I did it! So, yeah, my computer did crash a bit. and I did loose what I had. But I did it! And I wrote 3,428 words for this one! YAY. Also, you guys are so nice.

I promised double chapters, here it is!

Enjoy!

Chapter 23: Some other students

I'm not sure if Maggie is ok. I mean, yeah, she's acting fine. But who the hell asks to fight for their life on a daily basis.

We went to school on Monday, and Maggie was absolutely drained. It reminded me of me, except she wanted this. I was adamantly against anything not normal at the start. But her…

…

"So when do I actually get to fight goblins?"

Claire and I shared a look.

"It's never a good idea to go looking for danger. We have NotEnrique keeping an eye on them so we'll know if they're in danger."

"But what if…"

"If they attack?" I laughed. "They'll only attack if people are here. And if people are here, we'll be here. During school hours, ya know?"

Maggie sighed and rolled her eyes.

…

After I've eaten I join the others at the table. "So, I've heard some of the other students talking. Because Liv got attacked, we're going to be doing some self defense training in PE."

"What?" Amanda shrieks.

"Really? That sounds awesome. I could teach a class like that," Maggie says proudly.

"Ok, that's cool. But why? She got attacked by some kind of animal. What's self defense going to do against that?"

"Nothing, but it'll be fun," Alex says.

"Well," I think carefully. "Knowing what you're doing, even just a little, can give you an air of confidence. And that will help you." I'm talking about goblins of course.

"Do you know who's teaching it? Cus' I know Stone is hard core, and X military, but wouldn't they get a specialist?" Amanda states.

I discreetly scent the air in the direction towards the gym. "It's detective Skinner, he's going to teach it. But I bet Stone will be too."

"How do you know?" Kyle asks.

"A pixie told me," I smirk.

I'm going to keep up with the stupid lie thing. Yes, some of their questions could be deemed as harmless. Even that last one, just a simple question on how I know Skinner's going to be in class. But I think this could be the most fun I've had in awhile.

After lunch we make our way to the gym. Maggie taunting Claire as they make their way out of locker rooms. "Jim can't save you from this workout."

She smirks and retorts. "He doesn't need to." Her eyes find me coming from the opposite dressing room. "I'm perfectly capable of anything detective Skinner or coach Stone throws at me."

…

Saturday Night

"Why… do we… have… to run… six miles?!" Maggie said huffing, and breathing hard. She was on her third mile. She'd just touched the concrete wall of NTM's entrance and was now heading back. Claire and I running beside her.

"Because, running is a huge thing for someone who can't fight a troll. Or single handedly take down several hordes of goblins at once. Also, running fast to get to a better vantage point."

"Fine, but it still… sucks," she replied.

"You'll get a lot better at it," Claire said.

We kept running but after the fourth mile Claire gave a deep sigh. 'I'm getting really tired,' she whispered.

Without a second thought I scooped her off her feet and held her bridal style in my arms, and she cuddled against my chest.

"What?! Why doesn't she have to run?" Maggie looked incredulous.

"Mate privileges," she smirked.

…

I hadn't minded, I love having Claire close to me as often as I can. Maggie gave her a hard time about it though.

We all gather in the gym, waiting for the last of the stragglers, before Coach Stone and Skinner begin.

"I know you've all been worried about what happened to Liv, so the administration contacted me and asked if I'd teach you all some self defense," Skinner says.

Several of the students eyes drift to Livia sitting on the bench on the side of the room. Watching everything skeptically. Especially Claire and I.

…

Cloudy Sunday Morning.

Claire and I entered Livia's hospital room, she was scheduled to be discharged later. It wasn't really a hospital. It was more of a large Clinic with four rooms that played hospital. Spotting her, she was clearly lacking sleep.

Her head perked up at our entrance. "Jim, Claire, what are you doing here?"

"We wanted to see if you were alright?" Claire said.

"Yeah," she gave a heavy laugh, and rolled her eyes. "Physically. Sure."

"And mentally? Emotionally?" Claire asked.

Liv leans forward, eyes narrowing. "I know what I saw. It wasn't some wild animal! They're calling it trauma. Sure I'm traumatized, but not by some animals!" She folded her heavily bandaged arms and flopped back against the pillows.

