Chapter 4
Viktor POV
When I got off the bus that afternoon, I fully expected to have a peaceful walk home. However, the hooded stranger in dark clothing that seemed to be following me had other plans. First rule of being followed is make sure you're being followed. Paranoia is the enemy. Mrs. Lei told me that many covert missions have gone wrong because people get scared or paranoid and they blow their cover. I turned the corner toward the drug store and the opposite direction of my house. Second rule of being tailed is never lead them to where you're going. Although that one should be obvious. The third rule is kind of tricky. You have to assess the tail for any discernible features and identify if it's a hostile or not. I pulled out my touch screen cell phone and pretended not to get a signal while checking out my tail. The subject appeared about 5'2'' in height, and the curvature of the subject's hips suggest that the subject is female. Judging from the slight limp in her left leg as she walked, the female had either a recent injury, or an injury long ago serious enough to cause irreparable damage. I only knew one female of that description. That sly old bat. I felt a grin tug at the corners of my mouth as I realized that confronting the tail was going to be easier than I thought. The only thing left to do now was the confrontation. Even though the subject is not hostile it will act as so to demonstrate an adequate field exercise.
I arrived inside the drug store and quickly rushed to the bathroom, but unfortunately there was no window. I guess i'll have to try another route. I poked my head out of the bathroom and couldn't believe what I was seeing. The subject had pulled a gun and was quietly searching the aisle. The subject was no longer an amusing game of cat and mouse. Instead the subject became a target, because anyone looking for me with a weapon probably wants to do more than a quick chit-chat. I have to lure the perp away from innocents. I made a mad dash for the door and managed to get into the back alleyway down the street before I let the hooded stranger catch up to me. I took my best hero pose, and spoke.
"Put the gun down and walk away, before this gets ugly," I growled. She didn't respond except to cock the gun. "Alright, you had your warning." I charged her and as she began firing I pushed my abilities to the limit because bullets move pretty fast. However, I avoided them, but only just barely. It took me about 20 seconds to reach her. The crook used short, controlled and aimed
shots so as not to run out to early. I was only a few feet away when the clip went empty. We both paused for half a breath before she flung the gun at me and whipped out a knife. I weaved around a couple slashes and grabbed her wrist, and heaved her over my shoulder dislodging the knife from her hand. She was lighter than I originally thought. She landed on her feet, and sprang back leading with her right foot. I stepped to the side, grabbed it and flung her into the wall. She hit it with a grunt, but she got back up as if nothing happened. We spent the next minute trading blows. She snuck past my guard with a move that confirmed her identity. It was then that I decided to end this I pushed her toward the wall. She lashed out with a foot and I grabbed it picking her up by the leg and slamming her as hard as could into the ground. I put my foot on her throat.
"Do you yield?"
"Sure," she answered, "I'm kind of tired and you know that women my age shouldn't be up and walking around. Help an old woman up, would you?" I pulled her to her feet.
"Age is nothing but a number," I said chuckling, "and you move like you're 20."
"Even so, you've developed into quite the strong young man, Huŏ qiú," she said.
"Flattery will get you no where, old woman."
"You just said that I move like I'm 20."
"But I didn't say that you were 20. What's for dinner?"
"Lo Mein?" she tried.
"No, we had that Tuesday."
"What's today?"
"Thursday."
"Meatball sub?"
"Better. That sounds great. It's getting cold. We should head back."
"You're right. Did you know that meatball subs were Bo's favorite food?" Mrs. Lei asked reminiscing.
"Really, why?"
"Bo always hated Chinese food for some reason. So when we moved to America, you can imagine his reaction to cheese burgers." She cocked her head as if she was listening to a ghost, which in this case she was. She laughed. "Bo says that he wish that ghosts could eat so he could make money as he is very adept at making cheese burgers." I laughed too.
20 minutes later, we had arrived at home. I went up stairs to shower. It's been 2 years since I moved in with Mrs. Lei. She was the mother that I never had, and though she rarely tells me, I know I am her son in every way but blood. After my shower I dressed in pajamas and padded down stairs to check on dinner which I could smell from up stairs. When I stepped into the kitchen, Mrs. Lei was arguing with someone.
"No, you're supposed to add the chopped vegetables into the meat, Bo...
That's ridiculous,everyone's not going to have the same acquired tastes you do... Fine we'll let him decide." Mrs. Lei turned to me. "Do you want your onions inside or on top of the meat balls?"
