Chapter 3
19, 33, 28, I typed into the lock on my century old locker. The metal door swung open, I pulled out my duffle bag filled with my training gear and cloths. Then I felt it, closing my eyes and sighing I began to count down from ten, 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2…. BAM!
"One." I breathed, and opened my eyes and turned to see Raisa standing behind me. The red doors that read LOCKER ROOM on the side, were hanging from their hinges. She had clearly kicked the door ajar.
"EVA! Are you stupid? Why are you going to fight her! One second I am dumping my tray and the next I am being pushed into the stadium to watch a fight! And not just any fight, YOUR FIGHT! What if you get hurt?" she screamed.
Ignoring her I turned back towards my locker and unbuttoned my overcoat and carefully removed my ID bag and tang top. Raisa's shoes made tapping sounds as she cross the floor, grabbed my shoulders and forced to look into her deep curious eyes. "Look at me Eva! What happens if you get hurt! Even though I am new at this and hardly know you I don't want to see you hurt!"
"Raisa shut up, and get off me! I am not like some of the other staff members around here who run and hide with their tails between their legs. If that is what you think the Operations Division is then you need to talk to your little daddy and get moved! Lena is no better than a mutt that likes to pee on her master's shoes, and like all mutts she needs to be trained. That is my job and that, I feel, is what this fight is about!" I debated. My temper rose as I removed her hands from my shoulders and continued to change. However, despite my efforts Raisa continued to yell at me for intentionally asking to take part in a fight and for speaking badly of others. For me this meant it was time to put my amazing "tuning out" skills to work. I slipped into my gray sports bra, and black pants. While I proceeded to hide my five daggers and single handgun throughout my cloths Out of the corner of my eye I saw something move within the shadows. Raisa continued to blabber on as I stealthily picked up one of my silvers handle daggers and hid it in the palm of my hand. I turned towards Raisa and as if in slow motion I extended my arm and in a sharp, sleek movement threw the dagger. Whizzing past Raisa, almost hitting her, it flew and stuck to the corner wall where a whimper and cry emerged instantly.
Raisa also let out a cry, as tears formed in her eyes. In the corner, the tall shadow fell to the ground clutching its arm. As it crawled away from the corner, the light reveled the stranger to be none other than my idiot partner David. Blood dripped from his wound as he looked up at me.
" And all I wanted was to wish ya good luck." He gasped, frowned and fell to the floor and closed his golden eyes. Knowing this to be his usual trick of fun I smirked and started packing my bag and throwing my cloths into my locker.
"AHHHH!" Raisa screamed, clutching her hands to her face, "You hurt him! He'll die! We have to get him to the medic ward!" She rushed over to him and checked for a pulse. Putting her fingers in the completely wrong place she didn't find it. Eager to see what she was going to do next I kept my words. I watched beads of sweat pour down her face in worried as she tried her best attempts at CPR. Which resulted with her curling up her little fists and pounding his chest. David's eyes flew open when the first hit made contacted. He looked at me with pleading eyes. I couldn't take it any longer, and I erupted into laughter.
"Raisa I think David is defiantly dead, keep up the pounding it will work!" She looked at me teary eyed, with a pouty lip. Her hair stuck to her face, and she slid off her knees onto her butt in defeat.
"AHA!" David sprang up laughing; I threw my legs over the bench that ran down the locker room, and sat on it, resting my head on my hands. Raisa hugged, punch, and cried at David while he continued to laugh hysterically. Then he flung his arms around her in a warm embrace as tears began to spill from his own eyes, from laughing so hard.
"Come now Raisa, its hilarious. You know Eva, pep talks don't work. The only way to cheer her up is with someone else's misery!" He howled and let go of Raisa to brush his shaggy hair from his eyes. "So my little ice princess, are we feeling better?" He batted his eyelashes in a mocking manner. I lifted my head from my hands.
"Hum…Whatever. So how is you arm anyway?" I asked trying to again gain control of my self. Raisa pulled herself away from him. He lifted his arm and looked at the blood.
"A scratch! Tis' only a scratch. For nothing can slay the brave Mercutio! Ha ha ha!" He joked and fell back onto his back, and propped his head up with his hand. I stood to leave and he spoke, "hey, ice princess," his voice took a serious tone " Don't rough her up too bad, the next thing I need is her complaining about a broken bone. All morning she was either chasing after me, screaming my name in that lovey dovey tone, down the halls or complain about her headache. I swear I could've killed her. No joke, who would miss her?"
Raisa gasped at his words, however I only nodded before I once again turned to face the doors to the arena, where Lena was standing. I crossed the room to the door and laid my hand upon it. I looked back at Raisa and David on the floor.
"Oy, David get Raisa a good set and make a few bets so we can order out tonight!" I paused " Raisa you got nothing to worry about, I've got everything covered." I winked at her and smiled, only to have her return the same warm smile of confidence. I pushed the door open and the bright lights and screaming staff member stole away my senses and gave me a moment of sheer satisfaction.