Escape

Chapter 9: Combat Training

As Maya walked past the doorway to her and Issac's room in the shelter, she couldn't help but pause when she heard soft murmurs coming from inside. Curiosity piqued, she peeked inside and saw Issac sitting on the edge of the bed, cradling Lucas in his arms.

A tender smile graced Maya's lips as she watched the scene unfold before her. Issac's voice was gentle as he spoke to Lucas, his words filled with warmth and affection. "Your poop is so smelly," he teased, his tone playful as he adjusted Lucas in his arms. "And youre becoming way to hyper, aren't you?"

Maya's heart swelled with warmth as she listened to Issac's endearing words. She couldn't help but feel a rush of love for both Issac and Lucas in that moment, seeing the bond that had formed between them.

Issac continued to speak softly to Lucas, his words carrying a mixture of awe and reverence. "You're small enough to fit in a shoebox," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the baby in his arms. "But here you are, with the ability to save everyone."

Maya's heart swelled with warmth at the sight, grateful for the bond that had formed between Issac and Lucas. She stepped into the room, intending to join them, but before she could speak, Nondz appeared, breaking the momentary silence.

"I'll take Lucas off your hands for a bit," Nondz announced, a smile playing on her lips. "I need to do some studies on him, and I think you two could use a break."

Maya felt a wave of relief wash over her at Nondz's offer, secretly excited at the prospect of spending some time alone with Issac. She turned to him with a playful glint in her eye.

"How about we do some combat training?" she suggested, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It'll be a good way to blow off some steam and sharpen our skills."

Issac groaned in agreement, the tension of the moment melting away as they prepared to engage in some much-needed training session.

Maya led Issac to the training room, a determined glint in her eyes as she prepared to teach him the basics of combat. Dominic had shown her the ropes earlier, and now it was her turn to pass on that knowledge to Issac.

"Alright, let's start with the basics," Maya began, her voice steady and confident. "In combat, it's crucial to use your mind first. Assess your surroundings, anticipate your opponent's moves, and always stay one step ahead."

As Issac listened intently, Maya couldn't help but notice the way his toned physique looked as he removed his shirt. A flush crept into her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a determined expression.

Pushing aside her distraction, Maya demonstrated various techniques, starting with basic strikes and blocks. She showed Issac how to maintain his balance and use his body weight to his advantage, guiding him through each movement with patience and precision.

Issac absorbed everything Maya taught him, his eyes following her every move with keen interest. But as he watched her, he couldn't help but admire the way she moved—graceful yet powerful, every motion deliberate and controlled.

Throughout the training session, Maya's skills became increasingly apparent, her movements fluid and effortless as she effortlessly bested Issac in their practice bouts. Despite his best efforts, Issac found himself unable to match her speed and agility, humbled by her prowess in the training arena.

As they sparred, Maya's confidence shone through, her determination unwavering as she showed Issac who was the boss. And though he may have been outmatched, Issac couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Maya's strength and skill. With her guidance, he knew he would become a formidable fighter in his own right, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Maya and Issac continued their sparring, their movements growing more intense with each passing moment, Maya saw an opening and seized the opportunity to trip Issac. But Issac, quick on his feet, managed to grab hold of her, causing them both to tumble to the ground in a tangled heap.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as they lay tangled together on the floor, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of emotions. In that moment, Maya found herself captivated by the depth of Issac's gaze, drawn into the warmth and sincerity she saw reflected in his eyes. And as she gazed back at him, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement stir within her.

Issac's whispered words broke the spell, his voice soft and filled with genuine admiration. "You're beautiful," he murmured, his words sending a shiver down Maya's spine as she took in his sincere expression.

As they lay there, lost in each other's presence, Issac's face drew closer to Maya's, their breath mingling in the air between them. But just as their lips were on the verge of meeting, Maya's sudden hesitation pulled her back, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to make sense of her conflicting emotions.

In that moment of uncertainty, Maya found herself grappling with a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings, her mind racing as she questioned the sudden intensity of their connection. Why had she pulled away? And why had she hesitated to kiss Issac, when every fiber of her being longed to lean into him and lose herself in the depths of his embrace?

As they lay there in the aftermath of their near-encounter, Maya couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. And as she searched for answers within herself, she knew that the path ahead would be filled with challenges and uncertainties. But one thing was certain—she couldn't deny the undeniable pull she felt towards Issac, a connection that seemed to transcend time and space, binding them together in ways she couldn't yet comprehend.

After Maya pulled away from Issac, a lingering tension hung in the air between them, palpable yet unspoken. She cleared her throat, attempting to break the awkward silence that had settled over them.

"You did well at training," Maya said, her voice slightly shaky as she looked around the room, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was a feeble attempt to deflect from the lingering tension between them, a way to avoid addressing the fact that they had almost shared a kiss just moments before.

Issac nodded in response, his own thoughts a jumble of confusion and conflicting emotions. He couldn't help but notice Maya's attempt to change the subject, and he found himself even more conflicted with his feelings than before. One moment she was pulling away from him, and the next she was blushing right in front of him—leaving him utterly bewildered by her mixed signals.

Before either of them could say anything else, Dominic's voice suddenly came through a communications device in the room, breaking the momentary silence.

"Dinner's ready," Dominic announced, his voice echoing through the room with a sense of finality.

Relieved to have an excuse to leave the tension-filled atmosphere behind, Maya and Issac exchanged a quick glance before making their way out of the training room, leaving their unresolved feelings lingering in the air behind them. As they headed towards the dining area, the weight of their unspoken emotions hung heavy between them.