JANE'S POV :

My head was pounding. That's all I could feel.

I woke up with a headache and it was bad. I guess I was having a true hangover this time. My throat felt charred. I was thirsty to say the least.

I tossed towards my bedside table hoping I had filled my water bottle before sleeping. To my surprise, or may be not, there were two bottles there - one with plain water, and another with 'ORS' labelled over it. Next to that were two small fruit juice packets. And lastly - a Brufen tablet.

Give me one reason why would you not love these people? Flynn of all is the gentleman here.

I picked up the water bottle and gulped huge sips to get my system restarted. Once I was sure I can handle my weight, I got up and got fresh. I came back only to fall back on the bed again and have few sips of ORS, fruit juice and a Brufen. Ren had taught me - taking Brufen or Paracetamol empty stomach is as effective as nothing.

Every person has so much to teach you here, sometimes I feel that knowledge rains from the sky! You just have to be here to learn so much!

I checked the time. It was 11 am. Wow! I was out like a light for 7 hours?! Felt like just seven minutes.

I felt much better within minutes and was good to get ready and head out.

I reached mess to find it vacant. There was not a soul. Well it's not the time for boys' lunch but usually Flynn or his staff is around. Oh he was up till morning! God, poor man.

But my stomach was grumbling. I went around looking for some food. I went inside kitchen. When I didn't find anything, I went to the washing area. I laughed at myself for going till there when I saw a bowl covered with lid. It was labelled 'For Miss Jane.' Flynn had signed at the bottom.

I smiled. If not for that signature, I would have got an empty bowl, even if it was placed at this area. Nobody other than his staff enters here, but still Flynn ensured that my food is safe. Haha such softie! I picked it up and sat on one of the seats. There was rice mixed with yoghurt and I couldn't bless him more. My stomach was crying and I couldn't have dared to take anything spicy.

I finished my meal and was about to get up when Killer entered. He looked at me as if he was looking just for me .

"Where the hell were you?" He asked breathless.

I was confused. "Here. At mess, sir."

"And before that?" "My room. What - "

"Go to your room again and check your pager." He said and left.

Shit! I didn't check the pager! He must have paged me to report. Shit shit.

I ran back just to know that I screwed up. There was a message at 1022 hours to meet in the gym by 1130.

Damnit I was so deep in my sleep I never heard the beep! He's going to roast my ears specially after having said all that last night. Oh god the humiliation!

The pager rang again. Now it read 'Tracks. Gym. Ten." Freaking hell! I have ten minutes to change and report at gym!

I thought my training and practice was over. But apparently not!

I reached just in time to find a sweaty Killer on treadmill running fast. Like, really fast.

I entered and wished him 'Afternoon, sir?' I knew there was nothing good and I didn't want to hear 'not for you' so I skipped the word.

As soon as he heard my voice, he reduced the speed till he stopped and caught his breath. He got down and bent down, with his hand on his knees. He was trying to breathe hard.

"You left.. your room.. at 1120. Why didn't.. you come.. to gym?" He asked still breathless.

"I.. I didn't read your message, sir. I went directly to mess. I'm so-" Despite being in nearly dead state, he looked at me in fury.

"Your sorry costed me ten.. ten minutes of run that you would take.. one week to finish!" He said calmer now, still short of air.

Costed him? He wasn't running at his wish? Also he knew what time I left my room. Darn!

He is supposed to keep an eye on me always. He thought I had read the message to come to gym when I left the room on time, so he waited for me there. When I didn't report there - he came looking for me. There was no one in the mess who could have informed him that I was in the washing area, if at all he came there. He thought I was.. missing? Shit.

Uncle! He would never let Killer go without making him pay for this! I face-palmed cursing myself.

Why do you have to make him hate you everytime he starts being nice with you? Just why, Jane?

"I.. Umm.. My apologies sir.. I should have checked the -" Suddenly he got up and walked towards me in a hurry.

"What did I tell you on Day 1 about the pager?" "To report whenever it pings. It's completely my mistake, sir. Let me talk to Uncle if things got -"

"Talks are over. You went missing! For twenty minutes! Under my watch! You have no clue what a havoc it would have brought had I not found you myself?" He said angrily.

"Twenty." He said trying to control his anger.

I thanked Lord for bringing back his asshole attitude. I couldn't face an angry but soft Killer. Wasting no time, I finished twenty Pushups and waited for his 'up'.

"Get up." He said. I just stood quiet while he tried to calm down with flared nostrils.

"You thought training is over?" He asked keeping his tone lower.

"Yes. I mean.. I thought.." Why don't you use your mind before speaking, girl?!

"Not your fault, I thought so too. Apparently it is not. You are still my responsibility and I have to make sure that you're always ready to defend and fight. And that needs practice. So clearly, we aren't done here." What? I really need to go and talk to uncle. It's not that I don't want to practice, but it's not right to keep him under pressure because of me.

"Don't even think about it." He said.

"What?" This time I was annoyed.

"Don't even think about going to talk to him. Unless you want me to be called up by him next and interviewed. As such I'll be having one soon, thanks to your carelessness."

Oh boy. Why does Uncle have to take me so seriously?

"Okay sir, I won't. So... we... practice now?" He looked terrible. Must have stayed up till now and would be waiting to go and sleep but I had to throw gasoline on his plans. And here he is - sweating. I wonder if he is in a state to fight.

Damnit I hope he hasnt heard it. Stop talking to yourself, Jane!

"Not now. Nick is leaving with cadets for camp and field training. I'll be busy with the arrangements. Do some stetching and light workout yourself. If possible, I'll call you late in the evening." "Okay, sir."

He turned around to leave. Then turned back to me "Don't go missing again." It was a warning I didn't know what to make of.

I just nodded a yes for his sake and he finally left. I let out a loud breath going over what just happened.

The only solution that came up was 'I should go and talk to Uncle.' But he has said no, and I take his 'No' very seriously these days.

So what now? Just sweat and leave.

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Phew! Saved by hair's breadth! Wills almost dug a grave for himself.

And poor Jane. Never knows what hits her until it does.

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All those kind people who missed out last time, there's a third book that I've published that goes by the name 'Barbed lives'. Go add it to your library / favourite or hot af or can't wait to read - reading list 😄.

Chapters will begin there once this book concludes.