
"Wow."
"Home sweet smelly home."
Reece got Karl to park the car, then jumped out, still agile despite the baby she carried inside herself.
Fiona exited a little slower, starting around.
This place was huge.
Not expensive, but huge.
There must have been three levels, and a large courtyard.......
"Reece, did this used to be a school?"
"Bingo!"
Shaking her head in amusment, Fiona followed reece through the front door, watching as Reece greeted others that were around, seemingly knowing everyone.
"Hey Reece!"
"Hey!"
"Long time, no see, Reece!"
"Same here!"
After they actually entered the building, Reece stopped at a desk, seemingly the reception, but what would have been a secritairys desk.
"Hey, reece signing in, with 1763."
A guy with sandy hair gazed at her, repeating,
"1763?"
"Yep, that's the one. Oh, can we have adjoining rooms?"
Fiona watched as the guy Reece was talking to, who looked about twenty, raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, ops, sorry, I meant to say first that 1763 is for third floor."
The eyebrow lowered.
After a bit of fluffing around, Fiona was handed a pile of papers, told to fill them out by the end of the day.
By the second floor, Karl had joined them, and was carrying half the papers for her, greeting as many people as Reece was.
At the next floor, Reece took out a key, and opened a door about half-way down the corrider.
"Welcome to your room for the next few weeks."
"Here?"
"Yep."
Entering, Fiona found a single bed, dresser, and a small room, with the door she had entered, and three others.
"Let's see what's behind these doors."
Taking another key, Reece opened one door, exposing another room, similar, but with a few things more homlike in it, like photos and posters.
"My room!"
"Man, you still sleep in there?"
Karl had followed, and was now sitting on the bed, watching them with mild interest.
"Yes, you've got a problem with that?"
"It's been like that since you first came here to train, five years ago."
This confused Fiona.
"Five years?"
"Yeah, we started early."
Reece proceeded to the next door, exposing a clean bathroom, with a welcoming shower except.......
"Reece, where's the hot water tap?"
"Oh, you earn hot water and those sort of privlages later, as your training gets better."
"I have to earn a hot shower?"
"And hot food, warm bed, shoes.....you have to work hard to get things here."
Fiona sighed, and walked dejectedly back to where Karl was.
"Bring me hot water?"
"Sorry, no shortcuts, you've got to prove you can handle this, just as much as anyone else does."
"Asshole."
"Spoilt brat."
Reece made disgusted noises when the two began to kiss, reminding them she was present.
"Look, I'll leave you two alone for goodbyes later, but right now, I've got the privelage of howing her around, so come on. Behind this door is your own gym, where you can work out n peace."
Fiona stared.
It was the size of a classroom, which she suspected it had been, and was filled with weights, machines, and even a cabnit filled with water bottles.
"We may get bad food, but the water here is as good as it gets, you have to stay healthy at least."
As these facts all settled into her mind, Fiona was draggde away by Reece.
"We've got to find your schedule.......let me guess, you put it with the other papers?"
Nodding mutely, Fiona watched as Reece threw the pieces of paper everywhere, working through them untill she reached what she wanted.
"Oh, don't worry, there's no need for a clean room, it can be as messy as you want."
Reece stood, and showed Fiona her schedule.
"This is todays list........you should be in sword fighting, then lunch, then kick boxing, then a shower break, then english, then personal time, then dinner, and there's going to be a party, and tomorrow you've got these,"
Pointing all the days out to her, Reece laughed at her question,
"That's all good, but when do I sleep?"
"Oh, everybody asks that, you don't. It's that simple, you just don't sleep. Oh, and I'll have to change this, they've got you down as experienced in everything........must've missed that part of it........one thing, girls aren't allowed in the basement, and guys aren't allowed third floor, it's just an old room, it means no guys in the girls rooms, and vise versa. Ah, yeah, I've got to show you around. Actually, how about I get a yearmate to show you? They've made extensions since I was last here......yeah, come on."
Leaving the room, Reece laughed when Karl asked if he was allowed up there, on third floor, since he was a guy and all.
"Why wouldn't you be alloud up here?"
"Girls quarters, no guys, yeah Karl go say hi to some others, we'll be back later."
Fiona followed Reece to another door, and smiled when it opened, to reveal at least ten other teenage girls.
"Reece!!!"
At least half of them squealed in delight, while others settled for a pleased expression.
"Hey! Listen, I need to get a guide for me and my girl, Fiona, OI!"
Shy, Fiona had stood as far from the door as she could without Karl stopping her, but Reece conned the girl into the room.
"So, what are you all doing in Raylene's room?"
"She's gone, couldn't handle it, and this is now Thorn's room."
"Thorn?"
A girl with blonde hair and grey stood up, and embraced Reece.
"Thorn? I thought you were going for Rose?"
"Decided on Thorn. I like it better, now."
Fiona raised her eyebrows at that, had this girl changed her name or something?
After a few more greetings, Thorn exited with them.
"So, Thorn, why was everybody in there?"
"Oh,"
Startled, the girl of about eighteen turned to face Reece.
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what? Hang on, the girls only come together in the leaders room when one has been shoved out..........who got burnt?"
Fiona only understood very little of this, but when she asked later, being shoved out was when you were kicked out, not to be a gang member, for one of a few reasons, including not being able to handle it, disobeying a serious rule, getting pregnant with another candidate, or fighting another student, of course, only when the intent was death, or just as bad.
"Cornet, she slept with Jeremey, got pregnant.......speaking of, how long?"
Blushing, Reece asked,
"Is it that obvious?"
"I havn't seen you since you were anerxic looking, you think you can get this past me? So, who's the father? Anyone I know?"
"No, you don't know him, so they got rid of Jeremey? That's a bit harsh, others have done that before, they didn't get rid of them...."
"Yeah, but he didn't only get her preg, he got caught doing drugs three times, smoking five, and skipping all the time......"
"Isn't that bad for him? I mean, didn't he come from an orphanage? Isn't it better for him here?"
"Apparently he didn't think so."
After a short silence, Reece started walking again, joining arms with Fiona, who was very quiet.
"Come on, Fi, don't be shy, we've got to show you around. Maybe it wasn't a good for you to see all the girls at once, they can be.....intimidating."
This scored a snort from Thorn, who linked arms on Fiona's other side.
"You've got that right, they're bloody rowdy bitchs, but it can't be helped."
"Alright, Thorn, we've got to find the......well, let's show Fi her teacher that she's supposed to be with now, it's........
*~*
Right..........no comment.........thanx 4 the reviews!!!!!!!*happy grin!!*