The Hidden Hybrid Within

Chapter 9: Tryout Day, Part 1

       Four am came early, it always bugged my step mother that I could wake up naturally at whatever time I told myself I had to be up. No alarm clock, no music, no wake-up call, I was just up.

       I quietly made my way to the closet to find my clothes for the day so I could get ready. A simple pair of black yoga type pants and a baby blue tank top, and my faithful tennis shoes. I didn't waste another moment as I grabbed the undergarments I needed and shimmied to the bathroom.

      After my hot shower that helped relieve some tension, I was feeling in my shoulders I quickly got dressed and decided to do something different with my hair than the usual messy bun. Dad always told me, that when defending or protecting to make sure that everything was tucked away neatly, never leave anything someone could grab, so no jewelry, and no freely flowing hair. Well, that's what he told me to remember when I knew I was going into a situation that could potentially end up in me having to use my skills.

       Combing my hair, I couldn’t help but notice how long it was getting. I don’t think anyone had seen my hair down at full length in the last year. It now hung to my waistline and was thick and wavy like my moms, which made me smile when I looked at it, I might have only been three when I lost her, but I truly still missed her everyday. I put it in a single braid and then rolled the braid up into a neat bun. After observing it for a few minutes I decided it was good enough.

      I eased out of the bathroom and checked Claire’s clock to make sure that she had it set to get up before I made my way out of the room and to the outside. It was four thirty so I had about an hour before everyone started congregating out there so I found a tree with some low limbs and a nice straight trunk so I could use it to my advantage in stretching.

     Truth was I had never really used a gym or gym equipment, dad had always taught me to use what was at my disposal, to draw my strength from the nature that surrounded me. I used the limbs a few times to lift myself like a pull up and then would allow myself to just dangle which in return allowed the muscles in my arms, shoulders, and back to stretch and relax. Next, I used the tree trunk as a foot hold for one leg at a time, as I positioned my foot above my head on the trunk and started stretching toward the foot still on the ground.

      After a few minutes I could feel that I was relaxed and felt like jogging a few laps. I started my jog, it was so peaceful, no one was moving that time in the morning and it was still dark, I always felt at home in the dark. Dad always told me that I had some nocturnal senses because I maneuvered so well when the lights were off.

      “Hey Sin,” I nearly jumped out of my jog at the suddenness of Jake now jogging beside me.

      “You sure know how to make an entrance.” I laughed at him.

     “Well, I like to warm up before any competition, and besides, I jog about this time every morning. I love it because it is so peaceful, you know?” He smiled back at me.

     “I do.” We were silent as we jogged a little further. “So, are you nervous about today?”

     His smile quickly dropped from his face, “Are you serious? I don’t even know the meaning to that word.”

    I turned backwards to face him while we jogged and he looked at me like I was an i***t, “Well it’s okay if you are nervous, everyone gets nervous. It is the natural way of things.”

    “So, are you nervous?” His smile returned.

    “Sure.” I wasn’t going to lie to him at this point, but I wasn’t nervous for the reasons I am sure he was thinking I was.

     “You know you are kind of amazing.” I stopped on that, dead in my tracks. “Chill, I didn’t’ mean anything by that, I just mean you are an amazing individual. You never cease to amaze me. Too bad you aren’t trying out for the team you would do awesome.”

     I turned back around and started jogging again, “Well about that. I um, well, um, I kind of got talked into it, so guess I am trying out.” I gave him a smile and now it was his turn to stop dead in his tracks.

     “Are you serious right now?” He stared in my eyes like he was trying to see if I was being dishonest. “Oh, this is going to be so awesome. I can’t wait to have you on the team.”

      “Thanks, I think." I cleared my throat, how could he know for sure. "You know there is a lot to go through to even get there don’t know if I will be the last one standing or not. But thanks.”

      “Oh yea, I forgot you were a girl.” He gave me a smirk and turned to run but I chased after him.

       We were laughing and acting like brother and sister. I used to be that way with Dylan when we were younger. We finally came to a stop at one of the benches and both splattered out on the ground in front of it like we were fixing to make snow angels in the snow. Only then did I notice the bag that was sitting just under the bench against the legs of it.

     Jake reached over and pulled it to us, handing me a banana and a bottle of water. “Here have this, you don’t want to eat anything heavy with the day ahead, but you do need to eat something light that will keep your energy up.”

      I sat up and started eating the banana, “Thanks!”

