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Anastasia's POV

"Rise and shine, initiates!" I hear someone call from the door, penetrating my deep sleep.

I yawn and sit up.

"B-but it's too early." Jason says and cuddles back into his pillow. I can't help but chuckle.

"I said RISE AND SHINE!" The same voice calls again. Definitely Dad.

We all climb out of bed sleepily. I get on black pants and a black tank top. I tie my hair back in a ponytail and look over at Kat. She has a sleep line pressed into her face. I grin at her and she smiles tiredly back.

"How'd you sleep?" I ask Jacob.

"Meh. Missing home." He replies.

I smile sympathetically and he smiles shyly.

We all gather in a large, bare room after breakfast. "What's this?" Parker asks.

"This is where you'll train. Today we'll be testing speed and fighting." Mom says. I get a little warm feeling at the words 'speed' and 'fighting.'

Alexander is leaning against a pillar, his arms crossed. His hair is sticking out every which way. I stifle a laugh.

We're testing speed first. Going on a run all around the compound. Alexander is running with us, with Mom and Dad having a little alone time.

Alexander jogs at the front, his jet black hair dotted with beads of sweat. The goal is to run as fast as you can while maintaining a normal breathing and heart rate. So far, a lot of people have been walking. Jacob is jogging, but struggling while doing so. Kat is jogging a little easier, but still struggling. Parker is jogging at the same pace as Jason. Easily.

I want to run faster and be at the front, even ahead of Alexander. So I pump my legs as hard as I can, take deep breaths through my mouth, and push off hard on the asphalt when my feet hit the ground.

Soon I'm ahead of Alexander and everyone, keeping a regular breathing and heart rate. My hair is flying across my back in a long gold streak of hair.

When we return to the training room, I'm first. Some of the others are sweating profusely and panting. A few are puking, Jacob among them.

"Alright! Now we'll fight." Dad says.

"The rules are that the two fighters will fight until one concedes or cannot go on. First jumper and last jumper, in the ring!" Mom calls.

That's me and a very tough, bulky girl. I know her to be Cera Hunt. Transferred from Amity.

I'm a little nervous. But I'm the best fighter around. I'll be ok.

I crack my neck and put my elbows in front of my throat and face. I know that the first shot is usually to the throat. And that she steps before she punches.

"Ready? And... start." Dad says.

The girl bounces on the balls of her feet, while I do so on my toes. She goes still and her eyes dart to my stomach. She steps forward, and I raise my knee to protect my stomach.

Her hand clashes with my knee and she retreats with a red, swelling hand. Her knuckles are probably broken.

"Need to stop?" Mom asks, her motherly instincts showing. "No," Cera murmurs and hides her useless hand.

I bounce on my toes and I see her eyes are watching mine, studying their every move. Mine dart to her intestines and she covers it with both arms. I quickly punch her in the nose and hear her moan in pain. Her eyes tear up. I can't hold back my smirk.

Through her blurred eyes, she sees my smirk. I see her face redden more than it already from pain.

She lunges at me, but I prance to the side, enjoying this game of cat-and-mouse. I'm behind her, so I use this to my advantage. I whirl my leg so that it's around hers. If I wanted to, I could break her leg. I then knee her in the stomach repeatedly, each time harder than the last. She groans and starts to cry. I should take mercy. But I'm not that type.

She takes her good arm and weakly attempts to punch me. I catch her hand and hold it straight out behind my back, with one hand behind her elbow and the other on her forearm. I think of not doing this... but then I remember what happens if I fail and if I take too long deciding.

Then, with one swift movement, I snap her arm. A loud crack fills the air and she falls to the ground, wailing and screaming and moaning. Definitely broken. Her arm and her hand.

Mom rushes to her and helps her up. Everyone else is silent. I think Mom takes her to the ER. She looks upset with me, but I can't think why. I did what I was supposed to.

The rest of the fights go on without big injuries. Jason wins by picking up his opponent and throwing her on the ground and proceeding to punch her in the nose. Parker basically does flips to dodge his opponent until he (the opponent) gives up. Jacob gets beat up pretty bad, but he wins. And Kat wins by tripping her partner over and over.

"Alright, dinner is in three hours! Until then do what you need to." Dad says.

"Tasi, may I speak with you?" Alexander asks and beckons me.

"If this is to lecture me about beating Cera, I thought I was doing what I was supposed to." I start.

He chuckles. "No, not that. It's just... you did extremely well today. Where did you learn those moves?" He asks. And what is that in his voice... admiration?

I blush. "Well, I taught myself a lot of those. Actually all of them." I say.

Alexander smiles. "They're very good."

"Thanks, Alexander." I say and smile shyly.

"Alex." He says.

"Alex." I repeat.

He nods and touches my arm softly. The warmth of his fingers and their gentle touch sends a shiver running through my body. Then Alex walks away.

I go back to the quarters and find everyone gathered around looking very concerned.

"Hey guys, what's up?" I ask.

I find a girl crying and am surprised.

"What happened?" I ask and sit next to her. She jumps back and shivers. "You killed her. You killed my sister!" She chokes out.

"What?" I ask, confused.

"Cera Hunt. She passed away, they believe from a blood clot." Jacob says, holding an ice pack to his black eye.

I realize what happened and gasp. "Wh-what? No, I didn't mean to- but I couldn't have killed anybody!" I protest.

"But you did." The girl sobs.

"Please. I didn't mean to. Please forgive me." I feel like I'm saying that to Cera, not to her sister.

"You are-" She's cut off by the door opening. Mom walks in.

"Just to clear the water, Cera passed away because of a brain tumor. She just had a seizure and passed away." Mom clarifies.

She then walks out. I feel relieved. She had a brain tumor. It's okay, Tasi. It's okay.

"Oh. I'm sorry." I say to the girl.

She nods. "It's okay. I'm sorry I yelled." She says.

We go on just talking quietly, but all throughout the rest of the day I have one thought.

I just killed someone.

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Sorry for the long wait! Just stuff with my crush going haywire. Review please!