"So, what did you see?" I asked.

"I don't know what I saw. But they were green, ugly as hell. Had these freaky red and yellow eyes. Now I can't sleep, cus their the only thing I see."

Claire and I only nod. "Well, we're glad you're ok."

…

Skinner looks back at her, then to me. She had no doubt told him what she'd seen, but he probably denied her confirmation too. He would no doubt want to talk to me after class about the creatures that attacked her.

"So, to start, I'm going to have one of you come up and demonstrate a fight against me," he says looking at me.

I give him a hard glare, and walk onto the mat we're all gathered around. With a simple thought removing my shoes. Whispers spread through the students afraid of what I might do the 'unsuspecting Detective Skinner'.

That's a funny thought.

"How about, just to save some pain. I attack you? Then you won't be humiliated by the fact that your attacks would do absolutely nothing to me." I smirk at him.

He nods, and the students watch with rapt attention.

"Alright students, pay close attention. Because I'm not doing this twice," he says.

I laugh and give him a 'go' before I attack. Simple things like grabbing his wrist so the other students can see the maneuvers to get out of it. In any normal situation, a demonstration would not be actually harming the 'attacker'. But his attacks don't hurt that bad. Even when he punched me in the face, or kicked me in the chest. I did have to block a kick to the gronk-nucks though. That wasn't happening.

Before we finish, I whisper a quiet 'sorry' before catching him off guard and flipping him over my shoulder and pin him to the mat with his neck under my foot.

"And if you're ever fighting someone bigger than you, be smart about it. Catching them off guard is a good move," I say out loud. Everyone claps and cheers for my win.

Moving my foot I help Skinner get up, and Stone is baffled.

"Alright, that was a good demonstration. Now, let's get in pairs and we'll show you some simple techniques to get out of basic attacks," Skinner says.

I see Drake making an active effort to avoid eye contact with Claire or I. And that makes my day just that much better. But with Liv out, the numbers are uneven. And Claire already took pity on Amanda, so I go sit next to Livia.

"How are you feeling?" I ask.

"I haven't slept since Thursday, and I can't get those hellish eyes out of my mind." she grunts.

I look her over, she's wearing long pants, boots, a loose long sleeve hoodie with the hood around her face. Back at the hospital she was wearing a hoodie too. But her face was torn up. And I'm not going to pretend I can't smell a lot of blood from her bandages.

"I know how it feels to not sleep, especially because of nightmares. You know what helped me?"

"What?" her tone sounds broken, tired, and on the verge of tears.

Skinner instructing the pairs in the background.

"Working off the energy by fighting and sparring." She tried to say something but I continued. "And I know that may not be what works for you, but…" I pull out my phone and open a password protected file of photos. I quickly find a picture of a goblin. "This is what attacked you, right?"

Her eyes got teary really quick and she shoved the phone away.

"Yeah, that's what it was. A whole bunch of them." I put away my phone and peek at her face. Tears spilling from her eyes. "What is it?"

I wipe them away with my thumb and look her in the eyes. "That's a goblin, they kinda suck." I give a little laugh, which she echos. "Com'on, let's help you get that energy out."

I help her up and we walk off to the side, away from the others. I hold up my palms, and instruct her to punch them. She does, weakly, and sorely.

"I… I don't know about this Jim."

"You'll do great. All you have to do is punch my hands." I give her an encouraging smile.

She starts again, and as she goes. I quietly, almost subliminally, say things about the gobins. Their color, their eyes, legs, voices. The more I go, the more frustrated and energy driven her punches are. Through her power and soreness doesn't change. It wears her out, all of her nervous energy and built up fear getting released.

We only went for about ten minutes before she wanted to stop, and I walk her back over to the bench.

She smiles up at me. "Thanks Jim, that really did help. And… I know you're kinda like, I don't know, a monster hunter? But are they going to come back?" She asks, sounding small, her scent fearful.

"I don't like to tell a lot of people about my life. But I won't lie to you about this. There are a lot of goblins in Corbin right now. But I'm going to try my hardest to not let anyone else get hurt."

She takes a deep breath, letting it go along with what must be relief.