      We sat there in silence and ate our bananas, while we drank our water in silence. We started noticing movement around the sparring rings, people were setting up. They turned the arena lights on so we could see them clearly. They were setting tables up and putting water jugs and cups on them, and then they also had snack tables. There were some roll away bleachers that they pulled out and strategically placed around the arenas.

      After a few minutes I saw Eva and Claire coming out of the entrance way out into the yard. “Hey guys over here.” I stood and waved my arm. They saw me and quickly made their way over to us.

      “Morning Jake, Sin are you ready for today?” Eva asked as they approached.

     “Ready as I will ever be.” I shot her a smile and couldn’t help but notice the twinkle she had in her eye looking at Jake.

      We sat there and talked about the week in school, what was coming up in the next week. Evidently Claire had a crush but wouldn’t tell us who it was, but we had a lot of fun teasing her about it though. Eva went on to tell us about a big test she had that was coming up, and Jake had been helping Xander put together some new training schedules for the team. It was nice getting our minds off what was fixing to start and would most likely last most of the day.

      Before we knew it, Mr. Russell was announcing over the PA system for all trying out to assemble at the first sparring ring. Jake led me to where I needed to enter and then he took the girls over to one of the bleachers so they could get a seat, and then I watched as he made his way to Xander’s side.

       “Good morning to all,” Mr. Russell announced through the PA. “Everyone knows why we are gathered here today. We are looking for a new recruit to our team. And seeing as how we have some strong and talented people in our facility this year this was the best way to find the best recruit.” Everyone gave a round of applause.

        He cleared his throat causing everyone to immediately become quiet once again. “Okay so let me go over how things are going to go today and lay the basic rules out. There are twenty of you trying out. You will be paired off into groups of two, we will do process of elimination that way, until we only have one left standing. As many know Xander is the captain of this team and Jake is his second in command. If you are the last one standing you will have to face Jake and then Xander, if you succeed then you will be moved into a training position and third in command.” I silently giggled at myself noticing the daggers that Xander was sending his dad. Evidently, there were somethings fixing to happen that he didn't plan

       “Rules are simple, rule number one, no weapons, your body and skill are the only things that can be used. If you use anything other than that it is immediate disqualification, and you will be punished. Two, you are only fighting to submission, however we all know there will be blood shed here today. But you are not to fight to the death or any other crazy stuff like that, just submission. Third, there will be a referee so to speak in the ring with you to make sure rules are being followed, if at any time he tells you to stop or timeout you must immediately listen, if you do not, it will mean you are immediately disqualified and will be punished. That is pretty much it, are there any questions?” We all looked around at each other and all I could see were boys, all boys, and they were all huge compared to me.

       What have you got yourself into, Sin? I silently thought to myself. 

      “Okay if there are no questions, then we will start pairing you off. Please listen for your name. If you are in A you will follow Xander and he will get you started. If you are in B, you will follow Jake and he will get you started. When it comes down to the last two competitors, you will return to this ring. Understood?” I noticed the authority in his voice, but it was kind of amusing to me.

       He was always so nice, but I think he figured out early on, that it doesn't work with me. I was surprised and almost jumped a foot when everyone asserted yes alpha in unison. These people are crazy.

       Xander stepped to the front of the crowd with his clipboard in hand, looking sexy as ever, did I really just think that, no I didn’t. “Okay listen up, I will only call your name once, if you didn’t hear me and don’t follow you will be disqualified. Adam, Jack, Lee, Sidney,” whoa he said my name. I needed to get a grip on my run away thoughts.

       My feet slowly started making my way to the front with the others he was calling, I honestly didn't pay any attention to the other names after mine. I did notice though, they were all boys, all giants, all look to be sixteen or older, and did I mention all boys.

      “Okay you guys step to the side there and we will get started as soon as group B leaves the ring.” Xander commanded.

       I stared straight ahead in my perfect at attention stance but couldn’t help but feel the eyes burning into the side of my face, I glanced over to only notice Xander staring intently at me. He didn’t have the usual hate eyes at the moment, but as soon as he realized I caught him staring he turned his attention back to his clipboard.

      He cleared his throat and looked up from his clipboard, “Alright first two up Scott and Jack. Everyone else please stand behind the line and wait your turn, no one is to interfere.” We all stepped back as the two stepped in the middle.

       I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, I knew then, it truly was going to be a long day.