Galaxy Of Hope

’You ready for a sparring Bambs?’ Jun was suddenly behind me. Drenched in sweat. Literally dripping sweat all over the mat in front of him.

‘I’m ready but by the state of you I’m not sure you are.’

He flexed his knuckles and cracked his neck in a come get me stance, making more rigolets of sweat drop down his forehead.

I snorted. ‘You are way to sweaty for me to come anywhere near you right now.’

‘Come on now, you know how hot you think this is.’ He motioned towards his body like he was appetizing to me right now.

‘As hot as a clipped toenail.’ I chipped back.

I might have heard a muffled chuckle from my right, but didn’t dare to glance behind my shoulder at Andrew. He didn’t deserve anymore of my appreciative glances, even though I really wanted to look into those eyes and see that dimple pop up again at my dad jokes.

I was glad Jun was my Verr Boyas trainer. Really glad. He was always so fun to be around and Andrew had been right, he was the number one in this Dija and that was saying something, it being the best Dija in the state.

The tricks Andrew had taught me came in handy all the time though. I was grateful to him for those additional lessons.

A prickling sensation was creeping up and down my back, making the hairs on my arms stand to attention. It was that very same feeling I’ve had right before the showdown in the diner and the brawl in Dosch’s club last year.

Jun swung for my head and I was too late to dodge it. He hit me full on, which normally I would have blocked every time but not now. His eyes widened as I went down, clutching my cheek. It stinged and burned and would probably seriously bruise tomorrow.

’Well shit Bambi, I didn’t think you were going to let me clock you like that.’ Jun dropped down next to me. A shadow fell over the both of us as Jun was pulling me upright.

Andrew stood there, drenched in sweat. His black tank top sticking to his body and his disgruntled sparring partner was huffing his indignation at his absence in the background.

‘You alright?’ was all Andrew uttered in his deep deadly voice. Oh he was pissed. He was also not making eye contact with me but boring holes into Jun’s.

Jun tried to laugh it off. ‘Accident on the floor. Nothing to worry about Andy.’

‘Yeah, you make sure of that.’ He nearly spit those words at his best friend and stalked back to his sparring partner. If he could have left flames in his wake he would have.

I was on my feet again and the eerie feeling crept up once more. I glanced around the room. What was making me so on edge today?

My eye stopped when I spotted Stone, leaning against a pillar. Casually flicking one of those Dija knives, which I still haven’t trained with by the way, between his fingers. He was creepy but it wasn’t him.

Jun was asking me questions but I was ignoring him. Still scanning the room. The feeling kept on building. Shivers now clearly racking up and down my spine.

‘… Bambs do I need to find a medic for you?’

‘What?’ I absently said. Waving his hand away from my elbow with the other one. ‘I’m fine. It’s just…’ I glanced towards the door and my heart skipped a beat. I thought I spotted…. It couldn’t be.

Jun followed my eyeline and stayed quiet for a long moment. Not even breathing.

Andrew had stopped sparring and was now making his way back towards us.

‘Did you just see…’ Jun uttered, because he had seen it too.

‘GET AWAY FROM THE ENTRANCE!’ I shouted through the Dija. I’m not sure what I saw was actually the reality. But I was not taking any chances. I ran past several sparring partners, running straight through them. I shouted again while I ran; ‘Get away from the door!’

Stone was still leaning on that farthest pillar. I felt Andrew at my back. Not even doubting my words. Jun was there too. Both of them flanking me, but I was running so fast they couldn’t keep up. I needed to close the doors before… before the bomb went off. The doors were made of solid Oak, they would make a difference between life or death if they were closed or not.

Stone stepped in my lane trying to rile me up again and I intently pushed him into Jun and Andrew. All three of them going down on the mat. Just a little farther. Right as I pushed both doors closed, I was flung back by a blast of dust and fire so hard It all went black.