Chapter 3

It’s been over ten years now and, it was starting to dawn on me that this life was my destiny. After completing my high school education at home, I immediately began my accountancy studies.

Every morning I could see several men through my bedroom window training, both new and old, and I pondered what it was like to do it, though the prospect of dying always made me ill. There were a few occasions when Ms. Ravens and her men would leave on missions, and only a small number would return alive. I must admit that I was impressed by her bravery. I looked up to her.

I've had a challenging couple of weeks. My mind has been wandering a lot. The idea that my aunt Luna would have done so much damage my parents' home, the desire to train with the males, and Jack. Jack, yes! He has been acting strangely lately, or he could be bipolar. I'm unsure whether he likes me or is merely messing with my emotions.

I woke up after mid morning since I was so stressed to have a normal sleep. I started developing dark circles around my eyes because I could only sleep for two hours or less. I later on did my morning routine, got dressed and went down the stairs to the kitchen when I met Ms Ravens heading out of the mansion.

“Good morning Tracy, how are you doing? I hear you have been having difficulties with sleeping?”

“It’s nothing ma’am I guess I am just a little bored.” I answered.

“Oh, well, if that's the case, I'm sure you can find something else to do around that won't require you to leave the premises. Enjoy your day! “

“How about I start training with the men outside?!” I shrieked. I could clearly see how she stopped in her steps before she quickly turned her head to face me.

“Are you sure about that? You know they train to become killer machines, right? Is that what you want? To become a vicious murderer, Why?”

"I need to learn how to protect myself, after all. I must learn how to defend myself given the life I've decided to lead here with you. Anything might occur. Why can't I train if Jack has been doing it?”

Gosh! I answered her with a lot of trepidation. We hadn't previously discussed this topic, so I needed to be firm in my stance to persuade her.

"Okay, I'll speak with Dellan about it. You must, however, organize your time because you still need to learn about finances.”

“Yes ma’am” I nodded my head politely.

Dellan was the head trainer and Ms Ravens right hand man. His appearance was Dominating. He was 6’5 and very masculine but also handsome.

After brunch, Jack approached me from a distance while I was sitting in one of the lawn chairs admiring the view and enjoying the refreshing breeze in the flower garden. “I've heard that you desire to commit murder.” He gave my left shoulder a pat before settling in next to me.

“Who told you?”

“The walls do, in fact, have ears.” He grinned. “Is it what you're seeking? "Why do you wish to be covered in the blood of hundreds of people?" Do you wish to pass away sooner than later?

I could see he was worried when he gazed into my eyes. “Well, join them if you can't defeat them!”I spoke as I turned my head away because I didn't want him to see what was going through my head and persuade me otherwise.

“What do you know? You've been acting strangely lately, and I can't get a hold of whatever's going on inside your head.” He said.

“You’re the one acting weird. One day you act like you care and the next you’re treating me like trash. What is going on with you? I argued.

“It’s because I……..I need to leave. Enjoy your trainings tomorrow though it’s going to be tough!” He stood up and took he’s leave.

Did he intend to suggest he liked me? I questioned myself, perplexed by what had just occurred.

I got to my feet and went back to my room. I leaped across the bed and slammed the door softly behind me before lying on my back and staring up at the ceiling. It was going to be a big day tomorrow. I dozed out after closing my eyes.

I opened my eyes when I heard some knocks on my door. “Come in” I answered. It was Jane, one of the maids. Despite being a maid and slightly older than I am , I got fond of her and we became friends.

“It’s almost dinner time, Maria wants to know what you would like to eat?” She walked herself in and sat on my bed.

I have been sleeping for five hours now. That was a new record since I became insomniac. “I think I’ll have pasta and meat balls.” I replied as I sat upright facing my back towards the headboard.

“So are you ready for tomorrow? And what’s going on between you and Jack”

“ I don’t know if I am ready, I’m still nervous and I don’t know what is going on with Jack. I can’t seem to figure it out.” I murmured quietly, knitting my eyebrows.

“I think he likes you but he’s afraid to admit it.” Jane added.

“You think so? Well, I’ll pretend I don’t know that until he says it out.” I chuckled.

It was 5 AM and my alarm rang. Today was my first day of training. I quickly got out of the bed heading to the bathroom when I heard a door knock. Twisting the door knob and making it open, I saw Jack standing at the doorway about to knock again.

“Good morning, I personally came to give you this.” He threw me a bag, inside it was a uniform.

“Thank you.”

We exchanged shy smiles but no other words.

“Be ready by 7 AM.”

He nervously rubbed his neck and then made his way down the stairs. “Oh! Never be late. Dellan dislikes those who arrive late.

I nodded a little, "Noted."

I hurriedly entered the restroom, shut the door behind me, and poured a cork of mouthwash before entering the glass cubicle. I rapidly washed my body and let the warm shower water remove the soap before drying myself. When I was finished, I hurriedly put on the uniform and bunned my hair.

I stood in front of the mirror and covered my dark circles with some concealer. After I was satisfied with my looks, i looked at the wall clock and I was almost running late. I stormed out of the bedroom and out to the training room.

I can say, I won the attention of the twenty men inside the room when I made my entrance but immediately ignored it as I took my sit in one of the chairs that were in the front row. I needed to stay focused and prove it to everyone that I am a capable young lady.

Dellan stood in front of us all and began to address us.

“Today marks your first day of training. You will learn how to become the best fighters this country could ever have and probably be groomed to become killer machines. Rule number 1. In order to be the best fighters, you have to kill all your emotions starting from today. However, today’s lesson will be disarming your opponent. Since we only have one lady in this class, I would like to see what she can do. Tracy, please come up here.”

I got out of my chair and went to stand in front of Dellan. He reached inside his waistband and pulled out a revolver, pointing it at my head. I immediately started to sweat and my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

"If you don't try to take this pistol away from me, I'll shoot you in five. As for you all, pay close attention and take notes.”

My survival instincts suddenly became active; I hadn't planned on running into my ancestors in five minutes. I had to take action right away. I gave him a strong kick between the legs, causing him to wince in pain and nearly fall to the ground, giving me the upper hand right away.

I quickly put my palm over his, moved the slide of the gun backward, and caught the magazine as it dropped from the gun before I drove the muzzle toward the ground. When I thought I had him in the bag, Dellan kicked me off my feet, knocking me to the ground. He then tightened his hold on my neck.

He watched as I fought him off before releasing his hold on my neck. I briefly believed he was going to actually choke me to death.

“Okay, I want anyone of you to share with me what you have learned from this act. Anyone?” Before turning to the others, he assisted me in getting to my feet.

"Never undervalue your opponent." One of the crowd's males responded.

"That's absolutely correct, and you should fight to survive,don't count on your adversary to be merciful to you. Training for today is complete. You might get going.”

“That was quite impressive with what you did with the gun Tracy, where did you learn that from?” Dellan asked me after I finally regained my composure.

“Action movies I guess.”

I used to watch a lot of action movies and I didn’t know what I saw in those movies would have actually worked out for me today. I headed out of the training center and met Jack waiting for me outside.

“I heard you’re were quite impressive today, and you had all those men wanting to marry you.” He snorted.

“Don’t be funny! I almost thought I was going to die today.” I said.

“Of course, you don’t expect these trainings to be easy but you have to be strong. There is no quitting.”

We chatted our way to kitchen. I was starving and I needed something to eat before I’d pass out. Everyone I met at the kitchen wanted to know how the training went and asked me if I was going to give up any time soon. After chatting and waiting for my meal, i hurriedly ate my food and went to my bedroom to take a nap before it was lunch time.