So I wanted to still achieve this Febuwhump challenge and so I wrote these last 7 all today. So, sorry for spelling mistakes and such.
Hope you enjoy them! Be sure to check the last chapter for voting information about which one-shot I will write more for :D
Restrained
I stared down at the set of zip ties, each student had a pair. The white plastic was sitting in front of me like a taunt.
A reminder.
It's been a month since the ski trip.
A month since Spokane.
A month since Mason died in front of me.
Survival Training. A special class that the guardians decided was a good idea for all the students to take part in. Court even sent a guardian to run the session. He was meant to be one of the best, full of knowledge and an absolute dick.
Eddie and I were both excused from the training, it was still too soon, the memories too fresh. I was walking through the hall with no classes to go to while the training happened, just so happened to cross paths with the instructor. He didn't listen to a word I said as he dragged me to the room and made me sit down.
Some of the other novices eyed me, whispering amongst themselves.
The instructor put us in pairs, gesturing to the zip ties, "Put them on each other and try to get out."
I didn't move for mine.
I didn't need to put them on to remember how tight they felt, digging into my skin from trying to break free. I even knew what it felt like to have them melt and burn my skin.
"Hey! Pay attention!" The instructor slammed his hands down on my desk. His eyes narrowed when I slowly lifted my eyes to his, my expression blank. He leant forward, "If you actually listened you might learn how to break out of these and not end up dead like your fellow novice."
Murmurs broke out around the room.
He stood back up, glaring at the room to silence them. "There won't always be a Moroi to use fire. It was dumb luck that saved them. I'll teach you how to get out of these and actually stand a chance at surviving."
My hands curled into fists, my anger building so much I was shaking. I hadn't felt much of anything since Mason died, but now I felt the burning need to punch this guy in the face.
When I still didn't move to put on the ties, his hand shot forward and gripped my wrist. I started struggling against him. "Get the fuck off me!"
I swang at his face, which he only just managed to avoid. He growled in irritation, using his grip on my wrist to pull me forward, twisting my arm behind my back and securing one of the ties. I kicked out, hearing his yelp of pain from my heel impacting his knee.
I spun out of his grip and threw another punch, hitting him square in the jaw.
Voices were yelling around us, the sound of the doors being thrown open, but all I could focus on was trying to take this guy down. Before I could move to attack again a body stepped in my way, blocking my path.
"What the hell is going on here!" Stan was yelling, his hand was on my shoulder but his question was directed at the instructor.
"She attacked me! What are you teaching your students?"
I gritted my teeth, mentally preparing myself to argue back when Stan surprised me.
"I don't care what Rose was doing, I want to know what you were doing? You think you can come in and insult my students! To attack them?" Stan stalked closer to him, voice dropping low. "You are here to teach them something that will help them, not pass judgement."
Stan turned his back on the instructor, leaving him spluttering. He kept hold of my shoulder, gently nudging me to turn and exit the room. As we left, Stan nodded at two other guardians.
"Keep an eye on him."
We were halfway down the hallway before Stan pulled me to a stop, lifting my wrist and pulling a pocket knife out, carefully wedging the blade under it to cut through the plastic. "Are you doing okay?"
I shrugged non-committal.
"I'm glad you got a good hit in. If you didn't, I would have."
My eyes snapped to his in surprise. I had been expecting him to drag me up to Alberta's office. I had hit a guardian, surely this is going to get me into trouble.
Stan watched me. If I didn't know better, I would say he looked proud of me.
He nodded after a moment, calling over my shoulder, "Belikov, take Hathaway to her room. She can take the rest of the day off."
Before I could respond, Stan was stepping away only to be replaced by Dimitri. His expression was a combination of anger, concern, and pride.
Lifting my hand up between us, he examined my hand, seeming satisfied that it wasn't hurt, he released it. His fingers lightly dragged along my skin. "Let's go, Rose."
