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Flying daggers…You would think the trick to throwing a knife would be quite simple once you have the knowledge of how to hold it, the correct position of your arm, and the force of the throw. Negative. He tells me “Focus, stay consistent, follow it through.” Instead I get frustrated and through it wildly in the air at the target.

“Yes, there you go, you almost had it that time.” Maliki says sarcastically.

I give a little glare at him, “Your sarcasm isn’t helping. We’ve been at this for about an hour already and I haven’t improved. Can we please go to another weapon, or lesson, or something?”

Ora speaks in behind me before Maliki could answer, “Yes let’s move on to the laser shooters!” I turn and look at her excited face as she and Jo-Shana sit on two wooden posts. I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

Jo-Shana on the other hand seems annoyed and rolls his eyes. He says to me, “You could but it’s better to perfect your aim with a knife. Once you have mastered this skill, the others will come more easily.”

“Yes so let’s bring back your focus here. Remember for Toby.” I turn and look back at Maliki handing me a knife. It shines in the falling sunlight.

“For Toby” I think to myself.

I bring my right leg back and slightly bend my knees in a sturdy position. I take hold of the clammy, metal blade and touch my thumb to my chest for moment. I close my eyes and take a deep breath in; when I release, I open my eyes. I bring my right arm out horizontally and I lock my eyes on the target. As I swing my right arm towards my left knee, I release the knife. It hits the edge of the red dot in the center.

“Nice!” Maliki shouts and I hear Jo-Shana and Ora cheering in the back ground.

I give a smile of relief then look at Maliki; he holds another knife towards me. I continue this process ten more times with six of them hitting the target dead in the middle. Jo-Shana says I’m a natural, which I doubt I am, but it does give me a little more confidence.

We move on to the laser shooters. It’s a hand held gun that shoots out laser beams, instead of bullets. I place the metal gun in my hand, it’s much lighter than expected. When I pull the trigger it is as silent as the wind. Did it even fire?

“Nothing happened!” I say confused.

I turn towards Maliki pointing at the metal can I shot at. I look at the can and it’s still standing, how can that be if I shot it, I wonder. I walk up to the can and pick it up; I observe the shape and see a tiny hole, right in the middle of the can. I then turn the can to the back and there was another hole. They were both perfectly shaped circles, I place my finger on the edge and trace it around. I bring it up to my eye and look out through the other side. Ora’s eye pops on the other side, and I jump back a little.

“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. That’s pretty cool huh?” she gives me a big smile waiting for a response.

I respond back, “Yes very cool…and in a lot of ways amazing, I’ve never seen anything like this before. I think this might be my favorite weapon.” We both start to laugh and I turn around to see Maliki and Jo-Shana looking at us not impressed.

Maliki speaks, “You know it’s going to be dark soon. We only have a few more hours to train, but if you would rather have fun and make jokes, go ahead, maybe you shouldn’t go.” He grins at me then leans against a pole in the ground.

I slam the can down onto the post and move abruptly to where Maliki is. I turn and face the cans and shoot quickly at the other five cans left. Bulls eye each one I know it. I then place the laser shooter down and move without a word, to the next challenge. I hear the other six feet following, all in silence.

We all move into an empty tent that is lit up by candle light circling around the tent. Jo-Shana stands in the middle of the mat that is placed on the floor. Maliki and Ora go and sit in the background. I look at Jo-Shana’s intense face and his body strong and still. I stand up straight in front of him; I’m assuming this will be a fighting challenge. Of course the largest will be my opponent.

He speaks, “I can see the intimidation in your eyes. That can get you killed fast!” he moves in closer to me and whispers, “Even if you’re weaker or smaller or you feel you haven’t got a chance, NEVER show your fear!” he backs away again.

“Most likely the weapons they will use are shooters, so the best way to defeat a shooter is to be the first to shoot….or if that’s not possible then sneak from behind.” He moves around me and mildly hits the back of my knees, and I fall to the ground.