I let her be by herself to rest and walk over to Claire and Amanda, watching Claire struggle to get the other to try and hit her. Or get her to not flinch when Claire pretended to kick or punch her. "Amanda, I know my range, I'm not going to hit you!" Jim laughed and looked to Maggie.

She was partnered with one of the Blaise siblings. Brandon, I think his name was. One of the only boys who didn't make googly eyes at Claire. He was doing well, taking turns performing the three techniques they were shown.

"Hey Mags, do you know anyone who might need help? Stone and Skinner ditched for a bit."

She shrugs, and 'kicks' Brandon in the chest.

"If you want someone to help, go help my sisters. Ashley would like to strangle Lisa on a regular day, and Lisa's probably just trying not to flinch." He smiled and shook his head.

"Alright," I say. "Which ones are they?"

He points through the pairs of people. "The short angry blonde, and the shy, slightly taller blonde."

"OH! Ashley's in my history class, she… doesn't like raising her hand." I laugh a little.

Brandon shakes his head. "No, she's just a bit…" he makes an 'iffy' gesture with his hand and points to his head.

"Alright," I shrug. "Have fun with Maggie."

I walk through the crowded and get to the sisters. "Hey, do you guys want help?"

"YES!" Lisa yells. She grabs Ashley by the shoulders and shoves her into me. "You take her!" Before walking off and joining her friends.

Ashley shoves herself off of me and shivers like she had the chills. "Finally, someone who will do the technique," she sighs.

"Sister not a fan of fighting?" I ask, going through the moves of the technique.

She scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Imagine if a Disney princess were a normal teenage girl. That's Lisa."

I can't help but laugh. "Really?"

"Pretty much, except she doesn't like animals. But you know, the whole… Long blond hair, blue eyes, nice to everyone, doesn't like fighting. She's so naive, and loves annoying me."

"Sounds like sibling rivalry," I say.

She shrugs.

I don't see what Brandon meant calling his sister mental, she seems just fine to me. I mean, yeah she's loud and outspoken, but I don't think she's crazy like he implied.

"So, how about Brandon? Are you close?"

She immediately smiles and nods, then front kicks. "Yeah, he's awesome! We didn't used to be close, but now we've just got each other's backs. Sometimes I'll bring him home Pizza or he'll bring me treats while I'm at work. And if I need something he'll bring it to me or I'll bring him stuff."

"That's awesome!" I say. "I don't know very many brothers and sisters who are as close as you say."

"It really is," she smiles.

Everyone's finished the required amount of reps and has sat, but Ashley asked to do a few more with me since her sister 'was being a wuss'. Claire comes over to watch.

"Hey Claire," Ashley says, lighting up.

"Hey Ash, hey babe." Claire replies and pecs me on the cheek.

"You know her?" I ask.

"Yeah, she's a freaking smart sophomore in AP English. I partner with her on the partner assignments."

"Claire's awesome, she's actually nice to me." Ashley says as we finish the last round of techniques. "Well, thanks for working with me Jim." She smiles and runs off.

"Wait… what does she mean, 'cCaire's actually nice to me'?" I ask.

Claire's face falls. "Well, she's got something called ASD. it means she's just a little autistic. For her it makes being social hard. She can't read social situations, and sometimes she says things that come off as rude, but weren't meant to be." She shrugs. "I've seen how some of the other students treat her, they're really rude. Apparently, she had a really bad freshman year. It was her first year at public school, and she didn't know anyone, and she didn't know how to socialize."

I watch her interacting with Brandon, and think back to her not talking to anyone in history. No one else talks to her either. Hmmm. interesting.

I'm about to speak when a hand is slapped down on my shoulder from behind. I jump higher than a human should, and snarl at the unsuspecting coach Stone. I quickly straighten myself.

"Yes coach Stone?"

"Sorry Jim, didn't mean to scare you." He backs up a bit. "Detective Skinner said that you and Claire could demonstrate a real fight?"

We nod.

"Cool, because we brought an audience." I glance behind him to half of the teachers and administration. With such a small school, each of the teachers only have two classes a day. So those without classes are here. To see two students fight.

Are they that bored?

"Come on Jim, it's time to entertain the populace." Claire says.

