I walk stealthily through the plastic forest in the Lodge. Compared to the real forest where we practice at Jama’s, this is nothing. Jama’s hologram dummies are larger, stronger, and quicker than the ones at the lodge. I scurry up a tree and just sit there bored out of my mind. I look across the forest realizing how small it is compared to the real forest at Jama’s. I look at the huge clock on the wall showing the time is four-thirty.



“Great, almost time for dinner.” I groan twirling a knife in my hand. Suddenly I feel something cold touch my shoulder. I flinch and snap my head around seeing Danni.



I take a sigh of relief. “God, you scared me!”



She perks an eyebrow looking at me. She wears a black tank top with her hair pulled back into two French braids. She also wears a pair of black sweat pants and black combat boots. She grew a little in a month, but is still is a short, tiny thing. I guess that’s beneficial in her spot. Since she is training for a nurse, her hands are nimble and can help in a significant amount of ways.



She dangles her legs over the side of the tree sighing. “Sorry, I thought Jama taught you how not to be scared of that kind of stuff. Haven’t you learned to be fearless?”



I stare at her shockingly. “What do you mean?”



“Nothing,” she says, almost angrily.



“Now what? You’ve been acting weird ever since Kimberley and I went to train with Jama. What’s wrong with you? Are you jealous?”



“Jealous, of you!?” She snaps. “Please, I’m just . . . just . . .” she stutters looking for the right words.



“Just what?” I ask holding in my temper. She turns to me her eyes starting to water.



“I don’t know. Lonely.” She answers. Her eyes now start to have tears and her face becomes red with embarrassment. She sighs wiping tears from her eyes. “It’s just, you guys were like my sisters. Like family. And now I barely see you anymore. I mean we still see each other at school and the ride home but even in school, we only have two classes together. That’s it. No weekends or training.”



Suddenly my anger drained. It was replaced with guilt. She’s right. Between my training, school, and going back and forth from Jama and the Lodge Danni and I never really get to hang out any longer. And it must be hard for her, being an only child.



“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” I say scooting over to the trunk of the tree so I was close to her.



“I’m sorry too. It’s just I’ve never had a brother or sister before and It was really fun having you guys here with me.”



“You still have Saige,” I say, “and Ivan.”



“I know but, even still it’s not the same. I know they feel the emptiness of your presence as well. Kimberley and you completed this family, and now . . . it’s like empty. Even ask Jason and Blake. I can tell they miss you guys.” She sighs, “I’m going to see where Saige went.”



“Danni,” I call but she is already down the tree running out of the forest. I want to call after her but I don’t know what to say. “Ugh!” I groan crossing my arms leaning against the tree. Danni may be annoying but she is part of my family. And it’s always hard when we get into fights.



I watch down low as a hologram walks right past my tree. I roll my eyes is annoyance. The hologram dummy at Jama’s would see me. He wouldn’t give it a second thought of climbing the tree and fighting me. I slide down the tree deciding to find another station to work with.



I spot Kimberley and Jason practicing together. She swings a tomahawk over Jason’s head but he ducks keeping his balance. He comes back up with a hatchet in one hand a knife in the other swing one trying to take damage on Kimberley’s shoulder, but Kimberley blocks it with her other tomahawk. Both of them are equally matched as far as strength concerns. Quickness, although, Jason seems to have the upper hand. Kimberley has never been fast but she is strong, her reflexes are amazing.



I watch for a few more seconds then walk over to a whip station. A man hands me a whip then I get in line. Only three or four people were ahead of me. I watch as each pull their whip back and strike at the dummy that lit up showing which one you should kill. There only stand still dummies, not hologram ones.



A boy, who looks about sixteen or seventeen, takes his whip in his right hand and waits for a dummy to light up. Once it does, not even a second goes by before he whirls back his whip and strikes the dummy. It has so much force. Another dummy lights up and he quickly slashes that one as well. Another one and another one. Soon his time is up. He walks away hanging the whip up on a panel. I watch him go by me. He looks strong, tall, and muscular. Yep, he’s defiantly a soldier.



I watch the next two people in front of me then it’s my turn. I get positioned and unwrap my whip. I hold it by the handle and get ready. Suddenly I see the first dummy light up. I whirl my whip back slashing it across the dummies head. It leaves a black mark across its face. Another one lights up and I whip the leather around to it whipping it across its chest.