He goes on, “If they are standing in a straight position, as you were, you hit there.” he lifts me up and puts my right leg in front some and bends my knees. He goes on, “But if they are in a sturdy position, as so, then you go for the side.” He cuts his elbow slightly into my side, below my ribs. I crunch over and fall to the ground again.

“Because of your size, make sure you use your whole body strength in your elbows and knees. Always be aware of your surroundings, and use your height as an advantage. It will be easy for you to hide in small places, do it! Always keep your mind focused, don’t mind the distractions or trickery around you. Always keep this strong.” He points to his head.

I give him a nod of understanding, but I’m afraid my mind is the weakest link. I start to think about Maliki telling me the same thing and how I was unable to defer the difference between reality and dream. What if that happens to me again, I start to breathe a little faster, and my heart begins pounding. My eyes start to see two Jo-Shana’s instead of one. One, of the two Jo-Shana’s, now has red eyes. Not again! I shiver with panic. I scream, “No!”, and put my hands over my eyes and fall to the ground.

“Maggie!” Ora is now on the ground next to me. She puts her arm around my back. I begin to feel comfort. I slowly lift myself up, and take in deep breathes to relax myself.

“I would normally lie and say I’m fine, but I’m not. I don’t think I can do this, I’m too weak. You are right Maliki, I shouldn’t go.” I look at Maliki then turn to leave the tent.

“No! Now you have to go. You can’t let the fear control you; you have to see it through now. Magolin… You’re going!” He says in a commanding voice. What happened to the compassion I used to hear from his voice? Why is he being so cruel to me now? I don’t look back and walk out of the tent anyway.

It’s completely dark out now. I pass roaming people, walking around, talking and preparing. When I reach my tent, I flop myself on the cot and move the soft pillow under my head. This troublesome, no good head of mine. I start to think with the brain inside this faulty head, what if the Majestic already has the stupid power and Toby is already dead? What’s the point? There is no way we can win victory against “The Darkness”. So why even try? No one here really cares about me; the only people who do are gone. I should just leave! Right? I place my face into the pillow and scream. Stop thinking! Why can’t I think happy? I hear something…

“Maggie, are you okay? Is it alright if I come in?” Ora’s voice slips through the slit in the tent.

I sit up and wipe my face. I clear my throat and say “Sure. Sorry about just leaving like that, I had to come back here to clear my head.” I give a little grin and start fixing my hair.

She sits next to me, “No need to be sorry, everyone gets discouraged at times.” She gives me a smile and hands me a cup of water she brought in. I thank her and drink.

“You know everyone here believes in you right?” She says in such a kind voice.

“Hmm well thank you for the encouragement, but I just don’t think my mind is strong enough, I might fall into a trance again and get everyone captured or killed. Maliki can tell you about his near death experience trying to save me.” I feel a little numb now, like I’ve accepted the truths.

Her face turns more serious, “Maggie the fear of your weak mind can only come true if you let it. You have already proven how strong you can be by not giving into the Majestic. We were all amazed to see you rescued, we for sure thought you would be one of his puppets, but you’re not, Maggie. You are here with us ready to fight; you just need to believe it.”

My eyes start to water, I look at her and say, “But what if I lose myself and start to see…”

“There are little things everywhere to remind us of who we are. Your parents were good people Maggie and so are you and your cousin. The choice is yours, nobody else’s but yours.” She stands up and starts to walk away, but then turns back to me, “Maliki truly cares about you. He was only hard on you to put a fire under your ass, so you are prepared in time. I’m afraid I didn’t help much.” She gives a little laugh; I can’t help but laugh as well. She then quickly moves back over to me and gives me a hug.

“I hope to fight with you my friend.” She smiles then leaves.

My mind feels a little clearer now, little by little I feel weights lifting off of me. Maybe I can do this. Yes I can. I was playing tricks on myself before, but now I can. ‘Remember the small things’ Ora said. I’m not sure exactly what that means but it gives me some kind of hope I didn’t feel before. I take a deep breath in and release. I stand up and fix the pillow on my bed, and gently smooth it out. I know now my head won’t lie on this pillow, or any other pillow, again until I have Toby safe, and the Majestic is gone. A smile crosses my face….Toby here I come!