Free The Killing by Robert Muchamore

only an exercise. I’ve already passed basic training and you don’t have the authority to suspend us from missions.’
    ‘Drop it, Norman,’ Mr Pike said. ‘You’re not going to win this one.’
    Mr Large turned around and looked at Kerry. ‘All right,’ he sighed, ‘Team C, ten kilometres. Grab your packs.’
    James turned to Dana and nodded. ‘Cheers for backing me up.’
    ‘I’m going to see the Chairman,’ Dana said. ‘I know training’s supposed to be tough, but the way he’s bullying Lauren is totally out of order.’
    Lauren looked at Dana and smiled guiltily. ‘I’m sorry I called you Cheesy earlier.’

9. SOAP
     
    It was two o’clock that afternoon when James woke up and decided to go check on Kerry. He listened at her door for a second to make sure she wasn’t sleeping, but he could hear her TV.
    ‘ Yo ,’ James grinned as he poked his head inside the door. ‘How was the punishment run?’
    Kerry was sitting on her bed in a dressing gown. She paused her DVD recorder and shrugged. ‘Oh it was great fun. You can imagine what sort of mood Large was in after you’d all upset him.’
    ‘Me and Dana went and spoke to the Chairman about the way he’s bullying Lauren. He said he’s gonna speak to Mr Pike and Mr Large about what happened.’
    Kerry smiled. ‘I’ve heard that Mr Large has got to watch his step. He’s already had a couple of written warnings about his conduct.’
    ‘Imagine if he got sacked,’ James grinned, as he reached into his pocket and grabbed a sheet of turquoise paper. ‘It would be soooo   beautiful.’
    Kerry laughed, ‘Yeah, he’d probably have to take a job as a nightclub doorman, or a security guard.’
    ‘I don’t care what job he gets,’ James said, grinning like an idiot and fanning the piece of paper in front of his face. ‘Just so long as he’s out of my life.’
    ‘OK, I get the hint,’ Kerry sighed. ‘What’s on the piece of paper?’
    James flicked the sheet across to Kerry and slumped theatrically across her bed. ‘I’m a sick little boy,’ he giggled.
    Kerry raised a hand to slap him. ‘Get your boots off my bed,’ she said sharply. ‘How many times do I have to tell you?’
    James rolled on to his back and started pulling off his boots as Kerry read the note aloud.
    ‘ James Adams, ten days excused from all physical activity due to dehydration and exhaustion   … How did you pull that little scam?’
    ‘It’s not a scam. I went to the medical unit to get the wound on my back cleaned up. The nurse touched me and asked why I was all hot and clammy. I told her how I felt weak during the exercise. She reckons I’m dehydrated and probably still under the weather from that stomach bug last week.’
    Kerry shook her head. ‘I still reckon you’re faking.’
    ‘The nurse also said that lots of snogging would help me recuperate.’
    ‘Oh I’m   sure   she did, James. I’m not going anywhere near you if you’re hot and clammy. I don’t want your germs.’
    James’ head was flat against the double bed, while Kerry was propped up so she could see the TV. He moved forward a few centimetres and delicately kissed Kerry’s wrist.
    ‘You’ve got cute little hands,’ James said.
    Kerry smiled as she lifted her hand off the bed and stroked James’ cheek. ‘What are you after, Adams?’
    ‘Nothing, I was just thinking. It’s a nice day out. Maybe we could make sandwiches and go up to the lake. It’s usually packed when it’s sunny, but all the other kids are in lessons today so we’d have it to ourselves. Maybe we could splash around, chill out, lie in the sun for a while.’
    Kerry looked out the window. ‘It is nice out, but I’m halfway through   EastEnders .’
    James scowled at the screen. ‘You and your dopey soap operas. Violet’s varicose veins and Sammy stealing the Christmas club money to pay for his sex change. I don’t know how you sit through that rubbish every day.’
    ‘Well I   happen   to like