Ghost Bird | ✔

Forty-One

So, at midnight I found my inspiration and wrote this chapter in forty-two minutes, including a break for a lemon cookie and lemonade. 

Thank goodness I have an editor, SilentSandwich.

Enjoy!

My eyes are glued to the book in my hands as I absently slide the piece across the chessboard. As I read, Silas takes his time to make his move.

I glance up quickly before returning to my book and move my piece, taking out his queen. I turn the page.

"What are you even reading this time?" Silas groans as he looks over the board.

"The Art of War in Italian," I answer absently, waiting for him to move exactly where I know he will move.

I don't even bother looking up this time and move my piece.

"Checkmate."

"Why do I even bother?" Silas laughs, shaking his head. "Two months and you've only gotten better."

I set my book down with my finger in between the pages to mark my spot.

"You've gotten better too," I say before teasing, "Just not as good as me."

Silas's rumbling laugh fills the library.

"Don't worry, Silas," I laugh. "I've read chess books and played against myself and Wil for a long time."

"Wil never mentioned that," Silas remarks.

I shrug. "No reason why he would. Ready for our German lesson?"

Silas nods and pulls out the books and we dive right in.

We've been learning languages during our time together. It's something that will always be useful and kills time. Once you know two languages, learning three isn't that hard. Once you know three languages, it's not hard to learn four or five or six. You just have to figure it, have a head for picking up the languages, I guess.

Silas and I have gotten incredibly close because of the time that we have spent together. We share a connection of sorts. Our relationship isn't the same as my relationship was with Wil, but I don't exactly know what it is. I rely on him, though. I don't know how I would survive without him now. I dread the day he is taken away from me.

"Sang! Let's go! Playtime's over!" Cecile booms, flinging open the door to the library.

Silently, I look at the page number in the book and set it down on the table. I follow her out of the room and into the hall.

My days have taken on a pattern. Wake up, eat, train, eat, spend time with Silas, train, sleep. If Silas weren't here, I don't think that I would've been able to continue. Everytime that I come back bloody or exhausted, Silas is there. He has become my rock, my only friend. Cleopatra got sent back to the gang a few weeks ago to deal with a rising gang.

***

"Rosalinda!" Cleo calls.

"Yes, Cleo?" I sigh, annoyed that she still is confusing me with someone else.

"Imma gonna go kill a gang. Stay here, okay?"

"Of course," I tell her. "I'm a prisoner anyway."

"Oh, Rosalinda, if only you knew," She says softly, before leaving.

***

I still don't know what she was talking about, though. Cecile leads me down to the training center. I've grown much stronger over these couple of months. I never thought it was possible to improve so much in so little time. Maybe that's what they saw in me when Kaiden bought me back them.

During my time with Silas, I have been tearing through the books in the library. I ignore the ones that I used to own, I have them memorized anyway. Silas claims that I am a genius, but I always correct him saying that it is only because I have read so much. Anyone can read a few books and remember some junk from them. It doesn't mean that they are a genius, just that they have plenty of time on their hands.

I have plenty of time on my hands. Besides, I need to know as much as I can. Knowledge is power, and I need as much power as I can get.

"Today," Cecile decides. "You are going to work on fighting multiple opponents while blindfolded."

I nod without saying anything. She's had me fighting blindfolded and against multiple opponents, but never both at the same time. Cecile claims that I need to be able to fight without seeing since I can't see out of my right eye, anyways. As the Wolves' weapon, I will be expected to take down entire gangs, similar to what Cleopatra is doing now.

I've asked why Cleopatra isn't the weapon. She's strong, she's fast, she's an insanely good fighter, she's used to killing, and she's already a member. Apparently, Kaiden trusts Cleopatra but not her sanity. Smart boy.

Cecile hands me a black blindfold and I dutifully tie it around my head.

I don't fight or argue with her anymore. What's the point? She is only training me at this point. However, the second that she expects me to kill someone, I will put this training and knowledge to use.

My humanity and the tatters of my innocence are all I have left.

I listen for the telltale signs of my opponents approaching. I can smell them, I can feel them, I can hear them. I know exactly where they are.

I snap a side kick out to the person approaching on my left and block a punch from a different assailant. Bringing my elbow up hard, I feel cartilage breaking as it connects with a nose. I knee the next person. Judging from their pained groans, I missed their thigh. No matter, though. It worked.

In a matter of minutes, the fight is over and I am removing the blindfold. I took down all eight of them, but I did not come out unscathed. They all got in some good hits, but the kick to my side cracked a rib.

"Pathetic," Cecile spits. "A cracked rib?! You need to be better than this! I have been training you long enough that you shouldn't have let them land that."

"Yes, Cecile," I reply softly.

Cecile takes a deep breath and calms down marginally.

"Now, we have something for you to do. Follow me upstairs."

Curiosity sparks in me as I follow her soundlessly. She has never done anything like this. Dread pools in the bottom of my stomach, but something tells me this will not be the worst.

I follow her up the stone stairs and through the labyrinth as she takes me to a whole new wing of this place.