Free Espial by Nikita Francois Page B

freely without fear of harm. We don’t interact with the humans because
they really shouldn’t know about our existence. Sato hasn’t put any procedures
in place to try to change the way we live. But it’s only a matter of time
before his reach extends there as well.”
         I nodded in
agreement. Rider then stood and announced that it was time for me and Luke to
head to Combat and Weaponry. I said goodbye to everyone at the table and headed
back to the lobby with Luke. We found Div at the welcome desk, arms crossed,
face stern. Without a word she turned and led us through a door across from the
ATS stairwell entry. We found ourselves in an octagon-shaped room. Along the
walls were various weapons. The entire floor was covered with a black mat.
Rubber figures of humans, angels, and demons dotted the room. I made my way to
a wall mount holding various bladed weapons. Out of nowhere, something struck
my back and I flew forward, landing face-first onto the ground.

CHAPTER 13
         “You must always
be ready to meet your worst nightmare,” said Div from above me.
         I blinked
several times and crawled onto my hands and knees. I coughed, trying to recover
from the wind being knocked out of me. Suddenly, a foot pushed down on my back,
flattening me against the floor again.
         “I said,
always be ready to meet your worst nightmare.”
         I tried to
scramble to my feet. Once upright, I kept blinking. I felt dizzy and the room
was tilting to one side. I put my hands out to try to regain my balance. My
shoulders were throbbing immensely. Div stood in front of me, smiling. Her
wings flapped menacingly, making a whipping sound. She was holding a black
rubber bat. Luke was standing to the side, seemingly scared as he looked on. In
a flash, Div whacked the bat on the left side of my torso, then my right. I
fell to my knees. She gave me one more whack, square in my stomach. I leaned
over and vomited all over the mat. I began to heave everything I had eaten
during lunch. I could hear Div howling in laughter. Luke must have started to
make his way over because I heard her stop him.
         “Leave
her!” she snapped. “There may be a day when she’s all alone, with no one around
to save her. She must learn to fend for herself.”
         I had
stopped retching, yet was still crouched over trying to catch my breath.
         “Get up.”
         I shakily
stood up, right hand on my belly. I used my left hand to wipe my mouth. I stood
in front of her and tried to focus on her face. She then disappeared.
         I blinked,
still dizzy and wondering if my eyesight was starting to falter. She then
reappeared right in front of me, her face only inches away from mine.
         “Sometimes,
in order to see you must remain unseen.” She said with a smirk. “Class
dismissed.” She then turned and walked out of the room.
         I turned to
Luke in a state of shock.
         “What was
that?” I asked, completely irate yet weak.
         “I think
she was trying to make a point,” he said softly.
         “And what
point was that?”
         “I have no
clue.”
         I turned
and looked at the mess that I had left on the mat. At that moment Rider came
in.
         “I saw what
happened from the surveillance cameras,” he said, pointing above our heads. We
turned and looked, spotting a camera in the corner above the sword display. “I
will be overseeing Combat and Weaponry tomorrow while she takes the day off.”
         I nodded glumly.
         “Don’t
worry, that will be taken care of.” He nodded toward my mess. Ace soon entered
with some cleaning supplies.
         “No, Ace. I
can…” I began.
         “Don’t
worry. It’s ok,” he said. “It would happen to anyone.” He smiled at me and gave
me a quick pat on the arm.
         “Thanks.”
         Rider, Luke
and I exited the room. They headed to the elevators, while I made my way to the
Treatment