"Inside?" Mrs. Lei broke out into a horrible version of a victory dance. Lord help us all.
"You do realize that I can't hear the other half of the conversation right?"
"Oh he's just being a sore loser. So, anything interesting at school today?" she asked. I explained the physical educational program and how I had to fight preppy tomorrow. She nodded. "You will record the fight, yes?"
"Yes, mam."
"Okay food's ready. I going to bed. Don't stay up too late, Huŏ qiú."
"Good night, Mai."
I turned off the TV and went upstairs to do my homework. After I had finished summarizing the aftermath of The War, I closed my history book and began my meditation. First I crossed my legs butterfly style, and closed my eyes. I began to breath deeply, slowly releasing the tension in my muscles until I was completely relaxed. Once I was completely relaxed, I asked my self my favorite unanswered question. What is the difference between good and evil?
The funny thing about falling asleep is that no one can ever tell the exact moment when their brain shuts down. Anyone else who says differently is a liar. I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to start day. The emotion I was feeling was borderline eagerness which was actually a nice change from my usual content stoicism. I quickly showered and dressed, and rushed downstairs for breakfast. I inhaled my cereal, brushed my teeth and was out the door. I suddenly realized that I had left my book bag and ran back inside to get it. Mrs. Lei was just now waking and was in the kitchen making coffee.
"Can't talk, left book bag, have to get to bus stop, love you bye!" I shouted as I rushed in and out. I had just made to the bust stop with five minutes to spare at a full sprint. Preppy was there looking at me oddly.
"What?" I asked glaring.
"Where's the fire?" he shot back.
"Touché."
"What's up with you this morning?" I hope he doesn't get the impression that we're friends, but I resigned to be civil at least.
"I'm ready." I know he knew exactly what I was talking about.
"Yeah... about that," I quirked an eyebrow, "I... don't hold back, okay?" he seemed nervous, and I wasn't expecting him to say that.
"Why not?"
"My dad," his face scrunched up, most likely he currently has a rocky relationship with father, noted, "told me that in a sanctioned fight like the one we're going to have, it's always best to make your intentions clear. So I'm asking you not to hold back, because I won't."
"Your father is a smart man. I will fight with everything I have, so long as you actually pose a challenge."
"Absolutely." I thought that was the end of our conversation, "Hey what was up with you yesterday?" I was wrong.
"I do not like clumsy people. If you're clumsy in battle, you will die."
"I guess that's one way to look at it."
"That is the only way to look at it," I snapped.
"Battles aren't always so cut and dry. There are millions of factors that can contribute to victory or defeat," he countered.
"Even so, it would not do to suddenly lose your balance in a life or death situation, especially when innocents are involved."
Preppy chuckled, "I concede." The bus pulled up effectively ending our civil conversation. Or at least I hope so. You never know when preppy might spring another thought provoking question. It seemed that everyone was a bit more relaxed now that they knew what to expect. Although some were still kind of fidgety. I glanced back a few seats to see that preppy was actually pensive. Didn't know he could do that. 10 minutes later the air bus landed at Sky High and everyone got just as I started toward first period, I heard preppy calling me.
"Hey, wait up." I stopped and allowed him to catch up.
"You sure do move fast," he said as we approached our lockers. Ironically enough our lockers were only a few feet apart.
"Walking slowly has never been a habit of mine. Is there something you needed?"
"Yeah, um, regardless of what happens today in gym would you be opposed to continuing our conversation?"
"Why?"
"It's just... I made a snap judgment and you don't seem completely unfriendly and it's the second day of high school and it wouldn't hurt to actually have a friend and whole bunch of other reasons."
"Fine, when is your free period?" I asked even though I knew the answer. Got to keep up appearances.
"Right after lunch," he said
"Meet me back here after lunch and we'll go do some recon."
"Some what?"
"Reconnaissance?" This kid can not be that slow. When his expression remained confused, I added, "We'll go exploring."
"Oh, okay. Anything else?"
"Yeah. If you see me, ignore me and visa versa."
"Why?"
"Firstly, if you reveal who your allies are your enemy can exploit it as a weakness, and second, it's easier on me. I don't make friends easily by intention. You've got to earn my respect." he simply nodded and walked away.
I finally reached my math class, and sat down. However, I knew there was no way I could fully concentrate in anticipation of gym class. It was going to be interesting to say the least.