"Think they have something like a weapon?" I ask.

"No, but I bet they've got a broom handle," she says and goes to ask about it. "Warm them up."

"Alright everyone," I say. Off the mats. Detective Skinner, has asked Claire and I to demonstrate a real fight. One in which, we will be trying to injure the other."

More whispers went in a wave across the students.

"So everyone off the mats, though I'd back up further than the mats if I were you. Now we would normally use weapons, seeing how I'm a swordsman, and Claire uses a staff. But those aren't allowed on school property, so Claire'll be using something else, and I'll just go without a weapon."

Claire comes back with a wooden broom handle, smiling.

"Whatever happens, don't approach until we say. Understood?" Claire declares.

Everyone nods and scoots back. I hear some of the teachers talking. "Are you sure it's a good idea to let them fight?"

"What if one of them gets hurt, we're liable."

Skinner adds in his two sense. "They're fine. Besides, they'd never actually hurt each other. And they're more experienced than me. Showing these kids a real fight might to them good."

"What do you know about them, Detective?" Mrs. Jaxson asked.

He shook his head laughing slightly. "Way more than I should."

Coach stood on the side of the mat, holding his hand out and ready to start the fight. Claire stood at the ready with her weapon. And I'm in a low stance, ready to dodge her first attack.

We wait and in the silence you could hear a needle drop.

"GO!" Coath Stone yells and immediately backs up.

Claire attacks, swinging the staff at me, I duck under it and step behind her. Looping my arms underneath hers and locking my fingers behind her neck, making her arms useless. She uses the top of her foot and wraps it around the back of my knee then pulls. I loose my grip on her arms and she gets away. Coming back for another attack of the staff.

I charge at her, like I'm going to pick her up, but she beat me to it. Stepping into a reverse stance and then grabbing the back of my neck and shoving it down. Hitting me with the staff.

Ohhh, she's really trying here. Dang it!

I shake off the hit and get to my feet. So low I might as well be on my hands too. We start circling each other until I jump, trying to grab the staff. Her best chance of winning. She ducks down and I make a grab at the broom handle, but end up in a flip. Landing and sliding back a ways.

The students and teachers ooh and awe at our displays of acrobatics. So Claire spins the staff twirling it and showing off, adding an ariel before resuming the fight.

I get close enough to finally grab the staff and throw it out of reach, far away from the mats. From there it's hand to hand. She punches and I dodge or block, I punch and she dodges or blocks. Same with kicks and other attacks.

After a long series of combos she's landed several hits and pushes me to the edge of the mat. But right as she thinks she's won I leap forward, grabbing her by the waist and land in the middle of the mats. I set her down, and she's dissorented. I take my shot and swipe her legs out from under her. I catch her and set her down on her back (but don't let anyone else see it), then pin her down.

The room bursts into cheers and applause.

I help claire back up and kiss her hard on the cheek. "You almost had me," I say.

"Only because you weren't trying! You need someone you can go full out with," she says. Hugging me and discreetly nuzzling against me.

The students start coming closer and I grin. "Who else wants to fight me?" And they all freeze. I laugh out loud and grin. "Just kidding, none of you would last a second."

Everyone gives unsure laughs and goes to change. The teacher's starting with… worry, I think. Our friends coming up to talk to us.

Here we go again.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Alex asks.

"Arcadia."

"Yeah, but like were?"

"In my backyard."

"Ok, but how?" Kyle asks.

Claire and I look at eachother.

"Sonic hedgehog tried to kill me, when I beat him in combat, and he was banished from the magic city of hedgehogs, he lived in my basement and trained me how to use his dead dad's sword."

"No, seriously. How did you learn to fight like that? Not even Maggie can fight like that." Amanda says.

Maggie moans, "I'm working on it."

"Jim and I became guardians and now go all over the world fighting things that don't exist. Field work is very effective for learning. Also constant moral danger." Claire says.

"Fine, don't tell us. You were still awesome." Alex says.

"Thanks, now we better go so we're not late." I say.

Later Maggie has more training, and I can't wait to get back to my cave. Not enrique's been scouting the goblins. So we'll be good for another week at the most.

I just hope she'll be ready when they do attack.

Review please.