I do this a couple more times before my time is up. I hand the whip to a man as I walk away from the station. I shake my hands getting the feeling back into them.



Suddenly someone from out of nowhere tackles me. I remember, quickly, Jama’s training and take my right elbow and punch their side knocking them off balance. I then push myself up on my right arm punch them again with the right elbow. I get them off me then get to my feet grabbing a knife from my boot. I relax when I see its Ivan.



“What the hell was that for?!” I snap putting my knife back in my boot.



“Just wanted to see if you still have the same fight in you as you always did.” He grunts pushing himself up. He rubs his side where I hit him. “You still got it.” He mumbles to himself loud enough for me to hear though.



I sigh. “Everyone has been acting really weird ever since Kimberley and I left. Why is that?”



“What do you mean everyone?” He says emphasizing everyone.



“You and Danni. I haven’t even seen Saige, but I can tell she’s on edge with me as well. She doesn’t text me anymore.” I say walking away.



“Can you blame her?” I stop and turn around again looking at him surprised. “Ronnie, ever since you guys went to train with Jama you’re barley around anymore. All your around for is training, no fun stuff. Danni is really shaken up about it.”



“I’ve heard the sob story already, don’t need to repeat it.” I stop him holding a hand up. “Besides don’t get pissed at us, we didn’t do anything. Logan decided for us.”



“Yeah but you just let him take you guys, you didn’t even try to stop him.”



“What did you want me to do throw a fit like a child?”



“No, but a simple argument would’ve sufficed. Do you even miss us?”



“What the hell do you mean by that?! Of course we miss you guys!”



“Then come back!” Ivan complains. “If you miss us then come back.”



“And leave Jama?” I ask. For other reasons Kimberley and I have grown a bond with Jama. We have learned what each other likes and what each of us dislike. Jama and Kimberley, though have a different kind of relationship that I don’t understand. She seems to be opening up to him a little more but still has an edge about him. Her month long detention is finally over and she can focus on her training.



“I don’t know.” He says shrugging. “I’m going to dinner. See you tomorrow.” He says walking past me.



I watch him go and guilt hits me again. I remember when he used to say ‘see you later’ but now it’s always tomorrow. I feel a tear escape my eye and run down my cheek. I wipe it away quickly and look at the clock. Four-fifty. I sigh and decide to get to dinner. Then Kimberley and I will make our way to Jama’s and finish up the rest of the training there. Luckily it’s Thursday and I don’t have that much homework I have to worry about.



I yawn feeling tired and walk out of training arena.



I walk down the hall to the restaurant where the dinner is chicken wings, spaghetti, green beans, potatoes and salad. I grab a plate from the beginning of the line and make my way down the table taking two chicken wings, a huge scoop of spaghetti and some green beans.



I take a water and look around searching for a place to eat. The restaurant, surprisingly, isn’t that crowded. I know there will probably be more people coming in when it reaches five but still. I spot Ivan and Saige sitting together with Danni, Sam, and Madge. I decide to take the chance in sitting with them.



All eyes are on me when I set my plate down. I don’t care, I act like there’s nothing going on. “Hey guys what’s up?” I say taking a bite of my green beans.



Ivan swallows a helping of food, “Nothing, heading over to Jama’s after this?” He asks taking another bite of spaghetti. I narrow my eyes at him annoyed. He cocks his head staring at me.



“You know I have to. Stop trying to talk me out of it.”



Ivan just shrugs and pops the helping of spaghetti in his mouth. “Ivan just shut up!” Saige hisses across the table. Ivan looks up and stares at his sister. “It isn’t their fault, they didn’t choose this!”



Ivan swallows and leans back in his chair. “I know, but they should have a say in it.” He turns to me and I look back at him. “You just let adults tell you what to do. Do you think they are worth more than us?”



“They have more experience than us.” I put in.



“Yeah but do think they are better than us just because they’re older?” He says. His stare goes right through me. His eyes are like knives cutting into my thoughts.



“They’re wiser-”



“Yeah, but do you think they’re always right?”



“No why?”



“Just wondering.” He goes back to eating his food and I turn my head to Saige. She looks at me in a confused way, shrugs, and goes back to eating her dinner. I watch Ivan for a couple more seconds then finish my own dinner.