Something My Mind Made Up

3. Blood

I jumped back to my feet and ran forward.

"Get out of my way, Vera!"

The man dodged the bullets with ease and I stabbed at him.

He caught my arm and flipped me over his shoulder.

I sliced at his calf and he let out a hiss then laughed, dodging the bullets.

"How did I fall for that? Good job, Vera."

I took another stab at him but he cartwheeled away.

This guy is flexible!

Will I be as flexible as him?

STOP LOSING FOCUS!

Get this man!

I ran after him, trying not to get shot but trying to get this man to submit.

I heard Judas curse as his gun ran out of bullets.

How long has it been?

The man turned his attention to Judas and grinned.

I took the chance to kick his feet out from under him and raise my knife.

Ima do it! I'm going to pass!

Blood splattered across my face and clothes and I froze.

No...

The man looked taken aback and I looked over my shoulder.

Judas was glaring at me, his gun in front of him.

"If I can't pass, neither can you." He whispered but I heard him, even from this far away.

BASTARD!

"Well. That's that."

The man stood up and wiped the blood from his face.

I was drenched in the blood from the packet and so was the man.

"To bad. You could have really been a fighter. Names Lantern by the way."

"Wait... but, it wasn't my fault! I didn't pop the blood sack!"

"Don't matter. You two are a team."

"Sir. It would be a waste to let her pass by."

We both turned to see it was the two boys from yesterday.

The black haired one spoke as the brown haired one tapped on a tablet.

"She nearly had you. If it wasn't for Judas's selfishness, she would have pinned you."

"Ezra? But you know the rules."

"The rules should account for situations like this."

"You should talk to The Department. See if she can get a second chance." The brown haired boy passed his tablet to Lantern and he read it over.

"I see what you mean, Liam. I'll talk to Tem and see what I can do."

Lantern turned and left.

I glanced back at Judas who was walking away with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his gun to his side.

Ass.

I hope that's the last I'll see of him.

I looked at Ezra.

"Thank you."

Ezra shrugged.

"You could be useful." He said and turned his back to walk away.

"Very useful." Liam agreed walked with Ezra.

I looked over at my Tia and cousins who were looking confused.

I'll explain later.

I turned and walked up to the hill.

My sister was leaning against the fence and watching some goats and cows graze on some grass.

"Hey, Julia."

Julia turned to look at me and laughed.

"Ew, don't get near me. Who's blood is that anyways?"

"Not the test administers, that's for sure." I said pulling out my phone. "I need help with my homework. You read Bees in school, right?"

I showered her my assignment and she read it.

We talked it over and after an hour, I submitted my assignment.

"So how did it go, anyways?"

"Not great."

I explained what happened and she listened carefully.

"I see. Well, at least you don't have to leave home. Just get a real job like us."

"Jul, we're broke. Me becoming any part of The Department will set us up! It's bad enough we lost our mom when we were kids and thankfully that man is out of our lives but we live with Tia and her daughters. I want to repay them. I will."

Julia looked at me and shook her head.

"Whatever man."