The weeks following the Opening Exhibition had thrown the academy into chaos. The clear blue skies and calm seas surrounding the island were in stark contrast to the turbulent atmosphere in the school. The imminent arrival of the patrons was a dark shadow in Kingston, haunting the students and staff. Though even with this nauseating promise looming over her Charlotte could not be distracted from the next tournament - the Captains' Exhibition.
Monsieur Desmarais had departed from the island soon after Ethan Jansen had won the Opening Game. Iseult had to settle for second place. While Charlotte had somehow managed to secure fifth place, with James ranking in sixth position.
James had reverted to silent treatment. It wouldn't have bothered Charlotte if they didn't have the Captain's Exhibition to prepare for. She would have even tried to apologise to ease the tension between them, but he never gave her a chance. Despite his lack of interest, Charlotte tried to prepare what she could. She filled her hours training and studying, hoping it would prove useful. And she met with Dr Porter every day to work on learning control.
"Charlotte, how are you feeling?"
Charlotte dragged her eyes open, trying to focus on the face above hers. She felt nauseous and weak, but the headache was less aggressive than it had been yesterday or even the days before that. Charlotte groaned in response as Ashley helped her up into a sitting position.
"Is it the drugs or the alteration?" she asked, looking into her eyes and placing her cool hand against Charlotte's forehead.
They were alone in one of the smaller training rooms in the New School. It was like all the others - grey walls, wooden floor and sterile lighting.
"Drugs," Charlotte whimpered, as she dry-retched.
They had lessened the time given for the attack once Charlotte had grown more accustomed to what frightened her instructor. Her alteration didn't have to consider its attack. It just went straight for her worst nightmare.
Ashley never complained, though she appeared far paler and clammier than she had after their first session. Charlotte couldn't fail to see the purple bruises beneath her eyes. She wondered if her instructor had nightmares long after their sessions were over.
"How's your head? Are you still experiencing adverse symptoms from trying to control your alteration?" she asked.
She placed her hand against the inside of Charlotte's wrist and checked her pulse.
Charlotte shook her head. It was improving and had been since the first session with Ashley. It was as if she was beginning to take the sting out of her alteration's tail. It made it became easier for her to pull it back and hold it back, though its attack seemed to be getting stronger.
Controlling it remained difficult, but Charlotte was becoming more confident at using it. Ashley promised that it was all a part of learning to control it.
"I'm okay," she breathed. "It's a little easier to hold on to in the beginning, less angry. I think we should leave it for today though. I don't think I can take any more tranquiliser".
Ashley nodded a brief flash of relief passing across her gentle features. Charlotte couldn't help but wonder what Dr Porter was thinking. She had never seen her reaction when the attacked finished, when the gel dart finally reached Charlotte's skin. When she came to, Ashley always seemed calm.
Charlotte doubted her outward show of calm. She could sense anxiety radiating from Ashley before each attack. It was growing with each day, with each session.
Charlotte knew what Ashley was afraid of. Every session she lived through her fears too, but Charlotte understood they weren't real. She controlled what happened in them. They didn't frighten her like they frightened Ashley.
YOU ARE READING
Altered
Science Fiction'They wore uniform grey, their expression hard and distant, their muscles taut with expectation, as if at any moment they were ready to lead an assault, to carry out orders, to kill, to die. And yet they were. Kingston had trained these children to...
